There are a few common reasons why Facebook Messenger may get stuck waiting for a network connection:
- Poor internet connection
- Outdated app
- Full storage space on your device
- Restrictive VPN or firewall
- Disabled background app refresh
- Software bugs
Let’s explore each of these issues in more detail and look at some potential solutions to get Facebook Messenger working properly again.
Poor Internet Connection
One of the most common reasons for Facebook Messenger connectivity problems is a poor internet connection. Messenger relies on having a stable internet connection to send and receive messages.
Here are some things to check if you suspect your internet connection is the culprit:
- Check your wifi or cellular data connection strength. If the signal is weak, move closer to your router or switch to cellular data.
- Run a speed test to confirm your internet speeds are adequate. You’ll typically need at least 1-2 Mbps download and upload speeds for Messenger.
- Restart your wifi router and modem to refresh the connection.
- Toggle airplane mode on and off on your device to force a new network connection.
- Disable wifi and use cellular data instead to rule out a wifi-specific issue.
If your internet connectivity checks out, the problem likely lies elsewhere. But if speeds are slow or your signal is weak, improving your network connection should get Messenger working properly again. Consider upgrading your internet plan or equipment if needed.
Outdated App
Another common source of Facebook Messenger issues is having an outdated version of the app. If it’s been a while since you updated Messenger, bugs or lack of compatibility with newer operating systems could be causing connectivity problems.
Here are some tips for keeping your Messenger app up-to-date:
- Make sure automatic updates are enabled for your apps in your device settings.
- Manually check for Messenger updates in your device’s app store on a regular basis.
- Delete and reinstall Messenger to force install the latest version.
- Check the Messenger changelog for recent fixes related to connectivity issues.
- Update your device operating system, if possible, for compatibility.
Keeping your Messenger version current will ensure you have the latest bug and performance fixes. This can prevent many common reasons for the app getting stuck waiting for a network.
Full Storage Space
If your device is low on storage space, this can sometimes interfere with Messenger’s ability to function properly. Here are some ways overloaded storage could contribute to a waiting for network issue:
- Lack of space can prevent proper app updates and installations.
- Messenger may have trouble caching data and media files.
- Insufficient storage can cause general software instability.
Check how much free space you have available on your device. A good rule of thumb is to maintain at least 20-25% free space at all times.
If you’re running low, here are some tips to free up storage space:
- Uninstall unused apps
- Offload large files to cloud storage
- Clear app caches and data
- Remove unneeded media like photos, videos
- Upgrade to a device with more internal storage
Freeing up your device’s storage can help ensure Messenger and other apps run smoothly.
Restrictive VPN or Firewall
Using a Virtual Private Network (VPN) or firewall that blocks certain connections could potentially interfere with Messenger’s functionality.
Here are some ways VPNs/firewalls could cause waiting for network issues:
- Blocking Facebook domains and servers
- Restricting protocols like WebRTC used by Messenger
- Modifying DNS settings
- Causing general connectivity limitations
If you started having Messenger problems after setting up a new VPN or firewall, try disabling it temporarily to see if connectivity is restored. You may need to configure your VPN/firewall settings to allow and exclude Facebook-related domains and traffic.
Consult your VPN or firewall’s documentation for instructions on allowing specific sites or enabling split-tunneling. This allows you to route Messenger traffic outside the VPN tunnel while maintaining privacy for other activities.
Properly configuring your VPN or firewall rules can help avoid interference with Messenger while still protecting your security and privacy.
Disabled Background App Refresh
To save battery life, many devices include settings to limit background app refresh. This prevents apps like Messenger from updating content in the background when you aren’t actively using them.
Unfortunately, disabling background refresh can cause messaging and connectivity problems. Messenger may not be able to fetch new messages or send your messages without frequent foreground refreshing.
Check your device settings and enable background app refresh:
- iPhone – Settings > General > Background App Refresh
- Android – Settings > Apps & Notifications > Advanced > Background App Refresh
Be sure Messenger is allowed to refresh in the background to avoid waiting for network issues.
Keep in mind this may negatively impact your battery life. But proper app refreshing is necessary for optimal Messenger performance.
Software Bugs
Despite apps going through extensive testing and QA, bugs still routinely slip through and cause problems after release. Conflicts with certain device configurations or use cases can cause intermittent technical issues.
Connectivity problems due to software bugs may exhibit the following characteristics:
- Only occurs with specific contacts or group chats
- Happens spontaneously without any certain trigger
- Persistent even after other troubleshooting steps
- Reported by other users during the same timeframe
If you believe a software bug is the root cause of your Messenger issues:
- Try clearing app data/cache to eliminate any corrupted files
- Check for Messenger app updates to see if a fix was released
- Try testing with different contacts or accounts
- Factory reset device or uninstall/reinstall the app
- Report the bug to Facebook if it persists after updates
With hundreds of millions of Messenger users on different devices, obscure mobile bugs are an unfortunate reality. But developers typically address severe connectivity bugs quickly with app updates.
