Quick answer
If Messenger isn’t working on Wi-Fi, first check whether other apps and websites work. If they do, the problem is likely Messenger itself, so check whether the service is down, update or restart the app, and try again. If nothing works on Wi-Fi, the problem is your network, so restart your router and check your connection.
Is it Messenger or your Wi-Fi?
Run these quick tests.
- Open a website in your browser over Wi-Fi. Does it load?
- Open another app, such as email or a video app. Does it work?
- Turn Wi-Fi off and try Messenger on mobile data. Does it work?
How to read the results:
- Websites and other apps work, Messenger doesn’t: an app or service problem.
- Messenger works on mobile data but not Wi-Fi: something about your Wi-Fi connection or router is interfering.
- Nothing works on Wi-Fi: a network problem. Jump to the network section.
Check whether Messenger is down
Sometimes the problem is not on your side. Search for an outage report for Messenger or Facebook on a status-tracking site, or look for reports on social media. If many people report problems, waiting is often the only fix. Because outages are rarely long, try again later.
Basic fixes on the phone
- Make sure Wi-Fi is on and airplane mode is off.
- Turn Wi-Fi off and on again.
- Restart your phone.
- Check that your date and time are set automatically, since wrong settings can cause connection errors in some apps.
Fixes for the app
- Update Messenger in your app store.
- Force close and reopen the app.
- Clear the app cache (on Android, in the app info settings). This keeps your messages, which are stored in your account. Clearing app data is more drastic and may sign you out.
- Reinstall the app if the above fails. Make sure you know your login details first.
- Try Messenger in a browser to see if your account works.
Fixes for the network
If Messenger works on mobile data but not on Wi-Fi, or if everything fails on Wi-Fi:
- Restart the modem and router. Unplug both, wait about a minute, plug in the modem, then the router. If it happens repeatedly, see why your router keeps going out.
- Forget the Wi-Fi network on your phone and reconnect. If you see “can’t connect to this network,” this often helps.
- Turn off any VPN or private DNS temporarily to see if it is interfering.
- Try another Wi-Fi network, such as a friend’s, to see if the issue follows your phone or stays with your router.
- Check router settings if you use parental controls, content filters or a firewall, as these can block apps. Our guide to setting up an internet filter on your router explains where those settings live.
If the Wi-Fi itself is missing or failing
If your network doesn’t appear on your phone at all, the issue is the router, not Messenger. See our guide on a Netgear router not showing Wi-Fi, or if you have a Nighthawk, Nighthawk routers not broadcasting Wi-Fi.
FAQ
Why does Facebook Messenger say no internet connection?
The phone may have a poor or blocked connection, the app may have a glitch, or Messenger may be having an outage. Test other apps and mobile data to find out which.
Why does my Wi-Fi keep saying can’t connect to this network?
Restarting the router, forgetting and rejoining the network, and checking the password are common first steps. A router problem is likely if other devices fail too.
Is Messenger free to use?
The app is free to download and use. Using it over mobile data counts against your data plan, so Wi-Fi can help avoid charges.
How do I send a message on Messenger?
Open the app, tap the new message button, choose a contact, type your message and tap send.