Facebook Messenger Not Working on Android or iOS? Here’s the Fix

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Jason

Facebook Messenger Not Working

Facebook Messenger has become an essential communication tool for staying connected with friends and family. With features like text messaging, voice and video calls, and file sharing, it’s no wonder Messenger is one of the most popular messaging apps worldwide. However, like any app, Facebook Messenger can sometimes experience issues that prevent it from working properly on your Android or iOS device.

Common problems include messages not loading, inability to send or receive messages, the app crashing or failing to launch, and various glitches after an operating system update. These issues can be frustrating, but fortunately, there are several troubleshooting steps you can take to get Messenger up and running again.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through the most effective solutions for fixing Facebook Messenger when it’s not working on your Android or iOS smartphone. Whether you’re experiencing a minor glitch or a major malfunction, these tips should help you resolve the problem quickly. Let’s dive in!

Facebook Messenger Not Working on Android

When Messenger is not working properly on your Android device, you may encounter the following issues:

If you’re experiencing any of these problems, try the troubleshooting steps below, in order, until you find the one that fixes the issue for you.

1. Check Your Internet Connection

The first thing to check when Messenger is not working is your internet connection. Make sure your Android device is connected to a stable WiFi network or has a strong cellular data signal.

Open a web page in your browser to test if your internet is working properly. If webpages are not loading, try turning your WiFi or cellular data off and back on again, connecting to a different network, or restarting your router.

2. Clear Messenger Cache and Data

Clearing the cache and data for the Facebook Messenger app can resolve issues caused by corrupted or outdated files. Here’s how to do it:

  1. Go to your Android device’s Settings and select Apps & Notifications (or Application Manager on older Android versions).
  2. Find and tap on Facebook Messenger (com.facebook.orca) in the app list.
  3. Tap Storage and then hit Clear Cache. If that doesn’t fix the problem, tap Clear Data as well.
  4. Restart your device and re-open Facebook Messenger.

Note that clearing data will log you out of Messenger, so you’ll need to sign in again.

3. Restart Your Android Phone

Restarting your Android device can fix many temporary glitches with the Messenger app. Press and hold the power button on your phone, then tap Restart when prompted. Once your phone finishes restarting, re-open Messenger and check if the problem is resolved.

4. Update or Reinstall the Messenger App

Using an outdated version of Facebook Messenger can cause various issues. To check for updates:

Unistall Facebook Messenger App
  1. Open the Google Play Store app on your Android device.
  2. Tap on your profile icon and select Manage Apps & Devices.
  3. Tap Updates Available to see if there is an update for Facebook Messenger.
  4. If an update is available, tap Update next to Messenger.

If Messenger is already up-to-date, try uninstalling and reinstalling the app instead. Go to Messenger in your app list, tap Uninstall, then re-download the app from the Google Play Store.

5. Report the Issue to Facebook

If none of the above steps resolved your issue with Facebook Messenger on Android, you can report the problem directly to Facebook. Open the Messenger app, tap on your profile picture, scroll down and select Report a Problem.

Provide details about the issue you’re experiencing and submit the report. Facebook’s support team may be able to offer additional guidance or escalate the issue if it’s a known bug.


Facebook Messenger Not Working on iOS

iOS users may face similar yet unique challenges with the Facebook Messenger app not working properly. Some common issues include:

  • Messenger doesn’t display any messages
  • You cannot deliver or receive new messages
  • The Messenger app won’t launch or keeps crashing
  • Something is wrong with Messenger after an iOS update
  • iPhone stuck on verifying update

Try the solutions below to troubleshoot Facebook Messenger on your iPhone or iPad.

1. Restart the Messenger App

If Messenger is not responding, frozen on a screen, or otherwise glitching, try force closing and restarting the app. On an iPhone X or later, swipe up from the bottom of the screen and hold to view your open apps.

On older iPhones, double-tap the Home button. Find Messenger in the app preview cards, then swipe it up and off the screen to close it. Re-open Messenger from your home screen.

2. Update or Reinstall the Messenger App

As with Android, using an outdated version of Facebook Messenger on iOS can lead to problems. To update the app:

Reinstall facebook on ios to fix Facebook Messenger Not Working
  1. Open the App Store on your iPhone or iPad.
  2. Tap on your profile picture in the top right corner.
  3. Scroll down to see pending updates and tap Update next to Facebook Messenger if an update is available.

If the problem persists, delete and reinstall Messenger. Press and hold the Messenger app icon until it starts wiggling, tap the X in the corner, then select Delete. Go to the App Store, search for “Facebook Messenger“, and tap the download icon to reinstall it.

3. Restart Your iPhone

Restarting your iPhone can clear any temporary bugs affecting the Messenger app. Here’s how:

restart iPhone x
  • On iPhone X or later: Press and hold the side button and either volume button until the power off slider appears. Drag the slider to turn off your phone, then press and hold the side button again until the Apple logo appears.
  • On iPhone SE, 8 or earlier: Press and hold the side or top button until the power off slider appears, then drag the slider. Once your phone turns off, press and hold the same button until you see the Apple logo.

4. Reset Your iPhone’s Network Settings

If you suspect your Facebook Messenger issues are related to your internet connection, resetting your iPhone’s network settings to defaults may help:

Reset iPhone Network Settings to fix Facebook Messenger Not Working
  1. Open the Settings app and tap General.
  2. Scroll down to Transfer or Reset iPhone, then select Reset.
  3. Choose Reset Network Settings, enter your iPhone passcode when prompted, and confirm.

This will erase your saved WiFi networks, so you’ll need to reconnect to them manually afterwards.

