13 Best Fixes: SMS Fails To Send In Android

It is annoying to get the notification ‘Failed to send a message. Tap to check the message and try again.’ 

There may be several reasons for receiving such notification(s). And here you are, surfing the web, looking for solutions to solve this error.

You don’t need to worry because, in this article, you will learn several solutions to solve the when SMS fails to send in Android. 

Why Does My Android Phone Receive The Message Not Sent Notification?

Below are several possible reasons your Android device keeps receiving the ‘Message not sent’ error.

• The ‘Default SIM for SMS/Text’ is not set- In some cases, users may not have set the SIM for handling text messages on your Android. Or, even if you have set the default SIM, the SIM doesn’t presently support text messages.
• Check If Your SIM(prepaid) Has Enough Credit Ti Send Message- A prepaid SIM requires a minimum credit balance to send a message. Check your account before you try to resend the failed message.
• The Message App Is Outdated.
• The SIM Card may not be properly installed.
• The Recipient’s number may be incorrect.
• Your phone number may be blocklisted on the recipient’s phone.

13 Fixes For SMS Fails to Send in Android

1. Restart your Android phone
2. Toggle the Airplane Mode On & Off
3. Set the default SIM for sending Texts Or choose the correct SIM
4. Force stop the Messaging app
5. Check If Your SMSC Number Is Active
6. Clear the Messages cache
7. Update the Messaging app
8. Re-insert the SIM card
9. Check if the error occurs for only one recipient
10. Set the Messaging app as your default
11. Check if your Prepaid account has enough credit

1. Restart Your Android Phone

Suppose you encounter any error on your Android phone or any other device. In that case, Restart can handle the most common issues. A restart helps you troubleshoot errors by flushing the memory, halting memory leaks, mending software glitches, and speeding up the performance. 

So if you encounter the ‘Message not sent’ error on your Android phone, try restarting your device and resend the failed message. If the issue persists, then you can try the following solutions.

2. Toggle The Airplane Mode On & OFF

Refresh the Cellular network by toggling Airplane mode On & Off. Airplane mode disables all network connections and stats in an Android device.

Drag the screen from the top, and tap on the Airplane icon. It will turn blue when enabled. Wait for about 30 seconds. Re-tap the Airplane icon to disable it. Now you can try resending the failed message.

3. Set The Default SIM For Sending Texts Or Choose The Correct SIM

The ‘Message not sent’ error is most common in Android phones with multiple SIM slots. In Dual SIM phones, users can opt for two different SIMs to make calls and send texts. Sometimes confusion is created when only one of the SIM is active.

Suppose you set the inactive SIM to send messages on your Android. Then you will indeed receive the ‘Message not sent’ error message. You can solve this issue by changing the default SIM slot for sending messages to your active SIM.

• Open the Settings app on your Android.
• Navigate to SIM settings or SIM manager. Different brands of Android have separate addresses.
• Under the preferred SIM card section, you can see the default SIM for making calls, texts, and cellular data. Choose an active SIM or one with enough credit as the new default.
• Close the Settings app, then try to resend the failed message.

4. Force Stop The Messages App

Next, you can try to restart the Message app on your Android phone. Force Stop your Android Message app, then relaunching it may clear the temporary memory. 

• Open the Settings app.
• Navigate to Apps/App info-> Manage Apps.

• Scroll down the App list, and tap Messages.

• Tap the option ‘Force Stop’ at the bottom of the screen.

• Close the Settings app.
• Tap On Messaging App, then try to resend the failed message.

5. Check If Your SMSC Number Is Active

• Open the system’s default Messaging app.
• Tap on Settings or the gear icon.
• Scroll down the page and tap on the Additional Settings or More option.

• Tap on the Short Message service center (SMSC) option.

• Compare the number in the textbox with the number present on your Service Provider’s website.

• Change the SMSC number; if it doesn’t match, then tap Ok.
• Restart your Android phone. 

Now try resending the failed message. However, if the solution doesn’t work, you may contact your Customer Care.

6. Clear The Messages App Cache Storage

If the above solution doesn’t work, you may try to erase the cache. Cache. Cache stores data that helps Android to operate faster. But regular cleanup of cache can help troubleshoot errors and speed up the performance.

• Open the Settings app.
• Navigate to Apps-> Manage Apps.
• Scroll down the App list, and tap on Messaging.

• Tap on the ‘Clear Data’ option at the bottom of the screen.
• Choose the ‘Clear Cache’ option from the two choices.
• Close the Settings app, launch the Messaging app and try to resend the failed message.

7. Update The Messaging App

Regular updates keep your Android phone free of bugs and minor errors. It also helps improve computing efficiency. So if you encounter a ‘Message not sent’ error, try to update the messaging app to the latest version. 

• Open your Google Play Store app.
• Tap on your profile avatar on the top right corner of the screen.
• Tap on the Manage apps and devices option.
• Choose Updates available.
• Scroll down the pending updates list, and tap Update beside the Messaging app option.
• Open the Messaging app after the update is complete. Resend the failed message and check whether the issue persists.

8. Check For Android System Updates

An OS Update package contains fixes to minor glitches & bugs and speeds up your device performance. You may unknowingly solve the error if you regularly update your Android phone.

• Open the Settings app.
• Navigate to About Phone-> UI/OS Version.

• Tap Check for Updates.

• Download & install the required updates.
• Restart your phone.

9. Re-insert The SIM Card

A problem with the SIM card leads to the ‘Message not sent’ error. Then you can try to re-insert the SIM card. Re-insert the SIM card correctly, or try another SIM slot to fit the SIM card.

10. Check If The Error Occurs For Only One Recipient

If your phone number is blocked on the recipient’s Android device. Or the recipient’s number is invalid. Then, you may receive the ‘Failed to send message’ error message. To see if the error occurs with only one recipient, try to send a message to another number. If the message is sent, the problem may lie with the first recipient.

The reverse case is where you add the recipient’s number to your blocklist. You may also receive an error notification in this case. Try to remove the recipient’s number from your blocklist.

• Open the Settings app on your Android phone.
• Navigate to Call Settings-> Blocklist.
• Tap on the Blocked Numbers option.

• Check if the recipient’s number is on the list. If the number is listed, then Unblock it.
• Tap & hold the number you want to unblock.
• Choose Unblock from the list of options.
• Close the Settings app

11. Set The System Messaging App As Your Default

Many users have installed third-party apps that manage their Android phones’ calls and text messages. Although the GUI looks more advanced than the simple Messaging app, you may encounter bugs & errors with these third-party apps. 

Try to change the default back to the system’s native Messaging app. Then try to resend the failed message, and check if the issue has been resolved or not.

12. Check If Your Prepaid Account Has Enough Credit

SMS service requires a minimum credit to be able to send messages. If your prepaid account doesn’t have enough credit, outgoing facilities will stop. Try to check if your current package is valid, and if it’s good, check the SMS status and whether the SMS service is active on your SIM card.

13. Perform A Factory Reset

Factory Reset is the ultimate solution if the source of error lies with your Android phone. Go to Settings-> About Phone-> Factory Reset. Tap Erase all data. Enter your security password to confirm the operation. 

Also, backup your important data to your computer or cloud storage so that you can restore your phone after Factory Reset.

Conclusion

You may feel frustrated when your receive the ‘Failed to send message’ error. And even more, irritation if you’re unable to fix the issue of the outgoing texts. However, we hope you pinpoint the error source with the solutions listed in this article. And solve the error with the matching solution.