How to fix Google Pixel 3 XL won’t send MMS issue

Is your Google Pixel 3 XL having trouble sending out picture messages or MMS? This post should take care of that.

Check the error

Network issues like being unable to send MMS happens for a reason. One of the basic things that you should take note of is to find out whether or not there’s an error message. Errors are like guideposts for a user or a troubleshooter that points them to the right direction. They usually vary on the software and carrier so if your Pixel shows one after failing to send, write it down and do a quick check in the web.

If there’s no error at all and the messaging app simply crashes or shows a sending icon, proceed to the next troubleshooting steps.

Verify if voice calling work

It’s important to note if voice calling works on your phone or not. If you can receive or make calls without any problems, the problem can most likely be fixed by any of the succeeding steps. However, if you are unable to make or receive a call at all, there must be an account or network issue behind it. You should fix this issue first by calling your network operator. Once voice calling is fixed, MMS issue should follow as well.

Some of the possible causes why voice calling may not work includes the following:

  • Not adequate network coverage
  • There’s a temporary network problem
  • There’s an error at the receiving end
  • The selected network is out of range
  • The selected network mode is not available
  • Roaming isn’t activated in your rate plan
  • There’s no credit on your prepaid phone card
  • Your number has been suspended
  • Flight mode is turned on
  • Fixed dialing is turned on
  • Your mobile phone is overloaded for unknown reasons
  • Your SIM is faulty

Enable mobile data

MMS only works if cellular data is enabled or working. Be sure to turn on mobile data on your Google Pixel 3 XL before sending MMS. Here’s how:

  1. From a Home screen, touch and swipe up to display all apps.
  2. Open Settings app.
  3. Tap Network & Internet.
  4. Tap Data usage.
  5. Tap the Mobile data switch to turn on.

Mobile data may be a value added service for your carrier. This means that it’s not automatically allowed for use and you need to subscribe to it. Talk to your carrier if this is the reason why MMS fails to send.

Check APN settings

Access Point Name must be set up properly first so that mobile data works on your phone. If it’s your first time to use mobile data on your Pixel 3 XL, contact your carrier so they can walk you through the steps in checking the APN.

Delete old threads

If your messaging app’s inbox is full, sending out may be impeded. If MMS suddenly stopped sending, it’s possible that there may not be enough storage space. To make room for newer conversations, delete old threads especially those that contain media files such as photos, videos, music, etc.

Clear messaging app cache and data

Sometimes, failure to send out messages can be caused by a bad messaging app. To see if that’s the case, try to delete the cache and data of your messaging app.

How to delete individual app cache

  1. From a Home screen, touch and swipe up to display all apps.
  2. Go to Settings.
  3. Tap Apps & notifications.
  4. Tap See all ‘xx’ apps.
  5. Tap the appropriate app.
  6. Tap Storage.
  7. Tap Clear cache.
  8. Restart your Pixel 3 XL.

How to delete individual app data

  1. From a Home screen, touch and swipe up to display all apps.
  2. Go to Settings.
  3. Tap Apps & notifications.
  4. Tap See all ‘xx’ apps.
  5. Tap the appropriate app.
  6. Tap Storage.
  7. Tap Clear data.
  8. Restart your Pixel 3 XL.

NOTE: Deleting data of your messaging app will also erase all text messages. Be sure to back them up ahead of time if you don’t want to lose them.

Observe in Safe mode

A downloaded app may be causing this problem. To check, try to boot to safe mode and see what happens. To boot to safe mode:

  1. Press and hold the Power button.
  2. On your screen, touch and hold Power off.
  3. Tap OK.
  4. After you see “Safe mode” at the bottom of your screen, wait to see if the problem goes away.

Remember, safe mode blocks third party or downloaded apps. If the problem goes away in safe mode, you can bet one of the apps is to blame. To identify which of your downloaded apps is causing the problem:

  1. To exit safe mode, restart your device.
  2. One by one, uninstall recently downloaded apps. After each removal, restart your device. See whether removing that app solved the problem.
  3. After you remove the app that’s causing the problem, you can reinstall the other apps that you removed.

Reseat SIM card

Some users claim that SMS and MMS issues can be fixed by simply disconnecting the SIM card temporarily. Be sure to try this to see if it makes any difference.

Before you remove the SIM, be sure to turn the phone off to avoid causing issues with the software.

Reset network settings

For every network problem such as this one, you need to at least see what happens when you clear a device’s network settings. If MMS still won’t send at this juncture, delete the device’s network settings.

  1. Open Settings app.
  2. Tap System.
  3. Tap Advanced.
  4. Tap Reset options.
  5. Choose from the following:
    • Reset Wi-Fi, mobile & Bluetooth
    • Reset app preferences
    • Erase all data (factory reset)
  6. Tap Reset settings.
  7. Enter the PIN, password or pattern if prompted.
  8. Tap Reset settings to confirm.

Contact network operator

Should your Pixel 3 XL remains problematic after performing all the troubleshooting steps above, there must be a deeper cause that you can’t fix on your level. Make sure to let your network operator know so they can take a look at it.



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