How to Fix It When Facebook Messenger Won’t Load Messages (2024)

Social Media > Facebook

This article covers a variety of solutions for when text and media aren't loading properly in Facebook Messenger.

Why Is FB Messenger Not Working?

Here are some common reasons for why the Facebook Messenger app or website doesn't work like it should:

• The messaging service is experiencing issues
• The app is outdated or includes unfixed bugs
• You're having a data or network-related issue
• You or the recipient are blocked

How Do I Fix Messenger Not Loading Messages?

Here are all of the proven solutions for fixing Facebook Messenger loading problems. Solutions are listed in a specific way, so be sure to follow them in order.

1. Check if Facebook Messenger is down. This can prevent messages from loading properly in the app and on the Facebook website. This is a great first step because if the problem is on Facebook's side, there's nothing else for you to do but wait.

   It might be possible that the Facebook website works even if the Messenger app doesn't. Open Facebook's website in a web browser and try opening a conversation there.

2. Quit and re-open the app or website. Remember that minimizing is different from closing; you want to fully close it so that it restarts the next time you open it.

   The process for closing an app depends on the platform: iPhone [Close an App on an iPhone] or Android [Close an App on Android].

3. Double-check which app you’re using. This may seem like a basic fix but with the growing number of messaging apps available, it’s easy to open the wrong one when chatting with contacts on multiple platforms.

   For example, maybe that text didn't really come through Messenger and is instead in WhatsApp, your default texting app, or your email.

4. Send someone a message with Facebook Messenger. This sometimes forces the app to check Facebook’s servers for new data and download the latest texts and media.

5. Turn off Airplane Mode. Airplane Mode disables Wi-Fi and cellular data, one of which is necessary to receive messages. If this is toggled on, it must be switched.

   The process to disable Airplane Mode depends on your platform: Android [Using Airplane Mode on Android], iPhone and iPad [Using Airplane Mode on iPhone and iPad], or Windows [Using Airplane Mode on Windows].

6. Switch Airplane Mode on and off again. If this feature was already off in the previous step, go ahead and switch it on for 10 seconds and then turn it off again. This will force your device to look for a network connection and has been known to fix issues like this.

7. Turn off Wi-Fi and use cellular. As long as you have a good mobile data connection, switching Wi-Fi off should fix issues with Messenger not loading correctly. This is a common issue when the device is too far from the router to get a reliable connection.

8. Turn off cellular and use Wi-Fi only. This is the opposite of the previous step and is useful if your phone is having trouble connecting to a mobile network.

   Home Networking

   Disable 5G on your iPhone or Android if you suspect it's causing data problems.

9. Disable your VPN. VPN connections can be highly unreliable, depending on the provider and server load. Turn off the VPN temporarily to see if this fixes your Messenger issues.

   If you don't know what a VPN is then there's a really good chance you're not running one; you can skip this step.

10. Restart your computer or smartphone. A quick reboot can fix not only this problem but lots of other odd tech issues.

    This process is different based on the device you use: iPhone [Restart an iPhone]. Android [Restart an Android Device], Windows [Restart Windows], or a Mac [Restart a Mac].

11. Update Messenger. If there's an app update available, it could address the problem of messages not loading. Here's how to do it: iPhone [Update an iPhone App], Android [Update an Android App], and Windows [Update a Windows 11 App].

12. Update your operating system. An out-of-date OS can cause connectivity issues in some online services and apps such as Facebook Messenger.

    The process for completing an OS update is different depending on your platform: Windows [Update Windows], macOS [Update macOS], iOS [Update iOS], or Android [Update Android].

13. Check if you’ve been blocked on Messenger. Being unable to load a conversation with someone in the Messenger app or website could be a sign that the person’s blocked you from communicating with them.

14. See if you’ve been blocked on Facebook. Also check if you’ve been blocked on Facebook because this can also prevent conversations from loading.

15. Turn on Background App Refresh. If this feature is off, Messenger won't be able to load new texts when the app is running in the background.

    On iPhone, select Settings > Messenger and switch Background App Refresh on. There are different background app settings for Android smartphones and tablets.

16. Turn off Data Saver in the Messenger app. This is only relevant for mobile users; when enabled, you're forced to tap an image or video before it loads.

    Here's how to turn this off so that media files load again:

    1. Tap the menu button.
    2. Tap Settings/gear.
    3. Choose Data Saver.
    4. Tap the toggle to turn it off.

17. Turn off your phone's data-saving feature. This is called Low Data Mode on iPhone and Data Saver on Android. When turned on, this option can prevent apps like Messenger from pulling in the latest information from servers.

18. Clear your browser cache if you're having trouble loading messages from the Messenger website, or clear the Facebook cache on your phone.

    This process forces Facebook to fetch new data, which hopefully includes your messages.

19. Reinstall the Messenger app. This will definitely clear out the cache and is a great fix after you've tried all the above.

20. Reset network settings. If you’re experiencing internet connection problems in multiple apps, this is the likely fix for when Messenger won't load correctly.