Texts won't send unless the phone is dialed.

[kdconod]

I have a Galaxy S6 running Android version 7. All of a sudden about 3 weeks ago I started having a lot of difficulty sending texts. In the past, I never had any trouble at all. I checked various settings - including making sure the Network Mode was set to "Global".

It is very erratic, sometimes I can send text, others times, even when I seem to have a good signal, text just sit there "pending." I've found that I can force the text to send if I make a phone call...I dial a random number and the text immediately sends and is successfully received.

(It is a Tracfone and I believe the local carrier is Verizon. I've chatted with Tracfone support and they couldn't help. One thing I have not tried is a full factory reset which I'm trying to avoid)

 

[B. Diddy]

Welcome to Android Central! Does this also happen in Safe Mode? https://support.t-mobile.com/docs/DOC-29226. Or after a cache partition wipe? https://support.t-mobile.com/docs/DOC-21095

 

[Bob K1]

Same problem here on my S6 and my wife's S6. We have the Verizon version with Nougat and the newest QJ1 update.

Here's what I've discovered.

When I reboot my phone and swipe down on the top menu, I'll see "Searching for Service" at the bottom of the screen. If I go to About Phone and tap Status, the Network field shows "Searching for Service" and Service State shows "Out of Service".

Tracfone said this is related to Call Forwarding. If I dial *73, it disables call forwarding (Tracfone says they don't support call forwarding) and stuck SMS and MMS messages are immediately sent or received. Additionally, Network changes to "Verizon Wireless" and Service State shows "In Service".

I can also "fix" the problem by doing what you do--calling any number. That leads me to believe that Call Forwarding might not have anything to do with it and merely dialing the call forwarding deactivate number (*73) accomplishes the same thing--activating the network--as calling any other number.

Note: I can still make phone calls and use mobile data when the phone is in a "Searching for Service" condition. I have a strong signal and "4G LTE" is illuminated. Additionally, the phone reverts to a "Searching for Service" status every time I turn it off or reboot it.

I have more troubleshooting with Tracfone and Verizon and will let you know what I find.

 

[hpayeur]

Same problem here on my S6 and my wife's S6. We have the Verizon version with Nougat and the newest QJ1 update.

Here's what I've discovered.

When I reboot my phone and swipe down on the top menu, I'll see "Searching for Service" at the bottom of the screen. If I go to About Phone and tap Status, the Network field shows "Searching for Service" and Service State shows "Out of Service".

Tracfone said this is related to Call Forwarding. If I dial *73, it disables call forwarding (Tracfone says they don't support call forwarding) and stuck SMS and MMS messages are immediately sent or received. Additionally, Network changes to "Verizon Wireless" and Service State shows "In Service".

I can also "fix" the problem by doing what you do--calling any number. That leads me to believe that Call Forwarding might not have anything to do with it and merely dialing the call forwarding deactivate number (*73) accomplishes the same thing--activating the network--as calling any other number.

Note: I can still make phone calls and use mobile data when the phone is in a "Searching for Service" condition. I have a strong signal and "4G LTE" is illuminated. Additionally, the phone reverts to a "Searching for Service" status every time I turn it off or reboot it.

I have more troubleshooting with Tracfone and Verizon and will let you know what I find.

I am having same issue with my s6 and have tracfone. My husband has same phone and not having issue. After getting replacement SIM card discovered making call will get rid of the searching for service and allow text to go through. Any updates on this issue?

 

[Bob K1]

I am having same issue with my s6 and have tracfone. My husband has same phone and not having issue. After getting replacement SIM card discovered making call will get rid of the searching for service and allow text to go through. Any updates on this issue?

No updates. I lost interest in working with Tracfone. I will note, however, that I purchased a Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge last month and it does the same thing. My S7 is using the same version of Android as my S6, so it could be the operating system. However, I'm inclined to believe it's a problem with Tracfone's SIM cards and connecting routines.

 

[Bob K1]

I just updated my Samsung S7 (with Tracfone service running over Verizon) to Android v8.0. I don't have the problem anymore. When I restart my phone, it immediately reflects a connection to the Verizon network.

 

[Mfaun]

Bob K1, how were you able to upgrade your s7 to 8.0. My husband and I just got new s7 and are having the same problem. We are currently running 7.0

 

[Bob K1]

I used the Verizon Wireless Software Upgrade Assistant.

https://forums.androidcentral.com/e.../support/knowledge-base-80200/&token=VnOIt6GH

 

[Mfaun]

Thank You Bob K1, we accidentally found out that we could upgrade through the app, smart switch. It fixed the problem!! I am having a problem now with my Facebook badge not showing numbers, my husband isn't having the same problem. I've read some people are having this problem too, I'll research it more but I can live with that. Thank you for your help