I know how frustrating it can be when you’re trying to message someone on Messenger and receive the dreaded “This person is unavailable on Messenger” message. It can be especially frustrating when you’re trying to reach out to someone for an important reason, like a work-related matter or to catch up with an old friend. I’ve encountered this issue myself on multiple occasions, and I’ve found several potential solutions to the problem. Let me begin by telling you the reasons for this error.
Why does the message “This person is unavailable in Messenger” appear?
In fact, the reasons why you may get this error are not limited to what I list below. The point is that this is a fairly common bug, and sometimes it can occur for no reason or because of some rare, unique bug. However, the list of the most common causes is this:
- Blocked or restricted: One of the most common reasons this message appears is that the person has blocked or restricted you on Facebook. When someone blocks you on Facebook, you won’t be able to send them messages, and your messages won’t be delivered to them. Similarly, if someone has restricted you on Facebook, you can only send them messages if they have added you as a friend.
- Messenger settings: This message may appear because the person has disabled the Messenger feature on their Facebook account. In this case, they may still be active on Facebook but won’t receive your messages through Messenger.
- You blocked the person: If you’ve blocked someone on Facebook, you’ve essentially cut off all communication with them on the platform, including Messenger. When the person tries to message you, they’ll see the “This person is unavailable on Messenger” message.
- Facebook suspended the person’s account: If it has suspended someone’s account, it means they’ve violated the platform’s policies or community standards. When Facebook suspends an account, the person won’t be able to access their profile, including Messenger. If you try to message someone whose account has been suspended, you’ll see the “This person is unavailable on Messenger” message. Facebook suspends accounts to maintain a safe and trustworthy community.
- The profile is private: If someone’s Facebook profile is private, only their friends can see and message their content. If you’re not their friend, you won’t be able to message them unless they’ve added you as a friend. When you try to message someone with a private profile, you’ll see the “This person is unavailable on Messenger” message.
- Deleted account: If the person has deleted their Facebook account, you won’t be able to send them messages on Messenger. When someone deletes their account, all their associated data is removed from Facebook, including their messages and profile.
- Technical issues: In some cases, the message “This person is unavailable on Messenger” may be caused by technical issues with the Messenger app or Facebook servers.
With this list, you could determine what is causing that annoying “This person is unavailable in Messenger” message. Let’s now move on to ways to fix it.
How can you fix “This person is unavailable on Messenger”
There are many different ways that you can use to fix it. If you know exactly what’s causing the message, skip to the right section. If you don’t understand exactly what’s causing it, you should try each solution until you find one that works for you.
Unblock the user and check if you were blocked
Firstly, if you’ve previously blocked the person, you’ll need to unblock them to resume communication on Messenger. This can be done by accessing your Facebook settings, selecting “Blocking” from the left menu, and finding the person’s name on the list. Once you’ve located the person, click “Unblock” next to their name to unblock them.
If the person has blocked you, you’ll need to ask them to unblock you if you wish to communicate with them on Messenger. You should also try searching for them on Facebook. You’ve probably been blocked if you can’t find that user’s nickname through the search, but you’re sure their account still exists.
Wait for the account to be reactivated
If the person has deactivated their account, you’ll need to wait until they reactivate it before attempting to communicate with them again. In some cases, the person’s account may be suspended by Facebook.
If you suspect this to be the case, you can report the issue to Facebook and request their assistance in resolving the issue. If you have an alternative way to contact this person, such as in person or via another messenger, you should use it and let the user know about the problem. Your friend may not even know that his Facebook account has been suspended.
Send a friend request
If the person’s profile is set to private, you can try sending them a friend request. If they accept your request, you can message them on Messenger. If the person does not have Messenger installed on their phone, you’ll need to wait for them to install it before you can communicate with them on the platform.
Try to update the Messenger app
If you’re using an outdated version of the Messenger app, it may cause communication issues. To update the app, go to your device’s app store, search for Messenger, and check for any available updates. If there is an update available, download and install it. After updating the app, try communicating with the person on Messenger again.
Try to contact the Messenger support team
If none of the solutions work, contact the Messenger support team for assistance. The support team can be contacted through the Messenger app or the Facebook Help Center. They may be able to troubleshoot the issue and provide a solution to the problem.
You should use this method if you’re sure another user does not block you and you know for sure that you’re the only one who can’t write to that user. This case is most likely due to a Messenger system error.
The alternative way to reach this person
If all else fails, you can try contacting the person through alternative means such as email or phone. Remember that not all solutions may be feasible depending on the situation, and it’s important to respect the other person’s decision if they choose not to communicate with you on Messenger.
In conclusion, receiving the “This person is unavailable on Messenger” message can be frustrating, but several potential solutions exist to fix the issue. Following the steps above can increase your chances of resuming communication with the person in question.
