When you receive a missed call from someone, it can be unnerving to think that they might have been trying to get in touch with you, which went unnoticed. You needn’t worry; there are several perfectly logical explanations, and there’s no need to get paranoid.
The most likely reason is that it was an error, whether a typo or a mistake entering your number into their contacts list. The very fact they left a voicemail message instead of calling again suggests they didn’t intend to leave you in the dark. Here are some things you can do when you get a “no missed call but voicemail” situation:
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Check your phone’s settings.
Whether you’re on Android or iOS, check your settings to see if you have any of the following switched off: If you don’t know how to find these, it’s worth taking a quick look at the user manuals for your operating systems. If you’re receiving many missed calls, it may also be worth checking your forwarding settings. The person might have tried to reach your voicemail, but the call was auto-forwarded to another number.
Check for typos and incorrect digits.
You might have the settings right, but the person still tried to call the wrong number. If they’re someone you know, they may have been in a rush and just made a mistake. If they’re a stranger, it could be a case of a robocall or a scam. You can report these to the FCC, but be wary of giving out your details.
There’s also the possibility that they were trying to reach out to someone but got the digits wrong. It could be that they know you but were trying to reach a different person with the same name. If they know someone with the same name, they may have been trying to get that person. This is something to keep in mind if you have a common name.
In any of these cases, the voicemail will let you know it’s not meant for you. It’s not worth trying to figure out who it is, though. Just delete it and forget about it.
VoiceMail Isn’t Always Missed Calls
The person might have missed the call but left you a voicemail instead. They’ll likely leave a message if you don’t answer your phone. There could be any number of reasons why they didn’t want to keep calling and risk bothering you. Some people are shy and don’t like to keep trying if the other person doesn’t pick up. Others may have been in a noisy environment or have a schedule, meaning they can only call at certain times.
If you get a call from an unknown number, you might be tempted just to hit “ignore” and let it go to voicemail. You might even be wondering why missed calls show up on your voicemail. It’s because the person doesn’t have your number saved in their phone. If they just hit “ignore,” you won’t get the call, but they will get forwarded to voicemail. This can happen even if you don’t have voicemail enabled.
Someone might have blocked their number.
The person could have blocked their number to avoid being identified. This is often the case with debt collectors, telemarketers, and political polls. If you get a call from a blocked number, there’s not much you can do except report it to your phone company. You can’t unblock it because you don’t have the details.
This is especially common if the call happens at an unusual time. Some people use blocked numbers because they want privacy, and others use them to avoid the risk of being fired or blocked. Unfortunately, this can make it difficult to tell if the call is essential, so it’s best to ignore it.
Someone could be using a VoIP app like Skype or Google Voice.
Skype and other VoIP apps have no reason to show a missed call since they don’t use the phone network. You’ll see a missed call on your voicemail but nothing on your phone. The good news is that you’ll get a voicemail notification, so you’ll know they called. It’s not the same, but you can use a service called “ringless voicemail” to leave a message on someone’s phone without them picking up.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Can a voicemail be left without the phone ringing?
It happens a lot. If you’re receiving frequent voicemails without your phone ringing and you’re sure that you’re not blocking unknown callers, there’s a chance the caller is using a ringless voicemail service. If you get frequent voicemails from numbers you don’t recognize, and your phone isn’t ringing, you should report it to your phone company.
And if your phone is receiving calls, but you’re not getting a ring, it could be down to inadequate network coverage or interference from electrical equipment.
Why are missed calls not showing?
If you’ve checked your phone and haven’t disabled voicemail and know the number isn’t blocked, it could be that someone is using a ringless voicemail service. A ringless voicemail service leaves a voicemail without your phone ever ringing.
The call appears as a missed call on your voicemail but not your phone. Debt collectors and pollsters often do this. They want to avoid the risk of you picking up the phone because they don’t want to talk to you.
What does it mean when a phone goes straight to voicemail without ringing?
This could be any of the above, but it usually means a problem with your network. If it happens repeatedly, there’s a good chance that you have inadequate coverage in the area.
If it only happens intermittently, it could be down to electrical interference, inadequate equipment, or a problem with the network itself. Make sure you report it to your service provider if it’s a recurring problem. You may have to get a new phone if the problem is with your device.
Conclusion
Missed calls aren’t always missed, especially if a voicemail is attached. It’s essential to check your phone to see what’s going on and if it’s something you want to deal with.
If it’s a debt collector, a pollster, or even someone who just got your digits wrong, you can delete the voicemail and move on with your day. If it’s essential or someone you know and want to get in touch with, you can call them back. One thing’s for sure: Voicemails are here to stay. They’ll probably even get better over time.
