Why Are My Text Messages Not Sending? Troubleshooting Guide

Experiencing issues with sending text messages can be incredibly frustrating. Whether you’re using an iPhone, iPad, or another smartphone, there are several reasons why your messages might be failing to send. This guide will walk you through common causes and effective solutions to get your text messages sending again.

Common Reasons Why Text Messages Fail to Send

Before diving into specific troubleshooting steps, it’s helpful to understand the common culprits behind text message sending failures. These can range from simple network issues to device settings and even problems with the recipient’s device or network.

Poor or No Network Connection: Text messages, especially iMessages and MMS (Multimedia Messaging Service) messages containing photos or videos, rely on a stable cellular or Wi-Fi connection. If your signal is weak or nonexistent, your messages may get stuck in the outbox.
iMessage Issues: For iPhone users, iMessage is Apple’s proprietary messaging service that sends messages over the internet (Wi-Fi or cellular data) to other Apple devices. Problems with iMessage service itself or its settings on your device can prevent messages from sending.
SMS/MMS Issues: Standard SMS (Short Message Service) and MMS messages are sent via your cellular carrier’s network. Issues with your carrier’s service, your messaging plan, or device settings related to SMS/MMS can cause sending failures.
Recipient Issues: Sometimes the problem isn’t on your end. If the recipient’s phone is off, has no service, or is experiencing its own messaging issues, your messages might not be delivered.
Device Settings: Incorrect date and time settings, airplane mode being enabled, or certain messaging settings on your phone can interfere with sending text messages.
Software Glitches: Like any technology, smartphones can experience temporary software glitches that disrupt normal functions, including text messaging.

Troubleshooting Steps to Fix Text Messages Not Sending

Now that we’ve covered common causes, let’s explore actionable steps to troubleshoot and resolve the “text messages not sending” issue.

1. Check Your Network Connection

A strong network connection is paramount for sending text messages, especially iMessages and MMS.

Cellular Data: Ensure cellular data is turned on if you are not connected to Wi-Fi. Go to Settings > Cellular (or Mobile Data). Verify that the toggle is green and “Cellular Data” is enabled. If you have multiple SIMs, make sure the correct phone line is turned on and selected for data use.
Wi-Fi: If using Wi-Fi, check if you are connected to a stable and working Wi-Fi network. Try opening a webpage in your browser to confirm internet connectivity. If the Wi-Fi signal is weak, move closer to your router or try restarting your Wi-Fi router.
Airplane Mode: Make sure Airplane Mode is turned off. Airplane Mode disables all wireless connections, including cellular and Wi-Fi. You can toggle Airplane Mode in Settings or through the Control Center (swipe down from the top-right corner of your iPhone screen).

2. Restart Your Device

Restarting your iPhone or iPad is a simple yet often effective solution for various tech glitches, including messaging issues.

Restart iPhone: Press and hold either volume button and the side button until the power-off slider appears. Drag the slider, then wait 30 seconds for your device to turn off. To turn it back on, press and hold the side button until you see the Apple logo.
Restart iPad: If your iPad has a top button, press and hold the top button and either volume button until the power-off slider appears. Drag the slider, then wait 30 seconds for your device to turn off. If your iPad doesn’t have a top button, press and hold the power button until the slider appears. Drag the slider, then wait 30 seconds for your device to turn off. To turn it back on, press and hold the top (or side) button until you see the Apple logo.

3. Check iMessage Settings (for iPhone/iPad Users)

If you are sending messages to other Apple devices and they are not sending, there might be an issue with your iMessage settings.

Toggle iMessage Off and On: Go to Settings > Messages. Turn off iMessage, wait for about 20 seconds, and then turn it back on. This can refresh the iMessage activation and resolve temporary glitches.
Verify Send & Receive Settings: In Settings > Messages > Send & Receive, ensure that your phone number is checked and selected as the primary way to start new conversations and to be reached for messages. If you only see your email address, you may need to link your iPhone number to your Apple ID.

Verify Send & Receive settings in Messages to ensure your phone number is selected for sending and receiving messages.

4. Check for “Not Delivered” Alerts and Try Resending

If you see a red exclamation point next to a message with a “Not Delivered” alert, it indicates that the message failed to send.

