More servicesWindows Live
HomeHotmailSpacesOneCare
 
MSN
Sign in
 
 
Spaces home  Messenger Support SpaceProfileFriendsBlogMore Tools Explore the Spaces community

Blog

April 01

Messenger Sign-in Errors

The list below provides you the most common sign-in error codes that you may encounter when signing into Windows Live Messenger. Click on the link that matches to the sign-in error code that you are receiving.
 

If you are receiving another error code that is not listed below, please contact Windows Live Messenger support with the exact error code that you are receiving so that they can assist you.

 
March 31

Configuring Windows Live Messenger through Zone Alarm – 2008

 

1. From the system tray, near the system clock, click on the ZoneAlarm Security Suite icon to open the main console window.

clip_image002

2. Select Program control from the left hand pane window.

clip_image004

3. Click on Programs and check if Windows Live Messenger is found in the list of programs. If it is not found in the list, click on Add. If Windows Live Messenger is found in the list, check if the Smart Defense status is set to Auto else change to Auto.

clip_image006

4. In the Add program window, browse to locate the MSNMSGR.exe file. If you are using Windows Live Messenger 8.1, browse for Windows Live Messenger by going to C:\Program Files\MSN Messenger\MSNMSGR.exe. If you are using Windows Live Messenger 8.5 or later, browse for Windows Live Messenger by going to C:\Program Files\Windows Live\MSN Messenger\MSNMSGR.exe. Click Open to select the file.

clip_image008

5. Windows Live Messenger will now be listed in the programs list, with the Smart Defense status set to Auto as shown below.

clip_image010

Configuring Windows Live Messenger through the Norton Firewall 2008

Configuring Windows Live Messenger through the Norton Firewall 2008

1. From the system tray, near the system clock, double click on the Norton Internet Security or Norton Personal Firewall icon.

clip_image002[4]

2. In the Norton window, click on Norton Internet Security tab and then click on Settings.

clip_image004[4]

clip_image006[4]

3. Select Norton Internet Security below the Settings option.

clip_image008[4]

4. In the Norton Internet Security window, Click on Personal Firewall.

clip_image010[4]

5. Now Click on Program control option and click on Configure at the bottom.

clip_image012[4]

6. Check if Windows Live Messenger or msnmsgr appears in the Program Control list. If Windows Live Messenger or msnmsgr is not listed, proceed to Step 7. If it is present then proceed to Step 10.

7. Click on Add button at the bottom, to add Windows Live Messenger to the Program List.

clip_image014[4]

8. In the new Select a program window, browse to C:\Program Files\Windows Live \Messenger and select MSNMSGR.exe, if you are using Windows Live Messenger 8.5 or later and click Open. If you are using Windows Live Messenger 8.1, browse to C:\Program Files\MSN Messenger\MSNMSGR.exe and click Open.

clip_image016[4]

9. Click on Allow in the Security Request window, to control the Messenger access and click on OK.

clip_image018[4]

10. Once you add Windows Live Messenger in to the list it will look like below :

clip_image020[4]

Configuring Windows Live Messenger through McAfee 2008

 

1. From the system tray, near the system click, click on the McAfee Security Center icon to open the main console.

clip_image002

2. Click on Internet & Network, in the McAfee Security Center window and click on Configure.

clip_image004

clip_image006

3. Click on Advanced and check if option “ON” is selected to enable Firewall protection.

clip_image008

4. On the left had pane, select Program Permissions.

clip_image010

5. Click on Add Allowed Programs, to include the application is the firewall allow list.

clip_image012

6. Browse to the desired path. If you are using Windows Live Messenger 8.1, browse for Windows Live Messenger by going to C:\Program Files\MSN Messenger\MSNMSGR.exe. If you are using Windows Live Messenger 8.5 or later, browse for Windows Live Messenger by going to C:\Program Files\Windows Live\ Messenger\MSNMSGR.exe.

7. Click on Open to select the file. The default path will appear as below.

clip_image014

8. Windows Live Messenger will now be listed in the Program Permissions list with Full Access Permission as show below.

clip_image016

March 29

Configuring Windows Live Messenger through AVG Firewall

1. From the system tray, near the system clock, click on the AVG Internet Security icon to open the main console window.

clip_image002

2. Click on Firewall, in the AVG Internet Security window.

clip_image004

3. Select Firewall profile under Firewall settings to determine the type of profile.

clip_image006

4. Click on Tools menu bar, followed by select Firewall settings from the menu list.

clip_image008

5. On the left part of the window, click on the “+” sign beside the type of firewall profile type.

6. Click on Applications

7. Check if Windows Live Messenger is listed on the List of applications. If you see an entry for Windows Live Messenger, ensure if it has a clip_image010 (check) mark besides it. If there is a clip_image012 (question) mark, go to step 8 to 10.

