Windows Live Messenger problems? Here's a fix.

Filed under: Internet, Windows, Office, Productivity, Microsoft, Freeware

Windows Live Messenger problems? Here's a fix.

by Jason Clarke Oct 18th 2006

Ed Bott is probably my favorite person to read when it comes to covering Windows and other Microsoft software. Today I noticed a little post he had regarding a way to fix Windows Live Messenger in case you find yourself unable to log in. I didn't think much of it, until my wife asked me why she hadn't been able to log in to her messenger for a few days. I quickly went back and read Ed's tip, then logged in remotely to her machine and deleted the registry key mentioned, and voila - she's back online.

So if you're having problems with your Messenger, the registry key you want to delete is:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\MSNMessenger\Policies

Give it a shot - it might well fix your problem!

Thanks, Ed.

Tags: Ed Bott, EdBott, live messenger, LiveMessenger, Microsoft, MSN messenger, MsnMessenger, windows live messenger, WindowsLiveMessenger

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)

�ystein said 5:47PM on 10-18-2006

Tried it yesterday.It works, but remember - every setting will be lost.

Isaac said 6:57PM on 10-18-2006

Thankyou so much for this! Found lots of other fixes that didn't work online, and this one fixed it instantly!

*does the "I can talk to people for free again" dance*

Not that Mercury doesn't work... it just sucks... only mildly, I don't want to hurt anyone's feelings.

smj276 said 7:24PM on 10-18-2006

I couldn't find the registry key on my machineand still the problem exists

Shane said 3:32AM on 10-19-2006

Thank you so much! I deleted the registry value and it works now! Mercury just wasn't cutting it! Thank you thank you

Mosh said 4:08AM on 10-19-2006

This problem has been bugging the hell out of me lately. Thanks heaps!

Hello1024 said 1:44PM on 10-19-2006

Worked for me. The only data in that registry key is the url for live messenger to download your contacts list from. Visiting that url in IE gives a logon box, and then a "you must have a hotmail email address" error. I suspect that a lot of people who have this problem use a non-hotmail passport account, and a change of server config at microsofts end locked us out.

Deleting that registry key DOES NOT delete your msn settings - all mine are intact.

Mark B said 1:15PM on 10-20-2006

This is the first thing I have been able to find that actually fixed this problem. It fixed it for me and another person in the office.

Ben Freeman said 1:03PM on 10-21-2006

THANK YOU! This FINALLY fixed my login problem. I was ready just to give up on messenger live. thanks again

Annette Kuijpers said 1:03PM on 10-21-2006

Thank you very much!!!
I was getting desperate, my son even scanned the computer for problems, but at last he found this site and came to my rescue!! Thanks sooooo much!!!

Annette Kuijpers
The Netherlands

Alex said 12:24AM on 10-22-2006

I´m having this problem on 55-60 computers here @ my work. The other half , is having this msn problem on 7.5 and msn 8 live. I cant find this registry key and no reported fixes. Every time i try to punch in the e-mail addresses, its very slow inputing the email i type(its like the msn is working very hard).

Anyone have any suggestions for me ?

Moomin said 12:24AM on 10-22-2006

Thanks a million - it really works! I was almost on the verge of switching to another IM system.

Strange problem. Is it because of a spyware attack?

Jack said 12:24AM on 10-22-2006

I have to thank you a lot too. I don't used a hotmail address, and even though I sucspect signed on (logged me off elsewhere), my contact list wasn't displaying and it kept on loading. This is awesome, thank you so much.

Simon said 2:01PM on 10-26-2006

Awesome, worked for me. Thanks alot

Karsten said 12:16AM on 10-28-2006

Yup, that one did it for me too. Tried installing, uninstalling beta serch, MSN help... nothing. Google finaly got me here and low and behold... Thanks!

Justin said 1:27PM on 10-30-2006

My Windows Live Messenger seemed to have been lagging when trying to add contacts, so I did this and surprisingly it helped. It was backlogged or something it seems.

Domo said 4:48PM on 11-03-2006

After reading soo many different blogs and sites which all offered their own different solutions none worked for me until this one so THANKS Janson and Ed.

D.

Greebo said 5:14PM on 11-05-2006

Thankyou for this, I was unable to add any new contacts in Windows Live Messenger until deleting that registry key.

bj said 4:01AM on 11-09-2006

It says when i try to sign in "Signing into msn messenger failed because the service is temporarily unavailable. Please try again later."

What does this mean? I've tried to sign in for weeks and it still doesnt work, i've reinstalled it about 5 times and its not the firewall blocking it.

phil said 12:56PM on 11-10-2006

it works.
great. thanks.

Harv said 7:40PM on 11-10-2006

Thanks for the tip to delete the registry key. Solved the problem that I spent hours trying to fix. Really appreciate the help!

| 1 | 2 | Most Recent | Next 20 Comments

Featured Time Waster

Civiballs is a beautiful, soothing physics puzzle Time Waster

I have an absolute weakness for physics games, and while Civiballs isn't the strongest physics-based game, what it lacks in the physics department it makes up for a few times over in style and fun.

In Civiballs, you are presented with a few colored balls, and your goal is to get those balls into the same-colored urn on the level. The "civi" part of Civiballs is that there are 3 sets of levels to play, each representing a different civilization. While the civilization doesn't affect gameplay, the artwork for each level is beautifully themed to it's appropriate era.

To play the game, you are given only one tool - a sword with which to cut the chains that are holding the balls. The puzzle part of the game is in figuring out what order, and with what timing to cut each chain. Do it right, and all the right balls end up in the right urns, with no stray balls entering an urn (a no-no). Do it wrong, and you get to start over again.

Civiballs is not terribly deep on gameplay; the entire game can be completed in about 15 minutes. But if you enjoy this type of game, it will be a very enjoyable 15 minutes.

View more Time Wasters