If you’ve ever tried to send a message on Facebook Messenger and received the notification “This person is not contactable on Messenger,” you may wonder what it means. This message can be confusing, especially if you were previously able to chat with that person without any issues.
Understanding the meaning behind this error is crucial to determining whether it is a temporary issue, a settings-related problem, or a sign that you’ve been blocked. In this guide, we will break down the possible reasons for this error, how to fix it, and how to know if you can still contact the person through other means.
What Does "This Person Is Not Contactable on Messenger" Mean?
When you see this message in Messenger, it means that the recipient is currently unavailable for chat. However, there are multiple reasons why this could be happening. It may be due to changes in account settings, blocking, account deactivation, or Messenger restrictions.
In most cases, the message indicates that the person cannot receive messages from you, either because of actions they have taken or because of technical issues.
Reasons Why Someone May Not Be Contactable on Messenger
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They Deactivated Their Facebook Account
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If the person has deactivated their Facebook account, their Messenger profile will also become unavailable.
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You may still see previous conversations with them, but you won’t be able to send new messages.
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They Have Blocked You on Messenger
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If someone blocks you on Messenger, you cannot send messages to them.
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However, they may still appear on Facebook unless they have also blocked you there.
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They Have Blocked You on Facebook
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If you are blocked on Facebook, the person’s profile will disappear, and you won’t be able to message them on Messenger.
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Searching for their profile will return no results.
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Their Messenger Account Was Deleted or Suspended
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If Facebook has banned or suspended their account, their Messenger profile will no longer be active.
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This could happen due to violations of Facebook’s policies.
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They Have Disabled Messenger
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Some users disable Messenger while keeping their Facebook account active.
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If they do this, their account will no longer appear as available for chat.
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Facebook Messenger Is Experiencing Technical Issues
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Sometimes, server outages or technical problems cause users to appear unavailable.
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If this is the case, the issue is temporary and should resolve itself.
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Privacy Settings Prevent Messaging
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The recipient may have adjusted their privacy settings to only allow messages from friends.
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If you are not on their friends list, Messenger may prevent you from sending messages.
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How to Fix "This Person Is Not Contactable on Messenger" Error
If you see this message and believe it is a mistake or a technical issue, here are some troubleshooting steps you can take:
1. Check If Their Facebook Account Is Active
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Search for their Facebook profile to see if it still exists.
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If you cannot find them, they may have deactivated their account or blocked you.
2. Try Sending a Message Again Later
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If the issue is due to a temporary Messenger glitch, it may resolve itself after some time.
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Try again in a few hours or the next day.
3. Restart the Messenger App
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Close the Messenger app completely and restart it.
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If you’re using a browser, refresh the page and try again.
4. Update the Messenger App
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Ensure you have the latest version of Messenger installed.
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Go to the App Store (iOS) or Google Play Store (Android) and check for updates.
5. Log Out and Log Back Into Messenger
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Go to Messenger settings, log out, and then log back in.
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This refreshes your session and may fix any technical issues.
6. Try Contacting Them in Another Way
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If Messenger isn’t working, try reaching out via:
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WhatsApp
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Instagram DM
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Email
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Phone Call or SMS
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7. Check Your Internet Connection
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A slow or unstable connection may cause Messenger errors.
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Try switching between Wi-Fi and mobile data to see if the issue persists.
8. Clear Messenger Cache (For Android Users)
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Go to Settings > Apps > Messenger > Storage > Clear Cache.
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This removes temporary files that could be causing the problem.
9. Check for Facebook Server Issues
- If the problem persists, check Facebook’s status page for any ongoing server outages.
10. Contact Facebook Support
- If none of the solutions work, consider reporting the issue to Facebook Help Center.
How to Know If Someone Blocked You on Messenger
If you suspect that the reason for this message is that you’ve been blocked, here are some ways to check:
1. Try Sending a Message
- If your message fails to send, the person may have blocked you.
2. Search for Their Facebook Profile
- If you cannot find their profile, they may have deactivated their account or blocked you.
3. Check a Mutual Friend’s Account
- If a mutual friend can still see their profile but you cannot, you’ve likely been blocked.
4. Look at Past Conversations
- If their name changes to “Facebook User”, their account is either deactivated or deleted.
Preventing Messenger Errors in the Future
To avoid Messenger errors, consider these tips:
1. Keep Your Messenger App Updated
- Always update to the latest version to avoid bugs and glitches.
2. Follow Facebook’s Community Guidelines
- Avoid spam or any activity that may result in a temporary restriction.
3. Avoid Sending Too Many Messages at Once
- Spamming messages may trigger Facebook’s anti-spam filters, preventing further messages.
4. Regularly Check Messenger Privacy Settings
- Make sure your settings allow communication with all necessary contacts.
5. Use Alternative Contact Methods
- If Messenger becomes unavailable, try contacting the person via other platforms.
The "This person is not contactable on Messenger" message can appear due to account deactivation, blocking, Messenger settings, or temporary technical issues. If you see this error, checking the recipient’s Facebook profile, trying alternative contact methods, and troubleshooting Messenger can help you determine the cause.
If Messenger doesn’t work, you can still try reaching out via WhatsApp, Instagram, or email. Keeping your Messenger updated and ensuring your account follows Facebook’s guidelines can help prevent errors and ensure smooth communication in the future.