8. Select the word “Windows Live Messenger” on the list then click on the edit button.

9. On the Application Action, click on the dropdown menu then select "Allow for all"

10. Click on Apply then OK.

11. If you don’t see an entry for Windows Live Messenger, then click on Add.

clip_image014

12. Enter “Windows Live Messenger” (without quotes) under Name. Select Allow for all in the Application action drop down list to proceed to browse to the next step.

clip_image016

13. Click on clip_image018 to browse to the desired path. If you are using Windows Live Messenger 8.1, browse for Windows Live Messenger by going to C:\Program Files\MSN Messenger\MSNMSGR.exe. If you are using Windows Live Messenger 8.5 or later, browse for Windows Live Messenger by going to C:\Program Files\Windows Live\Messenger\MSNMSGR.exe.

clip_image020

14. Click on Open to select the file. The default path will appear as below. Click Apply.

clip_image022

15. The list of applications will now contain Windows Live Messenger as show below with a clip_image010[1]mark besides it.

clip_image024

March 10

Configuring Windows Live Messenger through Trend Micro PC-Cillian Firewall

 

1. From the system tray, near the system clock, click on the PC-Cillian Icon to open the Main Console window.

clip_image002

2. Click on Home Network & Firewall Controls followed by settings to open the Personal Firewall settings window.

clip_image004

3. Select the option Activate Personal Firewall, if not already checked, and click on Advanced Settings at the bottom.

clip_image006

4. Click on Program Control tab, and check if Windows Live Messenger is listed on the software list. If you see an entry for Windows Live Messenger, select it and click remove before proceeding. Click on Add to include the Messenger in the list

clip_image008

5. Enter “Windows Live Messenger” (without quotes) under Description. Select Simple and Allow option proceed to the next step.

clip_image010

6. Click on browse. If you are using Windows Live Messenger 8.1, browse for Windows Live Messenger by going to C:\Program Files\MSN Messenger\MSNMSGR.exe. If you are using Windows Live Messenger 8.5 or later, browse for Windows Live Messenger by going to C:\Program Files\Windows Live\MSN Messenger\MSNMSGR.exe. Click on Open to select the file.

clip_image012

clip_image014

7. Click OK to add Windows Live Messenger to the Firewall list and verify if the status is checked. Once you add Windows Live Messenger in to the list it will look like below:

clip_image016

8. Click on OK to complete the Wizard.

clip_image018

January 12

Messenger and Operating System version list

Below you will find the list of latest versions of Messenger for each operating system. To determine the version of Messenger you are using click on the Help followed by About Messenger.
 
The latest version of Messenger on each operating system:
 
For Windows 98 and Windows Me: MSN Messenger 7.0.0820. Get it here.
For Windows 2000: MSN Messenger 7.0.0820. Get it here.
For Windows XP SP2 32-bit and Windows Vista 32-bit: Windows Live Messenger 8.5.1302. Get it here.
For Windows XP 64-bit: Windows Live Messenger 8.1. Get it here.
For Windows Vista 64-bit: Windows Live Messenger 8.5. Get it here.
For Windows Server 2003: Windows Live Messenger 8.1. Get it here.
For Windows Server 2008: Windows Live Messenger 8.1. Get it here.

If you wish to download the MSN Messenger 7.0.0820 for Windows XP, get it here.
 
Note: The latest version of Windows Live Messenger can be installed on Windows XP SP2 and later only. If you are not running SP2 , please goto Windows Update to install the SP2 update for Windows XP. After the installation of SP2, restart your computer and then install the latest version of Messenger by going here.
 
 

Error: 80072EFD or 80048820-8004840F

If you are receiving error 80072EFD or 80048820:8004840f when trying to sign into Windows Live Messenger there are several possible network issues that may cause this problem.  The errors will appear like below:
 
Sorry, we were unable to sign you in to the Messenger Service at this time.
Please try again later.
80072EFD
 
Sorry, we were unable to sign you in to the Messenger Service at this time.
Please try again later.
80048820
Extended error code: 8004840f

This problem occurs because one of the following conditions are true:

• A firewall is blocking connectivity of Messenger to the Internet. 
• Security libraries are corrupted. 
• Proxy settings are incorrect. 
• Spyware is blocking connection to the Messenger service. 
 
