GoHighLevel SMS Error Guide

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How to Fix Common SMS Delivery Errors in GoHighLevel

If you manage conversations in tools like ClickUp and GoHighLevel, understanding SMS delivery errors is essential for reliable communication. This guide explains what the most common SMS errors mean, why they happen, and how to resolve them step by step inside GoHighLevel.

All error definitions and recommendations below are based on the official documentation from GoHighLevel SMS delivery error references. Use this article as a practical how-to when messages fail to send or are not delivered.

Before You Start: How GoHighLevel Handles SMS Delivery Errors

When a message fails, GoHighLevel receives a status code from the carrier that describes what went wrong. These status codes are translated into readable error messages that you can view in the contact’s conversation or in any automations that use SMS.

To troubleshoot effectively, you should:

  • Locate the exact error message displayed for the failed SMS.
  • Match it with the explanations below.
  • Apply the recommended fix in GoHighLevel or with your carrier.

If you need broader workflow or CRM help alongside SMS troubleshooting, you can also review implementation resources at Consultevo.

Understanding GoHighLevel SMS Error Categories

Most SMS errors in GoHighLevel fall into a few categories:

  • Missing or invalid phone numbers
  • Carrier or destination network blocks
  • Compliance and content violations
  • Landline or unsupported number types
  • Technical or unknown provider issues

Each category has specific messages and actions. Use the sections below as a quick how-to reference when you see an error in your GoHighLevel account.

How to Fix “To number is required” in GoHighLevel

This error indicates that the SMS was attempted without a valid “To” number.

Steps to resolve in GoHighLevel

  1. Open the affected contact record.
  2. Check that the phone field is not empty.
  3. Ensure the number is saved in full E.164 format (for example, +15551234567).
  4. Update and save the contact, then resend the SMS.

If the number is still rejected, verify that no spaces, letters, or special characters are included besides the country code and digits.

How to Fix “To number is not a valid mobile number” in GoHighLevel

This message appears when the destination number cannot receive SMS, or the format is incorrect.

What to check

  • Confirm that the phone number belongs to a mobile device, not just a landline.
  • Verify the country code and full international format.
  • Ask the contact, if possible, to confirm the correct texting number.

Action steps in GoHighLevel

  1. Edit the contact’s phone number into proper international format.
  2. If the contact only has a landline, remove them from SMS workflows.
  3. Resend the message or test with another mobile number.

Handling Carrier and Destination Errors in GoHighLevel

Carrier-related issues are common and usually sit outside GoHighLevel’s direct control. These errors mean the message left your account but was blocked, filtered, or failed in transit.

Common carrier-style error messages

  • Message blocked by carrier or destination
  • Unknown destination handset
  • Unreachable destination handset
  • Unidentified subscriber
  • Absent subscriber temporary

How to troubleshoot carrier problems

  1. Retry later if the error suggests a temporary issue, such as “Absent subscriber temporary.”
  2. Confirm the number with the contact to ensure it is active and able to receive texts.
  3. Reduce sending frequency if you are sending many similar messages, which can trigger carrier filtering.
  4. Check your sending number in GoHighLevel is properly configured and compliant for the region you are texting.

If carrier blocks are persistent, you may need to adjust your message content or use different approved numbers in GoHighLevel.

Compliance and Content Issues in GoHighLevel SMS

Carriers enforce strict rules around consent, opt-outs, and certain types of content. When these are violated, you may see error messages indicating that your SMS was blocked for policy or compliance reasons.

Checklist for compliance inside GoHighLevel

  • Make sure contacts explicitly opted in to receive SMS.
  • Include clear opt-out language (such as “Reply STOP to unsubscribe”) in appropriate campaigns.
  • Avoid high-risk content categories defined by carriers.
  • Keep message frequency reasonable and avoid repetitive wording.

Steps to resolve compliance-related failures

  1. Review recent messages sent from your GoHighLevel workflows.
  2. Identify patterns that could look like spam or prohibited content.
  3. Rewrite your templates to be more conversational, transparent, and specific.
  4. Test with a small batch of messages before scaling volume.

Landline and Unsupported Number Errors in GoHighLevel

Some errors show up when a message is sent to a landline or a number type that doesn’t accept SMS.

How to confirm if the number is a landline

  • Ask the contact directly if the number can receive text messages.
  • Search the number using a lookup service if needed.
  • Check whether previous SMS attempts to this number have ever succeeded in GoHighLevel.

Recommended actions

  1. Update the contact with a valid mobile number, if available.
  2. Stop SMS automations for contacts that only have landlines.
  3. Switch to email, calls, or voicemail drops instead of SMS for those contacts.

Technical or Unknown SMS Errors in GoHighLevel

Sometimes providers return generic or unknown error codes. These messages typically do not give precise reasons, but you can still narrow down the problem.

Basic troubleshooting steps

  1. Check GoHighLevel system status or recent announcements to rule out a platform-level incident.
  2. Test another contact to see if the error affects multiple destinations.
  3. Test another sending number within your GoHighLevel account, if available.
  4. Document the exact error text and the message body for support.

If basic checks do not resolve the issue, gather screenshots and error details from GoHighLevel and submit them to support for further review.

Best Practices to Reduce SMS Errors in GoHighLevel

Prevention is often easier than troubleshooting. By following a few operational habits, you can significantly lower the number of SMS failures.

Number and contact hygiene

  • Always store numbers in full international format.
  • Validate new contacts before adding them to high-volume campaigns.
  • Regularly remove invalid or consistently failing numbers from lists.

Messaging and automation practices

  • Use clear, human-sounding copy instead of overly promotional templates.
  • Avoid sending identical messages to large lists within short timeframes.
  • Respect time zones and quiet hours to maintain engagement and reduce spam complaints.

Monitoring inside GoHighLevel

  • Check delivery reports and conversations regularly for patterns of failure.
  • Tag contacts or segments that encounter frequent errors.
  • Iterate on templates and workflows based on error feedback.

When to Contact Support About GoHighLevel SMS Errors

Some issues will require direct assistance from GoHighLevel or the underlying carrier.

Contact support when:

  • You see the same unexplained error across many contacts.
  • Messages to previously working numbers suddenly start failing.
  • You suspect carrier-level blocking of a specific campaign or sending number.
  • Compliance questions arise that are not clearly answered by public documentation.

Provide support with:

  • Example contact numbers (partially redacted if needed).
  • Timestamps, message content, and error messages.
  • The sending number used within GoHighLevel.

Conclusion: Systematically Resolving GoHighLevel SMS Errors

By categorizing each failure, checking the contact number, reviewing content, and aligning with carrier rules, you can systematically reduce SMS delivery errors in GoHighLevel. Use this how-to guide whenever a message fails, start with the specific error description shown in your account, and apply the matching steps above to restore reliable SMS delivery.

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