Tech

Latest In

Tech

How To Fix The “Message Blocking Is Active” On Android And IOS

Did you receive a notification on your phone saying “Message Blocking is Active” while trying to send a text? Or maybe someone falsely assumed you had blocked them and got upset with you because they got the same notification?

Author:Daniel BarrettJan 25, 202410869 Shares148894 Views
Did you receive a notification on your phone saying “Message Blocking is Active” while trying to send a text? Or maybe someone falsely assumed you had blocked them and got upset with you because they got the same notification?
Many users have seen the “free msg: unable to send message - message blocking is active” error a couple of times, which could get tiring, especially when we need to send an urgent message. Given that text messaging is a very vital part of our communication every day, any issues with getting information across in a short time can be frustrating.
This article will explain what “message blocking is active” means and walk you through the solutions.

What Does “Message Blocking Is Active” Mean?

The error message "Message Blocking is Active" indicates that there are restrictions or limitations on the messaging capabilities of a mobile device. Essentially, this message suggests that the user is currently unable to send or receive text messages, multimedia messages, or other forms of communication through the device's messaging service. The root cause of this issue typically lies in settings imposed by the mobile carrier, the device itself, or a combination of both.
In many cases, mobile carriers implement message-blocking features to control and manage various aspects of their services. These restrictions can be imposed for a variety of reasons, including compliance with regulatory requirements, preventing spam or abuse, managing network traffic, or enforcing account-specific limitations. The "Message Blocking is Active" error serves as a notification to the user that such restrictions are currently in place and are affecting their ability to use the messaging functionality on their device.
It's important to note that the specific reasons for message blocking can vary. For instance, it could be due to outstanding payments or issues with the user's account, restrictions set by the carrier to prevent unauthorized usage, or even technical glitches within the messaging system. Understanding the cause of the message blocking is crucial in resolving the issue, as it guidesusers in taking the appropriate steps to address the underlying issues, whether they be related to account status, device settings, or network configurations.

Importance Of Resolving The Issue

Resolving the "Message Blocking is Active" issue on both Androidand iOS devices is crucial due to its direct impact on the seamless functioning of messaging services. Messaging has become an integral part of communication in today's digital age, serving as a primary means for individuals to stay connected, share information, and maintain relationships. When confronted with the error, users may find themselves unable to send or receive messages, leading to communication breakdowns and potential disruptions in personal and professional spheres.
The importance of resolving this issue is underscored by the inconvenience it poses to users who rely on messaging for timely communication. Whether it's sharing important updates, coordinating plans, or simply staying in touch with friends and family, the inability to send or receive messages can hinder the efficiency and effectiveness of daily interactions. This issue may extend beyond personal communication to impact professional settings where timely responses and collaboration are paramount.
Moreover, the "Message Blocking is Active" error can lead to frustration and confusion among users who may not immediately understand the cause or solution. The importance of resolving this issue lies not only in restoring the normal functionality of messaging but also in providing users with a seamless and reliable communication experience. By addressing the problem promptly, individuals can avoid prolonged disruptions, maintain effective communication channels, and ensure that their devices operate as intended.
Additionally, resolving the issue is essential for preventing potential misunderstandings and miscommunications that may arise when messages are not delivered or received. In professional contexts, missed messages could result in missed opportunities, deadlines, or critical information. In personal relationships, the inability to exchange messages may lead to unnecessary concerns or strained connections.
A woman using an iPhone
A woman using an iPhone

Why Is Message Blocking Active?