Tap “Try Again”: Tap the red exclamation point and select “Try Again”. This will attempt to resend the message.
“Send as Text Message” Option: If resending via iMessage fails, tap the exclamation point again and choose “Send as Text Message”. This will send the message as a standard SMS/MMS message via your cellular carrier, which may be successful if the iMessage issue is the problem. Keep in mind that standard messaging rates may apply.

You can also set your iPhone to automatically attempt to send messages as SMS when iMessage is unavailable by going to Settings > Messages and toggling on “Send as SMS”.

5. Check Date & Time Settings

Incorrect date and time settings can sometimes interfere with network connections and message delivery.

Set Automatically: Go to Settings > General > Date & Time. Ensure that “Set Automatically” is toggled on. If it’s already on, toggle it off and then back on again. If necessary, manually set your time zone and time if automatic setting is not working correctly.

6. Check Your Messaging Plan and Carrier Support

For SMS and MMS messages, ensure you have an active messaging plan with your cellular carrier that supports these services.

Contact Your Carrier: If you are unsure about your messaging plan or suspect a carrier issue, contact your carrier’s customer support. They can verify your plan, check for any service outages in your area, and confirm if there are any blocks on your account preventing message sending.
RCS, MMS, and SMS Support: Inquire with your carrier if they fully support the type of message you are trying to send, especially if it’s MMS (for photos/videos) or RCS (Rich Communication Services, an advanced messaging protocol). Some older plans or carriers might have limitations.

7. Free Up Storage Space

If you are having trouble sending or receiving photos and videos in messages (MMS), ensure your device has enough available storage space.

Check Storage: Go to Settings > General > iPhone Storage (or iPad Storage). Review your storage usage. If your storage is nearly full, you may need to free up space by deleting unnecessary apps, photos, videos, or files.

8. Reset Network Settings (Use with Caution)

As a more advanced step, you can try resetting your network settings. Be aware that this will reset all your saved Wi-Fi passwords, cellular settings, and VPN settings, so you will need to re-enter them.

Reset Network Settings: Go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone (or iPad) > Reset > Reset Network Settings. You may be prompted to enter your device passcode.

9. Check for Software Updates

Ensure your iPhone or iPad is running the latest version of iOS or iPadOS. Software updates often include bug fixes that can resolve messaging issues.

Check for Updates: Go to Settings > General > Software Update. If an update is available, download and install it.

10. Issues After Setting Up a New Device

If you are experiencing messaging problems specifically after setting up a new iPhone or iPad, there are a few additional steps to consider:

Update to the Latest iOS/iPadOS: As mentioned, ensure your new device is updated to the latest software version.
Verify Cellular Settings: In Settings > Cellular, confirm your phone line is turned on. If using multiple SIMs, ensure the correct number is selected and active.
Re-enable iMessage: Toggle iMessage off and then back on again as described in step 3.
Send & Receive Settings (Again): Double-check your Send & Receive settings in Settings > Messages to ensure your phone number is correctly associated with Messages.

11. Group Messaging Issues

If you are having trouble with group messages, consider these points:

Left the Conversation: If you stopped receiving messages in a group chat, check if you accidentally left the conversation. In Messages, open the group thread. If you see a message indicating you left, you will need to be re-added by someone in the group to rejoin.
Start a New Group Message: If problems persist, you might need to delete the existing group conversation and start a new one. To do this, swipe left on the group message in the Messages list and tap “Delete”. Then, compose a new message and add all participants again.

Still Having Issues?

If you’ve tried all these troubleshooting steps and are still unable to send text messages, the problem might be more complex.

Contact Apple Support: If you suspect an iMessage-specific issue or a problem with your Apple device, contact Apple Support for further assistance.
Contact Your Carrier (Again): If you suspect an SMS/MMS or network-related issue, or if you consistently see “Not Delivered” alerts even after trying these steps, reach out to your cellular carrier again for more in-depth technical support. There might be an issue with your account, SIM card, or network infrastructure in your area.
Deactivate iMessage (If Switching to Android): If you recently switched from an iPhone to an Android phone and are having trouble receiving texts on your new Android device, you might need to deactivate iMessage. Even after switching, your phone number might still be registered with iMessage, causing messages from iPhone users to be sent as iMessages (which you won’t receive on Android). Deactivating iMessage removes this association.

By systematically following these troubleshooting steps, you should be able to identify and resolve most common issues causing your text messages not to send, and get back to seamless communication.