If you are trying to sign up for LinkedIn but are not receiving the SMS verification code, there are a few potential reasons why this might be happening.
Quick Overview of Main Reasons
Here is a quick overview of some of the main reasons you may not be receiving the SMS code from LinkedIn during signup:
- Incorrect phone number entered
- Phone number not supported for SMS
- Poor cell reception in your area
- SMS blocking enabled on your phone
- LinkedIn SMS service disruption
Below we will explore these issues in more detail and provide troubleshooting tips to help you get the SMS verification code and complete the LinkedIn signup process.
You Entered the Wrong Phone Number
One of the most common reasons for not getting the LinkedIn SMS code is that you simply entered the wrong phone number when signing up. With an incorrect number, the SMS code obviously cannot reach your phone.
To fix this:
- Double check the phone number you entered on the LinkedIn signup form. Make sure it is your correct cell phone number with the country code included.
- If you realize you put in the wrong number, start the signup process over and carefully enter your proper cell phone number this time.
- Triple check that the number matches your phone and that you did not accidentally transpose any digits while typing it.
Taking an extra moment to verify your phone number is entered perfectly can help ensure the SMS code reaches you and you can complete the signup process.
Your Phone Number Does Not Support SMS
Some cell phone plans and providers do not support standard SMS/text messaging. If this is the case with your phone number, you will not be able to receive the verification code from LinkedIn via text.
Here are a few ways to check and fix this:
- Contact your cell provider to ask if your plan includes SMS/texting capabilities. Some pre-paid and budget plans do not.
- Try sending a normal text to a friend’s phone number as a test. If your phone cannot send regular texts, then you will not get the LinkedIn code either.
- If your plan does not support SMS, you can add that feature or switch to a different cell provider that includes texting.
- Alternatively, you can enter an email address instead during LinkedIn signup to get the verification code sent electronically rather than via SMS.
Poor Cell Reception
In order to receive the SMS verification message from LinkedIn, your phone naturally needs proper cell service and reception.
If you are in an area with poor signal strength or no service at all, the LinkedIn SMS may fail to reach your device. Here are some tips for improving your chances of getting it:
- Move to an area with better reception if possible. Step outside or near a window to get a stronger signal.
- Temporarily disable WiFi on your phone.Connected WiFi can interfere with the mobile network signal.
- Switch your phone to airplane mode briefly then back again to force it to re-establish a cellular connection.
- Try manually selecting your cell provider’s network rather than relying on auto-connect.
Taking steps to get a stronger, more reliable signal can allow the SMS message to reach your phone successfully.
SMS Blocking Enabled on Your Phone
Some smartphones have features or apps installed that block incoming SMS spam messages. This can sometimes prevent legitimate verification codes from coming through as well.
Check your phone settings and any messaging or security apps you have enabled for these potential issues:
- Disable any SMS blocking features temporarily to allow the LinkedIn code through.
- Add LinkedIn as a contact/safe sender in any SMS blocking apps you use.
- Check if you have the “Do Not Disturb” mode enabled, which can block messages.
- Authorization any messages from LinkedIn’s verification number to your phone.
Adjusting your blocking settings and allowing LinkedIn as an authorized sender can help you start receiving the SMS again.
LinkedIn SMS Service Disruption
In rare cases, widespread technical issues at LinkedIn can temporarily disrupt the SMS verification service. If the problem seems to specifically be with LinkedIn’s systems, here are some things to try:
- Check LinkedIn’s status page for any service alerts impacting SMS messaging.
- Attempt the signup process again later once any SMS issues are resolved.
- Use an alternate verification method like email instead of SMS until it is working again.
- Contact LinkedIn customer support to ask about SMS service status.
With hundreds of millions of users, even big sites like LinkedIn can sometimes have temporary glitches. If you are certain the problem is on their end, waiting and trying again later is typically the only solution.
Other Potential Factors
A couple other miscellaneous factors that could potentially interfere with receiving the LinkedIn SMS code include:
- Phone out of storage space – Your device may not be able to receive new SMS messages if its storage is completely full.
- Phone not provisioned for SMS – Brand new phone numbers sometimes need to be provisioned by the carrier before SMS works.
- Sync issues – Some smartphones do not automatically sync new SMS messages. Try manually syncing to retrieve messages.
However, issues like these are less likely to be the cause compared to the other reasons discussed above. But if you have ruled out the other possibilities, it is worth checking if any of these other factors are affecting your phone’s ability to receive LinkedIn’s texts.
Contact LinkedIn Support
If you have tried all the typical troubleshooting steps but are still not getting the SMS verification code from LinkedIn, it may be time to contact their customer support team directly. They may be able to provide additional assistance getting the code sent to your phone successfully.
You can reach the LinkedIn help center through their website or mobile app. Expect wait times to speak with a representative directly. But they should be able to look into what is blocking the SMS message from sending correctly.
Use an Alternate Verification Method
As a final option, you can switch the signup verification method from SMS to email instead. Rather than sending a code to your phone, LinkedIn can email you a link to confirm your account.
To change the verification method:
- Enter your email address when prompted during signup.
- Select the option to verify by email when asked.
- Open the confirmation email LinkedIn sends and click the verification link inside.
Using email verification sidesteps any SMS issues and often the quickest way to complete the LinkedIn signup process if you are having trouble getting the text code.
Summary and Conclusion
To summarize, here are the key troubleshooting tips for getting the LinkedIn SMS verification code if you are not receiving it:
- Double check you entered the correct phone number with no typos.
- Make sure your cell plan supports standard SMS messaging.
- Move to an area with better signal strength and cellular reception.
- Disable any SMS blocking settings that could be preventing the message.
- Wait and try again later if LinkedIn is having temporary SMS issues.
- Contact LinkedIn customer support for additional help.
- Switch to using email verification instead if SMS is not working.
Following this advice should help you diagnose and resolve the problem so you can get the verification code from LinkedIn and fully sign up for an account. Proper troubleshooting saves you the frustration of having sign up attempts blocked and lets you start accessing LinkedIn’s services.
We generally suggest having LinkedIn send the code to your primary email address instead of your phone number if both options are available during signup. Email verification is typically faster and more reliable. But LinkedIn does sometimes require a mobile number to maximize security during the initial account creation process.
Overall, LinkedIn’s signup verification process is an important step to ensure each new account is legitimate. A quick SMS or email confirmation weeds out fake signups and spam. So despite minor hassles you may encounter getting the code initially, in the long run it improves the platform’s integrity for all users. With the right troubleshooting approach, you can work through any issues that arise and get your LinkedIn profile ready to start connecting and engaging with other professionals in your industry.