20 Reasons Your Text Messages Are Not Being Delivered [Update]

Have you ever sent a text and wondered why it didn’t go through? You’re not alone.

While texting is one of the most reliable and widely used forms of communication, it’s not always foolproof. Messages can fail to deliver for a variety of reasons, ranging from minor technical glitches to larger network or compliance issues.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through the top 20 reasons your personal or business text messages might not be delivered—and how you can fix them right away.

10 Reasons Your Personal Texts Aren’t Delivered (And How to Fix It)

• Incorrect or Invalid Phone Number
• Recipient’s Phone Is Turned Off or Out of Service
• You’ve Been Blocked by the Recipient
• Do Not Disturb (DND) Mode Is Enabled
• Weak Network Signal or No Carrier Service
• SMS App Glitches or Software Bugs
• Message Sent as iMessage or RCS Instead of SMS
• Recipient’s Phone Number Is Deactivated or Expired
• The Recipient’s Inbox Is Full (For Older Phones)
• Your Phone or Carrier Is Temporarily Blocked from Sending SMS Messages

Even when everything seems to be working fine, your personal text messages can still go undelivered. It’s not always easy to figure out why, whether it’s a simple issue like a mistyped number to more frustrating problems like network outages or software glitches.

Here are the top reasons your texts might not be reaching their destination and what you can do to resolve each issue.

1. Incorrect or Invalid Phone Number

A single wrong digit or an outdated country code can prevent your message from being delivered.

Fix: Always double-check the number, especially if it’s a new contact or international recipient.

2. Recipient’s Phone Is Turned Off or Out of Service

If the recipient’s phone is off, in airplane mode, or out of coverage, the message won’t be delivered immediately.

Fix: Wait and try again later. Some networks will retry delivery for up to 72 hours.

3. You’ve Been Blocked by the Recipient

If your texts are consistently not delivered and you get no response, it’s possible the recipient has blocked your number.

Fix: Try contacting the person through another method to clarify. Respect privacy if the block is intentional.

4. Do Not Disturb (DND) Mode Is Enabled

Smartphones may delay or silence texts when DND is on.

Fix: Wait until the DND window ends, or try calling if urgent.

5. Weak Network Signal or No Carrier Service

Poor signal on your end, or the recipient’s, can delay or block delivery.

Fix: Move to a better coverage area or wait until service is restored.

6. SMS App Glitches or Software Bugs

Sometimes, your messaging app can crash or freeze, especially after an update.

Fix: Restart your phone, clear the app’s cache, or try another messaging app.

7. Message Sent as iMessage or RCS Instead of SMS

iMessage or RCS messages require an internet connection. If it fails, the message won’t convert to SMS automatically.

Fix: Disable iMessage/RCS temporarily or select “Send as Text Message” if available.

8. Recipient’s Phone Number Is Deactivated or Expired

If the person changed numbers recently or stopped using their SIM, texts won’t go through.

Fix: Confirm their number via another platform or mutual contact.

9. The Recipient’s Inbox Is Full (For Older Phones)

Older phones have limited storage for messages and may reject new ones when full.

Fix: Ask the recipient to delete old texts to free up space.

10. Your Phone or Carrier Is Temporarily Blocked from Sending SMS Messages

Carriers may block your number temporarily if they suspect spam or see unusually high SMS volumes.

Fix: Wait it out or contact your mobile provider to lift the block.

10 Reasons Your Business Texts Aren’t Delivered (And How to Fix Them)

• Carrier Filtering & Spam Detection
• Short Code or Long Code Restrictions
• Insufficient SMS Credits in Your Bulk Messaging Account
• Local and International SMS Restrictions
• Business Number Has Been Blacklisted
• Sending More Messages Than Allowed by Carrier Limits
• Content Violates Carrier or Regulatory Policies
• Messages Sent During a Carrier Blackout Window
• Incorrect SMSC (Short Message Service Center) Settings
• Recipient Opted Out of Receiving Business Messages

When it comes to business messaging, failed text deliveries can hurt more than just communication and can impact customer trust, sales, and compliance. Business texts face stricter filters and rules than personal messages, so identifying what’s causing delivery issues is key.

Below are ten common reasons your business texts might not be going through and how to resolve them before they affect your bottom line.

1. Carrier Filtering & Spam Detection

Carriers filter messages that appear spammy, especially those sent in bulk or with suspicious keywords.

Fix: Use approved platforms like DialMyCalls and avoid ALL CAPS, excessive links, and flagged words.

2. Short Code or Long Code Restrictions

Shared short codes or unregistered long codes may be rejected by carriers.

Fix: Use a dedicated short code or a 10DLC number that complies with carrier requirements.

3. Insufficient SMS Credits in Your Bulk Messaging Account

If your platform credits run out, your messages won’t be sent.

Fix: Always check your balance before running large campaigns.

4. Local and International SMS Restrictions

Some regions have tight controls on international messaging or require local number registration.

Fix: Work with an SMS provider that supports international compliance and offers regional guidance.

5. Business Number Has Been Blacklisted

If your number is reported by too many users, carriers may blacklist it.

Fix: Monitor engagement and opt-outs. Switch to a new number or appeal to the carrier if flagged incorrectly.

6. Sending More Messages Than Allowed by Carrier Limits

Some carriers limit daily SMS volumes per number to prevent abuse.

Fix: Use an SMS platform that can throttle messages or distribute volume across multiple numbers.

7. Content Violates Carrier or Regulatory Policies

Messages with restricted terms (e.g., loan offers, adult content) may be automatically blocked.

Fix: Review your content to ensure it complies with industry guidelines like CTIA, TCPA, and carrier rules.

8. Messages Sent During a Carrier Blackout Window

Certain regions or countries prohibit marketing messages during specific times (e.g., after 9 PM).

Fix: Schedule your campaigns during approved delivery windows based on the recipient’s time zone.

9. Incorrect SMSC (Short Message Service Center) Settings

For businesses using custom SMS APIs, wrong SMSC configurations can block message delivery.

Fix: Double-check your provider’s integration guide or use a managed service like DialMyCalls to avoid manual setup issues.

10. Recipient Opted Out of Receiving Business Messages

If someone unsubscribes, any further texts from you will be blocked.

Fix: Maintain proper opt-in records and make sure opt-out links are visible and functional in every message.

So Why Aren’t Your Texts Delivering to a Certain Person?

There could be several reasons why your texts aren’t reaching a specific person. Possible causes include a blocked number, network issues, or the recipient’s device being turned off. Check your settings and try contacting them through an alternative method to troubleshoot the problem.

Overcoming Common Delivery Issues

Text messages not being delivered can be frustrating,, but now you know the common reasons and how to fix them.

For individuals, it’s often a simple matter of signal, settings, or typos. For businesses, deliverability depends on compliance, carrier filters, and using the right SMS tools.

If you’re sending important or high-volume texts, don’t leave deliverability to chance. Try DialMyCalls to ensure your messages go out on time, to the right people, with analytics and automation built-in.

• Stay compliant
• Avoid carrier blocks
• Reach your audience with confidence

Start your free trial with DialMyCalls today!

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