Many users have seen the “free msg: unable to send message – message blocking is active.” error a couple of times, and this could get tiring, especially when we need to send an urgent message.
And the fact that text messaging is a very vital part of our communication every day, any issues with getting information across in a short time could be heartbreaking.
Users with iPhone (ios) or Android devices have seen the “message blocking is active” error immediately after sending a text, and for most users, T-Mobile has been the main carrier with this issue, but we try to make this guide easy to follow for users who may have experienced this issue on some other carriers.
What does message blocking is active mean? Let’s take a closer look at the “message blocking is active” issue and see the options we can explore to have this fixed as soon and as seamlessly as possible.
What does message blocking is active mean? Possible reasons for the issue
The “message blocking is active” error you see on Android devices and iPhones would mean you have blocked the other person. One of the first things to note when you receive this error is that the receiver either has you on their block list or you have them on your block list.
Service outage
The “free msg: unable to send message – message blocking is active.” error could mean you have a service outage, and its one of the most common reasons for this error. So you’d want to give it a few minutes or hours before retrying as there is a chance that your network provider is doing maintenance, and might have paused the messaging service.
Shortcode issues on T-Mobile
Another cause we have heard about from T-Mobile could be an error with the shortcode. Some message blocking active errors were caused by shortcodes being either inactive or incorrect. Verify that this isn’t from your end, if you’re on the clear, then the error would be on T-Mobile’s end, and you would have to contact them so they can have their technicians fix the issue.
Text message app restrictions
The “free msg: recipient unable to receive message – message blocking is active.” error would mean that the recipient has restricted messages coming from a certain group of users. Some messaging applications might have issues working seamlessly with your carrier.
If any of these was used, you might have to check to see if you can manually allow these applications. If there isn’t an option to allow these applications, then you might not be able to resolve this issue on your own.
Data plan issues
You also want to be sure of the plan you’re subscribed to. If you are trying to send messages from a Data only plan, then there’s a chance that the message wouldn’t go through, and you’ll get this error message.
You should also confirm that the service you’re sending the message to supports a premium text messaging service. We earlier talked about not being able to send the message because your carrier doesn’t support a premium text messaging service, in this case, you should be sure that the issue isn’t on the recipient’s end.
How to fix free msg: unable to send message – message blocking is active.
To have this error message fixed, you should try any of these possible solutions. Tell us which of these options did the job for you in the comments.
Fix 1: Check coverage
If the coverage in an area is listed as None, then you wouldn’t be able to send or receive texts or make and receive calls.
Fix 2: Is your mobile device account active?
On the device settings page in your account, check and confirm that your phone is Active, if it’s listed as Suspended or Still Porting, then you won’t be able to send or receive text messages.
Fix 3: Are text messages part of your plan?
We mentioned this earlier. In your account device settings page, see if the Can Send/Receive Text Messages setting is enabled. Enable this option if not yet enabled. If you don’t seem to be able to enable the option, then likely, you don’t have text messaging as a part of your plan or your number is inactive.
Read also: Message+ Keeps Stopping – The Solution to Message plus Keeps Stopping
Fix 4: What’s the country code?
If the error was on international texts, a simple Google search of the country code will help you see if you are using the correct one.
Fix 5: Restart the process
If the “free msg: receiver unable to receive message – message blocking is active.” error is only on one phone, there might be issues with the number. Maybe it’s incorrect. Delete and re-save the number and retry.
Fix 6: Eject and Swap the SIMs
Try swapping the SIM cards in your Samsung phone and try messaging with a new SIM. If it works, then the issue is probably with the SIM. We have seen cases where the inability to send messages was SIM-specific, so check if that is the case for you.
Read also: Receiving My Own Text Messages on Android and iPhone – Causes and Fixes
Fix 7: Text Content
Some users have been able to resolve this by sending only plain texts in messages. There is a chance that this error was caused by all the other non-plain-texts added to the message. Remove all attachments, emojis, pictures, or graphics in the message and retry.
Fix 8: Do A Complete Factory Reset
The last resort would be a complete factory reset of our device. To do this, go to Settings >> select Reset >> tap Factory Data Reset >> enter the information it requests and do a complete factory reset of your phone to have it return to default. Things should work if you try this, but I should warn you that it has to be the very last resort.
How to Turn OFF iPhone message blocking is active on 6, 7, 8, XR or 12
In this section of the article, we’ll be sharing practical fixes that should help you turn OFF message blocking active on your iPhone.
Note: Through our tests and fixes, one thing we notice is that iPhone users seem to have a few more things [in addition to the ones we recommend for Android users, so check those as we added some things we didn’t add here that could help to give attention when your phone says message blocking is active.
These would range from something as simple as tweaking an option in settings to doing a complete software update. So you want to try the fixes in the order in which we arranged them as it’s arranged from the simplest to the most advanced. You also want to restart your phone and confirm that this issue is reoccurring.
Fix 1: Turn iMessage OFF (from settings)
Turning iMessage OFF is both a fix and a way to isolate the fault. There is the iMessage and the regular texting app on your iPhone, and any one of them could be the culprit, so turn one OFF and try messaging with the other, and in this case, it will be the iMessage.
To do this, tap Settings >> go to Messages >> select Turn iMessage OFF. Try sending a message after doing this. If that doesn’t fix the problem, let’s try the next fix.
Fix 2: Try to send a Text Using iMessage
Since iMessage wasn’t the issue, this process will focus on a simple troubleshooting task on the iMessage app and then trying to send a message with it.
To do this, ensure that your phone has good internet connection (always leave iMessage OFF when you don’t have internet connection or an active data plan) >> go to Settings >> select Messages >> select Send & Receive >> tap on the Apple ID >> and select Sign Out >> reboot your iPhone >> go back to the Settings app >> select Messages >> and tap Use Your Apple ID for iMessage.
How to Turn OFF Android message blocking is active on Samsung S8, S9, S10, S20, A20, J3, J7
If you are using a Samsung smartphone, all the fixes we recommend for android phones apply to you, and here are some that would work especially for Samsung Galaxy smartphones.
Fix 1: Enable Premium SMS on your Samsung Galaxy
One setting you don’t have on other android phones is a premium SMS feature, and if you’re looking to fix message blocking on Samsung, that is where you want to start.
To do this: go to Settings >> select Apps >> click the three dots on the upper right corner of your screen >> select Use the Premium Text Message Services >> select the APP, and if you get a popup on allowances, select Always Allow.
Fix 2: Do A Complete Factory Reset On Samsung
The last resort would be a complete factory reset of our device. To do this, go to Settings >> select Reset >> tap Factory Data Reset >> enter the information it requests and do a complete factory reset of your phone to have it return to default. Things should work if you try this, but I should warn you that it has to be the very last resort.
Can You Still Receive Texts If You’re Disconnected on Metro Pcs?
No, you will not be able to receive or send direct calls or texts if your phone service is disconnected on Metro PCS. Anyone who tries to text you when the service is disconnected will receive a ‘Subscriber unavailable or service blocked’. In addition, their messages will be stored in the provider’s computer system for a limited time.
You can only receive texts when you use apps like WhatsApp, iMessage, Instagram, etc., that require internet alone. You can also try out secondary number apps like Google Voice, sidekick, pinger, textplus, textnow, burner, wickr, backchat, Twilio, or Textfree.
When you see the ‘Free Msg: Unable to Send Message – Message Blocking is Active.’ error, you start to wonder if you’ve been blocked. Blocking someone could be fun, but it becomes much less fun when it’s you who gets blocked.
We highly recommend reading through this article to learn how to confirm if you are actually blocked and how to fix the issue.
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