Astrobutch09012311
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Q: Cannot initiate an iMessage conversation on my mac

I am running the latest Mavericks and I am having an issue with iMessage.

 

I can start and continue conversations on my iPad and my iPhone fine but when I start iMessage on my Mac it simply cannot start a conversation, it always comes back with message not sent.

 

Once I leave it open and I have started a conversation on my iOS device, it updates from the server and all works perfectly well, I can send and receive as normal.

 

Frustratingly I am unable to start any new message on my mac!!

MacBook Pro with Retina display, OS X Mavericks (10.9.2)

Posted on May 14, 2014 12:26 PM

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Astrobutch09012311

Q: Cannot initiate an iMessage conversation on my mac

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  • by Astrobutch09012311,

    Astrobutch09012311 Astrobutch09012311 May 14, 2014 12:46 PM in response to Astrobutch09012311
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    May 14, 2014 12:46 PM in response to Astrobutch09012311

    here are a few extra nuggets of info it helps..

     

     

    I deleted my account from the mac, PRAM reset and I deleted the prefs for iMessage too. I then added it all over again with the following settings..

     

    Screen Shot 2014-05-14 at 20.33.19.jpg

    Still no joy..its not the end of the world because I do not use it much on my mac, but we are back to that "it just works" claim from Apple which is misleading, it doesn't just work.

     

    I think maybe there is a comm port that is clashing, I might be wrong but it opens once the messages update from the server.

     

    Cutching at straws now..

  • by Ralph Johns (UK),

    Ralph Johns (UK) Ralph Johns (UK) May 14, 2014 12:58 PM in response to Astrobutch09012311
    Level 9 (73,348 points)
    Applications
    May 14, 2014 12:58 PM in response to Astrobutch09012311

    From the other thread

     

     

    Hi,

     

    In System Preferences > Date and Time  check that it is the correct date/time and Daylight Saving if applicable.  Check that these match the router settings.

    Basically all conversations or chats in Messages are time stamped no matter which service they are with.

    There can be issues if the Mac is not getting the Time correctly or it is different than the router time.

     

    In System Preferences > Network > Advanced button > DNS tab add a Public DNS server

    3Sigcopy2.png

    8:58 pm      Wednesday; May 14, 2014

     

    ​  iMac 2.5Ghz i5 2011 (Mavericks 10.9)
     G4/1GhzDual MDD (Leopard 10.5.8)
     MacBookPro 2Gb (Snow Leopard 10.6.8)
     Mac OS X (10.6.8),
     Couple of iPhones and an iPad

  • by Astrobutch09012311,

    Astrobutch09012311 Astrobutch09012311 May 14, 2014 1:06 PM in response to Ralph Johns (UK)
    Level 1 (0 points)
    May 14, 2014 1:06 PM in response to Ralph Johns (UK)

    Tried that, still no joy..

     

    Its a weird one..

  • by Ralph Johns (UK),

    Ralph Johns (UK) Ralph Johns (UK) May 14, 2014 1:21 PM in response to Astrobutch09012311
    Level 9 (73,348 points)
    Applications
    May 14, 2014 1:21 PM in response to Astrobutch09012311

    Hi,

     

    Is Messages listed in System Preferences > Security and Privacy >  Firewall tab > Options button if the Firewall is ON ?

     

    Are you using any third party app that stop outgoing connections ?

    Little Snitch for instance ?

    3Sigcopy2.png

    9:21 pm      Wednesday; May 14, 2014

     

    ​  iMac 2.5Ghz i5 2011 (Mavericks 10.9)
     G4/1GhzDual MDD (Leopard 10.5.8)
     MacBookPro 2Gb (Snow Leopard 10.6.8)
     Mac OS X (10.6.8),
     Couple of iPhones and an iPad

  • by Ralph Johns (UK),

    Ralph Johns (UK) Ralph Johns (UK) May 14, 2014 1:59 PM in response to Astrobutch09012311
    Level 9 (73,348 points)
    Applications
    May 14, 2014 1:59 PM in response to Astrobutch09012311

    Opps

    3Sigcopy2.png

    9:58 pm      Wednesday; May 14, 2014

     

    ​  iMac 2.5Ghz i5 2011 (Mavericks 10.9)
     G4/1GhzDual MDD (Leopard 10.5.8)
     MacBookPro 2Gb (Snow Leopard 10.6.8)
     Mac OS X (10.6.8),
     Couple of iPhones and an iPad

     

    Message was edited by: Ralph Johns (UK)

  • by Astrobutch09012311,

    Astrobutch09012311 Astrobutch09012311 May 14, 2014 2:12 PM in response to Ralph Johns (UK)
    Level 1 (0 points)
    May 14, 2014 2:12 PM in response to Ralph Johns (UK)

    Firewall is off and there are no 3rd party apps that I know of that block connections going out..

  • by Astrobutch09012311,

    Astrobutch09012311 Astrobutch09012311 May 14, 2014 2:17 PM in response to Astrobutch09012311
    Level 1 (0 points)
    May 14, 2014 2:17 PM in response to Astrobutch09012311

    OK I have figured it out.

     

    I have a VPN connection. When the session expires and logs me out then iMessage stops working.

     

    I just signed out of the VPN/Disconnected and all of a sudden my messages came in and I was able to start a conversation.

     

    I will let the owner of the VPN know

     

    Thanks Ralph for your tenacity..

     

    Butch

  • by Ralph Johns (UK),

    Ralph Johns (UK) Ralph Johns (UK) May 15, 2014 11:02 AM in response to Astrobutch09012311
    Level 9 (73,348 points)
    Applications
    May 15, 2014 11:02 AM in response to Astrobutch09012311

    Hi,

     

    A VPN.

    I will try top remember that one.

    Thanks for letting us know you found the answer.

     

     

    3Sigcopy2.png

    7:02 pm      Thursday; May 15, 2014

     

    ​  iMac 2.5Ghz i5 2011 (Mavericks 10.9)
     G4/1GhzDual MDD (Leopard 10.5.8)
     MacBookPro 2Gb (Snow Leopard 10.6.8)
     Mac OS X (10.6.8),
     Couple of iPhones and an iPad