If you are one of those who still carry an extra Verizon phone, you might have faced the problem of call not going through when you dial *228. Here, you are left with the situation where you are not able to update the PRL as your phone generates a message that it cannot use the code when you enter the code *228.
Now when you have the handset in a good condition and you can’t convince yourself to throw it away which is also not a wise move, you have to look for solutions so that you can fix the issue.
No worries. The reason is that you’re on a 4G/5G connection. You can Fix 228 Not Allowed on Verizon. Reinstall your SIM or try moving to a place that has 3G service.
Why Can’t I Dial *228?
Quick Navigation
If you are unable to dial *228 using your Verizon 3G phone, the following reasons might be driving the trouble:
- It could be because of your location where the services may be temporarily unavailable.
- Secondly, Verizon has planned to permanently terminate its 3G services and devices in the coming years.
- Not always the back end but the device may also be responsible. Check for an issue in your device’s system software.
- The devices associated with a 4G network are not appreciated to dial this number. So probably the device might prevent dialing the code.
How to fix 228 not allowed on Verizon?
One of the most possible and probable reasons for this denial could be that the network coverage area you are present it is not 3G but 4G or 5G. So for the time being, you can remove the SIM and insert it again.
To go for an even simpler one, just try changing your location and moving to an area of the 3G network.
And in the case of the 4G LTE handset, the functionality does not require the manual update of the PRL. The SIM card does the management of the PRL updates in the 4G LTE handsets.
Although the error seems to be present in some handsets now and then, we have described the methods to troubleshoot this issue, like force updation, which will follow in this article.
1. 4G Phones Shouldn’t Dial this Number
Now when you know that Verizon prevents a 4G user from using the code, you might wonder what harm could be caused if the code somehow goes through.
As stated earlier, the primary goal of the code is to update PRL.
Doing so will automatically convert your 4G PRL into the 3G ones.
As the device supports the 4G network, performing with the 3G PRL will not work out.
The result will be that none of the services will reach you and the connection will be lost.
Now the most obvious doubt follows. What to do if we have already done this unknowingly?
There is no reason to panic. First of all, take out the SIM and reinsert it. If that doesn’t seem to work, then have professional assistance by contacting the support team.
2. Force SIM Update
If you are unable to manage updates using *228, go for the alternative. You can use the SIM to update the PRL forcefully.
Follow the given steps to employ SIM for updating the PRL:
- Take the SIM card out carefully.
- Wait for some time.
- Put the SIM back and check if the services are resumed.
3. Dial the Code when you have Service
It’s not always necessary that it is due to some trouble that you are not able to dial the code.
Sometimes the signal strength becomes weak and you temporarily get disconnected from the network.
So make sure that the cell signal is proper and strong enough while sending the code.
Usually, your location causes a hindrance.
So, manage to remain in a location not much distant from the cell tower.
Before sending the code, check if enough signal bars are visible.
4. Restart Your Phone
Now you say that you have tried everything told and enough signal strength has also been ensured.
As stated in the preceding paragraph, the problem may lie in your phone’s software.
To counter it, try to reboot your phone for once.
- Press and hold the power button, and the phone gets switched off, and restart the device.
- Although not so much, the chances of the problem getting fixed can be expected.
5. Reset Your Phone
The better solution may lie a little deeper.
So you can go ahead with the factory reset option if the reboot did no good.
This sharply increases the chances of your problem getting solved as all of your settings will be restored to the default setting and any trouble caused by the system software of your device will be minimized.
Before doing this, you have to make sure all the important data and files have been backed up somewhere because performing this operation will empty your device, and all the files, documents, and applications will be permanently deleted.
Steps to reset your android phone:
- Open Settings
- Click on the Search bar and type Factory Reset
- Click on the Factory Reset
- Tap on Erase all data
- Tap on reset phone
- Follow the prompt
- Wait for your phone to restart
Steps to reset your iPhone:
- Open Settings and Click on the general option
- Click on reset
- Click on Erase all content and settings
- Enter the passcode of your phone
- Wait for your phone to restart
6. Contact Support
When nothing helps, ask out for help directly from Verizon.
As you have done whatever you could but nothing worked out, ease out the responsibility completely on the shoulders of the Support Team of Verizon.
Brief them about the problem and now it’s their turn to update your Preferred Roaming List.
how do you do it for your 4G LTE mobile phones?
Step 1: Insert the SIM card and battery into your phone and plug it into the charger. Wait for it to char
Step 2: Switch your phone off
Step 3: Follow the prompts on your screen
Things to do beforehand
- Save all your contacts and back up the important documents and multimedia on your phone
- Switch off your phone after completing the backup
- Dial 1-877-807-4646 and follow the prompts
- Put the SIM and battery of your previous phone in your new one
- Charge your new phone and wait for the automatic activation to complete.
FAQs
Does *228 still work for Verizon?
As we’ve mentioned in the details above, *228 works only for 3G devices. And for 4G LTE devices, rebooting the device resets the network connection and updates the PRL, thus solving the purpose of dialing *228.
What does *228 do for Verizon?
The complete information is covered in the topics above.
How do I activate a *228 Verizon phone?
Refer to the steps mentioned above in this article.
What is the *228 number to activate a phone?
*228 is the code used in Verizon wireless CDMA handsets to update the cell tower addresses’ list in its 3G handset, though it is not designed for 4G LTE versions of the phone, which update their PRLs on their own using the SIM.
For complete details, you may refer to the topics we have covered above.
Final Talk
Now when you are aware enough of the possible causes for your device not dialing *228 code and also what you can do to overcome this, you can get yourself help and also become helpful to others. But don’t get restless if you are unable to do so, just stay calm and get technical support from professionals.
Leave a Reply