LG G5 Texting Issues: Fixes That Work

Updated 14 November 2026 · Standard formula, shown below

If your LG G5 won’t send or receive text messages, the fix is usually a simple settings change, a network refresh, or a cache clear—not a hardware repair. This guide walks you through the most effective solutions, from quick carrier resets to deeper app troubleshooting, so you can get your messaging working again without replacing the phone.

Why Texting Fails on the LG G5

The LG G5, released in 2016, relies on the Android Messaging app (or your chosen SMS app) and the cellular network’s SMS/MMS services. Texting issues typically stem from one of four areas:

Network registration: The phone hasn’t re-registered with the carrier after a tower update or SIM change.
APN (Access Point Name) settings: Incorrect or missing APN data prevents MMS (picture messages) and sometimes SMS from routing correctly.
App data corruption: The messaging app’s cache or stored data has become corrupted, causing it to crash or hang.
Software glitches: A pending system update or a recent app install can interfere with the messaging service.

Most of these causes have straightforward fixes you can try in order, from least to most invasive.

Quick Fixes to Try First

Before diving into deeper troubleshooting, try these three steps—they resolve a surprising number of SMS/MMS failures on the G5:

Toggle Airplane Mode: Swipe down from the top of the screen, tap the Airplane mode icon to turn it on, wait 10 seconds, then tap it off. This forces the phone to re-register with the nearest cell tower.
Restart the phone: Press and hold the power button, tap Restart, and wait for the phone to fully reboot. This clears temporary network and app glitches.
Remove and reinsert the SIM card: Power off the phone, eject the SIM tray (using the tool provided or a paperclip), wipe the SIM’s gold contacts with a dry cloth, reinsert it firmly, and power on.

If texts still fail, move on to the settings and app-level fixes below.

Check and Reset APN Settings

The Access Point Name (APN) tells your phone how to connect to your carrier’s data and messaging servers. If it’s wrong, SMS may still work but MMS will fail, or both may stop entirely. Here’s how to check and reset it on the LG G5:

Go to Settings → Network & Internet (or More → Mobile networks).
Tap Access Point Names.
Look for your carrier’s APN. If you see multiple entries, tap the one that matches your carrier’s name.
If nothing is selected, tap the circle next to the correct APN to select it.
If the settings look wrong or are missing, tap the three-dot menu and choose Reset to default. This restores the factory APN settings that came with the phone.

If you’re on a prepaid carrier or a smaller operator, you may need to enter the APN manually. The correct values (name, APN, proxy, port, etc.) are available on your carrier’s support page or by calling them. Common APN fields that affect MMS are MMSC, MMS proxy, and MMS port—if these are blank or wrong, picture messages will fail.

Clear the Messaging App’s Cache and Data

Corrupted app data is a frequent culprit. Clearing the cache is safe and won’t delete your texts; clearing data will erase your message history, so back up important conversations first (using an app like SMS Backup & Restore) if you choose that step.

Go to Settings → Apps → Messages (or your default SMS app’s name).
Tap Storage.
Tap Clear Cache first. Restart the phone and test.
If that doesn’t work, return to the same screen and tap Clear Data (or Manage Space → Clear all data). This resets the app to its out-of-box state.

After clearing data, you’ll need to set the app as your default SMS app again if prompted. Your existing texts will be gone unless you backed them up.

Update the Software and Check for Carrier Settings

LG and carriers periodically push updates that fix messaging bugs. On the G5:

Go to Settings → System → Update center → System updates to check for Android or LG software updates.
Go to Settings → Network & Internet → Mobile networks → Carrier settings (if available) and tap Update. This refreshes carrier-specific settings like APN and MMS configuration.

If an update is pending, install it and restart. If you’ve recently updated and texting broke afterward, try restarting the phone again, and if the issue persists, consider a factory reset as a last resort (back up everything first).

When the Problem Is the SIM or the Network

If none of the above works, the issue may be outside the phone. Try these checks:

Test the SIM in another phone: If texts work in a different device, your G5’s radio or software is the problem. If they fail in the other phone too, the SIM is likely faulty—contact your carrier for a replacement.
Check for network outages: Visit your carrier’s status page or call their support line to see if there’s a known outage in your area.
Verify your number is active: If your plan was recently changed or suspended, texting may be disabled. Log into your carrier account or call them to confirm SMS/MMS is active.

If you’ve tried all steps and the phone still can’t send or receive texts, the G5’s modem hardware may be failing. This is less common but possible after a drop or water exposure. At that point, a repair shop or a new phone is the practical option.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why can I send texts but not receive them on my LG G5?

This usually points to a network registration issue or a blocked number. First, toggle Airplane mode to re-register with the tower. Then check if you’ve accidentally blocked the sender (open the Messages app, tap the three-dot menu, go to Settings → Blocked numbers). If the issue persists, contact your carrier—your SMS center number may need to be updated.

Why do picture messages (MMS) fail but regular texts work?

MMS requires a data connection and correct APN settings. Go to Settings → Network & Internet → Mobile networks → Access Point Names, and verify the MMSC, MMS proxy, and MMS port fields match your carrier’s values. Also, make sure mobile data is turned on—MMS won’t send over Wi-Fi alone on most carriers.

Will a factory reset fix my LG G5 texting problem?

It can, if the issue is caused by corrupted system files or a bad app conflict. Before resetting, back up your texts and important data. Go to Settings → System → Backup & reset → Factory data reset. After the reset, set up the phone fresh (don’t restore from a backup that might contain the same corrupted settings) and test texting before reinstalling apps.

How do I set the default SMS app on the LG G5?

Go to Settings → Apps → Default apps → SMS app, and choose your preferred messenger. If you’ve installed a third-party texting app, make sure it’s selected here, otherwise the system may not route messages correctly.

Can a third-party messaging app cause texting issues on the G5?

Yes. An app that hasn’t been updated for the G5’s Android version (which can go up to Android 7.0) may conflict with the system. Uninstall the third-party app, test with the stock Messages app, and if that works, reinstall the app or switch to a more compatible one.

Why do my texts send but arrive out of order or delayed?

This is usually a network issue, not a phone issue. Delayed or out-of-order texts often happen during network congestion or when the phone is switching between Wi-Fi and mobile data. Disable Wi-Fi calling temporarily (Settings → Network & Internet → Wi-Fi calling) to see if that helps, and ensure your phone has a strong signal.

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