Troubleshoot Text Messaging

Today at work the majority of my calls seemed to be trouble with text messaging, so I thought I would share some tips on troubleshooting the problem. Please keep in mind these tips are for providers that use GSM technology (Mobile phones that use a SIM card).

1. Power cycle your phone. This is perhaps the best way to fix any number of problems with your cell phone, not just text messaging. It is best if you make a habit of turning your phone off and then on again at least once a week even if you have no problems. This ensures that your phone receives any updates that the carrier sends over the air. These updates include, among other things, information on new towers or towers that have been deactivated and also whose towers you are allowed to roam on.

2. When sending a text message always dial the 10 digit number of the person you’re sending it to (Area code + Number). Most systems will not complete the process otherwise. An exception to this are the codes that certain companies provide, use them exactly as stated. One example is sending a message to Google for a directory number, which is 46645 (Googl).

3. If you can receive text messages but not send them, it is likely the problem lies in the Message Center Number that is stored in your phone. This is sometimes called the Service Center Number and a couple of other names depending on the phone manufacturer. It can almost always be found in the text messaging settings and always begins with a +1. For AT&T users the number should be +13123149810, contact your carrier for the proper number to use otherwise. The plus is very important and missing it will cause sending text to fail.

4. Ensure that the person you are texting has an agreement with the carrier you are sending from. While most carriers now do allow text messaging with other carriers, there are a few that do not.

5. Log onto your account and make sure you actually have the text messaging feature on your account, wither pay per use or a package feature. Sometimes these will get “swept” off during billing system updates.

6. For AT&T users there is a simple test you can perform (with no charge) to test your text messaging. Simply send a text with the word “TEXT” in the body to 151. This will send a message to the service and initiate a response, telling you that your text is working. If this works then the issue is probably on the other person’s end.

7. Make sure your message folders are not full. On some phones, if you have too many sent and received messages stored, it will not allow you to send/receive others until they are deleted. There is a known issue where a Motorola IZAR (V3xx) will try to send a text as a picture message, the fix is to delete all stored messages.

8. Use the online resources provided to you. AT&T has a rather extensive Device Tutorial that will walk you through, step by step, for troubleshooting and basic use of your device. There is also a live online chat available with technical support reps.

9. If the text you send does not come through complete to the person you send it to, check to see what characters are disallowed. Different phones will not send certain characters, such as _ or ( or even $. This information can be found in the manual.

10. 160 characters is the maximum that can be sent in one text message (this includes spaces), anything over that will be split into 2 messages (and charge you for 2).

These are just a few tips for troubleshooting text messaging yourself, if you have any tips, or questions, please leave a comment, I’d love to hear them.