can not get text messages with pictures to send

This seems to be a recurring problem based on posts here and all around the internet.

Can not send a message of a picture from Android Samsung A32.  Message sits there and spinner goes on and on and on and on.  Sometimes eventually the network error appears and option to send again.  Sometimes a picture will sit and spin forever (one did yesterday for over 5 hours before I deleted the message).  

Wifi is off when doing this, but that makes no difference.

Have tried clearing data, cache, etc. and force stopping and restarting phone.  

Tried checking APN; seemed OK but can't change entries anyway (as if one does, it reverts to the nextgenphone ones anyway).

Tried checking settings in safe mode in case some other app caused the problem.

Is there something I am not thinking of or am not aware of?  It is unacceptable to have this keep happening; it didn't happen on this phone until Android updates were forced on it earlier this year and ever since, misery.  

Am paying too much to have to put up with this crap.  It is not encouraging to see how long problems like this have persisted.