topic Re: SMS won't send from Alcatel 1X in Tech Support

SMS won't send from Alcatel 1X

ADB57 — Sun, 16 Jan 2022 12:33:22 GMT

I have been unable to send SMS from my Alcatel 1X since switching it off, and then on again. I am able to receive texts.

Within the Messaging app, I select Settings, then Advanced. At the bottom of the screen it says Phone number 07802-092035. This is the SMS message centre number for O2 PAYG.

HOWEVER

When I dial *#*#4636#*#*, and go to Phone Info, there is nothing listed behind Phone number. I would assume that would display the actual number for the phone, as the SMSC number is listed further down the list of information.

Another oddity is when I go into the phone's Settings and select Network & connection, Mobile Network, then Access Point Names, it displays O2 Pay Monthly, which is NOT the service I use; I'm on Pay as you go.

Pay Monthly has a different SMS service centre number, but using that still does not enable me to send SMS.

Re: SMS won't send from Alcatel 1X

pgn — Sun, 16 Jan 2022 12:40:08 GMT

Hi @ADB57 - you need to take a look at and make sure your phone is set to the correct type, viz. PAYG and not Pay Monthly.

Good luck!

Re: SMS won't send from Alcatel 1X

ADB57 — Sun, 16 Jan 2022 12:55:13 GMT

As stated in the question, the message centre number appears to be correct. However, the phone seems to be set for Pay Monthly, which I cannot seem to be able to change.

Re: SMS won't send from Alcatel 1X

pgn — Sun, 16 Jan 2022 13:10:06 GMT

There's an SMS number you can text, or a link on O2 website to get it sent to your phone, to get your settings reset based on PAYG or Pay Monthly - and the number you show above lacks the +44 (and has a dash?) as shown in the guide, @ADB57.

Can't find the link, used to be on the SIM card envelope, maybe in MyO2 somewhere now.

Re: SMS won't send from Alcatel 1X

pgn — Sun, 16 Jan 2022 13:20:46 GMT

Slightly old info but I cannot find anything specific on O2 site for the 1X

https://www.o2.co.uk/help/phones-sims-and-devices?page=device/alcatel/1/topic/texts-and-picture-messages/set-up-mms-manually/1

Re: SMS won't send from Alcatel 1X

ADB57 — Sun, 16 Jan 2022 13:50:59 GMT

The number on the phone is without a dash.

On MyO2, my device is NOT listed as Alcatel 1X, but as Nokia 1600 (which I used until two years ago). I don't see any way to change this myself, do I need to contact O2 to have this done?

Re: SMS won't send from Alcatel 1X

pgn — Sun, 16 Jan 2022 13:55:46 GMT

There is no way to change it yourself, @ADB57 - it usually changes of its own accord within a few days of moving to a new handset model - although I have had one take several months (Android phones).

You can edit the name tag that shows in MyO2 though to say anything you want by clicking the pencil icon next to the device name in your MyO2 online.

Re: SMS won't send from Alcatel 1X

ADB57 — Sun, 16 Jan 2022 14:49:51 GMT

Which leaves me with the discrepancy in message centre numbers. In Messenger, this is the number for O2 PAYG (07802092035), in the phone itself (through *#*#4636#*#*), it is the number for contracts, 07802000332. Changing this makes no difference - I still cannot send a text message 🙂

Re: SMS won't send from Alcatel 1X

jonsie — Sun, 16 Jan 2022 14:52:54 GMT

The message centre number must be in the +44 format

IE +447802092035

Re: SMS won't send from Alcatel 1X

ADB57 — Sun, 16 Jan 2022 15:16:31 GMT

The phone immediately converts it to 07802092035 🙂

Re: SMS won't send from Alcatel 1X

pgn — Sun, 16 Jan 2022 15:18:41 GMT

Will it accept 0044?

Some phones have a setting as to which format they accept and display, ie full DDI +44nnn... or local 0044nnn... - not sure where that would be in your phone though.

Re: SMS won't send from Alcatel 1X

ADB57 — Sun, 16 Jan 2022 16:02:07 GMT

Sorry, that doesn't make any difference. When I got this phone, there appeared to be problems with the settings which have not been ironed out. Thank you for your help.

Re: SMS won't send from Alcatel 1X

pgn — Sun, 16 Jan 2022 16:11:16 GMT

One further thing to check - what country does your phone "think" it is in?

https://www.devicesfaq.com/en/change-language/alcatel-1x

Re: SMS won't send from Alcatel 1X

ADB57 — Sun, 16 Jan 2022 16:55:36 GMT

That link is about languages. The phone thinks it is in the country it is actually in - checked that on the settings.

Re: SMS won't send from Alcatel 1X

pgn — Sun, 16 Jan 2022 17:30:33 GMT

Yes, but that setting in turn drives this one, within the messaging app:

If nothing else, make sure you have a good backup and reset the phone, start from scratch?

Re: SMS won't send from Alcatel 1X

ADB57 — Sun, 16 Jan 2022 18:20:21 GMT

I think it'll have to be a hard reset. Many thanks for your efforts.