12 Best Fixes When Android Messages App Not Working

Are your Android Messages App Not Working? Are you unable to send, receive, or read texts? You’re surfing & reading articles searching for potential solutions to this issue. You don’t have to look anymore because this article will discuss various solutions that can quickly fix your Messaging app.

Why Is My Android Phone’s Messaging App Not Working?

There are numerous reasons, and below is a list of arguments that can explain why the Messaging app isn’t working.

• The Messaging app is outdated. Or it is ridden with bugs & errors.
• Your cellular connection plan validity may have expired. Or you don’t have enough credits in your balance.
• You’re using a third-party app as your default texting app. 
• You’ve recently installed a confliction application.
• Bloated cache. Zero free space for Messaging app.
• There is a fault in the Network Settings.
• Google Play services are out-of-date.

How To Fix The Android Messages App Not Working?

1. Reboot Your Android Phone
2. Force Stop Messaging App
3. Clear Cache & Data
4. Make Messaging App Your Default Texting App
5. Update Messaging App
6. Remove The Recently Installed App
7. Boot Android in safe mode
8. Update Google Play Services
9. Reinsert SIM card
10. Restore Network Settings
11. Update Android OS
12. Factory Reset Your Android

1. Restart Your Android Phone

Restarting or rebooting comes into most users’ minds whenever they encounter an error with their electronic devices. The same can be applied here. Make your Android phone reboot. 

Rebooting helps clear away your phone’s temporary memory and refresh programs. This lead to the detection and removal of bugs & minor glitches. Rebotting also speeds up the phone’s performance. Press & hold the Power button, and tap the Restart icon on the screen.

2. Force Stop Messaging App

Force Stooping the Messaging app is another solution that you can try. 

• Open Settings.
• Go to App->Manage Installed Apps.

• Tap Sort By App Name.
• Scroll down the page and tap on Messaging.

• You can find the Force Stop option at the bottom of the Messaging App Info page.
• Tap Force Stop.

• Exit Settings.

Now try to launch the Messaging app. If a temporary bug is responsible for the error, restarting the Messaging app will solve the problem.

3. Clear Messages App Cache & Data

If the previous solution, “Force Stop Messaging App,” doesn’t work for you, then try cleaning the Cache & Data storage of the Messaging app.

• Open Settings.
• Go to App->Manage Installed Apps.
• Tap Sort By Name.
• Scroll down the page and tap on Messaging.
• Tap Force Stop. You can find the option at the bottom of the App Info screen.
• Tap Clear Storage/Data.

• First, choose the Clear cache option. Then select the Clear all data option.
• Exit Settings.

Now try to launch the Messaging app and check whether this attempt has fixed the problem.

4. Make Messaging App Your Default SMS App

Today, tons of Call & Text Manager apps are available online. You can choose between Free and Paid apps. Users who install these apps and make them the default texting app may create technical conflicts with the Messaging app.

• Open Settings.
• Go to App-> Manage Installed Apps.
• Search & select the third-party app.
• Scroll down the App Info page and tap Clear Defaults.

• Open Messages app. 
• A prompt will ask you to confirm the Messaging app as your default app. Tap Agree.

5. Update Messaging App

An out-of-date version of Messaging app is another significant reason why the app does not work on your phone. Update to the latest version from Google Play Store.

• Open the Google Play Store app.
• Tap the Profile Avatar.
• Tap Manage apps and devices.

• Tap Updates available option.

• Tap Update beside the Messaging app option.

6. Remove The Recently Installed App

Suppose you have installed a third-party app, and the Messaging app has gone to strike. You can boldly infer that the Not working problem arises due to conflict with the third-party app. To fix the issue, you can consider removing the third-party app.

• Open Settings.
• Go to App-> Manage Installed Apps.
• Search & select the third-party app.
• Scroll down the App Info page and tap Uninstall.
• Close Settings after uninstallation.

7. Boot Android In Safe Mode

If you cannot identify the conflicting third-party application, boot your Android phone in Safe mode. In Safe Mode, all third-party apps stop working. If the Messages app works fine in Safe Mode, it justifies the argument that the error is due to a third-part application interference.

• Power off your Android.
• Press & hold the Power button and Volume down button.
• Release the Power button after the Android logo is displayed on the screen. Keep holding the Volume down key.
• Release the Volume down key when Android Home Screen lights up.

8. Update Google Play Services

Google Play Service plays a vital role as an intermediate to connect apps with Google API. If any bug wrecks havoc on Google Play Services, you may encounter errors with various Android features, including Messaging app not working.

• Open Settings.
• Navigate to Apps-> Manage installed app.
• Tap options(the three vertical dots) from the top right corner.
• Select Show all apps from the app menu.
• Search & select Google Play services.

• Tap the info(i) icon.
• Tap the App version option. The Google Play Store app will launch.
• Tap Update if you find an available update.
• Restart once after the update is complete.

9. Reinsert SIM Card

Messaging App not working issue may arise due to improper handling or misalignment of SIM card. You can try reinserting your SIM card to fix the problem. 

10. Reset Network Settings

In some cases, the fault may lie with the service provider and not with your Android Messaging app. Perform a Network Reset to restore all network settings and preferences to default.

• Open Settings.
• Navigate to About Phone->Reset Options.
• Tap Reset Settings options.

• Confirm your action, and enter your Password/Pin.
• Restart your phone after the Reset.

11. Update Android OS

Android OS update package contains fixes to bugs, security upgrades, etc. Regularly updating your Android phone keeps it running in optimal condition and protects your privacy from security breaches.

• Connect your phone to a Wi-Fi network.
• Open Settings.
• Go to About Phone->Advanced->Updates.
• Tap Check for updates.

• Download & install the available update package.
• Tap Reboot System.
• Try launching the Messaging app after the Upgrade.

12. Factory Reset Your Android

You can try applying this solution if any other solutions don’t work. Factory Reset restores your system to its original state. 

• Open Settings.
• Go to About Phone->Factory Reset.
• Tap Erase all data.

• Type your Password/Pin and confirm your Password.

Note- Make a backup of your important data before you Factor reset your phone.

Conclusion

The article discussed the influence of bugs, conflict with third-party apps, and app versions on your Android Messaging app. Here, you have seen how restarting your android phone fixes the problem. There are also targeted solutions to conflicts with third-party text manager apps.

So if you face the Messaging app not working issue, you can try the various fixes available in this article.