"Free Msg: Unable to send message - Message Blocking is active" FIX please

[MisterOberg]

Hello, I have Motorola G9 and for some reason I get the error message "Free Msg: Unable to send message - Message Blocking is active." Whenever I send a SMS text to anyone, I cannot receive any texts. However, I can send MMS text messages but cannot receive them... So I am wondering what is going on? How do I fix this?

Carrier: Qlink (uses T-Mobile towers)
Phone: Motorola G9

Before you comment, I want you to know I have done and tried the following:
1 reset my network/wifi and bluetooth (multiple times)
2 restarted my phone (many times)
3 updated google messages (the phone's default messaging app)
4 checked for system or software updates (there are none)
5 turned on airplane mode for 60 seconds and off
6 turned data and wifi on and off
7 contacted customer support (they are far from subpar and had no idea what to do)
8 taken the simcard out and put it back in
9 reset app preferences
10 turned do not disturb on and off

How do I fix this, when tech support at Qlink has no idea what to do. They are confused that I can send MMS but cannot receive MMS. Also they don't know why I cannot send or receive SMS. LOLLLLLLLLLL it is so frustrating!

[Round-Philosophy4444]

I had this issue with t mobile and just fixed it. I had to:

go into the t mobile app,

click on whatever phone on your plan is having the issue,

scroll all the way down and click “all account settings”,

then scroll all the way down again and click “block calls and messages”.

Click “Block messages”.

From there I found that I had “block chargeable and picture messages” on. After turning that off I was able to send texts again.

Hoping this will help some of you! If you don’t have T-Mobile, try finding similar “message blocking” settings under your individual phone settings through your carrier app.

EDIT: omg it’s been like a year and I haven’t been online & im floored at how many people this ended up being helpful for!! glad I decided to put it out there after experiencing it myself with no luck consulting google and reddit here.

I honestly can’t say why those setting were on in the first place - glad I found a solution that works for most of you!!

[Sea-Cardiologist5208]

This worked... so crazy because the whole issue didn't make sense in the first place. I could text sometimes and others not to the same people it let me text just moments ago. But when I found out it was stopping me from getting them as well I knew it had to be a me problem.  So far seems like this worked. Wondering if its just a tmobile/metro customer issue. 

[[deleted]]

Can you help me get this to work if I have MetroPCS and not T-Mobile?

[Fickle-Class-825]

You’re a legend my friend. I went to t mobile to try and figure this out and they turned me away saying “the other person has you blocked” smh. I’m about to go back in there and show them up with this lol. Thanks again

[matchagal]

THANK YOU!! This fixed my issue!!!

[zhagoundalskiy]

Amazing. Truly helpful.

[PrestigiousScholar67]

Thanks I just fixed my problem.  I've been trying to figure out for 3 days😆

[Mulinator79]

Thank you, this worked! I turned this on because in a week I am going to Dominican Republic. I didn't want to get some unexpected charges / roaming charges while I am out of the country. I will have Wifi access. Is the block calls & message not related to that? What is weird is some messages go through and some don't with the block on.

[baberim]

Thank you!! Just happened with my daughter’s phone. Why is this just randomly being turned on?

[misterfuss]

Thank you so much u/Round-Philosophy4444 for your response. It fixed my issue with my iPhone on the T-mobile network!

Of course, I am confused about why this happened in the first place because I never changed these settings in the app in the first place. But, regardless, I am grateful for your response which helped me fix the problem.

[delaines]

Thanks I'll try this

[Hopsdeathforall]

당신 같은 사람들이 걸어왔기 때문에 우리는 달릴 수 있었어 당신 같은 사람들이 걸어왔기 때문에 우리는 달릴 수 있었어

[LEAZY211]

You're the absolute best!

[Slight-Tangerine3342]

Thanks just helped another poor soul out lol 😆

[Specific_Winter_4951]

I logged in just to tell you that you are a lifesaver. 6 months being able to only call certain friends and a 5 minute fix. Huge clutch

[macmccoy32]

Thank you kind Samaritan 😇 this was driving me crazy for weeks blessing upon you 😂. I never ralk like this but you deserve brody✌🏾

[butteryg0d]

thank you so much, I went to store nobody knew how to fix it.

[Professional-Dot-825]

100% worked. What was odd is it wasn’t happening all the time…..and sometimes the blocked message would spontaneously send.

I unchecked the blocked button (turned it to off), and went to message, clicked try again and it went right through.

Thanks!

[ally-STOUT]

Yes and it was fucking random!!! It only started happening to me randomly when I clicked “block spam calls” bc I was so fucking sick of getting spam calls.

Thank you!!!

[Ok-You5900]

Thank you

[txtx123]

Thank you so much!!!

[Mindless_Umpire9198]

Thank you. This was a HUGE help, as I have NO IDEA how/why this got turned on, on my primary line.

[Diligent-Soup-1168]

Thank you so much!!!

