On the Pixel 9 Pro, calls and messages fail for reasons that start in settings and end at the carrier, and the Pro's hardware is the same as the standard Pixel 9 for these purposes. Check the SIM and eSIM selection, Airplane mode and Do Not Disturb, then Wi-Fi calling and VoLTE in the Phone app. The Pixel 9 Pro XL and Pro have strong cellular modems, but owners on some networks reported dropped calls after updates, and Google's connectivity page suggests setting the network mode to LTE for a while and resetting network settings.
For messages check RCS in Google Messages and the default SMS app. A call that connects but has no audio may be a Bluetooth route, and a call that has your voice faint may need the microphone checked with the Recorder app.
The checks in more detail
If calls fail only on your SIM, the carrier may need to refresh the line. A Pro bought from another country may need its bands checked with the carrier. The Pro models have satellite SOS and emergency features that need the phone's location and Safety settings to be set up; a prompt or a setting there does not affect ordinary calls, but the Safety app's Emergency SOS gesture can trigger calls unexpectedly, so check Settings, Safety and emergency if calls start by themselves.
Owners who use two lines should also check that the second line's name and number are set correctly under SIMs, because a wrongly named line can make the Phone app choose the wrong one for outgoing calls. If calls on the Pro use the wrong number, set Ask every time for a week to see which one you want, then settle on a default.
Differential
Likely causes of “Google Pixel 9 Pro cannot make calls or send messages”, and how to tell them apart
- 1
The wrong SIM line
What separates it Calls use another number
How to confirm SIMs settings: set the preferred SIM
- 2
A 5G or VoLTE state
What separates it Dropped calls after an update
How to confirm Set the network mode to LTE and toggle VoLTE
- 3
RCS stuck
What separates it Messages pending
How to confirm Toggle RCS in Messages
- 4
A Bluetooth route
What separates it No audio on a call
How to confirm Turn off Bluetooth
- 5
A band mismatch on an imported phone
What separates it No service on your carrier
How to confirm Ask the carrier about supported bands
Before you touch a setting
Record this first — changing settings destroys the evidence
- Whether calls or texts fail
- The SIM and carrier
- Whether the phone was bought abroad
- Whether Bluetooth is connected
Try in this order
0 of 7 completedCheck the SIM selection
ReversibleIn SIMs settings.
Turn off Airplane mode and Do Not Disturb
ReversibleIn quick settings.
Check VoLTE and Wi-Fi calling
ReversibleIn Phone settings.
Set the network mode to LTE
ReversibleFor a test.
Check RCS
ReversibleIn Messages.
Reset network settings
ReversibleIf it persists.
Check Safety and emergency settings
ReversibleSettings, Safety and emergency, and review Emergency SOS and Car crash detection if calls start by themselves.
Model-specific
What is true of this model and not of its siblings
- Network modes
- LTE-only can steady calls.
- Imports
- Bands matter on an imported phone.
- Emergency SOS
- A power button gesture can start an emergency call.
- Safety app
- It holds crash detection and SOS settings.
Stop boundary
When this stops being a self-service repair
- !If No service persists, contact the carrier
- !If dropped calls continue on LTE, contact Google
- !Ask about band support for imports
Evidence ledger
Sources behind this answer
Exact questions
Common questions
Why do calls drop on my Pixel 9 Pro?+
A network mode or VoLTE state.
Does an imported Pixel work on my carrier?+
Check supported bands.
Why do messages stay pending?+
RCS.
Will LTE-only help?+
As a test.
Why did my phone call someone by itself?+
An emergency gesture may have triggered it.
Where are those settings?+
In Safety and emergency.