8 common Facebook Messenger problems and how to solve them (2024)

Facebook Messenger brings all your Facebook and Instagram chats into one place, connecting you with your friends and family worldwide. It's among the best communication apps, with a large population and features on iPhones and the top budget Android phones. But that doesn't mean it's without issues.

When Facebook Messenger throws a tantrum, jumping to a different platform might seem an option, but your friends might not be available there. Instead of abandoning the ship, use the steps and troubleshooting tricks outlined below to get Messenger back on track.

1 Can't log in to Facebook Messenger

If you're logged in to one of the Facebook apps, such as Instagram, Messenger automatically detects it and lets you log in with a single tap. Other times, you must sign in with your Facebook account details. If you face login issues on Messenger, try the tricks below.

Look for spelling errors on the login screen

Double-check your Facebook email address and password. Tap the eye icon to make sure you entered the correct password.

Reset your Facebook password

If you forget your Facebook account password, resetting it might be quicker than guessing multiple times. Tap the Forgot Password option at the bottom and use your email or phone number to complete the password reset process. After you add a solid password for your Facebook account, save it in a top password manager to avoid the same situation. You can now open Messenger and log in with your updated account details.

Update the Facebook Messenger mobile app

If the Messenger app on your iPhone or Android phone is outdated, it may cause issues with account authentication. Facebook regularly releases Messenger updates to add new features and fix bugs. Open the Google Play Store or App Store to update Messenger to the latest version.

2 Messages aren't sent on Facebook Messenger

If Facebook Messenger can't send messages, it defeats the purpose of using an instant messaging app. Try the tricks below to ensure your messages are sent.

Check your phone's network connection

Ensure your phone has an active internet connection. Resetting your phone's network settings usually fixes common network glitches. If the issue persists, turn on and then turn off Airplane mode. On Android, swipe down on the home screen to turn on Airplane mode. On iPhone, open the Control Center from the upper-right corner to access Airplane mode.

Turn off Facebook Messenger's data saver mode

An active data saver mode in Messenger for Android can be why the app does not send messages.

1. Open Messenger on Android and tap the ☰ icon in the upper-left corner of the screen.
2. Select the Settings gear.

   

   

3. Open Data Saver.
4. Turn off Data Saver.

   

   See Also

   7 common Facebook Messenger problems, and how to fix them if the app's not working on mobile or desktopHow to Fix It When Facebook Messenger Won’t Load Messages9 Ways to Fix Facebook Messenger Not Working

   

Turn on mobile data permissions for Messenger on your iPhone or iPad

Did you turn off the mobile data permission for Messenger on your iPhone? Messenger can't send or receive messages until you connect your iPhone to a Wi-Fi network.

1. Open Settings on your iPhone and scroll to Messenger.
2. Turn on the Mobile Data toggle.

   

   

Check Facebook Messenger's status (and Meta's, too)

You can't send messages on Messenger when the Facebook servers are dealing with an outage. Go to Downdetector.com and search for Messenger to see if it's down.

When you search for someone on Messenger, Facebook tries to find the person on your friends list, mutual friends list, and Instagram. Here are the possibilities if you can't find the person on Messenger:

• The person blocked you on Facebook.
• Facebook banned the person's account.
• The person deleted or deactivated their account.

4 The Facebook Messenger app crashes

Does Facebook Messenger frequently crash on your Android phone or iPhone? Try the tricks below.

Restart the Messenger app

Facebook Messenger can crash due to insufficient RAM. To fix this, close other apps on your phone and restart Messenger.

1. Swipe up and hold (or press the ◼ icon) to open the Recent Apps interface.
2. Swipe up on Messenger to completely close it.
3. Reopen Messenger and use it again.

   

Force close Facebook Messenger on Android

You may have to force close Messenger to get it working again.

1. Long tap the Messenger app icon and open the app info menu.
2. Select Force stop and open the app again.

   

Make sure you have enough storage on your Android or iPhone

Insufficient space on your phone may be the factor behind Messenger's crashing issue. Read our post on how to free up storage on your Android phone for an in-depth look at how to address this issue.

Clear the Messenger cache

A corrupt Messenger cache can lead to issues with crashing. Here's how to fix the problem on the iOS and Android apps

1. Open the Messenger app info menu (check the steps above).
2. Select Storage & cache and clear cache from the following menus.

   

   

If you use iOS 16 or 17, offload the app to clear and reinstall the cache. Your data isn't lost during this process, though you may want to back up your phone to iCloud.

1. Open the Settings app.
2. Select General, and then choose iPhone Storage.
3. Find and select the Facebook Messenger app.
4. Tap Offload App.

5 Facebook Messenger notifications don't work

Turning off Do Not Disturb mode on Android and iPhone usually fixes the issue. However, you must allow notification permissions for Messenger to receive instant alerts.

Allow notifications on iOS

1. Open Messenger in iPhone Settings (check the steps above).
2. Select Notifications.

   

   

3. Turn on the Allow Notifications permission.

   

Turn on Messenger notifications on Android

1. Go to the Messenger app info menu (refer to the steps above).
2. Select Notifications.
3. Turn on notification permission for relevant categories.

   

   

6 Messages have disappeared

Did you or your little one accidentally delete a conversation on Messenger? You can't retrieve such messages. If you archived conversations, the messages disappear from the main screen. Here's how to unarchive them.

1. Select the ☰ icon in Messenger.
2. Tap Archive.
3. Long tap a chat and select Unarchive.

   

   

7 Can't see stories in Messenger

Facebook automatically deletes stories after 24 hours. If you don't see someone's recently uploaded story, the person may have hidden the story from you. If you mute stories from several people, unmute them using the steps below and check their stories on Messenger.

1. Open Messenger Settings (check the steps above).
2. Scroll to Privacy & safety.
3. Select Story controls.

   

   

4. Open Stories you've muted.
5. Unmute your friends, and their stories appear on Messenger.

   

   

8 Facebook Messenger video calls aren't working

If you encounter issues with voice and video calls on Messenger, check your device permissions. The app requires access to the camera and microphone to make calls. Here's how to allow them on Android.

1. Long tap the Messenger app icon and open the app info menu.
2. Tap Permissions.

   

3. Tap Camera
4. Select Allow only while using the app.

   

   

5. Repeat the same step to allow Microphone permission.

In addition to permissions, your friends must be online to receive your calls. A poor internet connection, outdated app, technical glitches, or server downtime could affect Messenger voice and video calls. Use the previous troubleshooting tips to fix such issues.

Enjoy a flawless Facebook Messenger experience

Facebook Messenger is an excellent service, but it isn't perfect. Sometimes, it can glitch or crash when you least expect it. The more features a service has, the more likely it is to run into errors. Regardless, Facebook Messenger remains the best app for chatting with your Facebook and Instagram friends.

While the service now offers end-to-end encryption, activate two-factor authentication for your Facebook account if you use it to share confidential media or messages.