Call Waiting allows you to receive incoming call alerts while you are on another call. This means you won’t miss any important calls even when you are engaged in a conversation.

However, if you’re using a Samsung Galaxy S20 and find that the Call Waiting feature is not working or you can’t turn it on, this guide is for you. 

I have included 07 solutions with detailed instructions on how to set up call waiting correctly and resolve any issues with it. Let’s get started!

Note: Solutions in this guide will work on any Samsung Galaxy S20 model (S20, S20 Plus, S20 Fe, and S20 Ultra models.)

Editor’s note: We created these instructions using a Samsung Galaxy S20 running Android 13. Depending on your device’s software version, some steps and menu positions may look slightly different.

Fix 01: Make Sure Call Waiting is Turned On

First, you need to ensure the Call Waiting feature is actually enabled on your Samsung Galaxy S20.

If you have previously activated this feature, you should toggle it off and on again. This will fix minor glitches that may prevent the feature from working properly.

Here’s how you can enable Call Waiting on your Samsung Galaxy S20:

1. Open the “Phone” app.
2. Tap on the three-dot menu located at the top right corner of the screen.
3. Select “Settings” from the dropdown menu.

4. Scroll down and tap on “Supplementary services”.

5. Now, ensure the “Call waiting” toggle is switched on. If it’s already on, turn it off and then back on again.

After completing these steps, make a test call to see if the issue is resolved.

Fix 02: Contact Your Network Provider

The Call Waiting feature is provided by your network provider, and your Galaxy S20 smartphone simply enables you to use this feature seamlessly. 

Therefore, if you’re facing issues with Call Waiting, you should contact your service provider and verify whether the service is active and properly configured on their end.

Some providers charge for the Call Waiting feature. If this is the case, ensure that your credit balance or usage cap isn’t causing the issue.

If your provider confirms that the service is active and correctly configured, but you’re still facing issues, proceed to the next fix.

Fix 03: Try the SIM Card on Another Phone

Although your provider confirms call waiting works on their end, it is still possible that the problem isn’t with your Galaxy S20. 

One way to verify this is by using your SIM card on another smartphone and checking for the call waiting feature.

Here are the steps to check call waiting by trying the SIM card on another smartphone:

1. Turn off your Samsung Galaxy S20.
2. Eject the SIM card from the phone. You can do this by inserting the SIM eject tool (or a small paperclip) into the small hole on the top edge of your device.
3. Insert the SIM card into another smartphone.
4. Turn on the other smartphone and check if the call waiting feature works.

If the call waiting feature works on the other smartphone, the problem is with your Samsung Galaxy S20. In this case, proceed to the next solution. 

If the call waiting feature still does not work, the problem is indeed with your network provider. In this case, you need to contact them for further assistance or consider switching to a different provider.

Fix 04: Clear “Phone” App Data

The “Phone” app manages all call-related features, including call waiting. If there’s a glitch within this app, it could prevent call waiting from working correctly. 

Clearing the Phone app’s data will reset its configuration and potentially resolve the issue. Here are the steps to do that:

1. Open Settings.
2. Scroll down and tap on Apps.
3. Find and tap on the “Phone” app.

4. Tap on Storage.
5. Tap on “Clear Cache” and then “Clear Data”.

Note: Clearing the app data will delete your call logs and reset your app preferences within the Phone app.

After clearing the data and cache, restart your phone and check if the call waiting feature is working properly.

Fix 05: Reset Network Settings

Resetting network settings will revert all network settings, including Wi-Fi settings and other, SIM settings to their default settings. This will clear out any glitches or bugs causing problems.

Follow the steps below to reset network settings:

1. Open the “Settings” app.
2. Scroll down and tap on “General management”.
3. Tap on “Reset”.

4. Select “Reset network settings”.

5. Confirm your selection.

After resetting network settings, check if the call waiting feature is working correctly.

Fix 06: Do a Software Update

Software bugs are also possible causes that interfere with the normal functioning of features on your Samsung Galaxy S20, including the Call Waiting feature. 

To rule out this possibility, you can perform a software update on your device, and here are the steps you need to follow:

1. Go to “Settings”.
2. Scroll down and tap on “Battery and device care”.

3. Tap on “Software Update”.

4. Tap on “Download and Install”. Your device will automatically check for any available updates.

5. If an update is available, you can proceed to download and install the update.

Note: Ensure your device is charged more than 75% or connected to a charger to prevent the device from shutting down during the update process.

After the update, check if the Call Waiting feature is working.

Fix 07: Do a Factory Data Reset (Only in Extreme Scenario)

In case you’ve tried all the above methods and the call waiting feature still isn’t working, the issue could be deeply rooted in your Galaxy S20’s firmware. 

In such a scenario, you need to perform a Factory Data Reset on your device.

Note: Factory Data Reset will erase all data on your device, including downloaded apps, photos, and personal settings. Therefore, back up all your data before proceeding with this solution.

Here’s how to perform a Factory Data Reset:

1. Open the “Settings” app.
2. Scroll down and tap on “General Management”.
3. Now, tap on “Reset”.

4. Select “Factory data reset”.

5. Scroll down and tap on “Reset”.
6. If prompted, enter your device PIN, password, or pattern.
7. Finally, tap on “Delete all”.

Your Galaxy S20 will then restart and erase all data. 

Once the process is complete, you can then set up your device and enable the call waiting feature.