Facetime Not Working – Let’s Figure Out the Problem
Facetime has become such a big part of our lives that we even turned it into a verb. Instead of having a video call, we say “Let’s Facetime.” But what do you do when Facetime isn’t working?
Facetime is Apple’s version of Skype and it works really well. The only downside is that it’s limited to Apple users. On the bright side, the calls are free and the quality is top-notch. You can use Facetime on your iPhone, iPad, and Mac, as long as your Wi-Fi or network signal is strong. It doesn’t matter where you are in the world.
How to Troubleshoot Facetime
Unlike Skype, Facetime uses its own servers instead of direct connections. So, if Facetime isn’t working, the first thing you should do is check if the Facetime server is up. You can do this by visiting the Apple System Status page. If it shows green, the server is up and running.
If the server is up, let’s move on.
Check your Connection
The next logical step is to check your internet connection. If you’re using Wi-Fi, try browsing the web or connecting another device to check if it’s working. If the connection is okay, try streaming a video from YouTube or any other platform to make sure your video can stream smoothly. If you’re using your mobile carrier for internet, do the same test using 4G or any other network. Then, swap between Wi-Fi and your carrier to see if Facetime works on the other network.
If Facetime works on the other network but not on the original one, the issue lies with your original network. If it doesn’t work on either network, then it’s something else.
Check for Updates
Since we’re dealing with Apple, it’s important to make sure that all your apps and operating system are up to date. Apple is very particular about software versions, so updating your Mac OS or iOS should be your first troubleshooting step. Sometimes, an update can cause Facetime to stop working, although it’s rare. But just to be safe, check for updates whenever something goes wrong with an Apple device.
Try restarting your device
Restarting your device can fix a surprising number of issues. Whenever I encounter a problem with Windows, it’s usually the first step I take. However, since Apple devices are generally more stable and predictable, I tend to leave it as a last resort. But if you’ve already checked your network and installed any available system updates, now would be a good time to give your device a fresh start by rebooting.
Sign out and back in again
If you’re having trouble with Facetime or any other Apple service, signing out and then signing back in with your Apple ID can help refresh the connection between your device and Apple servers. So let’s give it a try. Go to Settings and find the Facetime option. Tap on the Sign Out button and then sign back in using your Apple ID. Once you’re done, try using Facetime again.
By the way, while you’re in the Facetime settings, quickly double-check that the toggle switch is set to On. It might seem obvious, but it’s always worth verifying while you’re there.
Double-check the date and time
Since your Apple device needs to coordinate with the Apple servers for Facetime calls, it’s a good idea to make sure your device’s date and time settings are accurate. If Facetime was working before and suddenly stopped, and you haven’t made any changes, this is probably not the cause of the problem, but it’s still worth checking.
To do that, go to Settings, then General, and select Date & Time. Make sure the “Set Automatically” option is turned on. This will allow your device to synchronize the time with Apple’s servers automatically and prevent any potential issues. If the “Set Automatically” option is not already enabled, go ahead and turn it on. Then try using Facetime again.
Reset network settings and SIM card
If all else fails, you can try resetting your device’s network settings. Keep in mind that doing this will remove any saved Wi-Fi passwords, so make sure you have them written down before proceeding. To reset the network settings, go to Settings, then General, and find the Reset option. Tap on “Reset Network Settings” and confirm if prompted. Afterward, reboot your device and reconnect to your Wi-Fi network if necessary.
If you’re using an iPhone and the previous step didn’t solve the issue, you can also try removing your SIM card. Simply take out the SIM card, reboot your phone, and then reinsert the SIM. Hopefully, this will help the phone recognize your phone number and reset Facetime accordingly. While I haven’t encountered this solution often, some iPhone forums mention it as an effective fix, so it’s worth a shot.
So, those are a few things you can try if Facetime is not working for you. Do you know any other fixes that have worked for you? Feel free to share them below!
