Calling Restrictions: What Do They Mean? 

So, you tried to call your date from last night, and it didn’t go through. Do they hate you? Did they block you? Did that 10-minute stint when you rambled about your obscure hobby turn them off? Maybe, but don’t jump to conclusions. 

They may not have blocked you. It could be a simple matter of calling restrictions. There’s still hope for that second date. 

Calling restrictions can be inconvenient and annoying when they prevent you from connecting with a friend, family member, or business. Thankfully, learning about what they are and how to best deal with them can help you get back on track and stay connected. 

What Are Calling Restrictions? 

Calling restrictions are restrictions set in place that prevent your phone from reaching another. This can occur between both personal and business numbers. 

You will receive an error message when you attempt to call someone with restrictions. But, the message will most likely not detail the cause of the issue.

Calling restrictions usually stem from an issue with the phone itself or the network it’s connected to. Figuring out the source of the problem will allow you to establish the best course of action. 

How Are Call Restrictions Different From Blocking? 

Calling restrictions are different from blocking in a few ways: 

1. First, restrictions affect everyone who attempts to call the recipient, while blocking specifically targets selected numbers.
   
   
2. Second, when blocking someone, the recipient has control over who they choose, while restrictions are imposed by an outside factor.
   
   
3. Finally, calling restrictions prevent calls from going through at all, while blocked numbers can be dialed, just not reached. 

There’s no surefire way to figure out if you’ve been blocked by someone. But error messages like “this number is no longer in service” and repeated failed calls can help determine whether you’re blocked. Otherwise, it could be a simple matter of calling restrictions getting in the way. 

If it’s really serious — like, “you forgot to take the chicken out of the freezer, and now your mom is home” serious — there are ways to figure out how to call someone who blocked you. 

What Causes Calling Restrictions? 

There are a number of reasons why you or someone you’re trying to contact may experience call restrictions. Some of these issues can be solved simply and on your own, while others require a bit more time and assistance. 

You Called the Wrong Number

It would be a lot easier if somehow everyone’s phone numbers could be one or two digits. When calling someone — especially when entering their number manually — it can be easy to make a mistake and type the wrong combination. If you accidentally call a number that is out of service, you may receive a restriction error message. 

The same can be said if the person you’re calling has recently changed their number. If you call the old number and it is disconnected or also not in service, the same error can occur. Or you may reach the new number owner and have a wonderfully awkward “Hi, sorry, bye” phone call. Don’t we all love those? 

Making sure you type the correct number is a quick and easy way to avoid call restrictions. 

You Didn’t Pay Your Phone Bill

Another reason you may be faced with call restrictions on the outgoing or receiving end is if either party has not paid their phone bill. Carrier companies will prevent calls from going through until the balance is paid to ensure they get their money. This could also be the case for a small business. If their bill is overdue, you may not be able to reach them. 

You Have a Bad Network Connection

Whether you’re in the middle of the rainforest face to face with a 10-foot python or simply in a coffee shop with poor wifi and worse data, a bad network can dictate whether or not your calls go through. On the flip side, if it’s your friend facing the python or the middle-of-nowhere coffee shop, your call may be restricted. 

A way to approach this problem is to make sure your phone carrier has good coverage to begin with. That way, your calls should have no issues in your hometown or places you frequent. 

You’re Traveling Internationally

If you’re traveling out of the country, especially for a long period, it’s a good idea to make sure your phone plan includes international calling. You can buy a SIM card for improved data abroad if your carrier doesn’t offer a good deal on data roaming. 

Some international calls will also require an exit code to be dialed before you type the number. For example, if you have a US number and you’re calling a number in Spain, you have to type 011 or the “+” sign before entering the country’s area code (34 for Spain) and then the actual number. 

If you don’t do this, you will receive a calling restriction message. So be sure to research the rules for the countries you’re calling to and from to avoid restrictions.

You can also use a Burner phone to make international calls free of roaming charges. Burner will help keep your data secure and separate from your primary number while you’re abroad. So no, sadly, even a python is not a good enough excuse to avoid calls. 

Airplane Mode and Do Not Disturb

Something as simple as phone settings can implement calling restrictions and affect your communication line. The two most common settings that impact calls are Airplane Mode and Do Not Disturb. 

Airplane Mode or Flight Mode is a setting that prevents all cellular and wireless transmissions from your phone. It’s most commonly used on flights because these signals can interfere with the airplane’s tools and signals. Airplane Mode effectively prevents all outgoing and incoming calls. 

So, if you call someone with Airplane Mode on, your call won’t go through, and this counts as a calling restriction. At that point, all you can do is wait for them to land and turn their signal back on. 

Do Not Disturb is a setting for managing phone notifications. You can customize which screens and apps receive notifications, which alerts go through, and even which people are allowed to alert you. 

If you try to call someone whose phone is on DND and you’re not on their approved list of VIP executives who can bypass that setting — don’t worry, they probably don’t hate you — then you won’t be able to reach them. This is also a great tool you can use to help you focus during critical situations and manage notifications. 

You Have a Phone Hardware Issue

It’s always possible your calls aren’t going through because there’s something wrong with your phone specifically. It may be a SIM card issue, or you need a new phone. And if your phone was recently dropped, physically broken, or experienced water damage, it may be more prone to malfunctioning. 

