If you see message blocking is active on your Android phone, it means your text message is being prevented from sending. This can happen for several reasons — carrier restrictions, plan limits, device settings, or even a block by the recipient.
This guide explains why this happens on Android phones in the US and shows step-by-step ways to fix it so your SMS and MMS messages start sending again.
đź’¬ What Message Blocking Is Active Means
When this error appears, your phone tries to send a text but the network refuses it.
It doesn’t always mean the person blocked you.
It could be caused by:
Your carrier restricting SMS or MMS
Plan limitations
Device settings like blocked numbers
Short-code or premium message restrictions
Spam filters or parental controls
Recent account changes
Inactive numbers
Software glitches
Temporary network issues
This message is your phone telling you that something is blocking the message.
đź’¬ Check Your Carrier And Plan
Some plans do not include SMS or MMS.
Overdue bills can block texting temporarily.
Data-only lines often cannot send regular SMS.
Open your carrier’s app (Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile, etc.).
Make sure text messaging is active and allowed on your line.
If you changed plans recently, SMS may have been removed by mistake.
Customer support can check your account for blocks or restrictions.
Once your plan is active and unrestricted, messages usually send.
Premium messaging or short codes may require special permissions.
Carrier restrictions are one of the most common causes.
đź’¬ Check If You Are Blocked
If the error appears for only one contact, you might be blocked.
Your calls to that number may go straight to voicemail.
Messages to other people still send normally.
Android and carriers don’t notify you about blocks.
You can’t force messages through someone else’s block.
Focus on general fixes if the error happens for all messages.
Being blocked is different from technical restrictions.
The error itself cannot tell you exactly who blocked you.
Test with another contact to confirm.
Understanding the difference helps you know what to fix.
💬 Check Your Phone’s Block List
Sometimes the number is blocked on your own device.
Open Settings > Phone or Messages > Blocked numbers.
See if the recipient is in your block list.
If yes, remove them from the blocked list.
Restart Android Messages and try sending again.
Even one blocked number can cause “message blocking is active.”
Sometimes apps automatically add numbers to spam lists.
Check your messaging app’s spam or filter settings.
This is often an overlooked cause of blocked messages.
After clearing blocks, test sending a simple text.
đź’¬ Android Messages App Settings
Make sure Android Messages is your default SMS app.
Go to Settings > Apps > Default Apps > SMS app.
Clear cache from Android Messages: Settings > Apps > Messages > Storage > Clear cache.
Update the app from the Play Store.
Restart the phone after clearing cache or updates.
If Android Messages is glitching, a simple restart fixes many errors.
Avoid using multiple SMS apps at the same time.
App conflicts can block messages from sending.
Large message threads or heavy MMS files may fail.
Keeping the app clean improves sending reliability.
đź’¬ Short Code And Premium SMS
Short codes or premium numbers can trigger “message blocking is active.”
Some carriers block premium SMS by default.
Check carrier or phone settings to allow premium messages.
Banks, verification codes, or service texts may need special permissions.
Turn on “Allow Premium SMS” if your device has the option.
Without this, Android Messages may fail to send these messages.
Carrier support can enable premium messaging for your line.
Short code failures often appear as message blocking.
Test with a regular text to see if it’s just premium SMS.
This is a common issue for US Android users.
đź’¬ Network And SIM Issues
Your SIM card or network may cause the error.
Remove SIM, wait 10 seconds, and reinsert it.
Restart the phone after reinserting SIM.
Check signal bars at the top — weak signal can cause failure.
If using dual SIM, confirm the correct SIM is selected for SMS.
Network settings can be reset via Settings > System > Reset options > Reset Wi-Fi, mobile & Bluetooth.
Sometimes, a simple network refresh fixes blocked messages.
Outages or temporary network problems also trigger this error.
Testing with another number confirms if it’s your line.
Carrier refresh often fixes sending problems immediately.
đź’¬ Storage And Message Size
Low storage can block messages.
Delete unnecessary files, photos, or apps.
In Android Messages, remove very large group threads.
Heavy MMS or video attachments may fail.
After freeing storage, restart Android Messages.
Try sending a small text first to test.
Successful small messages indicate storage was the issue.
Keep storage above 10-15% free for best results.
Large media can easily fail on weak network.
Storage management ensures Android Messages works properly.
đź’¬ Data, Wi-Fi, And Message Type
SMS uses cellular, not Wi-Fi.
RCS chat features use data or Wi-Fi.
If chat features are on but no data, messages can fail.
Turn off chat features to send plain SMS when needed.
Small attachments or text-only messages usually succeed.
Test sending plain text before adding images or videos.
Ensure Mobile Data is on if RCS is needed.
Poor data connection can trigger message blocking.
Balancing SMS type and network improves sending.
Switching between RCS and SMS is often the quickest fix.
đź’¬ When To Contact Support
If you’ve tried signal, SIM, app, plan, and storage fixes…
And “message blocking is active” still appears…
Call or chat with your carrier support.
Explain the exact error in Android Messages.
Ask them to check for blocks, restrictions, or network provisioning.
They can often fix the issue remotely.
If carrier confirms all is normal, contact your phone manufacturer.
Some device software issues require updates or patches.
Support is faster than guessing for hours.
After support, your Android Messages should send normally.
đź’ FAQs About Message Blocking Is Active Android
Does this error mean I am blocked by the other person
Not always. It may be your plan, phone settings, or device restrictions.
Can I fix this myself
Yes, for device or app settings, storage, or short-code permissions.
Which carriers show this message
It appears on Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile, and other US carriers.
Will clearing cache delete my messages
No, clearing cache is safe. Clearing storage may erase message history.
Is this permanent
No, most of the time it’s temporary and fixable.
đź’¬ Conclusion
“Message blocking is active” on Android can be confusing, but it usually has a simple fix. Check your signal, carrier plan, app settings, SIM, storage, and message type first. Most cases are resolved with small adjustments or a quick call to your carrier.
Once fixed, Android Messages will send normally again, and your texts and MMS will reach your contacts without interruption.
I am William, an SEO-focused content creator at msseage.com, writing informative guides on messages, apps, and digital communication.
