If your phone shows “Message Blocking Is Active” when trying to send an SMS, it means something (your device, your carrier, or account settings) is preventing your message from being delivered. The fixes range from simple restarts to contacting your carrier.
What Does “Message Blocking Is Active” Even Mean?
- It’s an SMS-level block — your phone sends the message, but it never reaches the recipient.
- Usually, the block lies on your side (device settings, plan restriction) or carrier side (account hold, restrictions). You’re almost never blocked because of the recipient’s device.
- On iPhones, it’s often shown as “Free Msg: Unable to send message — Message Blocking is active.”
Common Causes (Why It Happens)
Here’s a breakdown of why this might occur:
| Cause | What It Means | Clues / Signs |
|---|---|---|
| Blocked Number | You or the recipient accidentally put the number in a block list | Works with some numbers, not with others |
| Carrier / Plan Restriction | Your SMS service is disabled (e.g. data-only plan) or suspended | Calls still work, data works, but SMS doesn’t |
| SIM / Network Error | The SIM is loosely seated, or the cellular link is unstable | No or weak signal; other phone shows same issue |
| iMessage / SMS settings conflict (iPhone) | iMessage might interfere when messaging non-Apple devices | Works when iMessage is turned off |
| Wrong APN / Network settings | Incorrect network config blocking SMS routes | Other network services may work, but SMS fails |
| Shortcode / Premium SMS setting | The message is considered “premium” (e.g. business codes) and is blocked | Happens only for certain types of messages |
| Account / Billing issue | Your carrier suspended SMS as punitive or maintenance | You might receive alerts or miss service for other features |
| Service outage / Carrier glitch | Temporary backend problem at the provider | Others with same carrier see issues too |
Step-by-Step Fixes — Try in Order
These work on both Android and iPhone, though some are specific. Try one, then move to the next.
1. Restart the Phone
A simple reboot can refresh network links.
Tip: toggle Airplane Mode on and off, too.
2. Check the Contact & Number
- Did you mistype the number?
- Are you using the right country code for international contacts?
- Sometimes you may be blocked by that person (rare in this error case, but possible).
3. Review Block Lists
- On iPhone: Settings → Messages or Phone → Blocked Contacts → Edit → Unblock if present.
- On Android: Phone app → Settings → Blocked numbers (or Messages app → Blocked) → Unblock.
4. Re-insert / Check SIM Card
If physical SIM: power off, remove SIM, inspect for damage, then reinsert properly.
If eSIM: turn off/on the eSIM line in settings.
5. Ensure SMS Support in Your Plan
- Login to your carrier account or call support: Is SMS included?
- Carriers sometimes suspend SMS for billing, plan type, or maintenance.
- Some carriers provide a “message blocking” toggle in their portal; ensure it’s off.
6. Reset Network or Messaging Settings
- On Android: go to Settings → System / General Management → Reset network settings.
- Also reset APN / Access Point Names to defaults — SMS routing depends on these.
- On iPhone: Settings → General → Transfer or Reset iPhone → Reset → Reset Network Settings.
7. Toggle iMessage Off / On (iPhone Only)
If iMessage causes interference, turning it off forces pure SMS.
Settings → Messages → toggle off iMessage. Then test SMS. If works, later toggle back on if needed.
8. Enable “Send as SMS” (iPhone)
If iMessage fails, make sure fallback to SMS is allowed:
Settings → Messages → turn on Send as Text Message.
9. Clear Messaging App Cache (Android)
Sometimes app data is corrupted.
Settings → Apps → (Your SMS app, e.g. Messages) → Storage → Clear Cache (and optionally, Clear Data).
10. Update Software & Carrier Settings
- On iPhone: Settings → General → Software Update.
- Also, if a Carrier Settings Update prompt appears (Settings → General → About), accept it.
- On Android: check for system updates.
- After update, reboot and try again.
11. Contact Your Network Provider
If you still can’t send SMS, your carrier must help.
Explain what you’ve tried. They can:
- Check your account for SMS suspension
- Remove message blocking from their side
- Issue a replacement SIM (if SIM is faulty)
- Fix short code / carrier backend issues
Things to Watch Out For / Additional Tips
- Premium SMS / Shortcodes often get blocked by default (for safety) — you may need special permissions.
- Incorrect date & time settings: weird but true, wrong time settings can block certain network transactions.
- Raming / International SMS restrictions: when abroad, your plan or carrier may block SMS unless you’ve enabled roaming.
- Software bugs: occasionally, a bug causes messaging hiccups; updates often patch that.
FAQ (Quick Answers)
Q: Will this error prevent calls or data?
No, it’s an SMS issue specifically. Calls and data usually work unless your account is deeply suspended.
Q: Can the recipient’s device cause this error?
Very unlikely — this is almost always about your side (carrier or device). That said, if they blocked you, you might see a different behavior.
Q: Do I lose messages if I clear SMS app data?
Yes — clearing “data” may delete your message history, so back up before doing it.
Q: When should I give up and contact support?
Once you’ve tried restarts, block list check, SIM re-insert, network reset, software update and still see the error, your carrier is your best bet.
