There are a few common reasons why you may not be able to access Facebook Marketplace on Messenger:
You don’t have the latest version of Messenger
Facebook is continually updating Messenger with new features and fixes. To access Marketplace on Messenger, you’ll need to make sure you have the latest version of the app installed on your device.
Here’s how to check you have the latest version of Messenger on your device:
- On an iPhone or iPad, go to the App Store and tap on your profile icon in the top right. Pull down to refresh and see if any updates are available for Messenger.
- On an Android, go to the Play Store, tap the hamburger menu in the top left, choose ‘My apps & games’, select Messenger and check if an Update option is available.
- On a desktop, you likely have the latest version if you haven’t changed browsers recently. Try refreshing the page to get any latest updates.
If an update is available, download and install it, then try accessing Marketplace again.
Marketplace isn’t available in your region
Facebook has rolled out Marketplace access in Messenger to many countries, but not all. If you don’t see the Marketplace option in your Messenger app, it may not have launched in your country yet.
Here are some of the regions where Marketplace on Messenger is currently available:
- United States
- Canada
- Mexico
- Australia
- New Zealand
- United Kingdom
- Ireland
- Sweden
- Denmark
- Norway
Unfortunately if your country isn’t on the list, you may have to wait until Facebook rolls it out in your region.
You have Marketplace turned off
It’s possible you or someone else with access to your account has disabled Marketplace. This would prevent you accessing it through Messenger.
To check if Marketplace is enabled:
- On desktop: Click the down arrow at the top right and choose ‘Settings’. Click ‘Marketplace’ on the left menu and make sure the toggle is switched on.
- On mobile: Tap the hamburger menu icon, choose ‘Settings & Privacy’ > ‘Settings’ and tap ‘Marketplace’. Make sure ‘Allowed’ is selected.
If Marketplace was disabled, turn it back on in your settings. You should then be able to access it in Messenger again.
There’s an issue with your account
In some cases, there may be an issue with your Facebook account that is preventing you from accessing Marketplace. Here are some account issues that could cause problems:
- Restricted account – If your account has been temporarily restricted due to suspicious activity, you may lose access to certain features like Marketplace.
- Age restriction – Marketplace has an age requirement, so users under 18 won’t be able to access it.
- Unmerged accounts – If you were previously using multiple Facebook accounts, make sure they have been properly merged into one.
If you think your account may be restricted, try logging out and back in again or contact Facebook support for help resolving any issues.
Messenger needs reinstalling
Reinstalling the Messenger app can sometimes resolve odd issues accessing particular features like Marketplace. Here’s how to uninstall and reinstall Messenger:
- iPhone/iPad – Hold your finger down on the Messenger icon until it starts wiggling. Tap the X to delete the app. Go to the App Store and redownload Messenger.
- Android – Open the Play Store, go to My Apps & Games > Installed > Messenger. Tap Uninstall. Then go search for Messenger again and reinstall.
- Desktop – Refresh the browser page to force any updates. If that doesn’t work, try clearing cookies and site data for facebook.com.
Hopefully after reinstalling Messenger, you’ll see the Marketplace option appear!
Update your Facebook app
As well as ensuring Messenger is up to date, check that your main Facebook app also has the latest version installed. An outdated Facebook app can cause issues interacting with newer Messenger features.
Here’s how to update the Facebook app on your device:
- iPhone/iPad – Go to the App Store and check the Facebook app page for any available updates.
- Android – Open the Play Store, go to My Apps & Games > Installed > Facebook. If an Update option is shown, tap it.
Once both apps are fully updated, see if that resolves any problems accessing Marketplace in Messenger.
Conclusion
Troubleshooting tips:
- Make sure you have the latest version of Messenger installed
- Check if Marketplace is available in your country
- Ensure Marketplace hasn’t been disabled in your account settings
- Contact Facebook support if you think there are issues with your account
- Try reinstalling the Messenger app
- Update the Facebook app as well
With Facebook continually rolling out new features, hiccups can occur accessing certain services. But in most cases, installing the latest app updates, checking your settings and reinstalling the apps should help resolve any problems accessing Marketplace on Messenger.
If the steps above don’t work, reach out directly to the Facebook team for personalized help getting Marketplace up and running. Their troubleshooting experts should be able to pinpoint what’s preventing Marketplace from working and advise how to fix it.
With Marketplace in Messenger, buying and selling is now quicker and more convenient than ever. So it’s worth taking the time to troubleshoot any issues to ensure you don’t miss out on this useful new feature that can streamline your Facebook commerce experience.