7 common Facebook Messenger problems, and how to fix them if the app's not working on mobile or desktop (2024)

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  • If Facebook Messenger is not working for you, you should restart the app, toggle the Wi-Fi, and try the service on another device.
  • You can also check to see if the Messenger service is offline using Downdetector.
  • Here are the top seven ways to troubleshoot a problem with the Messenger platform.

7 common Facebook Messenger problems, and how to fix them if the app's not working on mobile or desktop (1)

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7 common Facebook Messenger problems, and how to fix them if the app's not working on mobile or desktop (3)

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Messenger, formerly known as Facebook Messenger, is a popular messaging app that you may use to stay in touch with many of your friends, family, and coworkers. So if Messenger isn't working, that can bring your communication to a screeching halt. Here are seven of the most common ways to troubleshoot and fix your connection to Messenger.

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Restart the Messenger app

For some people, the Messenger app has a habit of slowing down or behaving erratically if it's not restarted occasionally. The remedy is simple: Force the app to close and then restart it. Here is how to close an app on Android and how to close an app on iPhone.

Turn off Wi-Fi

The Messenger app can run into trouble if it's trying to communicate over a poor-quality Wi-Fi connection. If you're in doubt about how well your Wi-Fi is working (perhaps you're using a public Wi-Fi network), turn it off and rely on your cellular connection instead. Swipe down from the top of the screen to see the iPhone Control Center or your Android phone's shortcut panel and tap the Wi-Fi icon to temporarily disable it. Then try using the app again.

7 common Facebook Messenger problems, and how to fix them if the app's not working on mobile or desktop (4)

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See if Messenger works on another device

Because Messenger is cross-platform and works almost anywhere (there are apps for iPhone and Android, and you can use it in a browser for Windows, Mac, and even Chrome) you can easily see if the problem also occurs on another device. If you're using your iPhone, for example, try logging into Messenger in a browser on your laptop. If it works, great; you can keep using that second device. And that'll help you troubleshoot the problem as well, since you narrowed the glitch down to your device.

Restart your phone

If you suspect the problem is related to your phone, restart it and see if that solves the problem. You can turn off most Android phones by holding the power button for several seconds, or you can swipe down from the top of the screen to see the shortcuts panel and tap the power icon. Here's how to restart your iPhone, regardless of which model you own.

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See if Messenger is down

Messenger relies on an online service to communicate. If that network is down, Messenger won't work. To see if the problem resides with Facebook rather than your app, check the Facebook Messenger status page on Downdetector. You can also search "is Facebook Messenger down" in your web browser.

7 common Facebook Messenger problems, and how to fix them if the app's not working on mobile or desktop (5)

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Clear your data cache

Messenger stores temporary data in a cache, and if that cache gets corrupted, the app will often not work properly. It's relatively easy to clear the cache, but the process varies depending upon whether you're using an iPhone or Android. To clear the cache on an iPhone, you need to uninstall the app and then reinstall it from the App Store. If you have an Android phone, you can clear the app's cache without removing the app:

1. Start the Settings app and tap Apps.

2. If necessary, tap See all apps and then tap Messenger.

3. Tap Storage & cache.

4. Tap Clear storage.

7 common Facebook Messenger problems, and how to fix them if the app's not working on mobile or desktop (6)

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Reinstall Messenger

If you've tried all the other troubleshooting steps in this article and Messenger is still not working, you might want to uninstall and then reinstall the app. This resets the app back to its "factory conditions" and can solve some problems with the app and its data. Here is how to uninstall an app on an iPhone, and here's what you need to know to uninstall apps on Android.

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Dave Johnson is a technology journalist who writes about consumer tech and how the industry is transforming the speculative world of science fiction into modern-day real life. Dave grew up in New Jersey before entering the Air Force to operate satellites, teach space operations, and do space launch planning. He then spent eight years as a content lead on the Windows team at Microsoft. As a photographer, Dave has photographed wolves in their natural environment; he's also a scuba instructor and co-host of several podcasts. Dave is the author of more than two dozen books and has contributed to many sites and publications including CNET, Forbes, PC World, How To Geek, and Insider.

