There could be several reasons why your phone number may not be working when you try to use it to verify your account or purchase tickets on Ticketmaster. Here are some of the most common causes and solutions to try if your number is not being recognized by Ticketmaster’s system.
Your Number is Not Properly Formatted
One of the most common reasons a phone number may not work with Ticketmaster is that it is not entered in the proper format. Ticketmaster requires phone numbers to be entered in a specific format without extra characters like dashes or parentheses. Here are some tips for entering your phone number correctly:
- Only enter the 10 digit phone number without any spaces, dashes or parentheses
- Use the number you would dial if calling your phone from another phone
- Double check that you have the right country code if you are outside the US or Canada
- Do not include any extra zeros at the beginning; just enter the 10 digit local number
Many times an issue can be resolved simply by re-entering the phone number in the proper format without extra characters. Be sure you are only inputting the numerals 0-9 without any spaces, parenthesis or dashes when asked for your phone number.
Your Number is From an Unsupported Carrier
In some cases, Ticketmaster may not recognize a phone number if it comes from a smaller or more regional carrier. Ticketmaster seems to have the most issues with numbers from prepaid phone plans, VoIP services, or smaller local carriers.
If you have a number from one of these less common carriers, Ticketmaster may fail to deliver the verification texts or calls. To resolve this, you can try inputting a different number from one of the major nationwide mobile carriers like Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile or Sprint. Or you may need to have the verification code sent to an email address instead.
You Entered the Wrong Number
Another simple explanation is that you may have accidentally entered the wrong phone number into your Ticketmaster account profile or when attempting to verify a purchase. It’s easy to mistype a digit or switch a few numbers around by mistake.
To fix this, carefully recheck the phone number you have associated with your Ticketmaster account. Make sure you don’t have any typos in the number and that it matches the number for the mobile device you have with you.
Also verify you don’t have multiple accounts with different numbers. It’s possible the number you are entering is not the one linked to the account you are currently logged into.
Your Number is on Ticketmaster’s Blocked List
In some cases, Ticketmaster may intentionally block certain numbers from receiving verification codes. This is often done to prevent bot attacks, spam messages or other abuse of their SMS verification system.
If your number ends up on their blocked list, you will be unable to receive the texts or phone calls for verification. The only way to fix it is to contact Ticketmaster customer support and request they remove your number from the blocklist if it was added in error.
You Have Reached the Verification Limit
Ticketmaster also limits the number of times a single phone number can request a verification code over a short period of time. This is to prevent endless automated attempts to verify numbers by bots or spammers.
If you have requested too many verification texts in a short time frame, you may temporarily be blocked from receiving more codes. Allow some time to pass before trying to verify your number again on Ticketmaster.
It’s a good idea to only request a new verification text when you have your phone in hand and are ready to enter the code. Don’t rapidly request codes if you are still getting set up.
Your Phone Has No Signal
A lack of cell service is another simple reason your phone may not be receiving the verification message from Ticketmaster. If you request the verification text in an area with poor signal or while in airplane mode, it will not be delivered to your device.
Wait until you are in an area with adequate signal strength before attempting to get a new verification code sent to your phone. If you are in an area with no service at all, you may need to connect to WiFi in order to receive Ticketmaster’s texts.
Your Phone’s Storage is Full
In some Android devices, having insufficient storage space can prevent receiving SMS messages. Ticketmaster’s verification texts may fail to deliver if your phone’s internal storage is completely full.
Try clearing out old photos, apps and files you no longer need to free up space on your device’s storage. This can allow verification texts and other SMS messages to come through again.
You Have SMS Blocking Enabled
Some mobile providers and smartphone platforms allow you to block all SMS messages from unknown senders. This can prevent Ticketmaster’s verification texts from reaching your device.
Check if you have any SMS blocking settings enabled that are blocking texts from unrecognized numbers. Try disabling these temporary to allow the verification code to come through.
Your Number is Out of Date in Your Account
If you have recently changed your phone number, your old number may still be listed in your Ticketmaster account. When you request a verification text, it will be sent to your old number rather than your new device.
Log into your Ticketmaster account and confirm your current phone number is accurately listed. Update it to your new number if needed so verification codes are sent to the correct device.
There is a Temporary Service Outage
In rare cases, you may be unable to receive Ticketmaster verification texts due to a temporary outage or glitch in their messaging system. Widespread service issues that impact text messaging capabilities do occur infrequently.
Check Ticketmaster’s social media pages and Help Center for any notices about known service problems. You may just need to try your verification request again later when systems are restored.
Your Carrier Blocks Short Code Messages
Some cell phone carriers may block short code SMS messages by default. Short codes are 5-6 digit numbers often used for 2FA codes and alerts.
Since Ticketmaster sends texts from a short code number, your carrier may prevent delivery of these messages. You can contact your mobile provider to whitelist the Ticketmaster short code, which should allow texts to start coming through.