Message blocking is typically activated for various reasons, and the specific cause can vary depending on the policies and settings of the mobile carrier, as well as individual account circumstances. Here are some common reasons why message blocking may be active:
  • Unpaid bills or outstanding charges -If a user has unpaid bills or outstanding charges on their mobile account, the carrier may activate message blocking as a measure to encourage payment. This restriction aims to limit certain services until the outstanding balance is settled.
  • Account restrictions or suspensions -Carriers may impose message blocking if there are restrictions or suspensions on the user's account. This could be due to a violation of the carrier's terms of service, misuse of services, or other policy-related issues.
  • Fraud or security concerns -In cases of suspected fraud or security concerns, carriers might activate message blocking to prevent unauthorized or malicious use of the messaging services associated with a particular account.
  • Network issues -Temporary network issues or glitches can also lead to message blocking. This may be due to maintenance activities, technical problems, or upgrades on the carrier's end.
  • Spam or abuse prevention -Carriers implement measures to prevent spam or abuse of their messaging services. If a user's account is flagged for suspicious activity or sending a high volume of messages in a short period, message blocking may be activated.
  • Parental controls or content restrictions -In some cases, users or account holders may have set up parental controls or content restrictions on messaging services. This can include limitations on certain types of content or specific contacts, resulting in message blocking for restricted content or contacts.
  • Regulatory compliance -Carriers may implement message blocking to comply with regulatory requirements. This could involve adhering to rules related to unsolicited messages, privacy, or other telecommunications regulations.
Understanding the specific reason for message blocking is crucial for resolving the issue. Users are encouraged to contact their mobile carrier's customer support to inquire about the cause, address any outstanding concerns, and work towards lifting the message-blocking restrictions on their account.

Basic Troubleshooting Steps

  • Restart your device.
  • Turn off Wi-Fi to make sure you’re using your device network.
  • Check whether the number you’re messaging is on the device Block or Spam List. If it is, you won’t be able to text that number.
  • Update the time and date on your device and enable auto-update.
  • Uninstall any downloaded messaging apps.
  • Contact your carrier and ask them to guide you to ensure the short message service center (SMSC) setting is accurate.
  • (Android only): Clear the messaging app cache a & b steps is a guess, not knowing what device is having the trouble. Check your device settings for device maintenance or device care.
  • App cache: Choose Email & Messaging > Manage messages.
  • SMSC setting: Choose Apps & Accessories > Manage apps.
  • (Apple only): Check the following: Is the text being sent through iMessage? If so, see iMessage Help instead. If you or your contact had an iPhoneand switched recently, turn off or unregister iMessage & FaceTime. iPhones continue sending via iMessage until it’s turned off, so you’ll miss these texts if your phone doesn’t have iMessage.
  • Update your device software to the latest version.
  • Delete texts and text threads. You can back these up beforehand using apps from the app store.
  • If available, try texting the same number using another device or other means other than your cell phone. This test will help determine if the person on the receiving end of the text has turned on a feature returning blocking active.

Advance Troubleshooting Steps

Check If The Number Or Email Address Is Correct

Make sure that you’re using the correct phone number or email address. If necessary, delete the contact entirely from your phone, and re-add the recipient as a new contact with the valid phone number (including the area code). Next, go to Settings > Messages > Blocked and ensure they’re not on your block list.

Check If Coverage Is Available In Your Area

If you’re in an area where coverage is listed as “None,” you won’t be able to make calls or send texts. To make sure that voice service is available where you are, plug your address into our map and check your voice coverage.
An area with no coverage will show up in white.

Confirm That Your Phone Number Is Active

To confirm that your phone number Is active, you can check the status of your phone number by going to the Device settings page in your account and see if the status of your phone is listed as “active.” If your number is suspended or still porting, those statuses will show up here, and you will not be able to send or receive text messages.

Try To Send Plain Text To Fix The “Message Blocking Is Active”

To test whether you can send a text message, send a message with just plain text. That means taking out emojis, graphics, pictures, ringtones, wallpapers, signatures, sounds, symbols, or attachments.

Try Calling The Number In Question

If there’s a specific number that you’re having trouble texting, try calling that number. Voice and text messages travel over the same part of the network, so if you can call the number you’re trying to text, you should also be able to text. If you can reach that number by calling but not with a text message, this may indicate that the receiver has a block of some sort in place.
If you get a “message blocking active” error when you try, they may not have had messaging enabled or have a block in place. Conversely, if someone can call you but gets a “message blocking active” error, you may have their number blocked for texting, or you may need to check that you have text messaging enabled.

