Facing numerous issues post iOS 17.3.1 Update

Lmc-21 wrote:

dropped calls,

If the issues you have described are a direct result of the iOS 17.3.1 update, likely, a substantial number of users who have performed the software upgrade are encountering a similar problem.

Based on my understanding and experience, it is highly unlikely that iOS updates would introduce issues that affect the day-to-day functioning of the device. iOS updates are typically designed to enhance performance, address security concerns, and introduce new features, rather than causing operational difficulties.

Without a precise understanding of the underlying issue, it may be challenging for forum members to provide targeted solutions to the difficulties you are encountering.

If you are experiencing intermittent silence or drop or the call itself is disconnected during voice calls on your iPhone, there are a few things you can try to fix the issue:

1. Poor signal strength can cause dropouts or silence during a call. Try moving to an area with better reception or switching to a different network if possible.
2. Restart your iPhone --> Restart your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch - Apple Support
3. Force Restart your iPhone --> Force restart iPhone - Apple Support)
4. This may help too. Go to Settings > General > Transfer & Reset > Reset > Reset Network Settings.
   1. When you reset network settings, previously used networks and VPN settings that weren’t installed by a configuration profile or mobile device management (MDM) are removed. Wi-Fi is turned off and then back on, disconnecting you from any network you’re on. The Wi-Fi and Ask to Join Networks settings remain turned on.
   2. To remove VPN settings installed by a configuration profile, go to Settings > General > Profiles & Device Management, select the configuration profile, then tap Remove Profile. This also removes other settings and accounts provided by the profile. See Install or Remove configuration profiles on iPhone in this guide.
   3. To remove network settings installed by MDM, go to Settings > General > Profiles & Device Management, select the management, then tap Remove Management. This also removes other settings and certificates provided by MDM. See “Mobile device management (MDM)” in the iOS Deployment Reference.
   4. Reset your Network Settings. Tap Settings > General > Reset > Reset Network Settings. This also resets Wi-Fi networks and passwords, cellular settings, and VPN and APN settings that you've used before.
5. Check if there is a software update available for your iPhone. Go to Settings > General > Software Update.
6. Check if your audio is not connected to external Bluetooth speakers.
7. Few other reasons why your device keeps Muting / Dropping / Disconnecting Calls or encountering Call Failed.
   1. Your device's cellular signal Is weak.
   2. It's Raining (Cats & Dogs) in your area or in the area where your device is hooked.
   3. The Cell Tower is Overloaded / Heavy Traffic (Telecommunication)
   4. You've misunderstood your signal strength
   5. You are moving and the signal weakens while changing from one tower to another
8. Other culprits may include the following:
   1. Bad Weather: Precipitation can leak into phone cable lines and cause disruptions. Lightening, even at a distance, can disrupt the connection.
   2. Wireless interference: Power lines, radio, or television. transmitters, transformers, and other electronic devices may cause noise on the phone line. --> Resolve Wi-Fi and Bluetooth issues caused by wireless ...
   3. DSL services: The high-frequency signals coming from DSL (digital subscriber line) devices sharing the phone line can create problems for other technology connected to the line.
9. Try to turn on Airplane mode, wait for 10-15 secs, and turn off airplane mode.
10. Check the health of your device's Battery. Change if below 80%
11. Take the SIM out and Put it back again, Change your SIM, if it is damaged
12. Time to contact your Carrier / Change if required

Lmc-21 wrote:

bouncing between useless 5G and wifi, dropped calls, cant make calls,

Please contact your Carrier:

Please check the bandwidth that you are getting. Disable WiFi before running this Field Test.

You may check the current LTE band/5G/4G/3G by dialing *3001#12345#* and pressing the call button and then selecting the Serving cell info option

Bandwidth on the 2nd and 3rd Screenshots.

