Mobile device doesn't vibrate

Every mobile device has its "PC Companion" software, whose purpose is repairing the smartphone's operating system, making backup of personal data, etc. For example, iPhones have iTunes, Sony mobile devices have Sony PC companion, etc.

Connect your device to the computer via a USB cable, (install and) run the software, follow the instructions by the software and wait for it to repair your device.

Note: Download the software from the manufacturer's website only to avoid getting your computer infected with a virus. Also, make sure that you make a backup of all your personal data, such as photos, videos, sounds and other documents before you start the repair process.

Your device might not vibrate (nor ring) because of misconfiguration of settings. Resetting the app preferences will restore the default settings of all the apps. Follow the steps below in order to learn how to reset the apps' preferences.

1. Go to Settings and select Apps.
   
    
   
   
2. Tap the three-dot icon and select Reset app preferences.
   
   

   

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Note: The screenshots are taken using a Sony Xperia M2, running on Android 5.1.1 Lollipop. The instructions mentioned here might slightly vary from one manufacturer to another.

Maybe a temporary software-related issue prevents your device from vibrating. Try restarting your device and your device should start vibrating.

See the don't know how to restart my device guide if you are not sure how to restart your device.

If you tried all the other solutions, but none of them worked, reset your device to its factory settings. Before you reset it, make sure to make a back-up of all your personal data, such as pictures, videos, sounds, etc., because they will be deleted from your device.

See the don't know how to reset my device guide on how to reset a device to its factory settings.

If you tried everything else to fix your device and it still doesn't vibrate, consider taking it to a repair shop.

If your device doesn't ring when you receive notifications from an app, it is possible that its notification sounds and the vibrations are disabled. In order to enable them, you should go in the app's notification settings.

If you tried everything else, but you were unable to fix the app which doesn't ring when a notification arrives consider uninstalling the app, via Google Play (Android devices), App store (iPhone) or Windows store (Windows phone OS).

Maybe you have accidentally prevented (blocked) the app from showing notifications. You can easily remove the restriction via Settings:

1. Go to Settings and tap Sounds and Notifications
   
    
   
   
2. Tap App Notifications (on the bottom). Find and tap on the app you can't receive notifications from, i.e. your device doesn't vibrate, and move the slider next to Block to the left.
   
    

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Note: The screenshots are taken using a Sony Xperia M2, running on Android 5.1.1 Lollipop. The instructions mentioned here might slightly vary from one manufacturer to another.

If the mute function is enabled in the Motions and Gestures menu, all the incoming calls will be muted if you cover the phone's front part (the screen) with your hand or with any flat surface. To prevent this from happening in future, disable the mute option in the Motions and Gestures menu.

1. Go to Settings and tap on Motions and Gestures.
   
   

   
   
   

2. Move the slider next to Mute into OFF position.
   
   

   

Maybe you have accidentally turned off your mobile device. If this is the case, all you have to do is to turn on your mobile device.

If your Wi-Fi or Mobile data is disabled, you won't be able to receive calls through apps such as Skype and Viber and your device won't vibrate nor ring.

Check out the don't know how to enable/disable Wi-Fi or don't know how to enable/disable Mobile/Cellular data guides in order to learn how.

It is very important to update the device's operating system on time as the updates contain fixes to various bugs. If you don't receive a notification about the update, check if one is available manually.

See the don't know how to update my operating system guide if you are not sure how to check for updates manually.

Maybe your device misbehaves because the network signal in your area is weaker. If you tried everything else to resolve this issue and it still persists, consider subscribing to a different operator.

Maybe your device doesn't ring because the blocking mode (a.k.a Interruptions) is enabled.

In order to disable this mode:

1. Go to Settings -> Tap My device.
2. Scroll down and tap Blocking mode.
3. Move the slider into OFF position.
   
   

Note: On Android 5, Interruptions is the feature that replaced the Blocking mode. In order to disable this feature:

1. Go to Settings -> Select Sounds and notifications.
2. Tap on Interruptions -> tap On receiving calls and notifications.
3. Select Always interrupt.

Maybe your iOS device doesn't vibrate when you receive calls from an app (e.g. Viber or Skype) because the notifications for that app are disabled in the iPhone's Settings. In order to enable the notifications, follow the steps below:

1. Go to Settings and tap on Notifications
   
   

    
   
   

2. Tap on the app which doesn't vibrate (nor ring) and move all the sliders to the right.
   
   

    

If your iPhone doesn't vibrate nor ring, but you receive notifications in your voicemail when somebody calls you, it's possible that you have enabled the Do Not Disturb mode. If you see a half-moon icon next to the battery icon (in the upper-right part of the screen), this option is enabled.

You can disable this mode either via the Action Center or via Settings:

• Via the Action Center:
  
  Swipe up from the lower part of the screen and tap the half-moon icon.
  
  

  
  
  

• Via Settings:
  
  Go to Settings -> Tap Do Not Disturb -> Move the switch next to Manual to the left.
  
  

     

If your device doesn't vibrate at all and its battery is removable try restarting it by removing its battery and reinserting it after 2 minutes.

If this option is disabled, you won't be able to receive calls through third-party apps such as Skype and Viber. Therefore, your device won't ring, nor vibrate.

In order to enable this option, go to Settings (swipe to the left to access the apps list), tap Wi-Fi and tap on Advanced.

Check the check box next to Keep WiFi on when screen times out.

Maybe the SIM card is the issue and not the mobile device. Test it on another mobile device. If it acts the same, replace the SIM card.

If you are unable to receive calls via apps such as Viber, Skype, etc., it's possible that "Keep WIFI on during sleep" option is disabled. All you have to do is to set this option to "Always".

1. Go to Settings -> Wi-Fi.
   
      
   
   
2. Tap the three-dot icon and select Advanced.
   
   

     
   
   

3. Tap on Keep Wi-Fi on during sleep and select Always
   
   

    

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Note: The screenshots are taken using a Sony Xperia M2, running on Android 5.1.1 Lollipop. The instructions mentioned here might slightly vary from one manufacturer to another.

Maybe your device doesn't vibrate and ring because the call barring feature is enabled. This feature blocks all the incoming calls.

You can disable this feature via the call settings or by contacting the carrier (operator) you are subscribed to.

If you tried everything else to fix your device, including factory reset, but nothing worked, consider buying a new device.

If you are not sure which mobile device to buy, check out the don't know which mobile phone to buy guide.

The call diverting feature enables you to divert all the incoming calls from one phone number to another. If you have enabled this feature, you won't be able to receive calls; therefore, your device won't ring or vibrate.

Go to the device's Call Settings and disable call diverting. If you are not sure how, ask the carrier (operator) you are subscribed to for instructions.