How to fix “Messenger has stopped” error on Samsung Galaxy Note 8 (easy steps)

While Facebook comes as a pre-installed app, it’s Messenger–which is a separate or standalone app–is not. So, when you’re having some issues with the latter, the problem could be just limited to it, although we also cannot rule out the possibility that the problem could be due to the main app. That’s the reason why you need to do some troubleshooting procedures to be able to fix the issue.

In this post, I will walk you through in troubleshooting your Galaxy S9 Plus that’s having issues with the Messenger. We will perform some procedures and consider every possibility so that we can determine what the problem really is and what needs to be done to fix it. It is in knowing the problem that we would have a chance in fixing it. So, if you’re one of the owners of this device, or any Android phone for that matter, continue reading as this article may be able to help you somehow.

Now, before anything else, if you have other issues with your phone, make sure you drop by our troubleshooting page for we have already provided solutions to hundreds of problems reported by our readers. Odds are that we may have already provided a solution to the problem you currently have so try to find issues that are similar with yours on that page and feel free to use the solutions we suggested. If they don’t work or if you need further assistance, fill up our Android issues questionnaire and hit submit to contact us.

How to troubleshoot Galaxy Note 8 with “Messenger has stopped” error

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When it comes to issues with third party applications, they’re often very minor especially if they occur without apparent reason or cause. However, there are times when downloaded apps crash as a result of a firmware problem and if this is the case, then it’s a little more complicated but don’t worry as you may still be able to fix it. With all that being said, here’s what I suggest you do about this problem…

First solution: Restart your device

If it’s the first time that this problem happened, then it might be just due to a minor glitch in the system. You need to rule out this possibility first as it might save you from a whole lot of trouble if it’s really the case.

Glitches can easily be fixed by a reboot so take time restarting your device and once the phone becomes active, try using Messenger to know if it still crashes or not and if it still does, you should try doing the forced reboot.

This procedure is actually the same as the battery pull method we often use to phones with removable batteries. Since your Note 8 has a fixed battery, all you need to do is press and hold both the volume down button and the power key at the same time for 10 seconds or more. It will reboot like a normal restart but its memory will be refreshed and all apps and services reloaded.  If the app still crashes after this, then try the next procedure.

Second solution: Clear cache and data of Messenger

By doing this, you’re resetting Messenger back to its default settings and configuration as well as deleting the cache and data files created by the firmware. These files may cause issues if they become corrupt and/or obsolete that’s why it’s important to delete them from time to time so they’ll be replaced with new ones. Here’s how you do it:

  1. From the Home screen, swipe up on an empty spot to open the Apps tray.
  2. Tap Settings > Apps.
  3. Find and tap Messenger.
  4. Tap Storage.
  5. Tap Clear data and then tap OK.
  6. Tap Clear cache.

After this, try to open the app to know if it still crashes. If it still does, then try doing the next procedure.

Third solution: Uninstall Messenger and reinstall it

If this is just a compatibility issue, then updating the app would be enough to fix the problem. However, in this case, it’s better to remove it from your phone to completely remove all its associations with other apps as well as the firmware. After that, reinstall it to make sure you have the latest version of the app on your device. Here’s how you do those things…

  1. From a Home screen, touch and swipe up or down to display all apps.
  2. From a Home screen, navigate: Settings > Apps.
  3. Tap App Manager.
  4. Locate then tap Messenger.
  5. Tap UNINSTALL.
  6. Review the notification then tap OK to confirm.
  7. Reboot your phone to refresh it’s memory and other connections.

Now, to make sure you have the latest version of the app in your phone, download a fresh copy from the Play Store and install it.

  1. From a Home screen, touch and swipe up or down to display all apps.
  2. Tap Play Store.
  3. Type ‘messenger’ in the search box.
  4. Select Messenger then tap Install.
  5. To continue, review the required app permissions then tap Accept.

The first three solutions should be enough to fix a minor problem like this.

I hope that we’ve been able to help you, somehow. If you have other issues you want to share with us, feel free to contact us any time or leave a comment below.

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