You Have a New SIM Card in Your Device
Swapping to a new SIM card in your smartphone can sometimes cause issues receiving SMS texts from short codes. Your new SIM has a different identifier Ticketmaster may not recognize.
Try re-verifying your number with Ticketmaster after activating a new SIM card. This can link your new SIM information with your account so verification codes are delivered properly.
Your Phone Number Has Changed
If you have gotten a new phone number, you will need to update your contact information in your Ticketmaster account. Verification codes will continue to be sent to your old number until you change it.
Log into your Ticketmaster account online or via the mobile app and input your new phone number. Make sure to verify it with a code before ticket purchases.
You Entered the Code Incorrectly
In some cases, you may successfully receive the SMS verification code but still have trouble because you mistype it when entering. The verification code must be input exactly as sent, or it will not validate.
Double check that you are accurately entering the 6-7 digit verification code exactly as displayed in the text message. It’s easy to confuse characters like 1/I or 0/O when typing the code.
The Code Expired
Ticketmaster’s verification codes typically expire after just 5-10 minutes. If too much time passes after receiving the text, the code will no longer be valid.
Request a new verification code and be ready to input it quickly when received. If your phone number changes, you may not receive a new text or call with the code.
If you are still having issues, try sending the verification code to an email address instead which does not expire as quickly.
You Have an International Number
Ticketmaster does not support verification texts to some international phone numbers. If you are trying to verify a number from outside the US, it may not be compatible.
Your options are to switch to a US number temporarily or set up a VoIP number that allows receiving texts online. Or use email verification instead of SMS codes.
You Need to Whitelist Ticketmaster
Some mobile carriers require you to whitelist specific short codes before allowing messages from them. Ticketmaster’s short code may not be on your approved list.
Contact your carrier to ask about adding Ticketmaster’s short code to your permitted list. This will enable delivery of verification texts specifically from them.
Your Messaging App is Restricting Texts
If you use a third-party messaging app, it may be blocking Ticketmaster verification texts. Some apps only allow messages from approved senders in your contacts list by default.
Try enabling SMS permissions for less secure apps in your messaging app’s settings. Or switch back to your default messaging app when requesting a Ticketmaster verification code.
A Messaging Blocking App is Enabled
Using a separate spam call and text blocking app can inadvertently filter out wanted messages like Ticketmaster verification texts. The app may not be able to identify legitimate short codes.
Try adding Ticketmaster specifically to your approved senders list in the blocking app’s settings. Or disable the app temporarily when waiting to receive an verification code.
Your Phone’s Do Not Disturb is Enabled
The Do Not Disturb mode or scheduled quiet hours can block incoming calls and SMS texts on most phones. Ticketmaster verification codes will not come through if you have DND enabled.
Make sure to disable Do Not Disturb on your device before attempting to get a verification text message from Ticketmaster again.
Conclusions
In summary, here are some steps to take if you are having issues receiving verification texts or calls from Ticketmaster:
- Double check your phone number is entered correctly and in the right format
- Try your number with another ticketing service to confirm it works for SMS
- Contact Ticketmaster support to remove your number from any block lists
- Wait awhile if you have requested a number of recent verification attempts
- Try toggling Airplane mode on/off to re-establish connection
- Clear your device’s storage if it is completely full
- Disable any SMS blocking settings that could filter verification texts
- Confirm your carrier does not block short code messages
- Update your phone number if it has changed recently
- Carefully re-enter the verification code making sure it matches
- Request a new code if the previous one has expired
- Consider using email verification if texts are not working
In most cases, issues receiving verification codes from Ticketmaster can be resolved by updating your account information, adjusting blocking settings, or contacting support. Being unable to verify your phone number is a common problem that can be fixed with a few troubleshooting steps.
If the above suggestions do not resolve your specific issue, you will need to reach out to Ticketmaster directly via phone or chat support for additional help. Provide as much detail as possible about your verification issue and what troubleshooting you have already attempted when contacting support.
With some patience and testing, you should be able to get SMS verification working properly again so you can access your Ticketmaster account and make purchases. Just be sure to follow the proper formatting and input rules when entering your phone number and verification codes.
Let’s do a quick recap of the key troubleshooting tips:
Issue | Solution |
---|---|
Number not formatted properly | Re-enter as 10 digit local number without spaces/symbols |
Using unsupported carrier | Try a number from a major national carrier |
Entered wrong number | Double check number matches your device |
Number blocked by Ticketmaster | Contact support to remove block |
Too many failed attempts | Wait awhile and reduce verification requests |
Insufficient cell signal | Move to area with better signal |
Phone storage full | Clear space on device’s storage |
SMS blocking enabled | Disable text blocking settings |
Outdated number in account | Update number in Ticketmaster account |
Temporary outage | Try again later when service restored |
Carrier blocks short codes | Whitelist the Ticketmaster short code |
Hopefully with the right troubleshooting, you can get your number working properly with Ticketmaster again soon. Let us know if you have any other questions!