Certain aspects of the present disclosure relate to methods and apparatus for improving voice over new radio (VoNR)-to-voice over long term evolution (VoLTE). An example method generally includes communicating with and camping on a next generation node B (gNB) in a 5G new radio (NR) system; initiating a voice call with the gNB; receiving a 5G NR-to-long term evolution (LTE) handover command in response to initiating the voice call; performing a handover procedure in response to the handover command; detecting a failure in the handover procedure; and taking one or more actions in response to detecting the failure in the handover procedure.