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4 Prepaid Phone Frustrations and How to Fix Them

A guide to troubleshooting some of the common issues encountered by Prepaid users

Navigating a technology-driven world means you need to be ready to take on technical issues that come with the territory. When it comes to common hitches, it would do gadget owners well to be aware of at least basic troubleshooting.

While some complications can be solved by a quick gadget restart, several can only be fixed by following a particular set of steps. To start, we’ll walk you through four common Prepaid phone problems and how you can fix them so you can get the most out of your mobile experience.

That said, an important reminder: should you ever be left with no choice but to call your issue in, remember that Globe Telecom representatives will never ask for your One-Time Pins, nor will they request that you surrender your SIM. For your protection, do not share sensitive information with anybody.

No Signal

Experiencing a faulty connection or signal loss? Keep calm and follow these steps:

Restart your mobile phone.
If the problem persists, switch off your mobile device again. This time, remove your SIM card and battery pack from the unit, and leave disconnected for 30 seconds. Doing this should refresh your network connection. Once your phone reactivates, ensure that the Airplane Mode has been switched off.
Still no signal? Manually set your phone’s preferred network type to LTE/3G/2G (or automatic). To do this, head to your phone’s “Settings,” then “Mobile Network,” and finally, set your preferred network type.

If none of these prove successful, this could mean that your device itself has an issue. Inserting your SIM card into another phone and checking the connection then will help you confirm if your phone is defective. In this case, you can have it checked at an authorized repair center.

Alternatively, no signal can also mean that your SIM card is faulty. Should your SIM be broken, you can have it replaced at a Globe service center so you can retain your original mobile number.

Can’t Connect to the Internet

To restore your internet connection, follow these steps:

Restart your mobile phone.
If the problem persists, switch off your mobile device again. This time, remove your SIM card and battery pack from the device, and leave disconnected for 30 seconds. This should refresh your network connection.
Once your phone reactivates, make sure that your mobile’s Airplane Mode is switched off.
If you find that you still can’t connect to the internet, manually set your phone’s preferred network type to LTE/3G/2G. To do this, go to your phone’s settings, tap “Mobile Network,” and then set your preferred network type.

If you still don’t have a stable internet connection, this could mean that your phone itself has an issue. Inserting your SIM card into another device and checking if it will work then will help you confirm if your phone is defective. In this case, you should have it checked at an authorized repair center.

Let’s look into another possibility: no internet connection available can also mean that your SIM card has issues. Inserting another SIM into your phone will confirm if you need a new one. In case it is broken, you can have it replaced at any Globe service center in order to retain your original number.

If you’re using Globe At Home Prepaid WiFi, make sure that your modem hasn’t been unplugged accidentally. Afterwards, reboot your modem by pressing the restart button found in the back of the unit. To get a better signal, meanwhile, position your modem near a window.

Can’t Send Text Messages

If you are unable to send out text messages, follow these steps:

Restart your mobile phone.
If the problem persists, switch off your mobile phone again. This time, remove your SIM card and battery pack for around 30 seconds. This should refresh your network connection.
Once your phone reactivates, make sure your phone’s Airplane Mode is turned off.
If you still can’t send messages, review your settings. Your message center number should be +639170000130, and your message inbox memory should have enough space.
In case your settings are correct, you may have made a mistake in format. For those sending texts overseas, make sure that your country code and phone number format are correct. The format should be “+” the country code + the area code/access code + the phone number.
For those sending texts in the Philippines, check out your recipient’s number. It should be an 11-digit code (example: 09171234567).

Can’t Receive Text Messages

Here’s what you can do:

Restart your mobile phone.
If the problem persists, switch off your mobile phone again. This time, remove your SIM card and battery pack for around 30 seconds. This should refresh your network connection.
Once your phone activates, make sure that Airplane Mode has been turned off.
If you still can’t send messages, review your settings. Your message center number should be +639170000130, and your message inbox memory should have enough space.
Lastly, check your sender’s number format. It should be an 11-digit number or “+ or 00” then country code + area/access code + number.

Examples: 09171234567, +639171234567 and 00639171234567

If you still can’t send texts, this could mean that your phone has an issue. Inserting your SIM card into another phone and checking if it will work will confirm if your phone is defective. In this case, have it checked at an authorized repair center.

A broken SIM card can also be the reason you’re not receiving messages. Inserting another SIM into your phone will confirm if you need a new one. In case it’s broken, you can have it replaced at a Globe service center to retain your number.

Should you continue to encounter these problems or if you have more complex concerns, check out Globe’s self-service channels or head to a Globe service center near you.