FaceTime Keeps Failing 2023 (How To Fix)

If FaceTime keeps failing or not working as expected, then this detailed guide will provide you with helpful tips to help you fix this issue once and for all! As you’re very much aware, it can be annoying when you find that FaceTime isn’t working.

It is a great app for having a video call with your friends and family, and it allows you to see people face to face when you can’t get together.

When it isn’t working, you will want to fix it as soon as possible. However, there are a number of different issues that can cause this problem. Take a look at the following 15 ways to fix FaceTime not working.

FaceTime Keeps Failing Or Not Working (How To Fix)

1. Restart Your Device

Whether you are using an iPhone, iPad, or a Mac, the first thing you should do is restart your device. This often fixes a problem with your device when an app isn’t working, and FaceTime is no different.

You should start by closing all of the apps on your device and then save anything you are working on. Restart your device. If you are unable to restart it, you can force a restart of your device.

2. Check to See If FaceTime Is Down for All People

There are times when a service is down for everyone. If FaceTime is having a technical difficulty, then FaceTime may not be working for anyone.

If this is the case, you will need to wait until Apple resolves the issue. You can check this on the Apple System Status website. It will tell you if FaceTime is down.

3. Make Sure That FaceTime Works in Your Country

Many people don’t realize that FaceTime isn’t available in every country. In addition, it doesn’t work on all of the different cellular service carriers.

If you aren’t sure, then you can go to Apple’s carrier support page to find out if you can use FaceTine in your country on your cell phone.

If your country isn’t on the list, you might be able to get around this by using a VPN on your phone. It will indicate that you are located elsewhere.

4. Check the Internet Connection on Your Device

FaceTime is different from making a standard phone call because it uses the Internet for its connection. You can use Wi-Fi or cellular data on your iPhone or your iPad, but you need to make sure that you have it enabled.

Go to your settings, and under Cellular you can allow FaceTime to use cellular data. Make sure that your connection is working when you want to use FaceTime.

5. Check the Contact Details

Make sure that you and your contact have the correct FaceTime details. You can check yours in the Settings under FaceTime. Check “You Can Be reached by FaceTime At” to see how you can be reached.

You might have your phone number or your email address. Then have your friend check their contact info, and make sure that you are trying to reach the right phone number or email address. If you are trying the wrong one, you won’t be able to connect.

6. Make Sure That Your Device Works with Group FaceTime

If you are trying to connect to a Group FaceTime chat, you need to make sure that your phone is compatible with this feature. Some devices don’t have it, especially if you have an older device.

It is likely that this is the case if you can reach people individually with FaceTime but not in a group. You will need the following to access Group FaceTime chats:

  • iOS 12.1.4
  • iPhone 6S or newer
  • iPad Pro, iPad Air 2, iPad Mini 4, iPad 5th Gen or later
  • iPod Touch 7th gen
  • Mac running Mojave 10.14.3 or later

7. Reduce the Number of People in Your Group FaceTime Chat

You can chat in a group of as many as 32 people at the same time. However, when you have so many people, it is very difficult to figure out what is causing the problem.

You can start over with one person, and slowly add the other people one at a time. This way you will find out where the problem is. If FaceTime won’t connect to anyone, there is likely to be a problem with your device or your connection.

8. Try to Update the Software on Your Device

If your iPhone or other Apple device is due for an update, it may affect your ability to use FaceTime. Sometimes people want to download the latest update until they have time to let the phone sit and install it.

However, this can cause some of your apps not to work. FaceTime can have a problem if you need to update your software.

You should also make sure that the person you are trying to reach updates their device. You can go to the Settings to check whether you have a Software Update available.

9. Set the Date and Time Automatically

Apple itself recommends that you set the date and time to update automatically if FaceTime continuously fails on your device.

It is a simple process. If you are using an iPhone or an iPad, you should go to Settings, and then click on General followed by Date & Time. You can make sure that Set Automatically is turned on.

If you are using a Mac, you can go to the System Preferences and choose Date & Time and click the box that says “Set date and time automatically.” Then, select your time zone and you are good to go.

10. Disable FaceTime Temporarily in Your Settings

You can activate and disable FaceTime in the settings on your iPhone or other device any time you want to. You may need to use your Apple ID, but you can do this.

You can go to your settings and turn FaceTime off, and then turn it back on again. Once you do this, try FaceTime again, and it could resolve the problem.

11. Sign Out of FaceTime and Sign Back in

Sometimes FaceTime doesn’t work because of a glitch. If you are having trouble with it, you can actually sign out of FaceTime. When you sign back in, you need to use your Apple ID and password.

You can go to the Settings on your iPhone or iPad, and choose FaceTime. Then, tap on your Apple ID, and choose Sign Out. Once you do it, sign back in on the same screen.

If you are trying to use your Mac for FaceTime, you can go to FaceTime and then Preferences. Once you are there, you can sign out and then sign back in.

12. Test the Device to See If the Microphone and Camera Are Working

If you are trying to use FaceTime and your friends can’t see you or hear you, there might be a problem with your camera or your microphone. You can start out by opening the Camera app to see if you can take a video of yourself.

When you play the video back, you will be able to see if there is an issue with the camera or the microphone. If you find that they aren’t working, you might need to take it to an Apple repair person.

13. Go Into FaceTime and Turn on Your Camera and Microphone

Another reason that FaceTime might not work is that you accidentally disabled your camera or microphone. You actually have these controls during your FaceTime calls, and you can turn the camera and the microphone on or off.

While you are on the call, you can swipe up on your mobile device or you can roll your mouse over the FaceTime window on your Mac. Choose the camera or Microphone icons to turn them on or off during your FaceTime call.

14. Disable FaceTime Content Restrictions

If you can’t find the FaceTime app on your phone or other device, it is possible that you have enabled restrictions. Sometimes people disable FaceTime so that younger children won’t be able to access it.

You can go to the Settings and then look for Screen Time. Go to Content & Privacy Restriction, and look at the Allowed Apps. Make sure that both FaceTime and the Camera are allowed.

You might need to enter your Screen Time password to enable these apps, and this password can be different from your device password.

You would have set it when you set up Screen Time. If you are checking your Mac, it is under the System Preferences, where you can find Screen Time.

15. Enable Certain Ports in Your Firewall

It is possible that your computer firewall is blocking the connections that are necessary for FaceTime to work. This is normally a problem if you are using third-party firewalls that haven’t been configured to work with FaceTime.

You can solve this problem by opening the ports you need to use for FaceTime. You don’t have to disable your firewall.

Look at the instructions for your firewall and find out how to unblock the ports you want to use. You can also check Apple’s firewall support page to learn what ports you will want to use for FaceTime.

Conclusion

If you find that FaceTime keeps failing or not working, you have a lot of different solutions to try to see if you can get it back up and running. If all else fails, you can use an alternative video conferencing app until you get it working again.

Avatar of David
About David

Hey there, I'm David. I recently joined the Spacehop team from Tech Devised, and love writing about all things TECH! When I'm not writing, you can find me enjoying the great outdoors with my golden retriever Lucy or enjoying a pint at my local Irish pub.

Leave a Comment

Previous

DIY VR Headsets – Is Google Cardboard still available?

Facebook Marketplace Not Working Or Loading 2023 (Fix)

Next