When you scroll through your contacts list to make an outgoing call or send a text message. Suddenly you see the SMS that says “We are sorry the phone number you have dialed is no longer in service or has been disconnected.” What does it mean? and how to fix it. In this article, we’re diving into the reasons behind receiving this SMS and equipping you with simple solutions to handle it.
What you will learn in this article:
- What does this number not in service mean?
- How to fix this number is no longer in service text message?
- 1- Contact your service provider
- 2- Correct Phone Number
- 3- Try removing and reinserting the SIM card
- 4- Restart your device
- 5- Consider using alternative methods
What Does It Mean When a Phone Number Not in Service?
It’s essential to understand that this number is no longer in service text message appears when the phone carrier cannot establish a connection with the recipient. Additionally, a wrongly dialed number can also trigger the error. Here are other reasons why people receive this SMS:
- No Service Area: If you are in an area with poor or no cellular coverage, you may encounter the “not in service” message. This means that your device cannot find a signal from your cellular carrier to establish a call. It is common in remote or rural areas or within buildings with weak reception.
- Unlisted or Blocked Number: Another possibility is that the number you are trying to reach is unlisted or blocked. Some individuals or businesses choose to have an unlisted number to maintain privacy or prevent unwanted calls. Additionally, someone can block your number specifically, which would result in the “not in service” message when you try to call them.
- Incorrect Number: One possibility is that you have dialed an incorrect number. It’s possible that you made a mistake in entering the digits. In this case, the number you are trying to reach does not exist or is assigned to another person.
- Porting or transferring the number: When someone switches their phone service provider and requests to keep an existing phone number. There can be a temporary disruption in service during the porting process which can also cause the number to appear as no longer in service until the transfer is complete.
- Fraud or spam prevention – When a phone number is suspected of being involved in fraudulent activities or spamming. The carrier may temporarily disconnect or suspend the number.
After exploring the 5 main reasons a phone may display the message “We’re sorry The number you have dialed has been disconnected or is no longer in service.” Let’s now resolve the issue.
How To Fix This Number Is No Longer in Service Text Message?
There are several steps you can take to resolve the number you have dialled is not in service error and get your phone working properly again:
1. Contact your service provider
Contacting your service provider is the first step to fix the issue of receiving this number is no longer in service text message. Your service company has access to information and tools that can help identify the cause of this SMS and provide solutions.
Be prepared to provide them with details about the problem. Explain that you have been receiving this text message and share any relevant information such as when it started happening.
Your service company may ask you to perform some troubleshooting steps on your phone while they investigate further. Additionally, they could check on their end for any technical issues that could be causing the problem.
2. Correct Phone Number
One important step to take when it says this number is not in service is to verify the phone number. The following steps will help you make sure you’ve dialed the correct number:
- Check the area code: Ensure that the area code matches the expected location for the number you are calling. You can find a list of area codes for different countries online.
- Remove special characters: Remove any spaces, dashes, parentheses, or other non-numeric characters from the phone number. Only the digits should remain.
- Use a phone number validation service: There are various online services available that can validate phone numbers. These tools usually provide real-time information about the number, including validity, carrier information, and the name associated with it.
3. Try removing and reinserting the SIM card
Taking out the SIM card and putting it back in can help resolve various connectivity issues with your phone. You can establish a better connection with your mobile network, improving signal strength, call quality, and data speeds. Additionally, this process can help fix messages indicating a SIM card not working or a phone number is out of service error.
- Power off your smartphone.
- Locate the SIM card tray and use a small tool or paperclip to eject it.
- Gently remove the SIM card from the tray.
- Inspect both the SIM card and tray for any signs of damage or dirt.
- If everything looks clean, carefully place the SIM card back into the slot within the tray.
- Slide the tray back into your smartphone.
Power on your phone and see if the issue persists. Sometimes a loose connection or minor glitch can cause the SMS to appear. But, resetting the SIM card can resolve it.
While this step doesn’t guarantee success every time. It’s worth trying before exploring other alternatives.
4. Restart your device
Sometimes, a simple restart can resolve temporary bugs or software errors that may be causing this issue. When you restart your phone, it clears out minor issues and refreshes the system.
It’s worth noting that restarting may not always fix the issue permanently. If you continue to receive this message after restarting many times. It’s recommended to proceed with other troubleshooting steps mentioned earlier in this article.
Remember, every situation may vary so try different methods until you find one that works best for resolving the problem.
5. Consider using alternative methods
If you’ve tried the previous steps and still receiving the “This number is no longer in service” text message. It may be time to use alternative communication methods. Here are a few options to consider:
- Use a different phone: If you have access to another smartphone, try inserting your SIM card. This method will determine whether the problem lies with your specific device or SIM card.
- Use a different messaging app: Certain applications can cause compatibility issues with your carrier network. Try using a different messaging app to send and receive texts and see if that resolves the problem.
- Contact via email or social media: If all else fails, you can contact the recipient via email or social media. While it might not be ideal for regular communication, it can serve as a temporary solution.
- Use calling services: Use internet-based calling services such as Skype or Google Voice instead of using traditional cellular networks to make calls. When faced with technical difficulties, these services often provide more flexibility to reach out to others.
These alternative methods should only serve as temporary solutions while you work towards resolving the issue causing this number is no longer in a service text message.
Conclusion
Receiving this number has been disconnected or is no longer in service can be frustrating and confusing. But, with the right steps and tips. You can fix the issue and continue communicating with your contacts. You will never have to worry about encountering communication errors again.