Facebook Messenger is a feature-packed messaging app. Sporting a pretty intuitive user interface, the Meta-owned app works like a charm. Sadly, the app is crashing repeatedly on Mac for some users after the recent software update. In this detailed guide, I’m going to discuss the 10 reliable ways to fix Facebook Messenger crashing on Mac. Read on to…
Fix Facebook Messenger Crashing on Mac
A Mac user named WildHunt complained on the Apple Support Community,
“For the past year and a half for more, my Messenger app on my iMac keeps crashing. It will be working fine, then all of a sudden it will close itself, and when I try to reopen it, it asks for my Username and Password but it NEVER works after that. I have to completely reboot my entire computer in order to get it to work again. Does anyone know if they’re working on this or is it just something I’ll have to deal with?”
Another Mac owner reported on Reddit,
“Hey folks. Got a Unibody Macbook running High Sierra, and it actually chugs along really well for an old beast. One oddity though, FB Messenger app doesn’t launch. The icon will appear in the Dock, then disappear, and then a few seconds later I get the report issue dialogue. Wondering if this is a widespread issue or just something I can fix on this machine. Of note, my Late 2009 iMac also runs High Sierra, is logged into the same iCloud account, and can run the app just fine. Both systems have 4GB of RAM though they’re definitely getting upgrades in the new year.”
What causes Facebook Messenger to crash on macOS? Well, there are many reasons why this frustrating problem occurs.
- Corrupt cache
- Outdated app
- macOS bugs
- Network issues
- App conflicts
- Insufficient RAM
Enough talk, let’s discuss the various ways to sort out the problem.
1. Force Quit and Restart the Messenger App
Be warned that crashes may occur due to a temporary glitch or resource conflict. Force quitting clears the app’s memory from RAM and gives it a clean slate to relaunch properly.
- On your Mac, head over to the Apple menu > Force Quit > select Messenger and click Force Quit.
2. Update the Messenger App from the Mac App Store
It’s worth pointing out that running an outdated version can lead to compatibility issues with the latest macOS. Developers often release updates with bug fixes, so updating the app ensures you’re using the most stable version available.
3. Restart Your Mac
A simple restart can resolve temporary system-level issues that might be causing Messenger to crash on your macOS device. Restarting will help you clear out the background processes and refresh your system’s memory.
4. Clear Messenger Cache via Library Folder
Be warned that the corrupted cache files on your Mac can interfere with app performance.
- Navigate to Finder on your Mac > hit the Go menu at the top > Go to Folder.
- After that, navigate to
~/Library/Containers/
- Now, locate the Messenger folder to delete cache data.
- This forces the app to rebuild a clean set of preferences and temporary files.
5. Check macOS for Updates
Incompatibilities between the operating system and apps can lead to crashes.
- Go to System Settings > General > Software Update to ensure you’re on the latest version of macOS, which may include patches that fix app-related issues.
6. Use Messenger in a Web Browser as a Temporary Alternative
If the standalone app keeps crashing, switching to Messenger in a browser like Safari or Chrome can help you stay connected while troubleshooting the issue. This confirms whether the problem is with the app itself or a broader system issue.
7. Disable Login Items and Background Processes
Some third-party apps and login items can conflict with Messenger.
- Head to System Settings > General > Login Items.
- After that, make sure to remove any unnecessary apps to reduce startup interference and system strain.
8. Reinstall the Messenger App
If essential app files are corrupted, reinstalling ensures a fresh installation without leftover bugs.
- Delete the app, empty the Trash, then reinstall it from the Mac App Store to start clean.
9. Reset Network Settings or Switch to Another Network
Messenger requires a stable internet connection to function properly. A weak or unstable network can cause sync issues that make the app crash.
- Try switching to another Wi-Fi network or resetting your current connection from System Settings > Network.
10. Create a New User Profile and Test the App
No luck as yet? Note that the issue could also be tied to user-specific settings or permissions.
- Creating a new user account allows you to check if Messenger works in a clean environment.
- If it does, your original account may have corrupted settings or conflicting configurations.
Wrapping up…
There you have it! Messenger crashing on Mac can be annoying, but with these 10 fixes, you should be able to get back to chatting smoothly. Whether the issue is due to outdated software, corrupted cache, or system conflicts, each of these steps targets a specific cause and is designed to improve app stability. Having said that, I recommend starting from the top and working your way down until the crashing stops.
