Messenger not working can be frustrating, especially when you rely on the app to stay in touch with friends and family. There are several potential reasons why Messenger may stop working properly. In this article, we’ll explore the most common causes of Messenger issues and how to fix them so you can get back to messaging.
Internet Connectivity Issues
One of the most obvious causes of Messenger not working is problems with your internet connection. Messenger requires an active internet connection to send and receive messages. If you’ve lost your Wi-Fi or cellular data connectivity, Messenger will be unable to access the Facebook servers and update your conversations.
Start by checking that your device is still connected to the internet. Try loading a simple web page like google.com to confirm you have a working connection. If web pages won’t load, get your internet access working again before attempting to use Messenger.
If you have internet access but Messenger still won’t load, the connection may be too slow or unstable for real-time messaging. Try switching from Wi-Fi to cellular data or vice versa to see if a different network resolves the problem. Moving closer to your Wi-Fi router can also help strengthen the signal.
Facebook Account Issues
Since Messenger relies on your Facebook account, any problems with your Facebook login can prevent Messenger from functioning properly. Here are some Facebook-related issues that could be causing Messenger problems and how to fix them:
Account Security Changes
If you recently changed your Facebook password, enabled two-factor authentication, or made other security changes to your account, you may need to re-login to Messenger using your updated login credentials. Messenger will fail to connect if it tries using an outdated password.
Account Suspension or Ban
If your Facebook account has been temporarily suspended or banned due to violations of Facebook’s terms of service, you will be unable to access Messenger until your account access is restored. Check your email for any notifications from Facebook regarding your account status.
Excessive Login Attempts
Entering an incorrect password too many times can temporarily lock your Facebook account as a security measure. Wait a while and then try logging into Facebook again with the proper password.
Messenger App Issues
Problems with the Messenger app itself on your device can also prevent you from sending and receiving messages. Here are some common Messenger app issues and fixes:
Outdated App Version
Using an outdated version of the Messenger app can lead to bugs and connectivity problems. Open your device’s app store and check for any available Messenger updates. Install the latest version of the app.
Corrupted App Files
In rare cases, critical Messenger app files may become corrupted. This can happen after a failed app update or other glitch. Uninstalling and reinstalling the Messenger app will replace any corrupted files.
Full Storage
If your device is completely out of free storage space, apps like Messenger may fail to function properly. Free up storage by deleting unused apps and files, then restart Messenger.
Background App Refresh Disabled
On iOS devices, having Background App Refresh disabled for Messenger will prevent the app from updating in the background. Enable Background App Refresh in your iOS device settings.
Notification Permissions
Messenger requires notification permissions to alert you of new messages. Make sure notification access is enabled for Messenger in your device settings.
App Permissions
Access to photos, camera, microphone, contacts and other permissions are required by Messenger for certain features. If permissions were denied, open Messenger settings and enable all necessary app permissions.
Force Stop/App Freeze
An unresponsive or “frozen” Messenger app that you can’t interact with could prevent sending messages. Force close the app and restart your device to eliminate any app glitches.
Messenger Service Outages
Though less common, widespread outages of Facebook’s messaging services can take Messenger offline for all users. Check Downdetector to see if others are reporting Messenger problems, which indicates a larger outage versus an isolated issue on your end.
During officially confirmed Messenger outages, all you can do is wait for Facebook’s engineers to resolve the problem on their end. Keep trying Messenger periodically until service is restored. Outages are usually resolved within hours at most.
How to Troubleshoot Messenger Issues
When Messenger stops working, use these troubleshooting steps to identify the cause and get your messages flowing again:
- Check your internet connection on the device.
- Make sure your Facebook account login works in the Facebook app and website.
- Update to the latest version of the Messenger app.
- Force close and restart the Messenger app.
- Restart your mobile device or computer.
- Uninstall and reinstall the Messenger app.
- Check Downdetector for any active Messenger outages.
Following these basic troubleshooting steps will solve most common Messenger problems. If issues persist, you may need to contact Facebook support for additional help getting Messenger working again.
Preventing Messenger Issues
While occasional disruptions to Messenger are inevitable, you can take some proactive measures to avoid problems with Messenger:
- Maintain a stable, high-speed internet connection on your devices.
- Keep your Facebook account information and login credentials up to date.
- Install Messenger app updates as soon as they become available.
- Don’t overload your device storage which can cause performance issues.
- Enable all necessary permissions and background app refresh options for Messenger.
Taking these preventative measures will help minimize technical issues that interfere with Messenger. But when problems do occur, use the troubleshooting steps outlined above to get Messenger working again quickly.
Alternative Messaging Options
If Messenger remains unavailable due to an extended outage or unresolved technical problems on your end, there are some alternative messaging options to consider:
Facebook Website Chat
You can access your Facebook messages and chat through the Facebook website, even when the mobile Messenger app is not working. Simply log into www.facebook.com on your desktop browser.
Facebook Lite App
The streamlined Facebook Lite app for Android and iOS provides messaging capability similar to Messenger in a smaller app package that may be less prone to problems.
Since WhatsApp is owned by Facebook, it offers seamless messaging between you and your Facebook friends. WhatsApp uses your mobile number rather than Facebook account for identification.
App Switching
Switching temporarily to other popular messaging apps like Telegram, Signal, Line, or Skype can keep you connected until Messenger is back online.
By troubleshooting issues promptly when they arise and utilizing backup messaging options when needed, you can stay in touch with friends and family even when Messenger itself stops cooperating.
Conclusion
Messenger not working can certainly be an annoyance and make it harder to stay connected. But in most cases, the problem can be resolved through some basic troubleshooting steps like checking your internet connection, updating the app, restarting your device, reinstalling Messenger, and checking for outages. Keeping Messenger updated, avoiding overloaded storage, and having backup messaging options will help minimize disruption. With the right fixes and workarounds, you can get Messenger working again quickly and reliably.