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How To Fix Do Not Disturb Not Working on iPhone

Mar 25, 2025 • Filed to: Mobile Repair Solutions • Proven solutions

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"I have an iPhone 14 Pro with iOS 16.4.1, and I still cannot get Focus/Do Not Disturb to actually work. It's turned on, yet every call still comes through. I tried resetting the settings on the phone, but that did nothing. I'm not sure how else to fix this, so as a last resort, I have to actually shut my phone off whenever I do not want to be disturbed and want all calls to go to voicemail, which is highly inconvenient. Anyone have any other suggestions?" --- from discussions.apple.com

do not disturb not working on iphone

Do Not Disturb (DND) mode on an iPhone is a valuable feature that helps users silence notifications and calls during important meetings, sleep, or focused activities. However, many users report that Do Not Disturb not working on iPhone can lead to unwanted interruptions, causing frustration and inconvenience.

This comprehensive guide explores the common reasons behind the iPhone Do Not Disturb problem and provides quick fixes for users in a hurry. If you're short on time, try these solutions first:Restart your iPhone to refresh system settings.

  • Check and adjust Do Not Disturb settings in Focus Mode.
  • Update iOS to the latest version to fix potential bugs.
  • Reset all settings to clear misconfigurations.
  • Use Dr.Fone - System Repair (iOS) for deeper system fixes.

For a detailed walkthrough, keep reading! and provides step-by-step solutions to fix it. Whether the issue is due to incorrect settings, iOS bugs, or system glitches, this article will help restore the feature’s functionality. Additionally, we introduce Dr.Fone - System Repair (iOS) as an effective solution for fixing deeper system issues.

Why does my Do Not Disturb not work?

Notifications may override your iPhone's Do Not Disturb settings due to a variety of factors. We'll go through every probable cause of Do Not Disturb not functioning on iPhone (and iPad) and how to solve it in this article.

1. Do Not Disturb Settings Are Misconfigured

Many users overlook their settings, which may be incorrectly configured. With the introduction of Focus Mode (iOS 15 and later), traditional DND settings have changed, potentially causing confusion.

2. Scheduled Do Not Disturb Not Set Up Properly

If your iOS Do Not Disturb not turning on as expected, the scheduled mode might not be set correctly. Double-checking your scheduled settings can help resolve the issue.

3. iOS Bugs or Software Glitches

Occasionally, iOS updates introduce bugs that may affect Do Not Disturb mode iPhone not working as intended. A system-level issue may require a software repair tool.

4. App Notifications Bypassing Do Not Disturb

Certain apps have permissions that allow them to bypass Do Not Disturb. These settings should be reviewed to ensure notifications are properly silenced.

5. iPhone Storage Issues Affecting Performance

Low storage can lead to performance problems, including iPhone notifications coming through Do Not Disturb. Clearing unnecessary files and optimizing storage can help maintain smooth operation.

Tip: Use Dr.Fone App for iOS to quickly clear iPhone storage and optimize performance.

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Part 2. Step-by-Step Solutions to Fix Do Not Disturb Not Working on iPhone

Solution 1: Check your Do Not Disturb Settings

When you lock your smartphone, Do Not Disturb on iOS will mute your incoming calls and alarms. Here's how to use the function that allows you to mute all notification alerts while using your phone.

  • Step 1. Open the Settings > Do Not Disturb menu (Settings > Do Not Disturb).
  • Step 2. Select Always in the Silence section.

If Do Not Disturb doesn't muffle incoming calls while you're using your iPhone or while it's locked, go on to the next alternative.

check DND settings

Solution 2: Turn Off Repeated Calls

When Do Not Disturb is on, phone calls, texts, and other app alerts are muted, but individuals may still contact you if they call several times. Yes, your iPhone's Do Not Disturb option may be overridden by repeated calls (from the same individual).

  • Turn off Repeated Calls in your device's Do Not Disturb settings to avoid this from occurring.
turn repeated calls off

Solution 3: Disable or Adjust Do Not Disturb Schedule

If you observe that Do Not Disturb only works at certain times of the day, double-check that you haven't accidentally created a Do Not Disturb schedule. Make sure the Schedule option is turned off in Settings > Do Not Disturb.

If you do create a Do Not Disturb schedule, double-check that the quiet hours (start and finish times) are set appropriately. Check the chosen hours as well as the meridian designation (i.e., A.M and P.M).

adjust DND schedule

Solution 4: Change Contact Status

Your "favorite" contacts, might override your iPhone's Do Not Disturb settings. When you mark a contact as favorite on your iPhone, that individual may contact you at any time of day or night (by phone call or text), even if Do Not Disturb is turned on.

So, if you're receiving calls from a random contact when Do Not Disturb is turned on, be sure you haven't accidentally marked the contact as a favorite. To check your favorite contacts on your iPhone or iPad, follow the instructions below. We'll also teach you how to remove a contact from your favorites list.