You Received a Scam Call

There’s also a small chance an error message could be an indication of a fraud or scam call. Usually, scammers will pick up the phone and try to talk to you, but if a calling restriction message seems off, it could be a scam call or attempted fraud. Always report those numbers, block them, and never give out your personal information. 

How Can You Check If Your Number Has Been Restricted?

If you think you may be missing important calls from friends, work, or anything else, you may want to check if call restrictions have been placed on your phone. You may not always be notified if they have been, so it’s a smart idea to investigate before reaching out for further assistance. 

Have Someone Test Call You

The more people who can test-call you, the better. Ideally, you can have people call you from different area codes to make sure you’re receiving calls from various places. 

Depending on whether you receive all, some, or none of the calls can help you determine the severity of the situation and decide what to do next. If all calls go through, you should check that you haven’t accidentally blocked anyone or turned on any odd settings. 

Update Your Software

Something as simple as outdated software can cause calls to malfunction en route to and from your phone. Make sure your phone is caught up to the most recent software update to set yourself up for success. 

Check Your Phone Bill and Data Plan

As stated above, an overdue phone bill or an overextended data plan can restrict your calls. To reduce the risk of calling restrictions, make sure you pay your phone bill on time and stay within the bounds of your phone plan. 

Check Your Phone Settings

Like when you’re looking for your sunglasses only to realize they’ve been on your head the whole time, you may accidentally leave DND or Airplane Mode on without realizing it. Or you may have blocked someone in a fit of passion only to forget you did so later. 

If you’re missing calls, always double-check that settings like DND and Airplane Mode are in fact, off. And while you’re at it, check your list of blocked numbers to make sure only those who truly deserve the blacklist treatment are on it. 

Turn Your Phone Off and On 

You know when the TV doesn’t work, you turn it off and on, it works, and your grandma calls it sorcery? This is just like that. But be sure to power off your phone completely so it can reset. 

Send a Text Message

Especially when dealing with issues between personal phone numbers, sending a text message can help clarify whether or not you are able to reach that number. If you send a text and there is no “delivered” label underneath it, that is a good indication that you can’t contact that number.

This is also helpful when trying to figure out if you’ve been blocked. When texting someone who’s blocked you, the “delivered” label will not appear. Your text will simply float in space, lost to the digital abyss. If a friend is having trouble calling you, have them send a text as well to double-check that your issue is limited to calls. 

Contact Your Phone Carrier 

If you can’t solve the issue on your own, you should contact your phone provider and explain the problem to them. They should be able to investigate more thoroughly and identify the root of the concern. They will also be able to help you if the solution requires you to adjust your phone plan or ultimately switch carriers for a better connection. 

How Can a Second Phone Number Help?

There are some situations in which facing calling restrictions is inevitable. But there are strategies you can use to help tackle any connectivity issues you encounter and reach the people you need to reach. 

One strategy is using a second phone number app to reach other numbers and make yourself more or less accessible. Burner is a great app to use to battle call restrictions, all while boosting your own digital security. But how exactly do second numbers help? 

Verify If You’re Blocked

It can be hard to tell whether you’re dealing with a calling restriction or a good old-fashioned blocking. Since blocking only targets specific numbers, you can call the person from your second number to see if that call goes through. 

If it does, your primary number may have been blocked. But if it doesn’t, that recipient may be dealing with calling restrictions, and they don’t actually have you blacklisted. Phew. 

Give People a Second Number To Reach You

If you are facing calling restrictions on your end for whatever reason, you can use your temporary phone number to allow people to contact you in the meantime until your main line is fixed. This can be critical if you need your phone to make plans, work, or just talk to friends and family. 

And this way, no matter how dire your primary number situation is, you are never unreachable. Even if you would prefer to be. 

International Calling

You can make calls from your Burner phone internationally as long as your phone is connected to an international data roaming plan. This means you can use your second number for all intents and purposes while abroad without incurring international call fees from your main carrier. 

Separate Notifications

Because Burner is a second phone number app, you can adjust your Do Not Disturb settings to allow Burner notifications to push through. If you set up your numbers so that essential contacts or businesses have your second number, you can turn on DND with the peace of mind that those contacts won’t receive calling restrictions if they try to reach you. 

Try Burner today to experience all the benefits a second number has to offer. 

Conquer Calling Restrictions

So yes, calling restrictions are frustrating and inconvenient. They slow down your day, force you to resort to other methods of communication, and may require you to reorient your phone plan or device setup. But they are not impossible to overcome. 

If the restrictions are on your end, you are more than equipped to conquer them. Keep your phone up to date, check your settings, and contact your carrier if needed. If the restrictions apply to someone else, you can figure out if you are being restricted or blocked and act accordingly. Perhaps email them. Or send a letter via carrier pigeon. 

Understanding calling restrictions will help ease the frustrations and guide you into action. You’ve got this. 

Sources: 

How to Know If Someone Blocked Your Number | Readers Digest

What Really Happens if You Don't Switch Your Phone to “Airplane Mode” In-Flight | AFAR

International Calling Tip Sheet | Federal Communications Commission

Scam Calls & Texts | ComReg | Commission for Communications Regulation