Can't receive text messages from most sources, including T-Mobile verification

Blaine_the_train wrote:

I'm having the same issue with iPhone. Texts will send but stopped receiving suddenly mid-conversation and has been blackout since. It's been nearly 36 hours since last message received. They get my messages but I get nothing. Tech support confirmed short codes on account were OK. I was able to receive texts from wife (android) until earlier today but even that doesn't work. Have an engineering ticket in but ready to just cancel T-Mobile after 20 years at this point. 

Update to my particular scenario. We went to a T-Mobile store to swap SIM cards and did the same type of troubleshooting as the helpdesk agents - and ultimately had no resolution on the current device. To try to fix, we finally traded in the iPhone for a new one - but even without restoring from back-up the same problem continued. We had stumped both the troubleshooting team members. We then tried switching our plan to Magenta to basically reset the entire phone number - no luck. After about 2.5 hours we left and the issue continued. I then filed an informal complaint with the FCC to start the 30 day clock for a written response (more on that later). I called in later that evening to try and get an update on the engineering ticket, but didn't get anywhere. All the agents kept mentioning was that there was some type of outage in the tower near my home location - which… being a mobile device and the issue travelling everywhere with me (even through multiple states) didn't make a lick of sense to me and seemed like a convenient way to get me to hang up. 

I finally resorted to sending a message (i could send, not receive) letting them know I was unable to get texts of any kind and will let them know once resolved. (embarassing). 

Fast forward to 2 more textless days (was actually getting kind of used to not having texts) and suddenly I got a shortcode asking to confirm my account. I tested texting back and forth with other people and the issue magically resolved itself! However, I did not get any of the texts from the previous 5 days. 😑 However, I have continued to receive text messages. 

Later that day, I called the support line again just to see if there was any actual activity or if it was happenstance. I FINALLY was transferred to the actual engineering guys in Atlanta and talked to the nicest guy ever. He looked everything up and confirmed my physical home address. I asked why everyone keeps asking that and how a tower being updated/out of service has anything to do with a móvil phone line. He explained that depending on when the actual tower was taken offline and the status of what my phone was connected to, the networking components can get stuck thinking it only wants to connect to that particular tower. Resetting the location on the network *should* clear it out which he did. Did the agents prior to him do this? Possible… but they didn't really give any details on what all they tinkered with on their end. After a full reset again we were hoping to get a barrage of the old texts - but when that didn't happen, he said there was nothing really more he could do as SMS is not accessible even to engineers. Possibly doing all of the resets, swapping SIMS, phones, and even the phone plan probably didn't help the situation. He also said that if you are a long-time customer (20+ years) to immediately just ask for a manager if you don't get your issue resolved right away. Overall, while being a frustrating situation - this particular employee (and the store staff) were superb customer service and made a frustrating situation more tolerable and I was satisfied the issue was fixed and how to make noise in the future if it happened again. 

Now for the FCC informal complaint resolution. Similar to a previous post that gave me the idea of even submitting, once you submit - the complaint is forwarded to an executive team for resolution. I didn't hear anything back for nearly 25 days (the deadline is 30 days) but finally did get a call from that team. I gave him a recap of everything that happened and that the issue was fixed and hasn't been an issue since - but was extremely irritating as nearly everything now relies on SMS multi-factor authentication (by default). I didn't ask for anything, but they did comp our bill which was appreciated. The FCC complaint process does give you a step by step update each time any activity happens, so I would recommend filing this if you do encounter a significant problem that appears to be service provider related (after ruling out your device/settings/home network is not the root cause). 

Long story short - if this happens again, or has happened to you my key learnings were: 

• follow the support process and jump through each of the little tech hoops - if only to rule out a specific issue. I factory reset my phone about 10x trying to make sure it wasn't some app or setting on my iPhone. This was aggravating, but I am also in IT and know this is important to rule every checkbox off the list. 
• Go to a physical store and explain what you’ve done and if they have any other tricks - namely swapping out the SIM card or resetting your plan. 
• If you don't get anywhere and they do have an engineering ticket placed- ask to be transferred directly to the engineering team. Not sure if they are only in Atlanta - but it was obvious that i had reached a different team when he answered with something like "hi - this is Bob from T-Mobile Atlanta team… what can i help you with?" 
• If you do have a problem that isn’t being addressed and corporate should know about it - file an informal FCC Complaint. 
• As a last resort, and no resolution - i would most likely have tried getting a brand new phone number with T-Mobile before switching. We have been long-time customers and have had zero issues outside of minor annoyances (usually sales people related). 

Apologies for the long update, but wanted to give resolution to my personal story as many times you hear others complain with the same issue, but never how it actually was fixed. It wasn't easy - and still not 100% clear what fixed it - but crazy things happen sometimes. On to the next problem in my life! 

¡Saludos!