Why contact display on top messenger facebook help

If you chat with your Facebook contacts, you probably use Facebook Messenger. It's one of the best communication apps. Facebook Messenger is a powerful app that allows you to stay connected with friends and family worldwide. It's the most popular messaging app in many countries, including the United States, and offers a range of features. Even though Facebook offers feature-rich Messenger apps on iPhone and the top budget Android phones, those apps aren't without issues.

Hopping to a different platform might seem an option when Facebook Messenger throws a tantrum, but your friends might not be available on that platform. Instead of abandoning the ship, use the steps and troubleshooting tricks outlined below to get Messenger back on track.

1 Can't log in to Facebook Messenger

If you're logged in to one of the Facebook apps, such as Instagram, Messenger automatically detects it and lets you log in with a single tap. Other times, you must sign in with your Facebook account details. If you face login issues on Messenger, try the tricks below.

Look for spelling errors on the login screen

Double-check your Facebook email address and password. Tap the eye icon to make sure you entered the correct password.

Reset your Facebook password

If you forget your Facebook account password, resetting it might be quicker than taking multiple guesses. Tap the Forgot Password option at the bottom and use your email or phone number to complete the password reset process. After you add a strong password to your Facebook account, save it in one of these top password managers to avoid the same situation. You can now open Messenger and log in with your updated account details.

Why contact display on top messenger facebook help

Update the Facebook Messenger mobile app

If the Messenger app on your iPhone or Android phone is outdated, it may cause issues with account authentication. Facebook regularly releases Messenger updates to add new features and fix bugs. Open the Google Play Store or App Store to update Messenger to the latest version.

2 Messages aren't sent on Facebook Messenger

If Facebook Messenger doesn't send messages, it defeats the purpose of using an instant messaging app. Try the tricks below to make sure your messages are sent.

Check your phone's network connection

Ensure you have an active internet connection on your phone. Resetting the network settings on your phone tends to fix common glitches. If the issue persists, turn on and then turn off Airplane mode. On Android, swipe down on the home screen to turn on Airplane mode. On iPhone, open the Control Center from the upper-right corner to access Airplane mode.

Why contact display on top messenger facebook help

Turn off Facebook Messenger's data saver mode

An active data saver mode in Messenger for Android can be the major factor behind the app not sending messages.

  1. Open Messenger on Android and tap the ☰ icon in the upper-left corner of the screen.
  2. Select the Settings gear.
  3. Open Data Saver.
  4. Turn off Data Saver.

Turn on mobile data permissions for Messenger on your iPhone or iPad

Did you turn off the mobile data permission for Messenger on your iPhone? Messenger can't send or receive messages until you connect your iPhone to a Wi-Fi network.

  1. Open Settings on your iPhone and scroll to Messenger.
  2. Turn on the Mobile Data toggle.

Check Facebook Messenger's status (and Meta's, too)

You can't send messages on Messenger when the Facebook servers are dealing with an outage. Go to Downdetector.com and search for Messenger to see if it's down.

When you search for someone on Messenger, Facebook tries to find the person on your friends list, mutual friends list, and Instagram. Here are the possibilities if you can't find the person on Messenger:

  • The person blocked you on Facebook.
  • Facebook banned the person's account.
  • The person deleted or deactivated their account.

4 The Facebook Messenger app crashes

Does Facebook Messenger frequently crash on your Android phone or iPhone? Try the tricks below.

Restart the Messenger app

Facebook Messenger can crash due to insufficient RAM. Remedy this by closing other apps on your phone and restarting Messenger.

  1. Swipe up and hold (or press the ◼ icon) to open the Recent Apps interface.
  2. Swipe up on Messenger to completely close it.
  3. Reopen Messenger and use it again.
    Why contact display on top messenger facebook help

Force close Facebook Messenger on Android

You may have to force close Messenger to get it working again.

  1. Long tap the Messenger app icon and open the app info menu.
  2. Select Force stop and open the app again.
    Why contact display on top messenger facebook help

Make sure you have enough storage on your Android or iPhone

Insufficient space on your phone may be the factor behind Messenger's crashing issue. Read our post on how to free up storage on your Android phone for an in-depth look at how to address this issue.

Clear the Messenger cache

A corrupt Messenger cache can lead to issues with crashing. Here's how to fix the problem on the iOS and Android apps

  1. Open the Messenger app info menu (check the steps above).
  2. Select Storage & cache and clear cache from the following menus.

If you use iOS 16 or 17, offload the app to clear and reinstall the cache. Your data isn't lost during this process, though you may want to back up your phone to iCloud.

  1. Open the Settings app.
  2. Select General, and then choose iPhone Storage.
  3. Find and select the Facebook Messenger app.
  4. Tap Offload App.

If you use iOS and your iPhone or iPad runs slow, offload the apps you rarely use. After tapping the iPhone Storage icon, turn on the Offload Unused Apps option. This process only removes the app. Your data isn't deleted.

5 Facebook Messenger notifications don't work

You must allow notification permissions for Messenger to receive instant alerts.

Allow notifications on iOS

  1. Open Messenger in iPhone Settings (check the steps above).
  2. Select Notifications.
  3. Turn on the Allow Notifications permission.
    Why contact display on top messenger facebook help

Turn on Messenger notifications on Android

  1. Go to the Messenger app info menu (refer to the steps above).
  2. Select Notifications.
  3. Turn on notification permission for relevant categories.

6 Messages have disappeared

Did you or your little one accidentally delete a conversation on Messenger? You can't retrieve such messages. If you archived conversations, the messages disappear from the main screen. Here's how to unarchive them.

  1. Select the ☰ icon in Messenger.
  2. Tap Archive.
  3. Long tap a chat and select Unarchive.

7 Can't see stories in Messenger

Facebook automatically deletes stories after 24 hours. If you don't see someone's recently uploaded story, the person may have hidden the story from you. If you muted stories from several people, unmute them using the steps below and check their stories on Messenger.

  1. Open Messenger Settings (check the steps above).
  2. Scroll to Privacy & safety.
  3. Select Story controls.
  4. Open Stories you've muted.
  5. Unmute your friends, and their stories appear on Messenger.

Enjoy a flawless Facebook Messenger experience

Facebook Messenger is a great service, but it isn't perfect. Sometimes, it can glitch or crash when you least expect it. The more features a service has, the more likely it is to run into errors. Use this guide to avoid common glitches with Facebook Messenger.

If you use Facebook Messenger to share confidential media or messages, activate two-factor authentication for your Facebook account. Read our detailed guide to make your Facebook account more secure.

Why do certain people show up on the top of Messenger on Facebook Messenger?

The order of your chat list on Facebook is determined by a variety of factors, including your interactions with friends, the frequency of your communication with them, and the recency of your conversations. Facebook's algorithm takes into account these and other factors to predict which friends you are most likely to ...

What do the contacts on top of Messenger mean?

On Messenger, "Top Contacts" refers to the feature that automatically ranks your most frequently contacted friends and family at the top of your chat list. This makes it easier for you to find and message the people you communicate with most often.

Why is someone at the top of my suggested on Messenger?

If someone is listed as suggested in Facebook Messenger, it means that the person may be someone you frequently interact with, either by messaging them or by them messaging you. The suggestions are based on your messaging history and interactions on Facebook.

How do I stop seeing someone at the top of my Messenger?

To remove someone from the top of Messenger, you can simply open the conversation with that person and then tap and hold on their profile picture. A menu should appear, giving you the option to "Remove from Top." Select that option, and the conversation should no longer appear at the top of your Messenger list.