Best Troubleshooting Guide: Fixing Facebook Messenger Not Sending Pictures! (2023)

Experiencing trouble sending pictures on Facebook Messenger? Don’t worry, we’re here to help you troubleshoot and resolve this frustrating issue. In this comprehensive guide, we walk you through the common causes and provide step-by-step solutions to get your picture sending functionality back on track.

Contents show

7 Solutions to Fix the Facebook Messenger Not Sending Pictures Issue

See if the File Size is within the Limit
Check if the Messenger App has Permissions
See the Messenger Server Status
Download the latest Facebook Messenger App version
Use Mobile Data For Messenger (iPhone)
Turn off Data Saver Mode (Android)
Kill the Messenger App (Android)

Solving the Facebook Messenger Not Sending Pictures Error

See if the File Size is within the Limit

If you’re experiencing issues with sending pictures on Facebook Messenger, one possible cause could be that the file size of the image exceeds the limit set by Facebook. To resolve this, you can check the file size of the picture and make sure it is within the allowed limit. Here’s how:

Select the picture you want to send in your device’s photo gallery or file manager.
Access the image’s details or properties, which should provide information about the file size.
Compare the file size of the image with the maximum file size allowed for sending pictures on Facebook Messenger. As of my knowledge cutoff in September 2021, the limit was 25MB for images.
If the file size exceeds the limit, you have a few options:
- Resize the image: You can use image editing software or mobile apps to resize the image to a smaller resolution, reducing the file size.
- Compress the image: Utilize image compression tools or apps to reduce the file size while maintaining acceptable image quality.
- Use a different file format: Some file formats, such as JPEG, tend to have smaller file sizes compared to PNG or TIFF. Consider converting the image to a different format.
After adjusting the image’s file size, try sending it again through Facebook Messenger and see if the issue persists.

If the problem persists even with images within the allowed file size, there might be other factors causing the error. In that case, you can try other troubleshooting steps like clearing the Messenger app cache, updating the app to the latest version, or reinstalling the app if necessary. Additionally, it’s worth checking your internet connection to ensure it’s stable and functioning properly.

Check if the Messenger App has Permissions

To ensure that the Messenger app has the necessary permissions to send pictures, follow these steps:

On your Android or iPhone device, go to the Settings app.
Scroll down and find the “Apps” or “Applications” section. The exact wording may vary depending on your device.
Look for “Messenger” in the list of installed apps and tap on it.
Within the Messenger app settings, you should see a list of permissions that the app has been granted.
Verify that the Messenger app has permissions related to accessing storage or photos. These permissions are usually labeled as “Storage” or “Photos” in the permissions list.
If the permissions are not enabled, tap on the respective permission and grant it access to your device’s storage or photos.
After granting the necessary permissions, exit the settings and relaunch the Messenger app.

Now that the Messenger app has the required permissions, try sending pictures again and see if the issue has been resolved. If the problem persists, you may consider restarting your device or contacting Facebook support for further assistance.

See the Messenger Server Status

To check the Messenger server status, you can follow these steps:

Open a web browser on your device.
Go to the Facebook Messenger Help Center website.
Once on the Messenger Help Center page, scroll down and look for the section titled “Troubleshooting and Tips.”
Under that section, you should find a subsection called “Known Issues.” Click on it.
In the Known Issues section, Facebook lists any ongoing problems or server issues that might be affecting Messenger functionality.
Check if there are any reported issues related to sending pictures or general server problems. Facebook usually provides updates on the status of these issues.
If there are reported problems or outages, Facebook will work on resolving them as quickly as possible. In such cases, you might need to wait for the issue to be fixed.

Alternatively, you can also check social media platforms like Twitter or official Facebook pages for any announcements regarding Messenger service disruptions. Facebook or Messenger’s official accounts often provide updates on ongoing issues and their progress in resolving them.

Remember that server statuses can change rapidly, so it’s a good idea to check for updates periodically or wait for official announcements if you suspect there might be a widespread issue affecting Messenger.

Download the latest Facebook Messenger App version

To download the latest Facebook Messenger app version:

Android: Go to the Google Play Store, search for “Facebook Messenger,” and tap “Update” or “Install.”

iPhone: Go to the App Store, search for “Facebook Messenger,” and tap “Update” or “Get.”

Use Mobile Data For Messenger (iPhone)

To use mobile data for Messenger on an iPhone, you can follow these steps:

Open the “Settings” app on your iPhone.
Scroll down and tap on “Cellular” or “Mobile Data,” depending on your iOS version.
In the list of apps, locate “Messenger” and ensure that the toggle switch next to it is enabled, allowing it to use mobile data.
If the toggle switch is already enabled, Messenger is already set to use mobile data. If it’s disabled, tap on the toggle switch to enable it.
Once enabled, you can exit the settings and open the Messenger app.

Now, Messenger will be able to use your iPhone’s mobile data for sending and receiving messages, even when you’re not connected to a Wi-Fi network.

Turn off Data Saver Mode (Android)

To turn off Data Saver mode on an Android device, you can follow these steps:

Open the “Settings” app on your Android device.
Scroll down and tap on “Network & Internet” or “Connections,” depending on your device’s settings.
Look for and select “Data usage” or “Data usage control.”
Within the Data Usage settings, you may find an option called “Data Saver.” Tap on it to access the Data Saver settings.
If Data Saver mode is enabled, you will see a toggle switch next to it. Tap on the toggle switch to turn off Data Saver mode.
Once Data Saver mode is disabled, you can exit the settings and open the Facebook Messenger app.

With Data Saver mode turned off, the Facebook Messenger app will be able to use your mobile data without any restrictions imposed by the Data Saver feature. Keep in mind that using mobile data for data-intensive activities like sending pictures or videos may consume your mobile data plan.

Kill the Messenger App (Android)

To force stop the Messenger app on an Android device, you can follow these steps:

Open the “Settings” app on your Android device.
Scroll down and tap on “Apps” or “Applications,” depending on your device’s settings.
Locate and tap on “Messenger” in the list of installed apps. If you don’t see it on the initial screen, you may need to swipe left or right to access the “All” or “Installed” tab.
Within the Messenger app settings, you should see options like “App info” or “Storage & cache.” Tap on it.
On the next screen, you will find various details about the Messenger app, including buttons like “Force Stop,” “Clear Data,” or “Clear Cache.”
Tap on the “Force Stop” button. A confirmation message may appear, stating that it may cause the app to misbehave. Confirm the action by tapping “OK” or “Force Stop” again.
The Messenger app should now be force stopped. You can exit the settings.

By force-stopping the Messenger app, you’re terminating its running processes and effectively closing it. When you relaunch the app, it will start fresh, potentially resolving any issues or glitches that were occurring.

By following the troubleshooting steps outlined in this guide, you can overcome the problem of Facebook Messenger not sending pictures. Share your precious moments seamlessly with your friends and family. Restore the picture sending functionality on Facebook Messenger and enjoy uninterrupted communication with visually enriched conversations.