Why your text messages may not be delivered (and how to fix it)

Why are my text messages not being delivered?

It’s frustrating when you send a text message and it doesn’t reach your audience. Text-Em-All works hard to ensure high deliverability, but there are times when carriers block or filter a message. Here’s what you need to know.

What are the most common reasons messages fail?

Text messages may not be delivered for several reasons:

• Carrier filtering – Wireless carriers use automated filters to block messages they think could be spam, scams, or non-compliant marketing.
• Invalid numbers – If the phone number is disconnected, typed incorrectly, or a landline, the message cannot be delivered.
• Content issues – Messages with certain keywords, suspicious links, or overly promotional language may be filtered.
• Opt-out status – If a contact has opted out of receiving texts, future messages will not be delivered.
• High message volume or frequency – Sending too many identical messages in a short timeframe can trigger carrier blocks.

Specific reasons text messages are not received

Phone Unreachable 

Many scenarios can lead to a cell phone being temporarily unreachable:

• The phone is out of its cellular service area
• The phone is not currently enabled for text messaging
• The phone is on a prepaid plan and is out of allotted messages. 
• Occasional network failures on the carrier side.
• The phone number has a spam filter enabled (this is most prevalent with T-Mobile customers). 
  • T-Mobile contacts wishing to turn OFF their SPAM filter, may do so by dialing #632# and pressing the call button.
  • AT&T contacts may be using AT&Ts Active Armor app, which often comes with their phone when they buy it. If they wish to turn OFF their SPAM filter they may find additional instructions in this AT&T support article. 

Rejected for possible Spam 

Mobile carriers have filters for automated text messages to prevent spam and unwanted messages from delivering.

• Here are a few things that can trigger the carrier filters:
  • Sending the same text message repeatedly (changing up your wording a bit shows the carriers that you are not sending out SPAM).
  • Using all caps, special characters, and excessive punctuation (THANKS, ASAP, @, %, !!!, ???).
  • Including an email address in the text.
  • Using too many numbers, dates, or listing a phone number in the text that is different from the number that sent the message.

  • Using a redirecting link, or a generic link shortener (like bit.ly).

    
    

Disallowed URL

If your message contains a shortened or redirecting link, the carriers will sometimes block your message. See our best practices for Sending URLs in Text Messages.

Unsupported Media

It's possible the media you attached is too large or not supported by the end carrier. 

Carrier Limit Exceeded

To reduce the amount of spam, fraud, or otherwise unwanted messages being sent to cell phones these days, the carriers have put limitations in place. 

• AT&T has speed limits (messages per minute)
• T-Mobile has volume limits (total messages per day).

If you see this result when viewing your broadcast details, please contact us about to increase your limits.

Rejected by Handset

This occurs when a recipient has put a block on your text number. To resolve this, ask the recipient to remove the block themselves or contact their phone carrier and ask for the block to be removed.

Text Number Unavailable

This occurs when your text number is text-enabled with a different platform. This can occur if your number's phone plan changes providers, even if that change was only intended for voice.

• If you receive this result, to fix it, fill out this form (Letter of Authorization) and send it to our support team at support@text-em-all.com. Call us at 877-226-3080 with any questions!
• Example: you sign the Text-Em-All Letter of Authorization to enable your office phone number to send text messages with us. If the company that hosts your phone number does something to break the Text-Em-All connection, your text messages will fail because we no longer have access to send texts from your number.

How can I improve my deliverability?

To reduce the risk of blocked or undelivered messages:

• Make sure all contacts have opted in to receive texts.
• Avoid spammy phrases (like “FREE $$$” or “Act now!!!”).
• Personalize your messages when possible.
• Don’t include shortened or suspicious-looking links.
• Use proper registration (10DLC or toll-free verification) so carriers recognize your traffic as legitimate.
• Space out large sends instead of blasting identical messages all at once.

If you’re still having issues, reach out to our support team—we’ll review your account and help troubleshoot.

Other Delivery Issues

Mobile devices are constantly updating for improvement and depending on where the mobile device is and the amount of service it is able to obtain, text messages can have issues being delivered:

• Devices could be roaming or in and out of service.
• The device could be performing an update.
• Carriers could be experiencing an outage in a specific area.
• Carriers can experience a delay in delivery so the message shows up later than when it was originally sent. 
• Message Arrived Out Of Order or Incomplete 
  • On occasion, if your text message is longer than 160 characters, it may arrive at your contact's mobile device incomplete or jumbled into different segments. Unfortunately, this issue occurs on a third-party carrier level and is out of Text-Em-All's control. 

How does Text-Em-All help with delivery?

We’re committed to responsible and reliable messaging. Our platform includes built-in compliance safeguards, registration support, and easy opt-in management to help ensure your messages reach the right people. By combining powerful features with a culture of customer care, we make it simple to connect with your audience in a way that’s effective and respectful.