Question
What are common error codes I might see on DLR when attempting to send outbound SMS with the Vonage SMS API?
Applies To
- Vonage SMS API
- Outbound SMS
- Delivery Receipts (DLRs)
- Error Codes
Answer
All Delivery Receipts (DLRs) with a non-zero error code can be considered as indicating failed delivery. i.e., your SMS did not reach the recipient.
Vonage SMS DLR Error Codes
The err-code field in the DLR provides more detailed information and can help troubleshoot a failed delivery. A non-zero code indicates that the message could not be delivered.
err-code |
Meaning | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 0 | Delivered | Message was delivered successfully. |
| 1 | Unknown | Message was not delivered and no cause could be determined. |
| 2 | Absent Subscriber - Temporary | Message was not delivered because handset was temporarily unavailable. Retry. |
| 3 | Absent Subscriber - Permanent | Number is no longer active and should be removed from your database. |
| 4 | Call Barred by User | Permanent error. Number should be removed from your database and the user must contact their network operator to remove the bar. |
| 5 | Portability Error | Issue relating to portability of the number. Contact the network operator to resolve it. |
| 6 | Anti-Spam Rejection | Message blocked by carrier's anti-spam filter. |
| 7 | Handset Busy | Handset not available at the time message was sent. Retry. |
| 8 | Network Error | Message failed due to network error. Retry. |
| 9 | Illegal Number | User has requested not to receive messages from a specific service. |
| 10 | Illegal Message | Error in message parameter, e.g., wrong encoding flag. |
| 11 | Unroutable | Vonage cannot find a suitable route to deliver the message. |
| 12 | Destination Unreachable | Route to number cannot be found. Confirm the recipient's number. |
| 13 | Subscriber Age Restriction | Target cannot receive message due to their age. |
| 14 | Number Blocked by Carrier | Recipient should ask their carrier to enable SMS on their plan. |
| 15 | Insufficient Funds | Vonage customer does not have enough credit to send the messages. |
| 16 | Gateway Quota Exceeded | Message delivery failed because the allowed number of requests per period was exceeded. NB: This error is shown for accounts registered in the US and France only. |
| 17 | Message Blocked by Provider | The messaging provider has chosen to block this message. This may be due to content or restrictions imposed by the provider. |
| 50 | Entity Filter | Message failed due to entity-id being incorrect or not provided. See more information on country specific regulations. |
| 51 | Header Filter | Message failed because the header ID (from phone number) was incorrect or missing. See more information on country specific regulations. |
| 52 | Content Filter | Message failed due to content-id being incorrect or not provided. See more information on country specific regulations. |
| 53 | Consent Filter | Message failed due to consent not being authorized. See more information on country specific regulations. |
| 54 | Regulation Error | Unexpected regulation error. |
| 99 | General Error | Typically refers to an error in the route. |
Additional Information
For more information on issues sending SMS, see Troubleshooting SMS Delivery.
Articles in this section
- Troubleshooting SMS Delivery
- Global Sender ID Portal - FAQs
- Global Sender ID Registration Guide
- Recommended Sender ID option for A2P Alert and Transactional Messages to US Virtual Numbers
- Partner Quota Violation Error
- SMS Delivery Failure Error 95 - Unknown
- DLR Statuses
- Is USSD supported via SMS for the SMS API?
- What countries require STOP management for recipient opt-out?
- Sending Emojis in Outbound SMS