How to fix SMS not sending

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From time to time, you may receive an error message when sending an SMS (short message service). Several factors can cause this issue, including poor mobile network signal, using the wrong SIM card in a dual-SIM phone, not having enough mobile credit, and the need to update your phone’s software or clear cache and data. from the messaging app.

Here are several reasons why your SMS may not be sending and several things you can try to fix the problem.

Fix SMS not sending on Android

There are several reasons why your SMS may not be delivered on Android devices, such as the correct SIM has not been set for SMS, you do not have enough credit, or your SIM card may not be installed correctly. Here are some solutions for Android devices to make your SMS work properly without any further problems.

Restart your Android device

Restarting your Android device is the quickest and easiest way to fix problems with sending SMS. Restarts clear most problems, such as application crashes, and stop memory leaks. If, after restarting your device, you encounter the same problems, move on to another solution.

Turn airplane mode on and off

An unsent SMS message on Android could be due to a network issue. Turning Airplane mode on and off refreshes your mobile or Wi-Fi network.

Force stop SMS app

Try force stopping and then restarting the Messages app on your Android device to fix any temporary issues with sending SMS. Here’s how to do this on your Android device:

1. Go to settings.”
   
2. Find “Applications.”
   
3. Search and enter the “Messages” application.
   
4. Tap “Force Stop.”
   
5. Exit and restart the Messages app and send the SMS again.

Clear cache for Messages app

Cache is stored data that your Android device uses to access websites and apps faster, instead of having to reload vital information every time. If SMS is not being sent on your device, clearing the cache and data of the Messenger app can help resolve the issue. Follow these steps to clear the Messages app cache:

1. Open “Settings” on your phone.
   
2. Select “Applications.”
   
3. Go to the “Messages” app.
   
4. Tap “Storage.”
   
5. Press “Clear data” and “Clear cache”.
   
6. Restart the “Messages” app and send the SMS.

Update your messages app

Updating your Messages app fixes minor bugs and improves efficiency. To resolve issues with sending SMS messages, update your Messages app with these steps:

1. Go to “Play Store”.
   
2. Select your “Profile” photo in the upper right corner.
   
3. Tap “Manage apps and devices.”
   
4. Choose “Updates available.”
   
5. Find your “Messaging” app.
   
6. Tap on it, then select “Update.”
   
7. Open the “Messages” app and send the SMS again.

Check for Android updates

Android system updates ensure your phone runs smoothly and fix issues with sending SMS. To update your phone’s system, do the following:

1. Go to settings.”
   
2. Scroll to “About phone.”
   
3. Select “Software Update.”
   
4. Tap “Download and install.”
5. When your phone is updated, reboot and resend the SMS.

Remove and then reinsert the SIM

To fix SIM issues that may be hindering SMS sending, remove your SIM card, reinsert it and try resending the SMS. Also, try using a different SIM slot.

Check if you have enough credit in your prepaid account

If you have a prepaid phone account, to send an SMS successfully, you must have enough credit in your account. Check your credit balance and top up if it is low.

Make your system messaging app your default

There are great third-party messaging apps for Android devices, but they can also be glitchy or buggy despite having a better GUI than the system messaging app. To test if the third-party app is the reason why your SMS messages are not being sent, set your system’s messaging app as the default option and send the SMS from there.

Do a factory reset

If your SMS failed errors are not a result of your SIM card or a third-party app, but are instead due to your Android device, a factory reset is the best solution. Before using this option, make sure you have backed up all your data and then do the following:

1. Go to settings.”
   
2. Choose “About phone.”
   
3. Tap “Factory data reset.”
   

Fix SMS not sending on iPhone.

It is frustrating when SMS messages are not sent from your iPhone, but you can try some troubleshooting methods to resolve this issue. These include checking your signal strength, resetting your network settings, updating your iOS, and restarting your iPhone.

Update your iPhone iOS

iPhones should be continually updated to the latest version of iOS, as updates fix most software bugs or issues, such as the inability to send SMS messages. Make sure your iPhone is connected to a good Wi-Fi network, then follow these steps to update your iOS:

1. Go to your “Settings” on your iPhone.
   
2. Tap “General.”
   
3. Select “Software Update.”
   
4. If an update is pending, a button will say “Download and install.”

Check network signal

MMS (multimedia messaging service) and SMS require a mobile network on an iPhone to send messages, while iMessage uses data or Wi-Fi. Check that you are sending the correct message type (SMS) and then check your network signal. Mobile connections can be affected by hackers, adverse weather conditions or location.

Look at the number of bars your network signal displays at the top right of your status bar. If there are few bars, your network service is poor. If there is “No Service”, you have no signal. To try to improve this, move to a location with better network reception and try forwarding your SMS. If your area is expected to have a good signal but does not, contact customer service for your network.

Restart your iPhone

Restarting your iPhone will clear temporary memory, eliminating errors that affect sending SMS on your iPhone. Press and hold the “side” button and a volume button simultaneously to reboot on iPhone X or later models. Then, slide the “Power Off” switch on the screen to the right. On older models, press the “Up” or “Sleep/Wake” buttons to access the “Power Off” screen. You can also reboot or shutdown manually by doing the following:

1. Go to “Settings” on your iPhone.
   
2. Select “General.”
   
3. Slide “Power off” to the right.
   
4. To turn your iPhone back on, press the “Side” button.
5. Try resending your SMS.

Reset iPhone Network Settings

This method of troubleshooting SMS should be used as a last resort because you will lose data such as Wi-Fi networks and passwords. If you’ve tried other methods and still can’t send SMS, follow these steps to reset network settings on your iPhone:

1. Go to “Settings” on your iPhone.
   
2. Select “General.”
   
3. Press “Transfer or reset iPhone”.
   
4. Tap “Reset.”
   
5. Choose “Reset Network Settings.”
   
6. Enter your password.
   
7. Select “Reset Network Settings.”

Fix SMS sending problems on iPhone and Android

If you are having trouble sending an SMS from your mobile device, try the troubleshooting methods above to resend an SMS. The quickest way to resolve SMS sending errors is to restart your device. If this fails, check your mobile network signal, make sure you are using the correct SIM if you are on a dual SIM phone and have two, or update your phone’s system.