5. Fix Potential iOS Errors with Tenorshare ReiBoot

Persistent, hard-to-resolve issues with Facebook Messenger on your iPhone may indicate a more serious underlying iOS problem. Tenorshare ReiBoot is a powerful tool that can help repair various iOS system errors without data loss.

With a single click, ReiBoot can fix 50+ iOS issues like iPhone being stuck on the Apple logo, boot loop, frozen screen, and app crashing – all of which could be behind your Messenger malfunction. It works with all iPhone models and iOS versions, no jailbreak required.

Here’s how to use Tenorshare ReiBoot to repair iOS and fix Facebook Messenger not working on your iPhone:

Tenorshare ReiBoot
  1. Download and install Tenorshare ReiBoot on your computer.
  2. Connect your iPhone to the computer with a USB cable and launch ReiBoot.
  3. Click “Start” to begin the repair process and select “Standard Repair“.
  4. Download the matching firmware for your iPhone model and iOS version when prompted.
  5. After the firmware download completes, click “Start Standard Repair” and wait for the process to finish. Your iPhone will reboot, and hopefully Facebook Messenger will be working again.

6. Retrieve Deleted Facebook Messages

In some cases, Facebook messages may become inaccessible due to accidental deletion. If you’ve lost important conversations and need to recover them, here are a few options:

  • Check your archived messages in Messenger by searching the contact’s name. Archived chats are hidden but not permanently erased.
  • If you’ve previously saved your Facebook Messenger messages on your iOS device, you may be able to restore them from an iTunes or Finder backup.
  • Use a data recovery tool like Tenorshare UltData to recover deleted photos, videos, and messages directly from your iPhone.
  • Contact Facebook support and ask if they can retrieve deleted messages from their server, although success is not guaranteed.

7. Resolve Issues with Facebook Dating

If you’re having trouble accessing Facebook Dating within the Messenger app, try these fixes:

  • Make sure you meet the eligibility requirements (18+, located in a supported country, etc.).
  • Check that Facebook Dating is available in your area by visiting the Facebook Help Center.
  • Update your Facebook and Messenger apps to the latest versions.
  • Reinstall the Facebook app if Facebook Dating is still not showing up.
  • Adjust your Facebook app’s location and language settings to match your current location.
  • Reach out to Facebook’s support team for further assistance.

Tips to Minimize Facebook Messenger Issues

While the fixes described above should resolve most problems with Messenger not working on Android and iOS, there are some proactive steps you can take to minimize issues in the first place:

  • Keep the Facebook Messenger app and your phone’s operating system updated to the latest available versions.
  • Make sure your phone is always connected to a stable WiFi or cellular data network when using Messenger.
  • Periodically clear your Messenger cache and app data to prevent corruption.
  • Avoid letting your phone’s storage become completely full, as insufficient storage can impair app performance.
  • Unignore contacts on Messenger that you previously blocked to ensure messages come through.

With these preventative measures and go-to troubleshooting steps, you should be able to keep Facebook Messenger running smoothly and stay connected with your contacts.

Facebook Messenger Not Working FAQs

Let’s recap some of the most common questions about fixing Facebook Messenger issues on iOS and Android:

Why is Facebook Messenger not opening on my Android device?

There can be multiple reasons, such as a poor internet connection, a temporary app glitch, or a pending app or Android OS update. Try clearing the app cache and data, updating or reinstalling Messenger, and restarting your device.

Why are my Facebook Messenger messages not sending?

First, make sure you’re connected to the internet. If the problem persists, restart the Messenger app, check for app updates, and ensure the recipient is still active on Messenger.

How do I fix Facebook Messenger notifications not working on iOS?

Go to your iPhone’s Settings > Notifications > Messenger and make sure notifications are enabled. Also check that your iPhone is not in Focus, Do Not Disturb, or silent mode. Update the Messenger app and restart your phone.

Can updating my device’s operating system fix Facebook Messenger issues?

Yes, installing the latest iOS or Android OS updates can often resolve compatibility issues and bugs impacting Messenger performance. Keep your OS up-to-date for the best app experience.

Where can I get personalized assistance for Facebook Messenger problems?

If you’ve tried all the relevant troubleshooting steps and Facebook Messenger is still not working, contact Facebook’s Help Center for further support. You can also join Facebook’s community forums to ask for advice and see if other users have solved similar issues.

The Bottom Line

Facebook Messenger has become an indispensable tool for communication, but it can be extremely frustrating when the app is not working on your Android or iOS device. Fortunately, most Messenger issues can be fixed by following a logical series of troubleshooting steps.

For Android users, start by checking your internet connection, clearing the app cache and data, restarting your phone, and ensuring Messenger is up-to-date. iOS users can try restarting the app, updating or reinstalling Messenger, restarting their iPhone, resetting network settings, and using Tenorshare ReiBoot for stubborn issues.

If you’ve accidentally deleted important Facebook messages, try checking your archived chats, restoring from a backup, using data recovery software, or contacting Facebook support. For Facebook Dating problems, verify your eligibility, update the app, and reach out to Facebook for assistance.

Ultimately, keeping your Messenger app and phone OS updated, maintaining a strong internet connection, and regularly clearing app data can go a long way in preventing problems.

If all else fails, don’t hesitate to reach out to Facebook support or ask for help in community forums. With a little patience and persistence, you should be able to resolve your Messenger issues and enjoy seamless communication once again.

Jason
Jason

Skilled software testing specialist with expertise in comparisons and research, passionate about blogging, reviews, and creating video tutorials.

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