Being unable to use the core functions of your phone, particularly SMS sending and receiving is definitely a big deal. Nonetheless, it’s inevitable to bumped into such issues given the fact that it’s among the network-related services on your device. Network problems are inevitable, so you have no choice but to deal with them whenever they occur. Highlighted in this post are simple solutions and suggested workarounds that are used to troubleshoot SMS problems on a Sony Xperia XZ Premium smartphone.
If you own this same device and need more inputs on how to fix a similar issue, then you may refer to this walkthrough. Read further to find out what to do if text or SMS messages won’t send or be received on your Xperia XZ Premium device.
For smartphone owners who found our site while trying to find a solution, try to see if your phone is one of the devices we support. If it is, then visit the troubleshooting page for that device, browse through it to find issues that are similar with yours and feel free to use our solutions and workarounds. However, if you still need our help after that, then fill up our Android issues questionnaire and hit submit to contact us.
How to troubleshoot Xperia XZ Premium that won’t send / receive text messages
Before you start troubleshooting, check the signal indicators on the status bar of your phone and make sure it’s getting a stable network signal. If your phone is getting weak and unstable signal or no signal at all, then try to move to a different location that’s free from any signal barriers. At least 2 bars of signal strength will do. If you’re using your phone in an area that’s already out of your network’s coverage, then you can do nothing but use network services on your phone again whenever you get back to your network coverage area. If you’re within the coverage area but having trouble getting a good network signal, you’ll need to deal with network problems first to make use of your phone’s SMS functions.
Also ensure that your phone’s memory isn’t full. You may not be able to send or receive further SMS or text messages unless you free up some space by deleting old message threads and conversations, or any other unwanted files from your phone storage. If you still cannot send or receive SMS after doing that, then try these subsequent workarounds. These are actually generic solutions that are found to be working wonders to many Android phone owners who have dealt with SMS sending and receiving problems.
First solution: Reboot your phone (soft reset).
Minor software errors affecting your messaging application are usually the main reason why SMS functions suddenly failed. To clear these errors, perform a soft reset or simply reboot your phone with these steps:
- Press and hold the Power key for a few seconds until the menu opens.
- Tap Restart from the given options.
- Then wait for your phone to reboot.
Other transpiring symptoms from minor software glitches and errant cache are likewise cleared in the process. All saved information on the internal memory will still intact, so there’s no need for backups.
Second solution: Reset network settings on the phone.
Rectifying network settings errors on the phone can also be the key to solving the problem especially if it started after modifying some settings on your device. Invalid options and network configurations can be cleared by resetting network settings and here’s how it’s done:
- Tap to open the Settings app.
- Select Network & Internet.
- Tap the Menu icon (three vertical dots) to view more options.
- Select Network settings reset.
- Then tap RESET SETTINGS to confirm.
Wait until the reset is finished then restart your phone to apply new changes. When your phone has completed the boot-up sequence, configure necessary options and enable network features you want to use on your device including Wi-Fi and cellular data network.
Third solution: Set or change SMS service center number on your SIM card.
Another trick you can try on if the problem continues following a network settings reset is to change or set the SMS service center number. Here’s how it’s done:
- Tap the Apps icon from the Home screen.
- Scroll to and tap Phone.
- If necessary, tap the dialpad icon.
- Key in *#*#4636#*#* to the dialer.
- Tap Phone information.
- Scroll down to SMSC.
- Tap Refresh to view the current number and the format it uses. If you’re getting a Refresh error or Update error, contact your network service provider or carrier for more help. Otherwise, continue to the next step.
- Enter the relevant SMSC number in the input field using the correct format and then tap Update.
If you see an Update error, contact your carrier again for help.
Fourth solution: Install new system update for your device.
Installing the latest system update for your Xperia XZ Premium smartphone can also help if the problem is somehow triggered by random bugs. Software updates do offer security patches that are needed to address bug-inflicted errors and problems on the phone.
- To check the current software version of your phone, go to Settings-> System-> About phone-> Build number.
If a new system update is available, you will see a Refresh icon on the status bar. To download the update, follow these steps:
- Drag the status bar downwards to open the notification panel.
- Scroll down and tap to select the desired system update.
- Tap Download to start downloading the update.
- Wait until the update is completely downloaded and then tap Install to start installing the system update on your phone.
Follow every on-screen prompt to complete the system update installation and then restart your phone when done.
Fifth solution: Remove and reseat the SIM card on your phone.
Misplaced or damaged SIM card may also be the underlying cause of the problem. To make sure this isn’t causing your SMS troubles, remove and reseat the SIM card on your phone with these steps:
- Turn off your phone completely.
- With your phone powered off, insert the SIM tray ejector or small paperclip into the provided hole on the tray until it pops out.
- Gently remove the tray from the phone and then remove the SIM card from the tray.
- Check the SIM card for any visible signs of damage and if it shows none, place it back into the SIM tray in the same position before you removed it. The gold contacts must be facing down the card tray.
- Secure the SIM card and then push the tray back into the phone. Make sure that the tray is locked in place.
Removing and reinstalling the SIM card is also another way of refreshing network-related services on your device. If you suspect that the SIM card is damaged, contact your service provider for recommendations. A new SIM card replacement may be necessary.
Other things you need to check
- If your problem is only with sending SMS, double check the phone number and make sure it’s correct. Your message may have an incorrect phone number or recipient address that needs to be rectified.
- Another thing to check is your account status. You may not be able to send or receive text messages because the feature is blocked on your account. Ask your carrier or network service provider about this matter so they can make necessary settings and message preferences on your account.
Seek more help
If you started to have trouble sending or receiving SMS/text messages on your Xperia XZ Premium smartphone after installing a new system update or modifying some settings on your device and the problem persists after applying the previous workarounds, you can ask further assistance from Sony Xperia Support team. Advanced solutions may be needed to clear complex software errors that caused the SMS system to stop working on your phone.
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