Messages "try again" send error

lately my Messages app (the iMessage for mac osx app) will not send my messages. The first time ill send a messega ill get is red error icon after it this is in like 1 minute when i am already doin other stuff. So this means ill check if i have a message back in like two ours and see it didnt even send it.


I first thought it was because of my work network settings but now it happens on every network!


Is there something wrong with the latest version of OSX? is there something i can do?

MacBook Pro, OS X Mountain Lion (10.8.3)

Posted on Apr 6, 2013 1:08 PM

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22 replies

Apr 8, 2013 4:06 PM in response to Juistm

Please read this whole message before doing anything.

Back up all data.

Quit Messages if it’s running.

Step 1

Hold down the option key and select

Go Library

from the Finder menu bar. Move the following items from the Library folder to the Trash (either may not exist):


  • Caches/com.apple.Messages
  • Caches/com.apple.imfoundation.IMRemoteURLConnectionAgent


Leave the Library folder open. Log out and log back in. Try Messages again. If it works now, stop here. Close the Library folder.

Step 2

If you still have problems, quit Messages again. Go back to the Finder and move the following item from the open Library folder to the Desktop:


Messages


Note: you are not moving the Messages application. You’re moving a folder named “Messages.”

Test. If Messages now works, delete the Messages folder on the Desktop. Otherwise, quit Messages again. Put back the folder you moved, overwriting the newer one that may have been created in its place, and continue.

Step 3

In the Preferences subfolder, there may be several files having names that begin with any of the following strings:


  • com.apple.iChat
  • com.apple.imdsmsrecordstore
  • com.apple.imessage
  • com.apple.imservice


Move them all to the Desktop. There may also be a file with the name "com.apple.imagent.plist". Move that to the Trash.

Also in the Preferences folder, there's a subfolder named "ByHost". Open it and do the same thing.

Log out and log back in. Test again. This time Messages should perform normally, but your settings will be lost. You may be able to put back some of the files you moved to the Desktop in this step. Relaunch and test after each one. Eventually you should find one or more that causes Messages to malfunction. Delete those files and recreate whatever settings they contained.

If the issue is still not resolved, quit Messages again and put all the items you moved to the Desktop back where they were. You don’t need to replace the items you moved to the Trash. Stop here and post again.

If you later decide that you don’t like the results of steps 2 and 3, you can undo them completely by quitting Messages and restoring the items you deleted in those steps from your backup.

Apr 9, 2013 11:30 AM in response to Linc Davis

Because i loged out and loged back in again, treid to send a message and it worked (got the deliverd text in the app) after that i sended a nother message, 1 hour later and again got the red "!" after it.


This happens to every recipient after i wait for a while. If one message is through and i keep sending messages it works fine, but if i leave it for a while, say 1 hour the frist message ill send will not send and gets the red "!" error.

Apr 9, 2013 1:49 PM in response to Juistm

Please read this whole message before doing anything.


This procedure is a test, not a solution. Don’t be disappointed when you find that nothing has changed after you complete it.


Step 1


The purpose of this step is to determine whether the problem is localized to your user account.


Enable guest logins* and log in as Guest. For instructions, launch the System Preferences application, select Help from the menu bar, and enter “Set up guest users” (without the quotes) in the search box. Don't use the Safari-only “Guest User” login created by “Find My Mac.”


While logged in as Guest, you won’t have access to any of your personal files or settings. Applications will behave as if you were running them for the first time. Don’t be alarmed by this; it’s normal. If you need any passwords or other personal data in order to complete the test, memorize, print, or write them down before you begin.


Test while logged in as Guest. Same problem?


After testing, log out of the guest account and, in your own account, disable it if you wish. Any files you created in the guest account will be deleted automatically when you log out of it.


*Note: If you’ve activated “Find My Mac” or FileVault, then you can’t enable the Guest account. The “Guest User” login created by “Find My Mac” is not the same. Create a new account in which to test, and delete it, including its home folder, after testing.


Step 2


The purpose of this step is to determine whether the problem is caused by third-party system modifications that load automatically at startup or login, or by a peripheral device.


Disconnect all wired peripherals except those needed for the test, and remove all aftermarket expansion cards. Boot in safe mode* and log in to the account with the problem. The instructions provided by Apple are as follows:


  • Shut down your computer, wait 30 seconds, and then hold down the shift key while pressing the power button.
  • When you see the gray Apple logo, release the shift key.
  • If you are prompted to log in, type your password, and then hold down the shift key again as you click Log in.


Safe mode is much slower to boot and run than normal, and some things won’t work at all, including wireless networking on certain Macs. The next normal boot may also be somewhat slow.


The login screen appears even if you usually log in automatically. You must know your login password in order to log in. If you’ve forgotten the password, you will need to reset it before you begin.


*Note: If FileVault is enabled, or if a firmware password is set, or if the boot volume is a software RAID, you can’t boot in safe mode.


Test while in safe mode. Same problem?


After testing, reboot as usual (i.e., not in safe mode) and verify that you still have the problem. Post the results of steps 1 and 2.

This thread has been closed by the system or the community team. You may vote for any posts you find helpful, or search the Community for additional answers.

Messages "try again" send error

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