Facebook Messenger is one of the most popular messaging platforms, used by billions of people worldwide to stay connected with friends and family. However, sometimes you may find yourself unable to send or receive messages on Messenger due to technical issues or restrictions on your account.
Common reasons you can’t send messages on Messenger
There are several common reasons why you may be unable to send messages on Facebook Messenger:
- You don’t have an internet connection
- The Messenger app is not updated
- Your Facebook account is restricted
- You’ve been blocked by the recipient
- There are issues with your device settings
- The Messenger server is down
You don’t have an internet connection
One of the most obvious reasons why you can’t send Messenger messages is if you don’t have an active internet connection. Messenger requires an internet connection to send and receive messages, so check that your Wi-Fi or mobile data is switched on and working properly.
Try disabling and re-enabling your connection, switching between Wi-Fi and mobile data, restarting your modem or router, or moving to a location with a better signal. This should resolve any temporary connectivity issues that are preventing messages sending.
The Messenger app is not updated
Another common reason for messages failing to send is having an outdated version of the Messenger app installed on your device. Messenger is updated frequently with bug fixes and new features, so it’s important to keep it updated.
Go to your device’s app store (App Store on iOS, Play Store on Android), search for the Messenger app, and see if any updates are available. Install the latest version and then try sending your messages again.
Your Facebook account is restricted
If your Facebook account has been temporarily restricted due to suspicious activity or violating Facebook’s policies, your ability to send Messenger messages may be limited or blocked entirely.
You’ll need to check your account status and resolve any issues or restrictions before you can fully use Messenger again. This may involve confirming your identity, changing your password, or serving any account restrictions placed on your profile.
You’ve been blocked by the recipient
If the person you’re trying to message has blocked you on Messenger, any messages you attempt to send them will fail to deliver. You won’t receive any error message informing you that you’ve been blocked.
There’s no way to override a block – you’ll need to reach out to the person through another channel if you need to get in touch. Or you’ll need to wait until they chose to unblock you before you can message them again.
There are issues with your device settings
Problems with your device’s settings can sometimes disrupt Messenger’s ability to send and receive messages properly. Here are some things to check on your device:
- Notifications are enabled for Messenger – check they haven’t been turned off
- Background app refreshing is enabled – this allows Messenger to run in the background
- You have sufficient storage space available
- Your date/time is set correctly
- Messenger has permission to access your camera, location, microphone etc if needed
Adjust these settings to see if it allows Messenger to successfully send your messages.
The Messenger server is down
Though rare, there can be occasional server outages that affect Facebook’s platforms globally, including Messenger. These usually last a short time as Facebook’s engineers work quickly to resolve them.
Check Facebook’s platform status page to see if Messenger is experiencing an outage, or follow Facebook on Twitter where they will post updates. You’ll have to wait until Messenger is back online globally before you can send messages.
How to troubleshoot Messenger message sending issues
If you’re unable to determine the exact cause of your Messenger issues, here are some general troubleshooting steps to try:
- Force close and restart the Messenger app
- Log out and back into your Facebook account
- Uninstall and reinstall the latest Messenger app
- Try sending a message from your Facebook account using a desktop browser
- Update your device software in case Messenger has compatibility issues
- Clear cache and data for Messenger app and try again
- Try connecting to Messenger using a different Wi-Fi network or your mobile data
- Factory reset your phone if none of the above steps fix your issue
How to fix a disabled Facebook account
If your Facebook account has been fully disabled due to policy violations, you unfortunately won’t be able to access Messenger at all. Here are the steps to attempt to reinstate a disabled Facebook account:
- Go to the Facebook Help Center and submit an appeal.
- Select the option for “My personal account is disabled.”
- Choose “I think my account was disabled by mistake.”
- Explain clearly why you believe the disable was an error.
- Submit an ID verification if requested by Facebook.
- Wait for Facebook to review your appeal.
If your appeal is successful, your account and ability to use Messenger normally will be restored. However, this process can take some time and isn’t guaranteed to work.
How to tell if you’ve been blocked on Messenger
It can be frustrating if someone has blocked you on Messenger and you have no way of knowing. Here are a few signs that suggest you may have been blocked:
- Your messages remain stuck on “Sent” and show just one check mark
- Your messages never show as “Seen” by the recipient
- You can’t view the recipient’s profile picture or status updates
- Video and voice calls you make to the person do not go through
- You disappear from group conversations with that person
While not definitive, these issues likely mean you’ve been blocked. Without the person informing you directly, there is unfortunately no outright way to know for sure.
What to do if someone blocks you on Messenger
If you suspect someone has blocked you on Messenger, consider these next steps:
- Reflect on your recent conversations and behavior with that person – did you say or do something that upset them?
- Give the person some space and time before attempting to re-connect.
- Try messaging them through another channel like SMS, email or social media.
- Ask a mutual friend politely if they know why you may have been blocked.
- If your contact attempts fail, accept that the person may not wish to communicate right now.
While being blocked can feel upsetting or frustrating, continue to respect the person’s boundaries until they are ready to connect with you again. Harassment or repeatedly contacting them through other means will only make the situation worse.
Prevent your messages being blocked on Messenger
To avoid having your Messenger messages blocked in future, keep these tips in mind:
- Only message people you know or have an established connection with.
- Do not send frequent messages if you don’t get a reply.
- Avoid sending unwanted promotional or spam messages.
- Do not send abusive, threatening, inappropriate or harassing messages.
- Respect if someone says they don’t want further contact from you.
Following general communication etiquette and respecting people’s boundaries will help ensure your Messenger communications remain open in future.
Conclusion
Being unable to send Facebook Messenger messages can be both annoying and confusing. However, in most cases it is possible to identify and resolve the underlying issue whether it’s a technical fault, user error or account restriction. Follow the troubleshooting suggestions outlined to get Messenger sending messages properly again.
But if someone has made the choice to block you on Messenger, continue to respect their decision and look for alternative contact methods if needed. With some patience and understanding, many communication breakdowns can be repaired over time.