TROUBLESHOOTING STEPS
Note: Verify that you can connect to the Internet before you follow these steps.
1.  Visit the Windows Update Web site, and then verify that you have the latest updates installed:
1.a.  Verify that the computer requires updates, and then install the updates if necessary. 
1.b.  Restart the computer after you apply the updates. 
 
2.  Verify that Messenger is enabled through the firewall:
2.a.  If you are using MSN Messenger, visit the following Web site, locate the FAQ section, and then click the How to enable MSN Messenger through a Firewall topic. This topic describes how to enable MSN Messenger through the most common firewalls. 
2.b.  If you are using Windows Live Messenger, visit the following Web site, locate the FAQ section, and then click the How to enable Windows Live Messenger through a Firewall . This topic describes how to enable Windows Live Messenger through the most common firewalls.
2.c.  If you disabled the firewall in the past, it still may be blocking Messenger, try to restart the firewall. After the firewall software is running, follow the steps in 1.a to make sure that Messenger is enabled through the firewall. Also try removing the firewall program that is installed to verify that it is not causing a problem even if it is disabled.
Note: This is only a temporary workaround and you may have to reinstall the firewall software again. 
2.d.  If you are not sure which firewalls you have installed on the computer, click Add Or Remove Programs in Control Panel, and then scroll through the list of installed programs. Some popular firewall vendors include Norton, McAfee, and Zone Alarm. 
 
3.  Clear the Domain Name System (DNS) Cache:
3.a.  Click Start, click Run, type cmd , and then click OK. For Windows Vista, click Start, and then type cmd in the Search box. This command will open the command window. 
3.b.  At the command prompt, type the following command, and then click OK:
ipconfig /flushdns
Note This command flushes all the DNS entries that have been cached. 
3.c.  Type exit , and then press ENTER to close the command window. 
 
4.  Clear the proxy settings in MSN Messenger to establish a direct connection to the Messenger service.
 
Note If you are connecting from a private network either from a school or a company, ask the network administrator about the settings that are appropriate for the proxy settings in MSN Messenger.
 
MSN Messenger version 7.0:
a.  Delete the entries under SOCKS Version 4. 
b.  Delete the entries under SOCKS Version 5. 
c.  Delete the entries under HTTP Proxy Server. 
d.  Click OK two times to save the settings. 
e.  Try to sign in to Messenger again. 
 
Windows Live Messenger:
a.  On the Tools menu, click Options. 
b.  In the left Navigation Pane, click Connection. 
c.  In the Connection Settings section, click Advanced Settings. 
d.  Delete the content in the SOCKS field. 
e.  Click OK two times to save the settings. 
 
 
5.  Reset the proxy server settings for Microsoft Internet Explorer:
a.  Start Internet Explorer. 
b.  On the Tools menu, click Internet Options. 
c.  Click the Connections tab, and then click LAN Settings. 
d.  Clear the Automatically detect settings check box. 
e.  Click OK, and then click OK again. 
 
6.  Reregister the security .dll files that may be conflicting with Messenger. To do this, click Start, click Run, type the following command, and then press ENTER:
REGSVR32 softpub.dll initpki.dll wintrust.dll
Wait until you see three pop-up windows that state that the files were successfully registered. 
 
7.  We are aware that some spyware such as IMPlus may affect your connectivity to the Messenger service. To determine whether you have IMPlus installed on the computer, open Control Panel, and then select Add or Remove Programs. Scroll through the list of installed programs to find whether IMPlus is installed. If you find it, click Remove to remove the program. 
 
8.  If you cannot find an entry in Add Or Remove Programs, determine whether the IMPlus program is running on the computer:
8.a.  Click Start, click Run, type taskmgr , and then press ENTER. For Windows Vista, click Start, and then type taskmgr in the Search box. 
8.b.  In the Task Manager window , click the Processes tab. 
8.c.  Click the Image Name column header to order the list of program names. 
8.d.  Scroll through the list to determine whether IMPlus.exe is running on the computer. If you find the process, select the entry, and then click End Process. 
8.e.  Confirm that you want to stop the program. 
 
9.  Sign in to Messenger again. 
 
 
January 11

How to enable MSN Messenger through a Firewall

The latest version of MSN Messenger on each operating system:
 
For Windows 98 and Windows Me: 7.0.0820
For Windows 2000: 7.0.0820
For Windows XP: 7.0.0820.

To verify the version start MSN Messenger and click on Help and About Messenger. If you are not using the latest version for your operating system, get it here.
MSN Messenger requires full access through your Personal Firewall so that it can sign in and for other features such as Audio / Video to work.
Please click on an appropriate link below , based on the firewall you are using , for steps on how to allow MSN Messenger through your firewall.
 