See the pic below which is self-explanatory

E, 2G, 3G, 4G, LTE, VoLTE, 5G all are Carrier Specific features. Contact your Carrier (Cellular Service Provider), the agency that issued the SIM / eSIM to you. About the LTE options on your iPhone - Apple Support (IN)

See the Pic below and explanations thereof

The pic below is self-explanatory

However iPhone model specific feature is listed here --> Identify your iPhone model - Apple Support . and tap on "See the Technical Specs for Model XXXXXX" under each model and Scroll down to "Cellular and Wireless" section.

Know it here --> All about G, E, 3G, H, H+, 4G, VoLTE, 5GE and 5G symbols ...

iOS updates generally aim to enhance user experience, boost security, and fix bugs rather than disrupt core features. Various issues after updates might stem from underlying, unmentioned factors. Updates won't typically alter personal data but may refine settings or features. Backup before major updates for safety. Review Apple's update details and backup advice for a smooth process.

Kindly consider checking your settings and addressing any device issues before attributing the issue to external factors. This could be a pure coincidence that the iOS update affected the iPhone the way you narrated.

See what each update does: About iOS 17 Updates, About iOS 16 Updates, About iOS 15 Updates, About iOS 14 Updates, About iOS 13 Updates, About iOS 12 Updates, and so on...

This may help resolving Connection issues, bouncing between useless 5G and wifi, dropped calls, cant make calls, phone freezing or shutting down, phone heating up, texts and pics not leaving my phone, fading screens, weird sounds during calls, call screens that don’t show up, phone doesn’t ring half the time, volume issues, stuff showing up briefly on my screen that I don’t have on my phone --> General Troubleshooting iPhone Issues: St… - Apple Community

Lmc-21 wrote:

cant make calls,

Check your iPhone settings

Go to Settings and turn on Airplane Mode, wait five seconds, then turn it off. Check Do Not Disturb. Go to Settings > Focus > Do Not Disturb and make sure it's turned off. Check for any blocked phone numbers.

If you can't make or receive calls on your iPhone - Apple Support

Lmc-21 wrote:

stuff showing up briefly on my screen that I don’t have on my phone, etc. Help!

If you can not replicate them then do not bother. Else when you see it next take a screenshot.

To improve understanding of the phenomenon, it would be highly beneficial if you could share a screenshot. Visual representations carry greater impact than written descriptions.

Please remember that this is a public forum, so when attaching a screenshot, please avoid including any personal credentials such as IP addresses, card details, email IDs, Apple IDs, IMEI numbers, serial numbers, phone numbers, order IDs, or any identifiable location information if you are sharing a map.

With the limited information that you have provided, It is hard to even guess the problems faced by you. 

You may get faster and better responses to your query by --> Writing an effective Apple Support Commun… - Apple ...

Please re-post with detail so that someone else can help.

If the steps mentioned so far don't work, consider restoring from a backup. This will erase all your data and settings. You can do this via iCloud or iTunes.

Taking a backup before the iOS update is the first step. Read this Apple Article --> https://support.apple.com/en-in/guide/iphone/iph3e504502/ios

Lmc-21 wrote:

texts and pics not leaving my phone,

• Restart the device. That's it.

Lmc-21 wrote:

Connection issues,

This may help --> WiFi or Bluetooth Greyed and not working - Apple Community

Lmc-21 wrote:

phone freezing or shutting down,

This may help --> Black Screen - Frozen, Apple Logo, Restar… - Apple Community

Lmc-21 wrote:

phone heating up,

This may help --> Overheating issues with my iPhone - Actio… - Apple Community

Lmc-21 wrote:

weird sounds during calls,

If you have a distorted sound issue on your iPhone --> If you hear no sound or distorted sound from your iPhone, iPad

Lmc-21 wrote:

phone doesn’t ring half the time,

This may help --> Does not ring and it goes straight to Voicemail… - Apple Community

Lmc-21 wrote:

volume issues,

On iPhone, adjust the sound volume of media, alerts, and sound effects using the side buttons, Siri, or Control Center.

Adjust the volume on iPhone - Apple Support (IN)

Lmc-21 wrote:

fading screens,

If you are referring to a Faded Lock Screen Clock then...

The pic below is self-explanatory