Check If Messaging Services Are Enabled On Your Account

To confirm that text messaging is enabled on your account, go to the Device settings page for your phone and make sure that “Can send/receive text messages” is “Enabled.”
If there is no edit icon at the top of the Messages section (i.e., you can’t update your text messaging settings), the number is not active. If someone texting you is getting a “Message Blocking Active” error, this may also mean that you don’t have text messaging enabled.

Confirm The Country Code For International Texts

If you’re texting internationally, ensure you enter the country code correctly. A quick online search will help you find the correct country code.

Confirm Your Email-To-Text Address With Any Senders

If someone is trying to use email-to-text to contact you, ensure that they’ve entered your address correctly. It should be @tmomail.net (i.e., 5555555555@tmomail.net).
Remember, email-to-text only supports regular text messaging, so if someone is trying to send you a picture or video message, it will not come through via email-to-text.

Power Cycle Or Soft Reset Your Phone And Remove The SIM Card

Shut your phone down by holding and pressing the power button on a smartphone or the Call End button on a feature phone. If you have a removable battery, remove it and the SIM card for about 30 seconds after shutting the phone down. If your battery is not removable, then remove the SIM card. Then reinsert the battery and SIM card and power the phone back up.
A man using an Android phone
A man using an Android phone

How To Know If Someone Blocked You From Text Messaging

If you don’t get replies from whoever you’re texting, it doesn’t mean they blocked you. First, look for the delivered text right below your message:
If that appears, then chances are your friend or whoever you’ve been messaging is not near their phone or doing something else. If they block you, your phone knows not to carry the text, so you will not see that delivered.
Now, if you are texting with someone on an Android device while you have an iPhone or vice versa, the messages are called SMS messages, and as well as the messages themselves, the send button will also be green:
If you’re sending an SMS Message, it will take significantly longer to deliver the message, so don’t count on it delivering immediately. If it takes a while to deliver, there’s just a lot of traffic between iOS and Android phones sending text messages to each other.
However, if you see the error sending a message and you have all of the following:
  • Adequate Wi-Fi
  • Data at three bars or more
  • Your friend has adequate Wi-Fi
  • You know they have good data
Then, there is a chance that they may have blocked you. Don’t fret; however, this chance is slim compared to the circumstances of the other possibilities. When you see this: “Couldn’t send” or “Not Delivered.”
Then there is a chance that the intended receiver has blocked you. However, here are some other things that may have happened:
  • You send a text to the wrong number.
  • You do not have service.
  • Not connected to Wi-Fi.
  • Your friend is not connected to Wi-Fi.
  • Your friend does not have access to data.
  • You are attempting to text an Android user or vice versa.
  • Your phone is outdated (at this moment, iOS 8 or below doesn’t support text to other devices).

Message Blocking Is Active - FAQ

How Do I Turn Off Message Blocking On My IPhone?

Usually, you can fix the Message Blocking issue by restarting your iPhone, removing the necessary contact from Block List, or updating Network Settings.

How Do I Remove Message Blocking?

On your Android phone, you need to go to Settings > Messages > Blocked > Edit. If you can see the target number in the list, you need to tap Unblock next to it to remove it from the blacklist. Another possibility is that you are blocked by the contact mistakenly.

Why Is My Android Saying Message Blocking Is Active?

When you see the "blocking is an active error" message, it means that the number you are trying to text has been blocked in some way. It could be that they are in your block list or you have some sort of parental control set up.

Final Words

In mobile communication, addressing challenges like the perplexing "Message Blocking Is Active" error becomes paramount for maintaining uninterrupted connectivity. By navigating the troubleshooting steps outlined in this article, users can untangle the complexities associated with this issue on both Android and iOS platforms. With the tools provided, users can bid farewell to the hindrance of "Message Blocking Is Active" and seamlessly resume the flow of their digital conversations.
Jump to
Daniel Barrett

Daniel Barrett

Author
Latest Articles
Popular Articles