PC-Cillin - 2008

Steps to fix the sign-in error 80048820-80048412 for Windows Live Messenger

If you are receiving error 80048820 when trying to sign into Windows Live Messenger you should also get an extended error code.  If this extended error code is 80048412 the problem often occurs because the time and date settings on the computer are incorrect.  The error will appear like below:

 

You cannot sign in to Messenger. Additionally, you may receive the following error message:

We were unable to sign you in to the Messenger at this time. Please try again later.
To let us try and troubleshoot the problem, click the Troubleshoot button.
Error code: 80048820
Extended error code: 80048412

The following steps may help resolve your issue:

To troubleshoot the problem on a Microsoft Windows XP-based computer:

1. Click Start, click Run, type control timedate.cpl, and then click OK.

2. In the Date and Time Properties dialog box, confirm that the date and time settings on the computer are correct, and then click OK.

To troubleshoot the problem on a Windows Vista-based computer:

1. Click Start, type control timedate.cpl in the Start Search box, and then press ENTER.

2. In the Date and Time Properties dialog box, confirm that the date and time settings on the computer are correct, and then click OK.

 
January 07

How to enable Windows Live Messenger through a Firewall

The latest version of Windows Live Messenger is 8.5.
To verify the version start Windows Live Messenger and click on Help and About Messenger. If you are not using 8.5 please go here to download the latest version.
Windows Live Messenger needs to be given full access through your Personal Firewall so that it can sign in and for other features such as Audio / Video to work.
Please click on an appropriate link below , based on the firewall you are using , for steps on how to allow Windows Live Messenger through your firewall.
 
Note: If you are using an earlier version of Windows Live Messenger the application is installed in the location "C:\Program Files\MSN Messenger\msnmsgr.exe" and if you are using Windows Live Messenger 8.5 and later then the application is installed in the location "C:\Program Files\Windows Live\Messenger\msnmsgr.exe". Please take note of these locations when allowing Messenger through your personal firewall.
 
 
 
December 12

Messenger Sign-in errors

The list below provides you the most common sign-in error codes that you may encounter when signing into Windows Live Messenger. Click on the link that matches to the sign-in error code that you are receiving.
 

If you are receiving another error code that is not listed below, please contact Windows Live Messenger support with the exact error code that you are receiving so that they can assist you.

 
 
 
 
 
December 11

Error: 81000306

1. Make sure that you are connected to the Internet. Start Microsoft Internet Explorer, and then try to visit the following Web sites: 
Messenger service status
If you cannot visit these sites, contact your Internet service provider (ISP) for information about how to set up your Internet connection so that you can visit both secure (https) and non-secure (http) sites.
 
2. If you are able to visit the Messenger service status page and notice that there is a service issue, please visit the site later to determine when the service is available so that you can sign into Messenger. If the site indicates that the all systems are stable and running, go to the next step. 
 
3.  Clear the proxy settings in MSN Messenger.
3.a. Start Messenger. 
3.b. On the Tools menu, click Options. 
3.c. Click Connection in the left navigation pane. 
3.d. Click Advanced Settings in the Connection Settings section. 
3.e. Delete the content of the SOCKS field. 
3.f.  Click OK two times to save the settings. 
3.g. After you clear the proxy settings, verify if you are able to sign into Messenger. If you are still not able to sign into Messenger then please go to the next step. 
 
4.  If you are using Windows Vista, disable the Auto Tuning Networking feature:
4.a. Click Start, click All Programs, click Accessories, and then right-click Command Prompt and choose Run as administrator. 
4.b. Click Continue when Windows requests permission to continue. 
4.c. At the command prompt, type the following command, and then press ENTER: netsh interface tcp set global autotuninglevel=disabled 
Note: This command disables the Window Auto Tuning feature.
4.d.  After you disable the Auto Tuning Networking feature, verify if you are able to sign into Messenger.
 
5. If you are still not able to sign into Messenger then please re-enable this feature using the information below and then go to the next step.
5.a.  Re-enable the Auto Tuning Networking feature by typing the following command at the command prompt, and then pressing ENTER:
 
netsh interface tcp set global autotuninglevel=normal 

Note: This command enables Window Auto Tuning again so that you can take advantage of the network throughput performance increase it provides. 
 
6. If you are using Windows Vista and you also use a router (eg. Linksys, D-Link, Netgear) on your home network to connect to the internet please visit the router manufacturer’s website to update to the latest firm