Updated Dec 19, 2023, 8:30 AM EST
Dan was the Deputy Editor for Android, iOS, and Mac at MakeUseOf and oversees the Gaming, Streaming, Hobbies, and Social Media coverage at How-To Geek.
He has worked closely with Apple devices for well over a decade, from producing music in Logic Pro for a BSc in Sound Technology to managing iPhone and Mac repairs at an Apple Store. Since 2017, he has used this experience—alongside editorial training from the CIEP—to create tutorials, troubleshooting guides, and explainers with the aim of helping everyone get more from their technology. He has also written for MacKeeper, AppleToolBox, and more.
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1. Test the Camera and Microphone on Your Device
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2. Turn On Your Camera and Microphone in FaceTime
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3. Test the Internet Connection on Your Device
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4. Restart Your iPhone, iPad, or Mac
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5. Find Out if FaceTime Is Down for Everyone
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6. Check if FaceTime Works in Your Country
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7. Make Sure You Use the Right Contact Details
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8. Confirm That Your Device Works With Group FaceTime
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9. Limit the People in Your Group FaceTime Chat
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10. Update the Software on Your Device
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11. Set the Date and Time Automatically
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12. Temporarily Disable FaceTime in Settings
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13. Sign Out of FaceTime, Then Sign In Again
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14. Disable Content Restrictions for FaceTime
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15. Enable Certain Ports in Your Firewall
Various factors like camera problems, connection issues, software bugs, and more can prevent FaceTime from working properly. Below, we've gathered all the best ways to fix FaceTime when it isn't working on your iPhone, iPad, or Mac.
1. Test the Camera and Microphone on Your Device
If people can't see or hear you on FaceTime, there might be a problem with the camera or microphones on your device.
On your iPhone, the simplest way to test this is to open the Camera app and record a short video of yourself talking into the front-facing camera. On a Mac, use the Photo Booth app for this.
Play the video back to find out if there are any problems with the audio or video you recorded. You'll need to troubleshoot your iPhone's camera issues first if so.
2. Turn On Your Camera and Microphone in FaceTime
If people can't see or hear you on FaceTime, it could be because you've accidentally disabled your camera or microphone for that call.
During a FaceTime call, reveal more controls by tapping the screen on an iPhone or iPad or hovering your mouse over the FaceTime window on a Mac. Click the Video and Microphone icons to turn your camera or microphone on and off during the call.
Similarly, if you can't see or hear the other person on FaceTime but they can see you, it's best to ask them to confirm if they have video and mic enabled on their end.
3. Test the Internet Connection on Your Device
Unlike regular phone calls, FaceTime needs an internet connection to work. If FaceTime isn't connecting, load a webpage on your iPhone, iPad, or Mac to test the internet connection.
FaceTime works best over Wi-Fi, but you can also use it with your cellular data on an iPhone or iPad. To use FaceTime without Wi-Fi, go to Settings > Cellular (or Mobile Service) and find FaceTime from the list. Toggle on the FaceTime slider to let it use cellular data.
4. Restart Your iPhone, iPad, or Mac
Restarting your device is one of the best troubleshooting tips for any app. When you restart your iPhone or reboot your Mac, you'll often find that software glitches are resolved in the process. That's because the operating system is refreshed due to the device powering off and turning back on.
It sounds simple, but don't overlook this useful step when FaceTime isn't working.
5. Find Out if FaceTime Is Down for Everyone
Apple services sometimes experience technical issues, which means FaceTime won't connect or be available for anyone. When this happens, there's nothing you can do but wait for Apple to implement a solution.
Take a look at the current status of every Apple service on Apple's System Status page. If the status indicator next to FaceTime isn't green, it means the service is experiencing an outage and you'll need to wait.
6. Check if FaceTime Works in Your Country
Unfortunately, FaceTime isn't available worldwide—although it certainly comes close. It also isn't available with every single network provider.
Take a look at Apple's carrier support page to find out if your carrier supports FaceTime in your country. If FaceTime isn't available where you live, you might be able to bypass these limitations by using a free VPN app for your iPhone.
On your iPhone, you can check your own FaceTime contact details by going to Settings > FaceTime > You Can Be Reached By FaceTime At. Ask the person you're calling to do the same to make sure you have the right details for them.
To check your details on a Mac, open the FaceTime app. From the menu bar, go to FaceTime > Settings. Your contact details will appear in the General tab.
8. Confirm That Your Device Works With Group FaceTime
You might not be able to get Group FaceTime chats to work if your device is too old. This could be the case even if one-to-one FaceTime calls work just fine.
For Group FaceTime chats, you need one of the following devices:
- iPhone 6s or later
- iPod touch (7th generation)
- iPad Pro, iPad Air 2, iPad mini 4, iPad (5th generation), or later
- Any Mac running macOS Mojave 10.14.3 or later
9. Limit the People in Your Group FaceTime Chat
Image Credit: Apple
FaceTime lets you start a group chat with up to 32 people at a time. But having that many people makes it difficult to know who is causing FaceTime problems. Try starting a one-to-one chat, then add extra people one at a time to find out when the problems start.
If FaceTime doesn't connect for anyone at all, there must be an issue with your device or internet connection. However, if FaceTime isn't working with one person in particular, the problem probably lies at their end.
10. Update the Software on Your Device
FaceTime might run into issues if you aren't running the latest software on your iPhone, iPad, or Mac. Update your device to the latest OS release to fix this issue. Also, make sure the person you're trying to call updates their device as well.
On an iPhone or iPad, go to Settings > General > Software Update. On a Mac, go to System Settings > General > Software Update to check for a newer version.