What does “this person is unavailable on Messenger” mean when it comes to Facebook Messenger?
Are you blocked? Won’t you be able to message them ever again?
Does such notification appear due to other reasons as well?
Let’s find out the answer to all these questions.
When using Facebook Messenger, what does this specific notification necessarily indicate? Well, does that mean that the user on the other end has blocked you? Yes, that is possible. However, there can be other reasons for this issue to take place.
There are multiple interpretations of this message. There may be limits on the other user’s profile, or they might have deactivated it. In comparison, Facebook’s own help center can point you in the right direction for resolving many common issues.
However, what you should know is that it’s not always foolproof. Here then, are some causes and solutions to these difficulties.
Besides, here, let’s answer how to text someone who blocked you on Android or iPhone if you have any close friends who blocked you recently on a social media platform.
What Can Trigger This Message on Facebook?
There could be a variety of causes for this warning to appear.
Even if you don’t know exactly, you can make a pretty good guess based on the most likely causes.
- The respective user’s profile is deactivated due to some reason.
- The user in question has blocked you on their account.
- The account of that user is suspended by Facebook due to some reason or another.
- There is something wrong with the messenger (it has either stopped working or crashed).
- The user has deleted their account from Facebook.
- The user has set the respective profile to be private.
- The user in question has uninstalled the Messenger app on the mobile device, or they’ve never installed it.
Also, if you experience ‘Facebook Messenger not working on Android or iOS,’ let’s learn the possible causes and how to address them successfully.
Solutions to Try
In some cases, the “this person is unavailable on Messenger” issue can trigger due to errors at Facebook’s end. In that case, you cannot do anything from your end; all you should do is wait.
However, in other cases, there are a couple of solutions you can try to fix this issue.
1: See if You Have Blocked the User in Question
Before everything else, you are supposed to see if you have already blocked the respective user.
You can check it by following the steps mentioned below.
If You Are Using a Desktop PC:
- Click on the down arrow located in the right-hand side corner.
- Select “Settings and Privacy.”
- Go to “Settings.”
- Now, you should go to the “Blocking” section and see the users in your Block users setting.
- If the respective user is available in the blocked section, you have already blocked them.
- If you want to chat with that user, just unblock them.
If You Are Using a Mobile Device:
- Select the hamburger icon on top of the screen.
- Select the option called “Settings and Privacy.” Select “Settings.”
- Go to “Audience & Visibility.” Tap on “Blocking” to see the users in the blocking list.
- If the user is available in that list, just unblock them.
There are other possibilities as well. For instance, assume that you are blocked by the respective user. In that case, you will see “this person is unavailable on Messenger” when you try to contact him.
The notification appears the same, no matter if he has blocked you on Messenger/Facebook (or both). Do you notice the following aspects when you try to interact with a specific profile? If so, you probably are blocked.
- You are not able to invite or message that user to a group.
- You are unable to see that user’s profile picture.
- Their posts are hidden from you.
- You cannot see that user in the friends list.
- Their profile doesn’t appear when you perform a search.
To get around this, you might try messaging the person and politely requesting that they unblock you.
If someone blocks you on the Messenger app, you can still view their content and responses. However, you cannot interact with them in any way other than viewing their content.
2. Check if You Are Trying to Contact a Suspended Profile
Accounts that are found to be in violation of Facebook’s TOS and rules are either banned or suspended.
There is a chance that the account will be frozen for a short period. Though in extreme circumstances, Facebook can permanently delete the account.
The length of the ban depends on the nature and frequency of your infractions of the Community Guidelines.
3. Check if the Respective Person Has Already Deactivated the Account
It’s possible that the user canceled their Facebook profile so they could stop using Messenger for a while. Assume that someone has canceled their account.
In that case, they may still log into Facebook Messenger under a different name. You will be able to see their profile image and send them a message.
Or else you won’t be able to contact them or even access their profile. Once they’ve activated the Facebook Messenger profile again, though, you can contact them again.
4. Update Messenger
When troubleshooting, the first thing you should do is make sure you have the latest version of the program. Seeing this message could be as simple as using an out-of-date version of the software.
Fortunately, this problem is easily solved by installing the latest version of the program. If you want the most recent version of Messenger, go to your device’s app store to download it.
Another option is to delete the program from your device and clear the cache. After that, reinstall it so you can see if it solves the problem.
5. Check the Status of the Respective Account
Find out if the person you intend to reach has an active account. It’s possible that the user has either temporarily disabled their profile or deleted it altogether.
Users can be found by searching for their names or email addresses. If the user is found, it signifies that their account is still in use.
The same holds true for verifying the status of their account through a third party. To test this, you can use your friend’s account to send a message and then check what’s happening.
If you continue to receive this error, it is conceivable that they have deactivated their account.
6. Use the Web Version
If you’re using the Messenger app, it’s possible that it encountered a bug and sent you that message.
The Messenger web client may be used to attempt communication. If you aren’t having issues, try deleting and reinstalling the program to be sure.
7. Use a Speedier Internet Connection
It’s possible that your connection quality drops every now and then. As a result, the messenger’s function may vary. Use a faster, more reliable network connection wherever possible.
8. Check the Memories of Facebook
If you wonder what “this person is unavailable on Messenger” is, it is better to check Facebook Memories too.
To reach Facebook Memories, you should do the following.
- Go to Facebook and reach the left panel of your news feed to proceed.
- Then, go to Memories.
- You can browse previous posts and see if the respective user has liked or commented.
9. Get in Touch with Facebook
Whenever possible, Facebook aims to have its website and app accessible online at all times. However, there may be times when a bug or defect causes the program to act in an unexpected way.
You need to first try the aforementioned solutions. In the event that this does not solve your problem, you can always get in touch with Facebook. You can contact them via their standard support email account (support@fb.com).
But if you’ve forgotten your password and need help regaining access to the account, write to disabled@fb.com.
Frequently Asked Questions
In fact, there isn’t a single explanation for why the profile is hidden from you. Numerous people share the exact name. Because of this, it’s not uncommon to need to include the person’s location in the search.
On the other hand, your pal may have tightened his security settings to prevent others from prying. A second option was for him to secure his Facebook account.
In fact, there isn’t a single explanation for why the profile is hidden from you. Numerous people share the exact name. Because of this, it’s not uncommon to need to include the person’s location in the search.
On the other hand, your pal may have tightened his security settings to prevent others from prying. A second option was for him to secure his Facebook account. So, you should remember that if you wonder what “this person is unavailable on Messenger.”
How you’ve set your privacy preferences is the sole determinant. You can choose to share your profile with a friend of friends, only friends, or the public at large.
In addition, you may control the information that appears when someone does a Facebook search for your name. You can restrict access to the profile by locking it if you like.
When you block a person on Messenger, the two of you cannot be able to communicate in any way. This includes viewing each other’s profiles or sending messages. Even if you block someone, you will still receive their messages.
What this means is that old chats will remain in your Messenger. That said, you won’t be able to access them by clicking the person’s picture. Until the conversation thread is deleted by an administrator, you will have access to all messages.
While Facebook Support can help with technical glitches, issues like being blocked or user account deactivation are beyond their control.
Conclusion
While it can be concerning to see the “This Person is Unavailable on Messenger” message, understanding the possible reasons can help you better navigate the situation. Always ensure to maintain positive online interactions to prevent such issues.
