Having issues with Messenger chats not loading can be frustrating. However, there are several troubleshooting steps you can take to try and resolve this problem.
Quick Overview of the Issue
When Messenger chats won’t load, it typically means you are unable to see new messages or access previous conversations in the app. The chat screen may be completely blank or fail to refresh with new messages. This problem can occur on both mobile and desktop versions of Messenger.
There are a few common causes behind Messenger chats not loading properly:
- Connectivity issues like slow internet or being offline
- Outdated app that needs to be updated
- Corrupted app cache that needs to be cleared
- Messenger server issues or temporary outage
- Account privacy settings blocking ability to view chats
- Blocked by the other user in the chat
The good news is there are steps you can take to troubleshoot and identify the cause of the problem. Here are the main methods for fixing Messenger chats not loading.
Check Your Internet Connection
One of the first things to check is your internet connection. Messenger requires an active internet connection to load chats and messages. Make sure you are connected to the internet and that your connection is stable.
On mobile, toggle airplane mode on and off to reset the network connection. Or try disabling and re-enabling WiFi. On desktop, disconnect and reconnect from the network or restart your router and modem if needed.
Run a speed test to check for any broader connectivity problems impacting your ISP or area. Slow speeds or high latency can interfere with Messenger’s ability to load.
Update the Messenger App
An outdated version of the Messenger app could also be the culprit behind chats not loading correctly. Messenger receives frequent updates to fix bugs, add new features, and improve performance.
On iOS devices, open the App Store and check for any Messenger updates. On Android, go to Google Play and tap the menu to check for updates. On desktop, make sure you have installed the latest version of the Messenger desktop app.
Updating to the newest Messenger version can resolve compatibility issues and other bugs preventing chats from loading properly in the app.
Force Stop and Clear Cache
Corrupted app cache files or performance issues may also affect Messenger’s chat functions. Try force stopping and clearing the cache to see if that fixes things.
On an iPhone or iPad, swipe up to close Messenger from the app switcher. Then go to Settings > General > iPhone Storage and tap Messenger. Tap Offload App to clear the cache.
On Android, open Settings > Apps > Messenger. Tap Force Stop, then tap Storage > Clear Cache. Also clear data if the issue persists.
On desktop, fully close and restart the Messenger desktop app. If needed, you can also reinstall the app to clear any corrupted files.
Check Messenger Server Status
There is also a chance Messenger is experiencing a temporary outage or server issues. This can prevent chats across the platform from loading properly.
Check the Facebook Business Status page or Messenger’s status on third-party sites like Down Detector. This will reveal any known problems impacting the app.
If there is an outage, you will have to wait for Facebook’s engineers to resolve the problem on their end before chats will load again.
Review Privacy Settings
The inability to view Messenger chats could also be related to your privacy and account settings:
- Restricted visibility – Check that you don’t have visibility turned off for your messages in your Messenger settings.
- Blocked user – You won’t be able to view chats with users who have blocked you.
- Activity status off – Turning off chat activity status can also disable the ability to view messages.
Go to your Messenger settings to review your privacy configurations. Make sure you don’t have any options enabled that could prevent loading chats.
Switch Accounts
Try switching to a different Facebook or Messenger account to see if chats load properly. If they do load, then the issue is isolated to your main account.
On mobile, log out and into a different account. On desktop, add another account to the Messenger app and swap between them.
If chats still won’t load on any account, it points to a larger technical issue or outage. But if it works on other accounts, it indicates a problem specific to your primary account’s settings or connectivity.
uninstall and Reinstall Messenger
If you still can’t get Messenger chats to load after trying the above troubleshooting, uninstalling and reinstalling the app may resolve any corrupt files or caching issues.
On an iPhone or iPad, delete Messenger from the home screen. Then re-download it from the App Store. On Android, uninstall Messenger from Settings or the app drawer. Get it again from the Google Play store.
On desktop, locate Messenger in your apps list and uninstall it. Download the latest version from the Microsoft or Mac app store and reinstall.
This will give you a clean slate version of Messenger which should hopefully fix any lingering technical problems.
Contact Messenger Support
If you still can’t get Messenger working properly, reach out to Facebook’s Messenger support team for additional help.
In the Messenger mobile app, open your profile, go to Settings > Help Center > Contact Support. Select the issue category as “Chats” and explain the problem you are having.
You can also contact Facebook support from your computer by going to https://www.facebook.com/help/messenger and clicking “Send Us a Message” or “Get Email Support.”