Diagnosing the Exact Issue
Pinpointing the exact reason why Messenger is waiting for a network requires some diagnostic troubleshooting.
Here are some steps you can take to dig deeper:
- Check Downdetector or social media to see if others are reporting outages
- Try Messenger on another device on the same network
- Toggle airplane mode on/off to re-establish connectivity
- Force close and clear cache/data for Messenger app
- Test Messenger without VPN, firewalls, or restrictions
- Reset network settings on your device
- Check for carrier outages in your area
Isolating the circumstances where Messenger struggles to connect can help narrow down potential culprits. Be sure to test different chatting scenarios:
- Individual chats vs group chats
- Text messaging vs calling
- Sending photos/videos vs plain text
- Wifi vs cellular data
Documenting details around when and how Messenger fails can help you identify problematic patterns. Contact Facebook support if you need additional troubleshooting help.
Short-Term Workarounds
While trying to resolve your Messenger network issues, there are some short-term workarounds that may help:
- Delete and reinstall the Messenger app
- Use Messenger Lite app or web version at messenger.com
- Toggle airplane mode to force a new connection
- Try connecting to a different wifi network
- Disable battery optimizer for Messenger
- Restart your phone
These may provide temporary relief while you continue investigating root causes and long-term fixes.
Long-Term Solutions
To permanently resolve Messenger’s network connectivity problems, you’ll need to identify and address the underlying issue:
- Poor connection – Switch networks, contact your ISP, improve wifi coverage
- Outdated app – Update Messenger or OS to latest version
- Storage full – Delete unused files and apps, expand device storage
- VPN/firewall blocking – Configure rules to allow Facebook traffic
- Disabled background refresh – Re-enable background app updates
- Software bug – Report issues, wait for app fixes, reinstall Messenger
Addressing the specific cause, whether it’s network-related or an app configuration problem, is key to preventing Messenger from getting stuck waiting for a network moving forward.
Preventative Measures
You can take certain steps proactively to help avoid Messenger connectivity problems in the future:
- Ensure your internet connection is fast and reliable at home and on mobile
- Regularly update your apps, OS, firmware, and device drivers
- Don’t let your device storage get too full
- Configure VPNs and firewalls to allow Facebook
- Enable background app refresh
- Report bugs and problems to Facebook as soon as they start
Staying on top of updates, monitoring your network, and optimizing device settings goes a long way towards keeping Messenger running smoothly. Quickly addressing any new issues before they worsen also helps prevent prolonged connectivity problems.
When to Reset Messenger
If you continue having “waiting for network” errors in Messenger even after troubleshooting, resetting the app may be necessary:
- Delete and reinstall Messenger
- Log out then log back into your Facebook account
- Clear Messenger app data/cache
- Unlink then re-link Facebook account in device settings
Resetting removes any corrupt data or botched configurations that may be disrupting connectivity behind the scenes. Freshly installing Messenger forces updated files and code.
Only reset Messenger as a last resort if connectivity problems persist across troubleshooting. Resetting can be inconvenient by removing your settings and message history.
Seeking Further Support
If you continue experiencing “waiting for network” errors in Messenger after trying all standard fixes, it’s time to seek additional support:
- Post details in the Facebook Messenger community forum for help
- Contact Facebook Messenger technical support via in-app chat
- File a bug report with Facebook developers if its an unresolved issue
- Contact your device manufacturer or carrier support
- Perform a factory reset on your phone if all else fails
Provide as many details as possible, including error logs, screenshots, and reproduction steps. This will help Facebook staff or vendor support properly troubleshoot and identify stubborn underlying Messenger problems.
With some persistence and help from support teams, the root cause of your “waiting for network” messages in Messenger can be found.
Conclusion
Facebook Messenger getting stuck waiting for a network is usually symptomatic of an underlying issue:
- Intermittent bugs or glitches
- Connectivity problems
- VPN, firewall, or battery optimization conflicts
- Outdated or incompatible software
- Resource constraints like storage space
Carefully troubleshooting and diagnosing the exact circumstances around the problem are key to resolving it. Network issues can often be identified based on whether the problem occurs on wifi vs mobile data.
App and device factors typically manifest in waiting for network errors that persist across networks. Reset and reinstall Messenger as a last resort, then seek help from technical support if needed.
With some diligent and systematic debugging, you should be able to get Facebook Messenger working properly again and stop getting stuck waiting for a network connection.