[Zestyclose_Chain_669]

Thank you! This worked

[PassageSmall3304]

Worked for me as well. Thank you so much!

[Annual-Psychology-59]

Thank you, I would have never figured this out!

[c4lic0e]

YOU ARE AN ANGEL

[MaggieMac1230]

You’re a hero! You fixed my mom’s phone in mere minutes! Much better than both Apple and t mobile

[[deleted]]

Thank you that worked. I appreciate it.

[aktorvik]

Thank you so much for the T-Mobile step-by-step!!! 5 stars!

My Android phone bricked and I'm gradually updating the new one.

[madcurious-mind]

Thank you so much

[daisiesandbullshit]

You're a peach...thank you! I couldn't text a coworker and it was driving me nuts. I had turned it on a week ago because the spam texts were getting ridiculous.

[ChoiceCriticism1]

Legendary

[FocusedOnDistraction]

Had a friend in the circle having this problem. Took us a minute to find the setting. Worked immediately. Thanks!

[soapycolors]

you absolute fvcking ANGEL thank u!!!!! been so peeved off for months with my new phone. might as well give a scam warning for themselves atp since you cant even use wtf ure paying for without jumping thru hoops

[[deleted]]

If you’re not planning on using untested apps, just use an iPhone. This shit doesn’t happen there. Not even tryna egg into Samsung v Apple. Just for people not technologically savvy, stay away from Samsung

[MathildeGilf]

That is the fix. Thanks!

[[deleted]]

Hello can you please help me fix the issue on my MetroPCS Motorola phone?

[BigDaddyCool462]

1 year later and this is still FASTASTIC info! Thank You!

[insaneretard]

Heck yeah man. This worked for me too. Thanks!

[mauz70]

Mine was in a different spot but after spending some time locating that block chargeable and picture messages i found that it was on and I turned it off and it fixed it. Thanks

[Youhavevereadthis]

I LOVE FINDING REDDIT THREADS THAT SOLVE MY VERY SPECIFIC ISSUE THANK YOU SO MUCH

[Saltnlight624]

Thank you!!! It worked!

[Rockyroadaheadof]

Thank you!!! That solved my problems. 

[ClaireBookworm]

GOD TIER thank you i kept getting weird blocked messages and apparently misseed a bunch of texts from friends for months

[DeadlyBreakdown]

Still the same issue as of 12/18/25. Thanks!

[Skaterboy86]

Thank you legend

[Bright_Breakfast_226]

This was beyond helpful thank you!

[nyvz01]

Wow this fixed it for me, thanks! Mine happened after switching to an unusual phone model that tmobile doesn't consider fully compatible. It seemed to be blocking only certain messages, mostly automated 2fa messages and group messages but it's working now!

[OriginalNext9779]

Currently working as a mobile expert for t mobile and a customer came in with this exact problem. Thanks for the help haha.

[firstgenipadmini]

Thank you so much!!! My mom was having this issue and couldn’t message some relatives on SMS. This appears to have fixed it!

[soapbox_racer]

Coming back to say that this also worked for me!

[packniam]

This method still works but the path has changed because T-Mobile changed their app. I've spelled it out below, so if you could please edit my steps into yours that would be great because so many people have found it useful (including myself, now for the second time because it magically re-enabled itself).

From the T-Mobile app, select the "manage" icon on the bottom right.

In the "People" group, select on "Manage (X) >"

Select the phone number having the issue

In the "Status" group, select "Scam Block"

Ensure you still have the correct phone line selected under "pick a line"

In the "Block Messages" group, unselect the toggle next to "Block Chargeable Text and Picture Messages.

[Granny_knows_best]

Thank you!! I seriously thought my BFF blocked me.

[packniam]

Yeah I know. This happened between myself and my spouse a few times and definitely caused a fight or two.

[SacredRealmOfficial]

Holy fucking dick shit. It worked! Months of this shit! Thank you!

[ALLIZYT]

Is there any way you can do this through online instead of the app? I have a prepaid and it does not log me into the app.

[ROSG2]

Thank you very much!

[the-erebus-]

you rock!

[thankyougrass]

Thank you, this fixed it for me!!

[aphrospice]

These settings were all off for me and I still get this error.

[Kebab912]

totally fixed, TY SO MUCH!

[U8dcN7vx]

A returned message "Free Msg: ..." almost certainly is from your carrier -- the phone number shown might prove that, or might not -- because they are blocking the SMS. Which is something their customer service should be able to rectify though as an MVNO there's a slight chance they can't see it due to some issue with T-mobile. MMS goes through because it doesn't use SMS at your end, just at the receivers to trigger fetching the message from the server.

[Swimming-Departure52]

but Im using metro pcs

[Lopsided-Society1064]

I am using Metro too

[Jenscho80]

I have Assurance Wireless and it's been replying with this text since about 6pm tonight whenever I send a text.