7 common Facebook Messenger problems, and how to fix them if the app's not working on mobile or desktop (2024)

FAQs

7 common Facebook Messenger problems, and how to fix them if the app's not working on mobile or desktop? ›

Update your Messenger app to the latest version. Connect to a reliable Wi-Fi network. Make sure your device has enough storage. Close your Messenger app and restart your device.

Why is Facebook Messenger not working on my phone? ›

Update your Messenger app to the latest version. Connect to a reliable Wi-Fi network. Make sure your device has enough storage. Close your Messenger app and restart your device.

How do I reset Facebook Messenger? ›

Clear your data cache
  1. Start the Settings app and tap Apps.
  2. If necessary, tap See all apps and then tap Messenger.
  3. Tap Storage & cache.
  4. Tap Clear storage.
Sep 1, 2023

How do I get my Messenger back to normal on my phone? ›

If you can't update your Messenger for Android app, try some of these suggestions:
  1. Delete data to make more space on your phone.
  2. Uninstall and reinstall your Messenger app from the Google Play Store.
  3. Update your Google Play Store app.
  4. Log out of your Google account on your device and then log in again.

Is there a problem with Facebook Messenger right now? ›

User reports indicate no current problems at Facebook Messenger.

How to fix Messenger chats not loading? ›

How Do I Fix Messenger Not Loading Messages?
  1. Check if Facebook Messenger is down. ...
  2. Quit and re-open the app or website. ...
  3. Double-check which app you're using. ...
  4. Send someone a message with Facebook Messenger. ...
  5. Turn off Airplane Mode. ...
  6. Switch Airplane Mode on and off again. ...
  7. Turn off Wi-Fi and use cellular.
Mar 25, 2024

How do I clear the cache on Messenger? ›

How to clear Messenger's cache on an Android
  1. Open the Settings app on your Android device and tap Apps.
  2. If you see Messenger in the list of recently used apps, tap it. ...
  3. In the App info menu, select Storage & cache.
  4. Tap the Clear cache option.
Dec 14, 2022

Can you restore Facebook Messenger? ›

If you've stored your Messenger chat history in secure storage but have forgotten your security method (for example, a PIN), you can restore your chats on a new device with a one-time code.

Why can't I access my Messenger? ›

If you're having trouble logging into Messenger, please make sure that you have the most up-to-date version of the Messenger app installed. To do this, go to your phone or tablet's app store (example: Apple App Store, Google Play Store) and download any updates.

Can I delete Messenger and start again? ›

How to delete your Messenger account. Once the deletion process begins, you won't be able to reactivate your account or retrieve any of the content you've added to Facebook. However, before deleting your account you can download your photos and posts.

Why is my Messenger frozen? ›

If your device runs out of storage, this may cause your app to crash. You can remove large files or unused apps from your phone to help fix this. Learn more about how to check and manage your devices' storage from your iOS settings at the Apple Help Center or from your Android settings at the Google Help Center.

How do I contact Messenger support? ›

To use this feature, visit the official help page or tap the link below the chat button. Once done, conversations will appear in your Messenger tab. You can also connect with the 𝓕𝓪𝓬𝓮𝓫𝓸𝓸𝓴 team through the 𝓕𝓪𝓬𝓮𝓫𝓸𝓸𝓴 support number 855-324-8056, or +1-855-324-8056.

What is the PIN on Facebook Messenger chat history? ›

If you saved your chats in secure storage from Messenger, you can restore your chats on a new device with a PIN. This is the PIN that you created when you first turned on secure storage.

Is Messenger working without Facebook? ›

You can keep using Messenger after you deactivate your Facebook account. If you had a Facebook account and deactivated it, using Messenger won't reactivate your Facebook account, and your Facebook friends can still message you. 1.

Is something wrong with Facebook right now? ›

User reports indicate no current problems at Facebook.

Why is my Facebook not working on my phone today? ›

Try refreshing your browser or reopening the site; on a mobile app, close and reopen the app. Also check to see if Facebook is down and then restart your device, clear your cache, and update the app.

Why is Messenger crashing on my iPhone? ›

If the Messenger app keeps crashing when you try to open it, you can try: Removing large files or unused apps from your phone to create more storage space on your device.

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