> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.limecall.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.limecall.com/troubleshooting/sms-not-sending.md).

# Texts are not being delivered

Why messages are accepted but never arrive.

## The key distinction

**Sent** and **delivered** are different. Carriers filter messages silently: LimeCall accepts the message, reports it sent, and the recipient never receives it. There is often no error.

If your delivery rate looks wrong, assume filtering before assuming bad numbers.

## 1. Check US carrier registration

If you are texting US numbers, this is the first thing to check and by far the most common cause.

Unregistered application-to-person traffic to US numbers is filtered or blocked by the carriers. Open **Settings → Messaging** and confirm your brand and campaign registration is approved — not submitted, approved.

See [US carrier registration (10DLC)](/virtual-numbers/us-carrier-registration.md).

Toll-free numbers use a separate verification process. If you are sending from a toll-free number, check that instead.

## 2. Check the number supports SMS

Not every number can text. Open **Phone Numbers** and check the number's capabilities.

If SMS is not listed, it cannot be added — you need a different number. See [Buy a number](/virtual-numbers/buy-a-number.md).

## 3. Check the recipient is not suppressed

Anyone who replied STOP or similar is suppressed permanently and automatically. Messages to them are not sent.

This is a legal requirement and should not be worked around.

## 4. Check the destination country

Rules vary widely. Some countries require pre-registered sender IDs or message templates, and some do not accept application-originated messages from foreign numbers at all.

If messages to one country fail while others succeed, this is why.

## 5. Check your content

Carrier filters react to:

* **Public link shorteners.** bit.ly and similar are strongly associated with spam. Use your own domain.
* **No sender identification.** Say who you are in the message.
* **No opt-out** on bulk messages.
* **Spam-associated wording** — aggressive urgency, financial promises, all-caps.

## 6. Check allowances and credit

Sending stops when message allowances are exhausted with no credit. See [Usage & credits](/account/usage-and-credits.md).

## 7. Check the number format

Numbers should be in international format. A national-format number may be rejected or misrouted.

## Inbound messages not arriving

If you can send but not receive:

* Confirm the number supports SMS.
* Check whether the AI receptionist's text channel is on and handling them — they may be answered already and not appear as unread. See [Text messages](/ai-receptionist/text-messages.md).
* Check your Inbox filters are not hiding them.

## Diagnosing

Send a test to a phone you control on the same carrier as your affected recipients. If your test arrives and customers' do not, the issue is content or list-specific rather than configuration.

Check delivery status on individual messages to distinguish accepted, delivered and failed.