Paid bill but service still restricted

[KarenC2023]

Can anyone help?

My service was restricted as I was late paying my bill, I’ve been in hospital with my son and have overlooked this. 

It’s  now paid and states I don’t owe anything, but service still restricted and I really need to get back online.

[imjolly]

it can take a few days after bill paid before your connection is restored

[KarenC2023 · Accepted solution]

A few days??! Nah, I wasn't happy to accept that. 

I'm now back online, just incase anyone else searches for this problem looking for any help, this is what I did. I noticed my service was restricted at 7am, paid bill by 7.20, went on an online chat with BT at 8:45 asking how long it would take for my restrictions to be lifted on my services, and they sorted it for me straight away, I just had to restart my router.

Interestingly enough, when I paid, I had confirmation that my account was now zero and I didn't owe anything, and that my service would be restored 'within a couple of hours'. After searching for answers online, it tells you that it will take 24 hours.  

So it is definitely worth trying the online chat if you need to get back online asap. I'm now setting up a direct debit, so this doesn't happen to me again.