When calling a number, there are a variety of recorded error messages you may hear. However, the cause of it can be hard to discern from the message alone. So what does “the number you have dialed has calling restrictions” mean?
This recorded message means that there are some outgoing call restrictions on the line, the number may be wrong, or the plan you have doesn’t support the number.
Let’s explore what this recorded message means, some causes of it, and also some tips on how to fix it so that you can call the outgoing number with no issues.It may be as simple as changing some settings or switching plans.
What Does “the Number You Have Dialed Has Calling Restrictions” Mean?
The first thing to check is that the phone number is correct, check for basic things like it having enough digits and the right area code. Get someone to text the number to you so there is no issue with transposing it.
This is particularly common when dialing international numbers, as the prefixes have to be correct and often leading numbers have to be dropped or added, particularly zeroes.
If you’re on a cell plan or a home phone that doesn’t include international numbers, then you may get the calling restrictions recorded announcement. Check your cell plan and upgrade it if need be.
A similar issue can be that the number you’re calling is a premium service which is not supported by your cell plan. Check if you can call other numbers you know are not premium to try and rule this out, such as a local landline number for a business.
As a part of call management, you can put call limits on a service. Call limits refer to limiting outgoing calls to specific phone numbers including preventing calls from specific numbers from being placed to others.
This call limitation service is common on mobile phones to control incoming and outgoing calls, with these restrictions often an add-on that requires an extra fee when offered by some telephone service providers, helping the end user better manage their phone bill.
Very similar to call barring or call blocking, it is a technique often used on work phones or phones for adolescents. It can also be useful for seniors to prevent them accidentally running up bills and also prevents them from falling for scams as easily.
How to Fix Calling Restrictions?
You should check your cell phone bill to find out what plan you’re on, or better yet log in to your cell carrier’s website and find out what plan you’re subscribed to.
Check the features of that plan and particularly check whether there are international, national or other restrictions.
If there are, you may need to upgrade the plan to access these features but it is becoming more common that even basic plans today will have even more abilities than cell phone plans of even a few years ago.
As with all cell phone issues, the first thing you should try is a standard soft reboot of the phone by powering it down and turning it back on again. It may also be worth removing the SIM card completely and then powering it back on again as well.
Double check the number and contact someone to confirm the full number, and call information to get tips on how to attach the right prefix if you’re calling internationally, as it can be hard to know exactly whether you’re dialing the right number in the right order.
Open up your phone and go to check the network settings. It is best to leave this on auto detect and do a factory reset if you suspect that the network settings may be off. A factory reset will put it back on the default settings which should allow you to reconnect.
If a SIM card was recently activated, it may take some time for the service to be up and running, so leave the device on for at least 24 hours until it has had time to fully activate.
Does Calling Restrictions Mean Blocked?
Call limitations or restrictions and blocking are not the same thing, and they are not interchangeable terms. One is more a service that applies to a cell plan, whereas blocking is normally carried out by the end user on specific numbers.
It’s not possible to tell for sure whether you’ve been blocked by someone, but this is unlikely to give you a recorded message informing you that there are call restrictions when you try to call, as these types of restrictions are generally for outgoing calls.
If someone has blocked your number, it is much more likely just going to ring out or send you to a voicemail rather than a recorded message.
This is mainly so that it is not so easy to tell when someone has blocked you.
These restrictions could be on the phone itself or at the network level. Check the phone app or the privacy settings within the phone for sections such as call barring to see if there are any limitations placed on outgoing or incoming numbers.
For the carrier level restrictions, you’ll either have to change the cell plan or find a way to remove the restrictions. You’ll have the option with most carriers of dialing a number and accessing a menu that you operate via inputting numbers per a menu.
Just look up information on your cell phone carrier’s website.
This is a common question that they should have detailed information on in the form of guides, and if that is no good then just contact the carrier’s support team or helpdesk and they should be able to point you in the correct direction.
