GPS Tracker Not Responding to SMS Commands? Why and How to Fix It
Charles Alexis
SMS commands are the quickest way to check or change a tracker’s settings. When it will not reply, you lose that shortcut. Here is why it happens.
Is the tracker getting the message at all?
Before blaming the command, check the basics:
- Is it powered? No power, no reply.
- Does the SIM have SMS enabled? Some data-only IoT SIMs do not support SMS, or only allow SMS from approved numbers.
- Does the SIM have credit? The tracker needs credit to send a reply.
- Is there signal? A tracker with no network cannot receive texts.
- Is it asleep? Some trackers in deep sleep only check for messages occasionally. Wait, or wake it by starting the vehicle.
Is the command right?
Most tracker brands use their own format, and a tiny mistake means the tracker ignores it.
Teltonika
Teltonika SMS commands start with the SMS login and password. If neither is set, you still need to put two spaces before the command. For example, a status request would be two spaces then getstatus.
Leaving out those spaces is the most common reason Teltonika trackers do not reply. Useful commands include getver, getgps and getstatus. APN and server settings can be changed with setparam commands using Teltonika’s parameter IDs.
Concox and Jimi
Many Concox and Jimi devices use commands ending in #, for example STATUS#, PARAM# or APN,yourapn#. Missing the # means no reply.
Coban
Many Coban models include the device password inside the command, for example apn123456 yourapn. The default password is often 123456, but it may have been changed.
Always check your exact model and firmware. Commands change between versions.
Is the sender allowed?
Some trackers only accept commands from authorised phone numbers. If yours has an admin or authorised number list, messages from other numbers are ignored without reply.
Check the authorised numbers, or send from a number that is on the list.
Wrong password
If the device password was changed and you are using the default, the command is ignored. If you do not know the password, check your records, or ask whoever installed it. A full reset may be needed as a last resort.
Phone formatting issues
- Smart quotes and autocorrect. Phones sometimes change characters like apostrophes or capitalise the first letter. Type carefully or turn off autocorrect.
- Extra spaces. An extra space can break a command, or, on Teltonika, a missing one.
- Long messages. Very long commands may be split into multiple SMS and fail.
Reply comes but nothing changes
If the tracker replies but settings do not seem to change, check the reply. It may say the command failed. Some settings need a restart to take effect.
Skip the SMS altogether
SMS commands are fine for one tracker. Across a fleet, texting each device individually is slow and easy to get wrong.
Traknova lets you see device status and manage supported trackers from one dashboard, so you are not keeping a notebook of passwords and command formats. See our GPS tracking and integrations pages.
If the problem is that the tracker replies but never comes online, see our guide to GPS tracker SIM or APN not working.
Summary
Check the SIM supports SMS and has credit. Then check the command format, especially Teltonika’s two spaces and Concox’s hash. Then check password and authorised numbers.