micaiahstratton
Level 1 (0 points)

Q: Can't use iMessage on my computer?

My iMessage was working perfectly on my computer, then a few days ago it stopped working - all of the names of my contacts are red and none of my messages will go through and i am not receiving any as well. I did not change anything, it just suddenly stopped working. Ive tried so many things but nothing is working. It is telling me that i need to log into google talk (talk.google.com) but it won't accept any password that I am giving it even though i am pretty sure that my username or password has not changed in the last few days... its all very confusing. has this happened to anyone else and can someone please help me fix it ?

Posted on Sep 20, 2015 1:48 PM

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micaiahstratton

Q: Can't use iMessage on my computer?

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  • Helpful answers

  • by Drew Reece,

    Drew Reece Drew Reece Sep 20, 2015 2:05 PM in response to micaiahstratton
    Level 5 (7,664 points)
    Notebooks
    Sep 20, 2015 2:05 PM in response to micaiahstratton

    Messages app on the Mac supports many different types of service - are you using a Google account or an Apple ID?

     

    I would login to the Google account in Safari to be sure that your account password is correct, make sure you type in the password - auto fill may have remembered another password.

     

    You can also open System Preferences > Internet accounts. Check the Google account is setup there, consider removing & recreating that account (bear in mind it will effect other services if you use them like calendars etc), backup first.

  • by Ralph Johns (UK),

    Ralph Johns (UK) Ralph Johns (UK) Sep 21, 2015 1:11 PM in response to micaiahstratton
    Level 9 (73,203 points)
    Applications
    Sep 21, 2015 1:11 PM in response to micaiahstratton

    Hi,

     

    Can I be pedantic about the semantics of what Drew is asking ?

     

    iMessages works using an Apple ID.

    Of course for some people that is an external to Apple email ID such as a Google one.

     

    Whilst System Preferences > iCloud  (or Internet Account > iCloud) has nothing about Messages or iMessages  the Apple ID in this case can be also used to Login to the Google Jabber Server fro what used to be called GoogleTalk.

     

    Sometimes you get the odd error message you have.

    On check the Messages > Preferences > Account pane the iMessages account can sometimes say it is listed as Jabber account.

     

    Can you confirm your Account section in the Messages Preferences is trying to list your iMessages Account as a Jabber one ?

    Also has the Bonjour account disappeared (it is not delete-able but I have seen pics with it missing.) ?

     

     

     

     

    3Sigcopy2.png

    9:11 p.m.      Monday; September 21, 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

  • by dpo.overture,

    dpo.overture dpo.overture Sep 21, 2015 1:22 PM in response to Ralph Johns (UK)
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Sep 21, 2015 1:22 PM in response to Ralph Johns (UK)

    Hello,

     

    mine shows the jabber function and bonjour function but has declined both my apple id password and gmail password.

     

    thank you.

  • by Ralph Johns (UK),

    Ralph Johns (UK) Ralph Johns (UK) Sep 21, 2015 1:35 PM in response to dpo.overture
    Level 9 (73,203 points)
    Applications
    Sep 21, 2015 1:35 PM in response to dpo.overture

    Hi,

     

    Does it show an iMessages one ?

    Are you using Jabber  and not iMessages or has the item become distorted like I described ?

     

    If the iMessages account has been "lost" then use the Finder Window > Go Menu whilst holding down th ALT key.

    Select the Library that appears.

    Navigate to Preferences.

    Find the com.apple.ids.service.com.apple.madrid.plist and drag it to the Trash then restart the app.

     

     

     

     

    3Sigcopy2.png

    9:35 p.m.      Monday; September 21, 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