I spend a lot of time at my computer and always prefer to make and answer calls on the computer - hands free and better sound. It has long worked fine. Suddenly, the last several days, every time I try to make or answer a call on my computer, I immdeiately get a Call Failed message. I have checked all settings and and I am clearly set to make or receive calls on my computer using FaceTime, but it never works any more. Is this a known issue with a recent system software upgrade? Any ideas what could be wrong?
Did you restart both devices?
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Restarting both did not help…
They’re both on the latest system upgrades?
Yes - both up-to-date:
Last idea I have is to try unpairing and re-pairing the phone with the computer.
Not sure what you mean. In Bluetooth settings on phone, I see no way to air with desktop. Same in desktop settings.
Do you have Handoff (search for it in System Settings) turned on on both devices?
Yes - turned on for both devices.
As part of my recent interest in seeing what LLM’s can do here is Perplexity.ai’s take on the problem 
. Not too shabby. . . .
Dave
Recent Issues After macOS Update
There is clear evidence that many users have experienced FaceTime “Call Failed” errors on their Macs after upgrading to the latest macOS version, Sequoia (macOS 15.x)1. Several users report that FaceTime calls immediately fail—both outgoing and incoming—despite all settings appearing correct. This problem seems to have started specifically after the system update, and persists even after standard troubleshooting steps like restarting, logging in and out of Apple ID, and rejoining Wi-Fi networks1.
Potential Causes
- macOS Sequoia Update: The timing and consistency of reports suggest a bug or compatibility issue introduced in the recent macOS Sequoia update1.
- Apple ID/Server Issue: In some cases, the issue may be related to how Apple’s servers handle your Apple ID on your Mac, rather than a local settings problem2.
- Audio Hardware Conflicts: Some users note FaceTime calls only fail when using certain audio outputs (e.g., built-in speakers), hinting at possible audio driver or hardware conflicts after system updates7.
Troubleshooting Steps
Standard Fixes
- Restart your Mac and the FaceTime app3.
- Sign out of FaceTime and your Apple ID, then sign back in9.
- Ensure your Mac is fully updated (check for any additional patches or minor updates since the major upgrade)45.
- Test FaceTime with different audio outputs (headphones, external speakers) to rule out hardware conflicts7.
Advanced Steps
- Flush your DNS cache, as network bugs can sometimes interfere with FaceTime connectivity5.
- Try a different user account on your Mac to rule out profile-specific issues2.
- If none of these steps work, contact Apple Support directly. Some users report that Apple Support can perform server-side adjustments to your Apple ID or FaceTime registration, which resolved the issue when all else failed2.
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Wow! That all sounds like exactly my problem. I will go through the steps tomorrow and see if I can achieve a cure. Thank you.
I have Handoff disabled on both my MBA M3 (macOS 15.5) and my iPhone SE (2nd gen; iOS 18.5). I can use the MBA M3 to send and receive calls—sometimes; maybe 75% of the time. I used to get Call Failed more frequently, but I think (not sure) that stopped with macOS 15.5. My main problem now is that the MBA M3 (and iPad Air 4th gen) sometimes do not ring when a call comes in.
With my setup at least, Handoff does not seem to be a factor.
Handoff doesn’t seem to be a requirement for your Mac to be placing voice calls via your phone. But the phone does need to be configured to allow it. To check (iOS 18), go to Settings → Apps → Phone. Then tap on “Calls on Other Devices” (red box):
From there, enable the feature and select the device that you want to allow to make calls via your phone:
I did notice that Apple’s official instructions say that you need to also enable Wi-Fi calling (blue box in the first screen-shot, above), but I found that it works either way.
I suspect that with Wi-Fi calling, your phone won’t need to be in range of the Mac - it will probably connect directly to your wireless carrier. Without it, the call will be relayed to the cellular network via your phone’s radio interface.
I’m pretty sure this has changed over the years, so if you were doing it in the past, it may have become disabled as a result of an iOS or macOS software update.
It also seems (based on the WWDC preview) that this entire mechanism is going to be changed for iOS/macOS 26. Hopefully to make it easier.
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I signed out of Facetime and then back in and that has apparently cured my problem. Thanks again.
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Thank you for another of your thoughtful and informative posts.
On my phone, “When Nearby” is the setting for Calls on Other Devices. But that’s what I expected, since I can receive a call on the MBA or iPad most of the time. If “When Nearby” was not enabled, wouldn’t calls on other devices fail all the time?
The iPad was in the list. The MBA was in the list—twice, with nothing to distinguish between the two.
I cannot confirm nor refute. Whether the MBA or iPad rings for an incoming call or not, they are within five feet of each other. In other words, each of the MBA and iPad will usually succeed and sometimes fail, always in proximity to the phone.
It’s not a big deal. I chimed in on this thread because it appeared that Handoff is not the cause of the failure. While I wish my setup worked all the time, I’m not actively trying to get a differential diagnosis. I have bigger fish to fry.