- Troubleshooting tricks and steps can help you resolve login issues on Facebook Messenger, including checking spelling errors and resetting your password.
- Updating the Facebook Messenger app regularly on your mobile device can help fix account authentication issues.
- To ensure your messages are sent on Facebook Messenger, check your phone's network connection, turn off data saver mode, and make sure mobile data permissions are turned on for Messenger.
If you chat with your Facebook contacts, you probably use Facebook Messenger. It's one of the best communication apps. Facebook Messenger is a powerful app that allows you to stay connected with friends and family worldwide. It's the most popular messaging app in many countries, including the United States, and offers a range of features. Even though Facebook offers feature-rich Messenger apps on iPhone and the top budget Android phones, those apps aren't without issues.
Hopping to a different platform might seem an option when Facebook Messenger throws a tantrum, but your friends might not be available on that platform. Instead of abandoning the ship, use the steps and troubleshooting tricks outlined below to get Messenger back on track.
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 taking multiple guesses. 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 strong password to your Facebook account, save it in one of these top password managers 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If the Messenger app on your iPhone or Android phone is outdated, it may cause issues with account authentication.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.
Messages aren't sent on Facebook Messenger
If Facebook Messenger doesn't send messages, it defeats the purpose of using an instant messaging app. Try the tricks below to make sure your messages are sent.
Check your phone's network connection
Ensure you have an active internet connection on your phone. Resetting the network settings on your phone tends to fix common 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 the major factor behind the app not sending messages.
- Open Messenger on Android and tap the icon in the upper-left corner of the screen.
- Select the Settings gear. Close
- Open Data Saver.
- Turn off Data Saver. Close
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.
- Open Settings on your iPhone and scroll to Messenger.
- Turn on the Mobile Data toggle. Close
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.
Missing Facebook Messenger contacts
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.
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. Remedy this by closing other apps on your phone and restarting Messenger.
- Swipe up and hold (or press the icon) to open the Recent Apps interface.
- Swipe up on Messenger to completely close it.
- Reopen Messenger and use it again. Close
Force close Facebook Messenger on Android
You may have to force close Messenger to get it working again.
- Long tap the Messenger app icon and open the app info menu.
- Select Force stop and open the app again. Close
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
- Open the Messenger app info menu (check the steps above).
- Select Storage & cache and clear cache from the following menus. Close
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.
- Open the Settings app.
- Select General, and then choose iPhone Storage.
- Find and select the Facebook Messenger app.
- Tap Offload App.
If you use iOS and your iPhone or iPad runs slow, offload the apps you rarely use. After tapping the iPhone Storage icon, turn on the Offload Unused Apps option. This process only removes the app. Your data isn't deleted.
Facebook Messenger notifications don't work
You must allow notification permissions for Messenger to receive instant alerts.
Allow notifications on iOS
- Open Messenger in iPhone Settings (check the steps above).
- Select Notifications. Close
- Turn on the Allow Notifications permission. Close
Turn on Messenger notifications on Android
- Go to the Messenger app info menu (refer to the steps above).
- Select Notifications.
- Turn on notification permission for relevant categories. Close
Turn off Do Not Disturb mode on your Android and iPhone. If you still have issues with Messenger or other app notifications, read our dedicated guide on how to fix common notification problems on Android.
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.
- Select the icon in Messenger.
- Tap Archive.
- Long tap a chat and select Unarchive. Close
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 muted stories from several people, unmute them using the steps below and check their stories on Messenger.
- Open Messenger Settings (check the steps above).
- Scroll to Privacy & safety.
- Select Story controls. Close
- Open Stories you've muted.
- Unmute your friends, and their stories appear on Messenger. Close
Enjoy a flawless Facebook Messenger experience
Facebook Messenger is a great 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. Use this guide to avoid common glitches with Facebook Messenger.
If you use Facebook Messenger to share confidential media or messages, activate two-factor authentication for your Facebook account. Read our detailed guide to make your Facebook account more secure.
