Having Text Message Troubles? Understand Why You Can’t Receive Texts and How to Solve It
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The frustration of not receiving text messages is all too familiar.
Text messages are supposed to be fast and reliable - and they are - except when they get lost in delivery. Whether you’re relying on texts for customer updates or waiting on a delivery status, understanding it’s normal to wonder why “my phone isn’t receiving text messages.”
Let’s unpack it together, so you’re better equipped to make sure your messages are received.
Not Receiving Text Messages? Check for Invalid Numbers
Possibly the most common reason why messages fail: invalid phone numbers. These numbers could be incorrectly formatted, deactivated, or non-existent, meaning - they can’t receive texts.
For example?
Carrier-Specific Problems, Security Measures, and Filters
“Why am I not receiving text messages?” is a question many users find themselves asking when faced with delivery issues. But do these users know that mobile phone carriers have the ability to block the delivery of text messages that they identify as inappropriate or spammy? This does keep SMS a reliable strategy for businesses, especially those using it respectfully, but it also creates challenges.
Why Carriers Use Filtering Systems and How the Filters Work
Spam filters and security measures safeguard users against unsolicited and potentially harmful messages (yes, please!), but they can also inadvertently impact the delivery of legitimate messages (yikes!).
It’s important for consumers to trust their carriers, so carriers are proactive in filtering texts to identify spam, fraud, or unacceptable content. Additionally, many countries have rules that regulate what types of messages are allowed to be sent via SMS to a consumer. Failure to comply with these laws could result in fines or other penalties.
How Filters Work
Every carrier uses a method that works for them, but some processes or examples include:
1. Keywords: Lists of words or phrases considered inappropriate. 2. Phishing: A message that resembles a fake SMS, looking for info to potentially trick someone.
3. Violations: Unsolicited marketing, strange attachments, or odd links.
4. Machine Learning: Software, or AI, that uses volumes of text to assess patterns.
5. Unusual High Volume: Bulk or automation could be mistaken for spam if not properly registered.
Filtering serves a (welcomed) purpose, but make sure your messages don’t fall under any of the questionable categories or you may run into a problem resulting in text messages not delivered.
If you’re proactive, you can improve your message delivery rate:
At Clerk Chat, one of the first items on a new customer’s to-do list is completing their Brand Registration. Once they do, this information goes through The Campaign Registry. Once the brand is verified and vetted, the business receives a campaign ID.
Although this takes a bit of extra time, it’s the ideal way to send text messages that comply with carrier regulations.
How SMS Routing Affects Text Message Delivery
When you hit "send" on a text message, you assume that message lands where it was supposed to. But what if it doesn’t? They’re left wondering, “Why isn’t my phone receiving texts?” SMS routing, which happens behind the scenes, can impact the message’s delivery and sometimes results in a delay or the message being lost.
Here are some key factors that should be considered:
Carriers: Carriers have to communicate with each other to help the text message move between networks. Some carriers prioritize their own traffic which could cause delays or text messages not coming through as expected.
Grey Routes: This may be cost-effective, but is often problematic. The message starts in one place but routes its way elsewhere before it gets delivered. Sometimes this is used to disguise where the message started. This becomes a security liability and a higher chance of the message getting lost.
International: Sending a text message internationally is complex, often leading to questions like why am I not receiving text messages? Sometimes a message travels through multiple carriers, increasing the chances of delays or errors.
Networks: Just like traditional rush-hour times, there are also peak usage hours. When the networks are overworked or congested, messages may be delayed or even fail to be delivered.
Policies: Terms and conditions, policies, and preferences are set by each carrier and typically define how a message is routed.
As a business, it’s important for you to understand how SMS routing could affect text message delivery, ensuring that you’re not left wondering why you’re not receiving text messages, or why your customers aren’t receiving the ones you send.
How Network Connection Issues Affect Text Messages From Not Coming Through
When it comes to sending and receiving text messages for businesses, network reliability plays a pivotal role. Let’s explore some common network-related issues that can cause messages to fail:
1. Signal Strength: Ever notice low signal bars? Your phone’s signal strength determines how well it can communicate with cell towers.
2. Coverage Gaps: Not everywhere has cell towers, and remote areas or buildings with thick walls might create service gaps. Can you hear me now?
3. Network Congestion: Mobile networks have congestion during peak hours, too.
4. Roaming: Are you traveling outside your carrier’s coverage area? Your phone may connect to other networks, which is called roaming.
5. Maintenance: Carriers occasionally have scheduled maintenance, and during these times, services may be temporarily disrupted.
6. Outages: Technical difficulties or bad weather can cause network outages.
Troubleshooting Tips:
If you’re impacted and can’t receive text messages on your Android, iPhone, or other devices, here are some common solutions:
Keep in mind, we’ve come a long way, and we’re lucky to have technology that the telecom industry provides, yet glitches happen. When they do, troubleshoot as needed.
Making Sure Your Business Texts Get Through to Customers and Clients
Even when covering all your bases, text messages do sometimes get lost in the shuffle.
Carriers have regulations in place to protect recipients from spam, technical issues can slow down or prevent messages from reaching their destination, and device compatibility can lead to delivery failures.
How Clerk Chat Can Help:
Clerk Chat provides a text messaging platform that helps you tackle these challenges. Our team is constantly researching and learning about Brand Registration, use cases, carrier regulations, and The Campaign Registry.
Additionally, Clerk Chat works as a web app or it can be used within common platforms like Slack or Microsoft Teams, depending on an organization’s needs. If a company brings their own number, their calling will remain as is, and Clerk Chat will only take over or enable text messaging abilities. You also have the option to activate a totally new line.
If you’re using text messaging as a go-to communication channel, make sure your texts are getting through and your business messaging is reliable. It will increase response rates (boosting customer engagement), convert leads into sales (speeding up conversions), and smooth workflows (improving operations).
Device-Related Issue: Can’t Receive Text Messages on Android or iPhone
It’s only natural for our phones or devices to struggle leaving us wondering why we cannot receive text messages as expected. Here are a few device-related concerns:
Compatibility: If you’ve ever seen a message go through as a different color or a group chat that sometimes turn into separate group chats, it’s likely because messages are traveling between different operating systems.
Software: How often do you update your device’s operating system? It’s best to keep the features and security up-to-date, otherwise you may run into a compatibility issue.
Storage: Check your device’s storage capacity. If you’re running on limited memory or storage space, incoming messages may be unable to be stored or received.
TL;DR? Keep your devices and apps up-to-date.
Mystery Solved: Why Am I Not Receiving Text Messages
You’re equipped and ready.
Be proactive and address the underlying factors like carrier filtering, device compatibility, and network connectivity, and you or your business will become known for reliable messaging.
Technology glitches happen - it’s inevitable, but with the right resources, you can minimize disruptions and keep your messages where they’re supposed to be, when they’re supposed to get there.
Is your business using SMS for communication? Avoid the frustration of undelivered messages. Schedule a demo with Clerk Chat and discover how we can help you reach customers instantly, boost engagement, and streamline operations with reliable business text messaging.