Encountering the message “The number you have dialed is not in service” can be both amusing and frustrating.
This message is an intercept that indicates the call cannot be completed as dialed, and it serves as an indication that there may be various issues with the number or the service itself.
Typically, this occurs when a phone number is disconnected, temporarily out of service, or entered incorrectly.
I understand it is important to ensure that the correct country code and number format are used when dialing, especially in an international context.
Technical issues can also be a culprit, such as a service provider’s network being down or the recipient’s phone being switched off or out of range.
I advise checking the number, verifying connectivity, and reaching out to the service provider if the issue persists.
Whether it’s a simple misdial or a more complex service interruption, there are steps one can take to understand and potentially resolve the issue at hand.
What causes “The number you have dialed is not in service” error?
- If you have heard “the number you have dialed is not in service” error message when calling someone then you must know that it could be because the number you have dialed is disconnected from the service provider or that the number is incorrect.
- It is possible that you have missed one or more of the numbers or maybe you confused some of the numbers and dialed a wrong number which could give you this error message.
- Also, we have seen that such an error message also comes up when the phone numbers of certain areas get dialed and the service providers can’t handle the same.
- It is also possible that someone has given you the wrong number or it could be that they have not paid their bills which is why the service provider disconnected their number.
- Number portability is also one of the major reasons why a dialed number could not be reached because when you port your number from one service provider to another, it takes time for them to update their records which might give you this error message.
- Make sure that you call the same number after a few minutes, hours or wait for the next day to call them again and if the same error message comes up then you might want to stop calling that particular number.
How to fix “the number you have dialed is not in service” error message?
While we say that this is how you can fix “the number you have dialed is not in service” error message, there is generally no permanent fix but instead, you can take these actions:
1. Confirm that Call Forwarding is not activated
One of the main reasons why you get “the number you have dialed is not in service” error message when you dial is because the subscriber has activated call forwarding for that number and it is possible that the number on which it is forwarded is no longer in service which might give you this error message.
If that’s the case, make sure that you check your phone and see if there is any indication that the call has been forwarded which would easily show on your iPhone or Android.
If Call Forwarding is not active then you might try the other steps mentioned below.
2. Retry after some time
Well, the next thing you can do is to wait. Yes, that is simply the best thing you can do in this situation because it could be that the subscriber is currently in an area where the network is poor or the network is jammed which is why the call is not going through.
Make sure to try calling the same number after a few minutes, some hours or even after a few days (if you can wait) to see if the call goes through this time.
3. Confirm that you have dialed the correct number
We have also noticed that a lot of people dial the wrong number. For example, let’s say that the number you are trying to dial is 800-819-9373 but due to some mistake, you have dialed the number as 800-891-9373.
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Did you notice where the mistake was made?
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As you can see, it is very hard to see where the mistake was made and this is the reason why a lot of people dial the wrong number and keep trying it in hopes that it would connect but the fact is that this is an invalid number so it would not connect even if you try for years unless someone else has this number.
4. Ask for the number again
One thing you can always do, if you encounter this error message, is to ask for the number again from the person you got it the first time so as to make sure that the number you dialed was correct and even let them know that you are getting this error message on their number.
If this method works for you then great but if you can’t get the number once again then you only have the option of asking the service provider from the method mentioned below.
5. Contact the Service Provider
As a last resort, what we can do is ask the service provider who that particular number belongs to as they must know if that number is incorrect, out of service, or if the bill is not paid.
Frequently Asked Questions
In this section, I address common concerns and offer clarity regarding instances when you might hear “The number you have dialed is not in service” upon attempting a call.
Why do I receive a message indicating a number is not in service when I try to call?
If you hear this message, it’s likely the number is no longer allocated for use. This can be due to the number being deactivated by the carrier or changed by the owner.
What steps should I take if I get a ‘not in service’ message when dialing a number?
First, verify the number was dialed correctly. If it was correct and you still can’t connect, the number might be deactivated. You can try calling at a different time or reaching out to the individual through an alternative method if possible.
How can I tell if a phone number has been disconnected or is simply not in service?
A disconnected number may produce an error message like “The number you have dialed is not in service”. To ascertain the status, you can also check with the carrier or attempt calling at a later time.
What does it imply if a phone number is not in service, but I was able to reach it previously?
This could indicate the phone number was recently deactivated or there is a temporary service issue. The line might’ve been reassigned if not in use for a certain period.
Is there a difference between a number being ‘not in service’ and being ‘out of the calling area’?
Yes, ‘not in service’ means the number is inactive, while ‘out of the calling area’ suggests the dialed number can’t be reached due to geographical or carrier restrictions.
In what cases might a ‘not in service’ message be used for caller ID spoofing or fraud?
Sometimes, fraudsters spoof caller ID, displaying a ‘not in service’ number to evade detection. If you receive unsolicited calls that hang up quickly or leave no message, they may be using this technique.