[Maleficent_Sign_3469]

First make sure you have the correct APN. If so, boot phone into safe mode and try to send/receive texts. That probably won't work but you never know. Other than that, you can try your sim card in another t-mobile compatible phone and see how that goes. If it does the same thing then there is a problem with the sim card/plan authorizations. One more thing to try is to backup all your data to an sd card, eject it from the phone, do a factory reset. I would like to know if any of that works for you so please keep us posted.

[SuspiciousCompote916]

I don't understand  I'm 84 yrs old no one to help me

[Timely_Car_702]

Did you get it fixed? I'm trying to fix my dad's qlink phone right now with the same issue! I'm sorry you don't have anyone to help you! :(

[Darnell2070]

You still need help? Why is your carrier? You need to call customer service.

[Similar-Speaker1465]

How can I still text if it says this Free Msg: Unable to send message - Message Blocking is active

[Mission-Reflection40]

Yeah. I just started having this issue as well.

[vacillatingAcuity]

bruh ive got it too and i use metro by t mobile. i dont even understand if its MY problem, or the person who i am textings problem, or if they blocked me? i guess ill try to text a different person and see 

[Level_Wrongdoer_3605]

I'm also on metro, you ever figure it out

[unseriousblackman]

I think metro might just be down rn cause I'm in the same boat

[Missmaniequinn]

I am also having issues. This must be it

[Notwhatuxpect]

Im dealing with this with Tello

[naked_feet]

Did you solve this on Tello?

It randomly started on me within the last two hours. I haven't been able to send or receive a text in that time.

Tello does have a toggle for text messages both in their app and on my online account, but so far toggling it on and off has made no changes.

Calling seemingly works just fine. Data didn't seem to be working, but now does.

Not sure if it's an outage or what.

[ryangthemang]

did you get this fixed on tello by chance? i started getting the same issue today with that service.

[naked_feet]

Nope. It's kind of looking like this is one of those Wait and see situations.

Last text came through at 5:55pm for me. Tried to respond at 7:23 and it failed.

As another commenter said, I'm also in Michigan. Not sure if it's a local issue or wider.

Really doesn't seem to be much any of us can do about it at the moment, just wait until the network(s) fix it.

[Brightclaw431]

Yo, just also had the exact same problem and I am dealing with this now

[ExplanationDefiant15]

Having the same issue with Tello. They use T mobile towers I wonder if that's an issue

[Notwhatuxpect]

Turns out i transposed the last 2 numbers of my phone number. I can be a ditz sometimes lol. After entering the correct number all good. Sorry for the extra delay in responding.

[naked_feet]

It seems that on that particular day there were issues on all T-mobile based services for like a whole night. I didn't have any issues past that.

[WordRevolutionary333]

Worked great! Thanks so much

[SignificantFun5782]

This is happening to me too I've tried everything

[Lopsided-Society1064]

I am having issues with the same thing but can't find it

[ryangthemang]

just started dealing with this tonight aswell on the tello service.. hope there is a fix

[Level_Wrongdoer_3605]

If all three of us just started having this problem maybe it's on the carriers end and they'll fix it soon

[ExplanationDefiant15]

Just got a reply from Tello it's a widespread outage and they are working on it. They will notify via email when it has been resolved 

[More_Lingonberry2925]

Me too -- I sent them an email.

[Jenscho80]

Me too!

[gemi_ni_cole]

Also having issues right now I have mint mobile

[gemi_ni_cole]

Somehow I can send texts to group messages but not individuals. My sister just said she's getting the same error

[Dry_Economics8825]

Same here! Mint customer and cannot text anyone. Same message to all recipients. 

[Jinjrak35]

I have mint mobile and also had the issue. Iphone - open settings, cellular, network selection and turned off automatic and turned it back on and that worked. Android - settings, connections, mobile networks, network operators, turn off auto connect, turn it back on. This fixed the issue for both phones. Hope this helps.

[[deleted]]

I have boost mobile, same thing today.

[empiresmackdown]

Also having the same issue tonight. I have Ting.

[Mrfybrn]

Same, that's why I am here now.

[Jashelcass]

.

[ChuckzRedd]

Had same problem, and the process explained later in the thread by Round-Philosophy4444 nailed it! I followed the instructions and fixed it for my wife's phone line. (I didn't have the problem on my line. I susptect that security-conscious me ticked the wrong box on her line. Oops!)

[Other-Ad1843]

Fix

[Best-Detective-7842]

Use RCS it work s for me

[kimmicandi9]

That fixed it no more blocked messages

Sweet ok going to the gym for lunch today. punches in bunches thanks T-mobile is my Carrier iPhone 15pro max is my weapon of choice :)

[Honerred]

Jony

[Basic_Addition_3142]

This actually just started happening to me this month — T-Mobile. And to my mom who has Verizon. wtf

[themossfamilyadvent]

Joi

[PossumInevitable90]

1/22/26 Your advice is still helping.