AI call won't connect or ends: what to do
Most failed AI calls come from a number without a country code, a balance under one minute, a blocked microphone or a busy line. Here is each message and the fix.
Updated November 2, 20264 min read
Find the message you see below. If there was no message and the call just didn't start, go through the first section.
If the call doesn't start
"Invalid phone number. Please include your country code." Enter the number in international format, starting with + and the country code, for example +44 for the UK. If you pasted the number, check that it has no extra digits.
"Sign in to continue" when you open AI Calls. AI Calls need a signed-in account. Tap Sign in and use email, Google or Apple; your guest data stays. See how to create an account.
The app offers to top up after you tap Call. Your balance doesn't cover one minute at the price shown in Estimated call price. Buy tokens or turn off voice-over to lower the price per minute. See not enough tokens.
"Failed to start call session". The server couldn't create the call. Check your internet connection and try again in a minute.
The call was cancelled while connecting. If you switch to another app before the other person answers, the call is cancelled. Stay on the call screen until it connects.
You don't need to add or buy a number to call. Every account has the shared VocaLingo number, see My Numbers.
If you see "Call ended" with a reason
| Message | What it means and what to do |
|---|---|
The person you called is busy. Please try again later. | The line is busy. Call again later. |
Call was declined. / No answer. | The person declined or didn't pick up. Many people don't answer unknown foreign numbers: warn them in a message first, or call from your verified number. |
The number is invalid or does not exist. Please check and try again. | Check the country code and the digits. |
This route is not available with the selected caller ID. Try the shared VocaLingo number or another caller ID. | This destination doesn't accept calls from the number you chose. In Call from number, switch to the shared VocaLingo number. |
This call is not allowed. Please check your account permissions. | The network refused the call to this number. Try another number of the same person or contact support. |
The service is temporarily unavailable. / Calling service is unavailable. / The call dropped before it connected. | A temporary problem on the phone network or our side. Wait a minute and call again. |
Network error. / Connection timed out. / Could not connect to the calling service. | Your internet is too slow or unstable. Switch between Wi-Fi and mobile data and try again. |
Authorization failed. Please sign in again and try the call. | Your session expired. Log out in Settings, sign in again and repeat the call. |
If the microphone doesn't work
"Microphone access is blocked. Please allow microphone access in your device settings." Turn on microphone access for VocaLingo, see microphone or camera access denied.
"Your microphone is being used by another app. Close it and try again." End any regular, WhatsApp or Telegram call and close apps that record sound, then call again.
"No microphone detected on this device." Connect headphones with a microphone or use another device.
If the call ends in the middle
"Balance depleted. Call ending in 30 sec". Tokens ran out. Top up before long calls. The app warns you in advance: first "~2 min remaining", then "Balance running out! ~1 min left".
The call dropped without a message. Usually the internet connection broke. Stay on stable Wi-Fi or good mobile data, and don't let the phone lose signal (lifts, metro).
Tokens are taken only for the time you were connected, in 30-second steps.
If your own number won't verify
Messages about SMS codes, unsupported countries and missing tokens for the code are covered in My Numbers. While your number isn't verified, call from the shared VocaLingo number: everything else works the same.
If you wanted to call someone on WhatsApp or Telegram
AI Calls can't connect to WhatsApp or Telegram calls, only to regular phone numbers. Options are in translating WhatsApp and Telegram calls.
When to contact support
Write to us if the same error repeats on different networks, or if tokens were charged for a call that didn't connect. Use the support form or Settings → Support in the app and include:
the date and time of the call and your time zone;
the country of the number you called (the full number is optional);
the exact message you saw, copied word for word;
your device and whether you were on Wi-Fi or mobile data.
Contact support
Describe the problem and we will reply by email. Add the file name or job ID if you have one.