Facebook’s support team may be able to provide specialized troubleshooting tips or identify any problems on your account preventing Messenger from working correctly.
Reset Your Account Password
In some cases, resetting your Facebook password can help resolve Messenger issues. This essentially refreshes your account’s authorization.
On your computer, go to https://www.facebook.com/settings and click “Security and Login.” Click “Change Password” and reset to a new password.
Then log out of Messenger on all your devices. Log back in with your new password to re-authenticate.
Resetting your password probably won’t fix most chat loading issues, but it’s worth trying as a last resort before contacting Facebook support.
Conclusion
Messenger chats failing to load is a frustrating bug but usually caused by a fixable issue like connectivity, app problems, or privacy settings. Following the troubleshooting steps above should get Messenger working properly again so you can access messages.
Check your internet connection, update the app, clear app cache, look for Messenger outages, review account settings, reinstall the app, switch accounts, and contact Messenger support if the problem persists. Reaching out to Facebook support is your best bet if you can’t resolve the issue through standard troubleshooting.
With some persistence and patience, you should be able to get Messenger chats loading again. Just work through each solution until you identify the specific cause in your situation.
Here is a summary of the key troubleshooting tips covered in this article:
| Troubleshooting Step | How To Do It |
|---|---|
| Check internet connection | Toggle airplane mode, disconnect/reconnect WiFi, run speed test |
| Update Messenger app | Check for updates in app store/Play store |
| Clear app cache | Messenger settings – iPhone Storage – Offload App or Android Settings – Storage – Clear Cache |
| Check for Messenger outage | Facebook Business Status or Down Detector sites |
| Review privacy settings | Messenger settings – visibility, blocked users, activity status |
| Switch accounts | Log out and into a different Facebook/Messenger account |
| Reinstall Messenger app | Uninstall and re-download Messenger from app/Play store |
| Contact Messenger support | Messenger settings – Help Center – Contact Support |
| Reset Facebook password | Facebook settings – Security – Change Password |
With consistent troubleshooting, you should be able to pinpoint why Messenger chats won’t load and get them working again. Just take a methodical approach to rule out potential connectivity, app, account, and server issues.
Related Questions
Why are my Messenger chats not showing up?
If your Messenger chats are missing entirely, it’s likely due to privacy settings like restricted chat visibility, blocking the other user, or having chat history turned off. Check your Messenger privacy settings and make sure you don’t have options enabled that hide conversations.
Why are my Messenger chats not loading on WiFi?
Messenger chats not loading on WiFi could be caused by weak signal, interference, incorrect APN settings on mobile, or other connectivity issues. Try toggling WiFi on and off, moving closer to the router, or switching to mobile data to see if chats will load.
Why is Messenger not refreshing new chats?
If Messenger isn’t showing new message notifications or refreshing with recent chats, try force closing the app, updating to the latest version, clearing cache, and checking for any Messenger outages.
Why can’t I see messages from one person on Messenger?
If you can only see some conversations, the other user may have blocked you, turned off chat history, or restricted chat visibility in their Messenger settings. You’ll have to contact them to resolve the issue.
Preventing Messenger Chats From Not Loading
To help avoid Messenger chat issues in the future:
- Ensure you have a stable internet connection
- Update to the latest Messenger version
- Don’t clutter your chat list with inactive conversations
- Limit account privacy restrictions
- Clear app cache occasionally
Keeping Messenger optimized and minimizing account limitations will reduce likelihood of problems loading chats.
When to Seek Further Help
If you still can’t get Messenger chats to load after extensive troubleshooting, reach out to Facebook support through Messenger settings or the Facebook Help center.
It’s also a good idea to contact support if you notice the problem impacting multiple Facebook apps and services. An underlying account issue could require help from Facebook’s team to properly diagnose and resolve.
Conclusion
Messenger failing to load chats can significantly impact your messaging experience. But in most cases, the problem can be fixed with standard troubleshooting steps like checking connectivity, app updates, privacy settings, and account authorizations.
Patience and gradually working through possible causes is key. Reset chat visibility, clear app cache, reinstall Messenger, switch accounts, and contact Facebook support if still not loading. With consistent effort, you’ll likely identify the specific reason chats won’t load.
Acting quickly to address the issue can help minimize disruption and get your Messenger working again smoothly. Just take a systematic approach to troubleshoot and find the right solution for your situation.