13 Ways to Fix Message Blocking is Active

Message Blocking is active is a common issue faced by T-Mobile users, and sometimes other carriers. This error message means that you can’t send or receive text messages due to a block from your carrier. Here are the reasons why you may receive this message:

Service Outage: If your mobile operator is experiencing a service issue, you may see this error message when trying to send an SMS or MMS. Contact your service provider if the issue persists.

Shortcode Error: Some T-Mobile users have reported that inactive shortcodes cause this error. Contact your service provider or seek professional help.

SIM Card Not Working: If your SIM card is blocked or deleted, you may face this error message and be unable to send messages.

Blocklist: If you have been blocked by the recipient or vice versa, you may see this error message. Check with the other user if you have been added to their blocklist by mistake.

To fix this error message, Follow these tips:

1. Verify the Number or Email

Before attempting other fixes, make sure to verify the accuracy of the number or email address. Incorrect information may result in Message Blocking is active error when sending messages. If both are correct, proceed to the next step.

2. Verify Network Availability

If your phone service provider has limited or no coverage in your location, you may encounter difficulties in sending and receiving messages, including the Message Blocking is active error.

You can verify mobile coverage by checking the signal strength indicator located in the top-right corner of your screen.

If you are in a covered area, try restarting your iPhone or enabling Airplane Mode for a brief period and then disabling it. This may resolve the issue.

3. Verify the Active Status of Your SIM Card or Number

The Message Blocking is active error may occur if your number or SIM card is inactive or has been deactivated for some reason.

To confirm the active status of your SIM card, make a call. If you’re unable to make calls or the dial tone indicates that your number is unavailable or deactivated, reach out to your service provider for assistance.

4. Avoid Using Emojis, Attachments, Files, or Photos

If you encounter the Message Blocking is active error on your iPhone, it could be due to the use of emojis, attachments, files, or photos in your message.

Many users have reported that the use of these elements can lead to message delivery failures or activate message blocking.

5. Verify the Recipient’s Number

If you are encountering the Message Blocking is active error while sending messages, it could be due to incorrect information saved in your iPhone. This can include an incorrect country code or a misspelled number.

A simple solution is to call the recipient using a different phone to confirm that their number is working. Additionally, double check the number you have saved for the recipient to ensure it is correct.

6. Verify Your Data Plan for Messaging Services

Before sending messages, verify that your data plan includes both incoming and outgoing SMS/MMS services. If your data plan does not include these services, your messages will not go through, causing the “Message Blocking is active” error to appear on your iPhone.

7. Verify Your Email-to-Text Address

Message blocking can also be linked to your email services on your iPhone. Issues with sending and receiving emails may result in errors and prevent you from sending messages to desired recipients.

To resolve this, log out and log back into your Gmail or any other email platform. Ensure your Apple ID account email is active by updating it if necessary, and update your phone number if you have lost your previous SIM card or changed your number.

8. Activate “Send as SMS” Option

Sometimes, you may inadvertently turn off SMS services, leading to issues when attempting to send messages. To fix this, you must activate the SMS settings:

• Go to Settings
• Open the Messages app
• Enable the “Send as SMS” option.

9. Try Airplane Mode

Occasionally, network glitches can interfere with cellular network connections and cause problems with voice/video calls or message sending.

Toggling the Airplane Mode on and off can sometimes resolve these issues by refreshing the cellular network connection.

• Go to Settings.
• Access the Settings menu.
• Enable Airplane Mode, wait 15 seconds, then disable it.
• Toggle the Airplane Mode switch on, then off after a brief wait.

10. Set Date and Time Automatically

To set the date and time automatically on your iPhone, follow these steps:

• Go to Settings.
• Tap on General.
• Choose Date & Time.
• Enable Set Automatically.

11. Check for iOS Update

Apple releases frequent iOS updates to fix bugs and improve iPhone performance. Outdated software may result in various issues, including the “Message Blocking is active” error. To check for updates:

• Go to Settings.
• Tap on General.

12. Choose Software Update.

Your iPhone will check for available updates. If there is one, tap on Download and Install. Enter your passcode and tap Install Now. Ensure that your iPhone has enough storage space for the update.

13. Reset Network Settings

Resetting Network Settings will erase your Wi-Fi passwords, cellular settings, APN, and VPN settings. This step is optional, but it may solve the message blocking issue if any network cookies were causing the problem.

Here’s how to reset network settings:

• Go to Settings.
• Open General.
• Select Transfer or Reset iPhone.
• Tap on Reset.
• Choose Reset Network Settings.
• Enter your passcode and let the process finish.

Perform a Force Restart on Your iPhone

If message blocking persists, try performing a force restart to refresh your iPhone’s functions and connections. To do so, check out our article on how to restart an iPhone (all models). If you encounter difficulties restarting your iPhone, see our article on how to force restart an iPhone.

In conclusion, the Message Blocking is active error on an iPhone can occur due to a variety of reasons like being blocked by the recipient or an incorrect number or email address used for sending messages. It can also be caused by a disruption in SIM card services, resulting from cellular network issues or deactivation. By trying the various solutions outlined in this article, we hope that you have successfully resolved this frustrating error.

Related post: Reset Network Settings on iPhone