Facebook Messenger Not Sending Messages or Showing as Delivered

They’re Not Even Online

This one’s simple but everyone forgets it – if the person isn’t logged into Messenger or Facebook, your message will show as “Sent” until they log in again. That’s it!

But here’s the confusing part: the Facebook app and Messenger app are separate on mobile. Someone can be active on Facebook posting stories and liking photos, but if they’re not logged into the Messenger app specifically, your message won’t deliver.

So you’re sitting there thinking “They’re clearly online, why isn’t my message delivering?!” when really they just don’t have Messenger open. It’s not personal, it’s just how the apps work.

Your Message Is in Their “Message Requests” Folder

If you’re not friends with someone on Facebook, your messages don’t go to their main inbox. They go to a separate “Message Requests” folder that most people never check.

And guess what status your message shows while sitting in that folder? Sent but not Delivered! It’ll only change to “Delivered” after they accept your request, which might be never if they don’t even know the folder exists.

I’ve had messages sit in limbo for MONTHS because someone didn’t realize I’d messaged them. By the time they found it, the conversation was completely irrelevant. No cap, this Message Requests folder is where conversations go to die!

Battery Optimization Is Killing Messenger

Here’s something nobody tells you: if your phone’s battery saver mode is enabled, it can prevent Messenger from receiving messages properly. Both on your end AND the recipient’s end.

Android phones are especially aggressive about this. They’ll put Messenger to sleep in the background to save battery, which means messages don’t get delivered until the recipient manually opens the app. Like, kiss my ass with this battery saving crap – I need my messages to work!

So your message sits at “Sent” while their phone is basically saying “Nah, we’re not waking up Messenger right now, we’re saving battery.” Nobody asked you, phone!

Internet Connection Is Garbage

Okay this seems obvious, but it’s worth mentioning because it’s the most common cause. If THEIR internet sucks, your message won’t deliver even if your internet is perfect.

And it’s sneaky – they might be online on Facebook using Wi-Fi, but if their Wi-Fi is slow or unstable, Messenger messages won’t come through properly. The Facebook feed loads (because it can buffer), but real-time messaging fails. This dumbass app can’t handle basic networking!

You’re powerless here. You can’t fix someone else’s internet connection from your end. All you can do is wait and hope!

Quick Fixes That Actually Work

Alright, enough explaining WHY it’s broken. Let’s fix this thing. I’m listing these from “try first” to “nuclear option.”

Fix #1: Switch Your Internet Connection

This solves the problem like 60% of the time!

If you’re on Wi-Fi, switch to mobile data. If you’re on mobile data, try connecting to Wi-Fi. Sometimes one just works better than the other for reasons nobody can explain.

Test your internet speed at fast.com – if it’s slower than 3 Mbps, that’s probably why messages aren’t sending. Restart your router, move closer to it, or switch networks entirely.

Fix #2: Force Stop and Restart Messenger

Don’t just close the app – you need to actually force stop it to clear out any stuck processes.

On Android

Tap and hold Messenger icon → App info → Force Stop → OK

Then reopen the app and try sending again. Stuck messages usually go through immediately after this.

On iPhone

Settings → Messenger → Background App Refresh → toggle ON

Then swipe up on Messenger in the app switcher to close it completely, and reopen it.

Fix #3: Clear Messenger’s Disgusting Cache

Messenger accumulates cache files like a digital hoarder. Eventually it gets so bloated that messages stop working properly.

Android Cache Clearing

Settings → Apps → Messenger → Storage → Clear Cache (NOT Clear Data – that logs you out!)

iPhone Cache “Clearing”

iPhone doesn’t let you clear cache directly. You have to delete and reinstall the entire app. Yeah, it’s annoying. But it works!

Or try: Messenger app → Profile icon → Settings → Browser → tap Clear under “Browsing Data”

Fix #4: Disable Battery Optimization for Messenger

This one’s crucial and most people don’t know about it. Your phone might be killing Messenger in the background to save battery.

On Android

Settings → Apps → Messenger → Battery → change to “Unrestricted”

This lets Messenger run freely in the background without your phone murdering it to save 2% battery.

On iPhone

Settings → Battery → Low Power Mode → turn it OFF

Low Power Mode throttles background apps including Messenger. Turn it off and messages should deliver normally.

Fix #5: Update the Damn App

Outdated Messenger versions are buggy as hell. Go to Play Store (Android) or App Store (iPhone), search for Messenger, and tap Update if available.

App updates fix bugs that cause delivery problems. Takes 30 seconds and might instantly solve everything.

Fix #6: Try Messenger on Desktop/Browser

Go to messenger.com in your web browser and try sending the message from there. If it works on desktop but not mobile, you know the problem is with your app, not your account.

This also helps you figure out if the issue is on your end or theirs. Desktop Messenger is surprisingly reliable!

The Plot Twist: You Might Be Blocked (Or Restricted)

Okay so I’ve been avoiding this, but we gotta talk about it. Sometimes messages don’t deliver because… well… the person doesn’t want to hear from you. Yeah, that’s a pain in the ass to admit!

How to Tell If You’re Actually Blocked

Open Messenger, search for their name, open the conversation, and try sending a message. If you get an error saying “This person is not available right now,” you’re either blocked or they deactivated their account.

But here’s the tricky part – being blocked on Messenger is different from being blocked on Facebook. Someone can block you on Messenger specifically while keeping you as a Facebook friend. Sneaky!

If you CAN see their Facebook profile but CAN’T message them, they blocked you on Messenger only. If you can’t find their profile at all, they either unfriended you or fully blocked you on Facebook.

