Top 4 Ways to Fix Facebook Messenger Not Showing Active Status

Quick Tips

• Check if the person you’re trying to see is also online and has their active status enabled.
• Ensure mobile data access is enabled for Messenger on your iPhone.
• Verify if Facebook servers are down using services like Downdetector.

Preliminary Fixes

• The Person Has Disabled Active Status: If the person whose active status you’re trying to see has disabled their active status, you won’t be able to see if they’re online.
• Restart Facebook Messenger: Sometimes, the app itself may have a glitch that prevents the active status from updating. Restarting the app can help refresh its state.
• Check Facebook Status: Facebook Messenger doesn’t show active status when the app servers are down. You can visit downdetector and search for Facebook to confirm the problem.
• Update Facebook Messenger: If you are using an outdated version of Messenger, it may lead to issues like the app not showing active status. You’ll need to install the latest Messenger version from the App Store or Google Play Store.

Method 1: Activate Your Status on Messenger

On iPhone or Android

Step 1: Open the Facebook Messenger app on your iPhone.

Step 2: Tap the hamburger menu at the top-left corner and open Settings.

Step 3: Select Active Status.

Step 4: Turn on the toggle next to the Show when you’re active option.

Step 5: You can also turn on the toggle next to the Show when you’re active together option to see your friends active in the same chat.

If you want to do the same on the web, continue reading.

On Web

Step 1: Visit Messenger on the web and sign in using your Facebook account details.

Step 2: Select your account picture at the bottom-left corner.

Step 3: Open Preferences.

Step 4: Select Active Status and enable the same.

Return to the home screen, and you will see active status.

Method 2: Enable Mobile Data Access to Messenger (iPhone)

If you have disabled mobile data access for Messenger, the app won’t show active status.

Step 1: Open the Settings app on your iPhone and scroll down to tap on Messenger.

Step 3: Turn on the toggle next to Mobile data under the Allow Messenger to Access section.

Open Facebook Messenger and check if the active status shows up.

Method 3: Clear Facebook Messenger Cache

A corrupt Messenger cache may be the biggest reason behind the service not showing an active status. You need to clear the Messenger cache on Android and the web and try again. Here’s how.

On Android

Step 1: Long-tap on the Messenger app icon and open the App info menu.

Step 2: Select Storage and cache.

Step 3: Tap Clear Cache.

On Web

Step 1: Visit Facebook Messenger on the web in a browser. For this guide, we’re using Google Chrome.

Step 2: Click the lock icon in the address bar.

Step 3: Open Site settings.

Step 4: Select Clear data, and you are good to go.

You can visit Messenger again and check your friends’ active status.

Method 4: Disable Low Data Mode on Your Phone

On iPhone

Step 1: Open the Settings app on your iPhone and select Mobile Data.

Step 2: Select your main SIM (if you’re using more than one SIM).

Step 3: Turn off the toggle next to the Low Data Mode.

If you are an Android user, continue reading.

On Android

Step 1: Open the Settings app and tap on Network & internet on your Android phone.

Step 2: Select Data Saver and turn off the toggle next to the Use Data Saver option.

It’s easier to start a conversation on Facebook when you know the recipient is online.