Q: My Messages application on my Mac stopped working suddenly. It won't receive or let me send messages from my computer. What should ... My Messages application on my Mac stopped working suddenly. It won't receive or let me send messages from my computer. What should I do to fix this problem? more
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Helpful answers
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Nov 1, 2014 8:27 PM in response to Ralph Johns (UK)by kinaed,Find com.apple.ids.service.com.apple.madrid.plist
Drag it to the Trash.
Restart the Messages app.
Tried this (previously, and now again) and it did not solve the problem.
If that doers not work then delete the com.apple.imagent.plist
This will need a restart of the computer as the IMAgent app is a support app that starts up when the computer does.
Tried this, it did not work.
if that does not work then check your Contacts App > Card Menu > My Card.
This card should be the one with your Details. If it is not then it can have repercussion elsewhere such as logging in Accounts in Messages.
My contact info is correct.
As we have tried a PRAM/NVRAM reset early on I suggest you also try a Safe Boot if the above have not worked.
Some of the OS features are reduced in this type of boot but it does clear some caches that other methods cannot.If it works in Safe Boot then restart the computer normally.
Could not get into safe mode. Tried booting with the shift key down, and it "booted" into spinning beach ball mode. Not sure why this happened, but all I could get was a spinning beach ball in the upper right corner of the screen, no mouse, etc. for about 30 minutes until I reset.
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Nov 2, 2014 12:59 PM in response to kinaedby Ralph Johns (UK),Hi,
Strangely the Safe Boot doc (OS X: What is Safe Boot, Safe Mode? - Apple Support) does not state what to do in that situation.
Make sure your User Accounts needs a Password (set in System Preferences > Users an Groups)
Also in the same spot change the Login Options (under the list of Users) to Login to your Mac User Account on Start up.
I would also use the Font Book app and check all the System Fonts validate before try Safe Boot again.
8:59 pm Sunday; November 2, 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 -
Nov 3, 2014 12:38 AM in response to greencm5by quickerer,I had this problem too and it was driving me mad. This may seem like a simple idea but I just discovered that my account had been logged out.
Go to Messages > Preferences > Accounts and check if your account is shown as inactive. If so then sign that account in and it should start working again.
Simple but worked for me.
D.
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Nov 4, 2014 7:56 PM in response to Ralph Johns (UK)by kinaed,I did all you suggested, found one corrupt font, and deleted it. Still can't boot into safe mode.
I anticipate, however that iMessage will work in safe mode, as it worked when I created a new account. Something about my account is causing the issue, and I still think it is an account permissions issue but I don't know what it could be.
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Nov 5, 2014 11:53 AM in response to kinaedby Ralph Johns (UK),Hi,
Use the Font Book option that Restores System Fonts.
It does seem strange that Fonts might be the key and that a second account works.
Sounds like there might be a Font that has been substituted in Your account that is the issue.
7:53 pm Wednesday; November 5, 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 -
Nov 5, 2014 12:15 PM in response to Ralph Johns (UK)by kinaed,There was only one corrupt font, and that was installed by Quicken years ago. I removed it.
All other fonts passed without issue.
I'll try the restore system fonts option, however.
Thx.
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Nov 5, 2014 12:30 PM in response to kinaedby Ralph Johns (UK),What we may be talking about here is a conflict rather than a faulty font.
For instance Helevtica Fractions will upset iChat in it's messages sending.
http://designdepartment.wordpress.com/2007/04/04/garbled-font-in-ichat-mail/
I have yet to hear of any specific ones happening for Messages
8:30 pm Wednesday; November 5, 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 -
Nov 18, 2014 8:08 PM in response to Ralph Johns (UK)by kinaed,Update:
I've pretty much given up on this working as I am completely frustrated and have had enough dicking around with it try to get it to "just work".
Restored standard fonts, still cannot boot into safe mode.
Upgraded to OSX 10.10.1 & iOS 8.1.1 hoping there would magically be a fix. Nope.
Annoyingly, I do get SMS messages from non Mac/iOS users <cough> Android </cough> and Apple (two-step verification codes), but cannot send/receive any iMessages.
How ironic.
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Nov 19, 2014 1:09 PM in response to kinaedby Ralph Johns (UK),Hi,
This is odd.
It is not the only thread where, after pairing the iPhone and the Mac SMS messages can be Received and Sent but the iMessages ones can't.
Try deleting com.apple.imservice.ids.iMessage.plist, com.apple.ids.service.com.apple.madrid.plist and com.apple.imessages.bag.plist
There is a long winded way of moving half the com.apple.*.plists to the Desktop and then moving half those back at a time until you find a group that replicates the issue then you work though that group.
It is time consuming. It requires you Start the computer after each move.
You would also need to replace the newly created .plists with the Desktop ones as in some cases they hold the licence for that app.
Generally if the Contacts app (Address Book) and the Mail app are working you don't have to move these.
9:09 pm Wednesday; November 19, 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 -
Jan 11, 2015 7:04 PM in response to greencm5by idntknw,I did a fresh install of Yosemite today and I can't send or receive iMessages now.
I tried all the suggestions in this thread and nothing works. The only way it will work is if I am in safe boot.
Any ideas?
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Jan 12, 2015 4:38 AM in response to idntknwby idntknw,And I deleted the suggested files but I couldn't find or do not have a com.apple.imessages.bag.plist file.
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Jan 12, 2015 11:43 AM in response to idntknwby Ralph Johns (UK),Hi,
From when this thread Started to Yosemite today the com.apple.imessages.bag.plist has moved.
It is not in ~/Library/Containers/com.apple.iChat/Data/Library/Preferences
To Access this folder I would use the Finder > Go Menu > Go to Folder and enter the above in the Dialogue box.
If Outgoing Messages are showing up as Not Delivered and you are not seeing incoming ones then call Apple Support.
You will have to say that it is an Apple ID/Account issue and that it only effects the iMessages Login from your Mac.
It is most likely you will have to ask to speak to a Level two person as the Level 1 people tend to very Script Led and try to fit everything into either Software or Hardware issue which can be charged fro if AppleCare has run out. Level 2 people are more aware that in some cases the iMessages Servers refuse or partially reject Logins from Mac devices requiring a reset.
7:43 pm Monday; January 12, 2015
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 -
Aug 21, 2015 2:17 AM in response to Ralph Johns (UK)by memedakay,thanks!!! my imsg works now! this really helped!!!! =) 5 stars!!
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by Ralph Johns (UK),Aug 21, 2015 12:25 PM in response to memedakay
Ralph Johns (UK)
Aug 21, 2015 12:25 PM
in response to memedakay
Level 9 (72,994 points)
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