  • Step 1. Tap Favorites in the bottom-left corner of the Phone app. Cross-reference the contacts on the list and keep an eye out for any odd or unfamiliar names.
  • Step 2. Tap Edit in the top-right corner to unmark a contact.
  • Step 3. Press and hold the red minus (—) button.
  • Step 4. Finally, pick Done to save the change and touch Delete to remove the contact from the list.
Change contact status

Solution 5: Change Incoming Call Settings

When Do Not Disturb is enabled on your iPhone or iPad, does it fail to hush incoming calls? It's possible that this is because you've enabled Do Not Disturb to accept all incoming calls. Select Allow Calls from the Do Not Disturb menu.

Make sure either ‘Favorites’ or ‘No one’ is selected. If you want just incoming calls from unknown numbers to be silenced when on Do Not Disturb, you may choose All Contacts.

change incoming calls settings

Solution 6: Restart iPhone

A device reboot is a tried-and-true remedy to a variety of strange iOS issues. Shut off your iPhone and switch it back on after a few seconds if Do Not Disturb is still not functioning. Make sure Do Not Disturb is turned on and set appropriately according to your preferences.

Solution 7: Reset All Settings

Only phone calls, messages, and other app alerts should be muted while using Do Not Disturb. Your alarm clocks and reminders will not be turned off. Surprisingly, some iPhone users have reported that Do Not Disturb sometimes interferes with alarm alerts and sound.

If this fits your current situation, consider resetting the settings on your device. This will restore your device's factory default settings (network, widgets, alerts, and so on). It's worth noting that your alarms will be removed.

Note that resetting the settings on your iPhone or iPad will not delete your media files or documents.

To reset all settings, go to Settings > General > Reset > Reset All Settings and input your phone's passcode.

This will take 3–5 minutes, during which time your device will turn off and on. After that, turn on Do Not Disturb and set a fake alarm. Check to see whether the alarm goes off at the scheduled time.

Solution 8: Update your phone

If your phone's operating system has a problem, several functions and applications may stop working. It's difficult to tell whether Do Not Disturb isn't operating because of a software flaw. As a result, ensure sure your iPhone and iPad are running the most recent iOS version. To see whether there's a new iOS update for your smartphone, go to Settings > General > Software Update.

Solution 9: Fix iOS System Issues with Dr.Fone - System Repair (iOS)

If fix iOS system issues related to Do Not Disturb does not work after trying the above solutions, use Dr.Fone - System Repair

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  • Step 1. From Dr. Fone's main window, choose "System Repair".
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  • Step 2. Connect your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch to your computer using the lightning connector that comes with your device. When Dr. Fone detects your iOS device, you have two options: Standard Mode or Advanced Mode. The normal mode resolves most iOS machine difficulties by keeping user data. When deleting all data on the computer, the advanced option fixes a slew of other iOS machine issues. If the usual mode isn't working, just switch to advanced mode.
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  • Step 3. The program recognizes your iDevice's model form and displays the iOS framework models that are accessible. To continue, choose a version and click "Start".
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  • Step 4. After that, you may download the iOS firmware. The procedure may take some time due to the size of the firmware we need to download. Ascertain that the network is not disrupted throughout the procedure. If the firmware does not update properly, you may still download it using your browser and then use "Select" to restore the downloaded firmware.
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  • Step 5. The tool starts validating the iOS firmware after the upgrade.
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  • Step 6.In a couple of minutes, your iOS system will be fully functional. Simply take the computer in your hands and wait for it to start up. Both of the iOS device's issues have been rectified.
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Part 3. Additional Tips to Optimize iPhone Performance

1. Clear iPhone Storage to Prevent Performance Issues

Low storage can impact various iPhone functions, including Do Not Disturb, by slowing down system processes and causing unexpected glitches. When storage is nearly full, background tasks may not function properly, leading to issues like notifications bypassing DND.

Using Dr.Fone App for iOS can help optimize your device:

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  • Easily unlock various locks on your iOS devices, including iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch.
  • Identify similar photos on your iPhone with 100% accuracy, making it easy to manage and organize your photo library.
  • Merge and organize the Contacts app effectively, removing duplicates and keeping your contacts up-to-date.
  • Clean up devices in just a few taps with the Smart Cleaning feature, freeing up storage space and improving performance.
  • Manage subscriptions across iDevices, including iPhone, iPad, and Mac, providing a centralized view of your active subscriptions.’
  • Step 1. Download Dr.Fone App for iOS.
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  • Step 2. Open the app and scan for junk files.

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  • Step 3. Delete unnecessary files to free up space.

free up your iphone

2. Enable and Configure Focus Mode Correctly (iOS 15 & Later)

If you’re using iOS 15 or later, Focus Mode replaces the traditional DND:

  • Step 1. Open Settings > Focus.
  • Step 2. Choose Do Not Disturb and set up customized options.

Conclusion

We have explored why Do Not Disturb not working on iPhone occurs and provided step-by-step solutions. If basic troubleshooting does not work, consider using Dr.Fone - System Repair (iOS) to fix iOS Do Not Disturb not turning on due to system errors. Additionally, clearing storage with Dr.Fone App for iOS ensures smooth performance.

By following these methods, you can restore Do Not Disturb mode iPhone not working and enjoy uninterrupted peace when needed. If you found this guide helpful, feel free to share it with others facing the same issue!

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