The “Temporarily Blocked from Sending Messages” Situation

Sometimes Facebook itself blocks YOU from sending messages if they think you’re spamming. This happens if you:

• Send the same message to multiple people quickly
• Message a bunch of people you’re not friends with
• Send messages that get reported as spam
• Send messages with links that Facebook thinks are suspicious

When this happens, you’ll get an error saying you’re temporarily blocked. Usually lasts 24-48 hours for first offenses. There’s nothing you can do except wait it out! And trust me, Facebook does not give a single fuck if you need to send urgent messages – you’re just stuck.

And if you’re having other Facebook access issues while you’re stuck, these guides might help:

• Can’t reset Facebook password without access to email or phone
• Facebook keeps logging me out every time I close the app

Advanced Troubleshooting (When Nothing Else Works)

Still having problems? Time to bring out the bigger guns.

Restart Your Entire Phone

I know, I know – “turn it off and on again” is the oldest advice in tech support. But it genuinely works for Messenger issues more often than it should.

Power off your phone completely, wait 10 seconds, turn it back on. This clears network connections, resets app states, and fixes random glitches. Simple but effective!

Check Messenger’s Permissions

Maybe you accidentally denied Messenger permission to use your network or storage, and now it can’t send messages properly.

On Android

Settings → Apps → Messenger → Permissions → make sure everything is set to “Allow”

On iPhone

Settings → Messenger → check that Cellular Data and Background App Refresh are both enabled

Enable Airplane Mode for 30 Seconds

This sounds weird but it resets your network connection completely. Turn on Airplane Mode, wait 30 seconds, turn it off. Then try sending your message again.

This forces your phone to reconnect to the network fresh, which can fix delivery issues caused by a stale connection.

Uninstall and Reinstall Messenger

The nuclear option. Delete the app completely, restart your phone, then download it fresh from the app store.

This wipes out any corrupted data or broken settings. It’s annoying to set up again, but it fixes pretty much every Messenger problem that isn’t account-related.

Check if Messenger Is Actually Down

Before you waste hours troubleshooting, make sure Facebook’s servers aren’t just broken. Go to downdetector.com/status/messenger and see if thousands of people are reporting problems.

If Messenger’s having widespread issues, there’s nothing you can do. Just wait for Facebook to fix their mess!

Why Messenger’s Error Messages Are Completely Useless

Can we take a moment to appreciate how terrible Messenger is at explaining problems? When a message won’t send, you get one of these helpful gems:

• “Something went wrong” – Thanks, that narrows it down, assholes!
• “Unable to send” – Yeah, I figured that out myself, genius
• “Check your connection” – My connection is fine, you’re the one that’s broken
• Nothing at all – Just a stuck “Sending” status forever, like Messenger forgot what its job is

Compare that to email, which actually tells you stuff like “Recipient’s inbox is full” or “Message rejected by server.” But Messenger? Nah, let’s keep everything vague and frustrating!

It’s especially infuriating when you’re trying to send something time-sensitive. You don’t have 20 minutes to troubleshoot – you need to know RIGHT NOW if the message went through or not.

But Messenger just leaves you hanging with “Sent but not Delivered” and no explanation of whether it’s your problem, their problem, or Facebook’s problem. Super helpful, Mark Zuckerberg!

How to Avoid This Nightmare in the Future

Once you get messages working again, here’s how to prevent this from happening constantly:

Keep Messenger Updated Always

Enable auto-updates for apps! Outdated Messenger versions break constantly, and updates usually fix delivery issues.

Clear Cache Every Few Weeks

Don’t let cache build up until Messenger stops working. Clear it regularly as maintenance, not just when something breaks.

Disable Battery Optimization Permanently

Set Messenger to “Unrestricted” battery usage and leave it that way. The battery savings aren’t worth missing important messages.

Use Wi-Fi for Messenger When Possible

Mobile data can be unstable, especially if you’re in a crowded area with weak signal. Wi-Fi is usually more reliable for mesaging.

Have a Backup Communication Method

Don’t rely solely on Messenger for important conversations. Exchange phone numbers, use WhatsApp, or have email as a backup. When Messenger fails (and it will), you need alternatives. Fr fr, don’t put all your eggs in this broken-ass basket!

The Bottom Line on Messenger Delivery Problems

Look, Messenger delivery issues are usually fixable. Like 80% of the time, it’s one of these things:

• Your or their internet connection is wonky
• Battery optimization is killing the app
• Cache is too bloated
• The recipient isn’t actually logged into Messenger
• Your message is sitting in their Message Requests folder

Start with the quick fixes – switch networks, force stop the app, clear cache. Those three things solve most delivery problems in under 2 minutes.

If that doesn’t work, try the battery optimization fix, check permissions, or restart your phone. One of those usually does the trick.

And if NOTHING works? You’re probably blocked, temporarily restricted by Facebook, or Messenger’s servers are down. Not much you can do about those except wait it out or find another way to contact the person.

The most frustrating thing about all this is how preventable it is. If Messenger just gave us actual error messages instead of vague “something went wrong” nonsense, we could fix problems in seconds instead of wasting an hour troubleshooting blind.

But Facebook doesn’t care about user experience. They care about keeping you on the platform clicking on ads. Whether your messages actually get delivered? Not their priority!

So now you’re armed with every fix I could find. Next time Messenger decides to have a meltdown at the worst possible moment, you’ll know exactly what to do instead of just staring at that infuriating “Sent but not Delivered” status.

If this guide saved you from missing another important conversation because Messenger sucks, share it with your friends who are probably fighting with the same annoying problem!