What Does “The Number You Have Dialed Has Calling Restrictions” Mean and How to Fix It?

“The number you have dialed has calling restrictions” means the carrier has placed limits on that number, preventing your call from going through in the normal way. This canned response, often played as Announcement 19, is an automated message from the phone system. It doesn’t mean the number is invalid; instead, it signals that the number is active but not reachable for certain types of calls.

Moreover, calling restrictions are designed to block certain types of calls before they ever reach the recipient. These limits might apply based on the caller’s region, area code, or the type of line being used, whether it’s a landline, mobile, or VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol). Instead of letting the phone ring, the network intercepts the attempt and plays a recorded message.

Call restrictions are usually carrier-imposed limits caused by unpaid dues, poor network connections, device or app settings, or when your number is flagged as spam or blocked.

Sometimes, your carrier service provider or the receiver’s phone company may block the call and cause this issue. This often happens when your intended recipient’s account is suspended or the bills are not paid on time.

How to Fix It

• Contact your phone carrier company to check if your account is active and bills are paid.
• If the issue is on the recipient’s side, try reaching them through another form of communication, like text or social media, and ask them to contact their phone company to resolve it.

Whether the calls go through depends upon the network's status. It may be in your mobile or the recipient; there may not be the required network strength, which restricts calls.

How to Fix It

• Make sure your phone has at least 2–3 bars of network signal. If the call still doesn’t connect, get connected to the recipient through another form of communication channel and ask them to check their own network coverage as well.
• Wait a while and try again, or restart your phone to refresh the connection.
• Also, check which network you’re connected to (checking roaming or not). If so, the carrier provider may restrict your calls if it's on the roaming.

You may also hear the message “The number you have dialed has calling restrictions” if the receiver has enabled Airplane mode or turned on the Do Not Disturb feature. In some cases, app-specific restrictions for the software from which you are making calls can also prevent calls from connecting.

How to Fix It

To call someone in DND, Airplane Mode, or when third-party app restrictions are active, you can try the following methods:

• If the person has kept their mobiles on DND or Airplane mode, notify them via text or another method that you’re trying to reach them.
• Check and give permission to the dialer/phone app from which you’re making a call. To do so, follow the instructions below on both iPhone and Android:
  1. Settings > Apps > The app from which you are making calls
  2. Give permission to make calls.

The person you’re calling has blocked your number, either on purpose or by mistake. When your number is blocked, their phone or carrier will automatically stop your calls, and you may hear a message calling restrictions.

How to Fix It

• Confirm whether the person has blocked you by calling from another phone number.
• If they unintentionally block you, tell them to unblock you.
• If they intentionally blocked you, ask why and try to fix the issue.

If a number is flagged as spam, it can cause calling restrictions. Carriers or spam detection apps might block or reject the calls automatically. Too many calls or reports from others can flag a number as spam. Even legitimate numbers can face issues if they are flagged by mistake.

How to Fix It

• Use apps like Truecaller to check if your number has been flagged as spam. If it has been flagged, request removal through the app.
• Call your phone company for help in clearing your number from spam lists.
• Don’t make too many calls at once, and make sure your number shows up clearly when you call. If you're a business, register your number.

Sometimes the calling restriction issues may be due to “Announcement 19”. Announcement 19 is a recorded message you hear when a call cannot be completed because the number is out of the service area or your carrier plan does not support that type of call, such as international calls.

How to Fix It

• Check whether the number you’re dialing is within your service area or not, and make sure your plan supports international or long-distance calls.
• If the problem continues, contact your carrier to upgrade your plan or to resolve any account restrictions.

The message “The number you have dialed has calling restrictions” can appear for several reasons, such as carrier restrictions, network problems, device settings, blocked numbers, or your number being marked as spam. You can fix the call restriction issue by checking your account, ensuring you have a good network connection, adjusting your phone settings, or contacting your carrier.