You’re trying to read your Marketplace messages and they just WON’T load 🙁
This is so frustrating!
Maybe you’re trying to buy something and the seller messaged you, or you’re selling and can’t see buyer questions. But when you tap the message notification, it spins forever or shows a blank screen. I’m not gonna lie, Marketplace messaging is one of the buggiest features Facebook has, deadass..
Why Marketplace Messages Won’t Load
Facebook Marketplace messages break for a bunch of annoying reasons, and of course Facebook never tells you what’s actually wrong, no cap.
Here’s what’s blocking your messages:
- App needs updating – Old versions have broken message loading
- Cache corruption – Temporary data is screwed up and blocking messages
- Poor internet connection – Messages need stable connection to load
- The other person deleted the listing – Thread becomes unloadable
- You or they got restricted – Facebook blocking message access
- Server-side glitches – Facebook’s systems are just broken
And let’s break down how to fix each one….
Update Facebook App Right Now
Old versions of Facebook have messaging bugs that prevent Marketplace chats from loading properly, IYKYK.
Update on iPhone: Go to App Store, search for Facebook, tap Update if available.
Update on Android: Open Google Play Store, search for Facebook, tap Update.
After updating, force close the app completely and reopen it. Then try loading your Marketplace messages again!
Check Facebook’s official Marketplace help page for more troubleshooting tips.
Clear Cache And Data
Corrupted cache is THE most common reason Marketplace messages won’t load, fr fr.
Android Cache Clear
So go to Settings > Apps > Facebook > Storage > Clear Cache. Don’t clear data yet, just cache. Restart your phone, open Facebook, try loading Marketplace messages.
But if clearing cache doesn’t work, THEN clear data too. This logs you out so you’ll need to log back in, but it fixes most message loading issues, deadass.
iPhone Reinstall
iPhones don’t have manual cache clearing, which is annoying as hell. Delete the Facebook app completely, restart your phone, reinstall from App Store.
And log back in and check Marketplace messages. This works like 70% of the time..
Your Internet Connection Sucks
Marketplace messages need decent internet to load. If your WiFi is trash or your mobile data is weak, messages will just spin forever without loading!
Quick Internet Fixes
Switch networks – If you’re on WiFi, try mobile data instead (or vice versa). Sometimes one connection works better.
Toggle airplane mode – Turn airplane mode ON for 10 seconds, then OFF again. This resets your connection and can fix loading issues, IYKYK.
Restart your router – Unplug it for 30 seconds, plug back in, wait for full restart. Fixes a LOT of connection problems.
Move closer to router – WiFi signal weakens with distance. Get closer and try loading messages again.
The Listing Got Deleted
If the seller deleted their Marketplace listing, the entire message thread can become unloadable..
This is such bullshit!
Facebook doesn’t handle deleted listings well. The conversation technically still exists but won’t load properly because the listing it’s attached to is gone, no cap.
You can’t fix this. The thread is basically broken forever unless the seller relists the item. Your only option is to start a new conversation if they post it again.
Check If You’re Restricted
If Facebook restricted your Marketplace access for violating policies, you won’t be able to load messages properly.
Go to Menu > Settings & Privacy > Settings > Account Status. Look for any violations or restrictions related to Marketplace or Commerce.
But if you see restrictions, you can appeal them through the same menu. Facebook support is terrible though, so don’t expect quick responses, fr fr.
Having other Facebook issues? Learn how to fix Marketplace not loading at all if that’s also broken….
Try Desktop Instead Of Mobile
Sometimes Marketplace messages won’t load on mobile but work fine on desktop.
Log into Facebook on your computer. Go to Marketplace (shopping bag icon). Click Inbox at the top. Try loading the problem messages there.
And if they load on desktop, it’s definitely an app issue. Try the cache clearing and reinstall steps I mentioned earlier.
The Other Person Blocked You
If someone blocked you on Facebook, any Marketplace conversations with them become unloadable.
How to tell: Can you still see their profile when you search? If not, they probably blocked you. Messages from blocked users won’t load – they’ll just spin forever or show errors.
Nothing you can do about this except move on. The conversation is dead once you’re blocked.
Message Thread Is Too Old
Really old Marketplace conversations (like 6+ months) sometimes become unloadable because Facebook archives or compresses them weirdly..
You can try scrolling down in your Marketplace inbox to find the old thread and tapping it. But if it won’t load after multiple attempts, the thread is probably corrupted from age.
Facebook doesn’t let you recover corrupted old threads. You’d need to start a new conversation with the person if you still need to contact them.
Too Many Marketplace Conversations
If you have HUNDREDS of Marketplace conversations in your inbox, the app can get overwhelmed trying to load them all.
Here’s what helps:
So delete old conversations you don’t need anymore. In Marketplace inbox, swipe left on a conversation and tap Delete. Do this for dozens of old threads.
And after cleaning up your inbox, restart the app and try loading messages again. Less clutter = better performance.
Facebook’s Servers Are Acting Up
Sometimes Marketplace messages won’t load because Facebook’s servers are having issues on their end.
Nothing you can do except wait!
Check Twitter or downdetector.com to see if other people are reporting Marketplace message problems at the same time. But if lots of people can’t load messages, it’s probably a server-side issue.
Usually these get fixed within a few hours without Facebook announcing anything….
Also dealing with Marketplace icon missing? That’s another common Facebook bug…
Notification Shows Message But Inbox Is Empty
You get a notification about a new Marketplace message, but when you check your inbox, there’s nothing there?
This is so annoying!
This happens when someone sends a message then immediately deletes it, or when they send a message then get banned/restricted before you can read it.
The notification gets sent but the message itself gets removed before it fully loads in your inbox. Can’t fix this – just ignore the phantom notification.
Using Messenger App Instead
Some Marketplace messages show up in the regular Messenger app, not just the Facebook app.
Open Messenger (separate app). Look for the shopping bag icon or check your message requests. Marketplace conversations sometimes end up there.
And if you find the messages in Messenger, they might load fine there even if they won’t load in the main Facebook app.
Browser Version Might Work
If both the Facebook app AND desktop site aren’t working, try using Facebook in a mobile browser.
Open Chrome or Safari on your phone. Go to facebook.com/marketplace. Request desktop site if needed. Try loading messages from there.
Browser version sometimes bypasses whatever glitch is affecting the apps.
Having trouble with other Facebook features? Check out why notifications aren’t working if that’s also broken..
Account Is Too New
Brand new Facebook accounts sometimes can’t load Marketplace messages properly for the first few weeks.
Facebook restricts new accounts from full Marketplace access to prevent scammers. You need an established account with activity before Marketplace messaging works reliably.
But if your account is less than 30 days old, just give it time and keep using Facebook normally. Marketplace features should unlock fully within a month.
What Actually Works
Facebook Marketplace messages won’t load for multiple reasons – outdated app, corrupted cache, poor internet, deleted listings, account restrictions, or server-side glitches!
Your best fixes: Update Facebook to latest version, clear cache (Android) or reinstall (iPhone), check your internet connection, delete old conversations to reduce clutter, try desktop or Messenger app instead, and check Account Status for restrictions.
And remember that if the listing got deleted or someone blocked you, those specific message threads are basically dead. You can’t recover them – you’d need to start fresh conversations.
Most message loading issues can be fixed in 10-15 minutes once you know what to check. But if NOTHING works and other people are reporting the same problem? It’s probably Facebook’s servers being trash – just wait a few hours and try again 😉
If this helped you load your Marketplace messages, share it with other sellers and buyers fighting with Facebook’s broken messaging system!