Vonage SMS Delivery Error Codes and Descriptions Vonage SMS Delivery Error Codes and Descriptions

Vonage SMS Delivery Error Codes and Descriptions

Nexmo Support

Question

What are common error codes I might see when attempting to send outbound SMS with the Vonage SMS API?

Applies To

  • Vonage SMS API
  • Outbound SMS
  • Delivery Receipts
  • Error Codes

Answer

All Delivery Receipts with a non-zero error code can be considered as indicating failed delivery. i.e., Your SMS did not reach the recipient.

Neither Vonage SMS APIs nor operators will perform further attempts to re-deliver a message unless another API call is performed.

Vonage SMS API 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3 Absent Subscriber - Permanent Number is no longer active and should be removed from your database.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 Prepaid Insufficient Funds Recipient is on a prepaid plan and does not have enough credit to receive your message.
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.