There are a few common reasons why you may be unable to load your LinkedIn messages:
You are not connected to the sender
On LinkedIn, you can only view messages from people you are connected to. If someone who is not in your network tries to message you, you will not be able to view or reply to the message until you connect with them.
To check if this is the issue, go to the LinkedIn homepage and look for a notification that you have pending invitations or messages. If you see a notification, click on it and connect with the sender in order to view their message.
Your internet connection is unstable
A weak or unstable internet connection can prevent LinkedIn messages and notifications from loading properly. If you are trying to load messages over a slow network or one with frequent disruptions, you may encounter errors or lag when viewing new messages.
To troubleshoot, try loading your LinkedIn messages again over a stronger WiFi or cellular data connection. If the messages load correctly, then the problem likely lies with your original internet connection. Check for issues with your router, modem, or network that could be causing an unreliable connection.
The LinkedIn server is down
Though rare, it is possible for LinkedIn’s servers to experience outages that prevent some features from working properly. If the LinkedIn website and mobile app are completely inaccessible for you, this points to a larger server or network issue.
Check LinkedIn’s help page or Twitter account to see if they have posted about any known service disruptions. You can also try logging out and back in or reinstalling the mobile app to see if this resolves the problem on your end.
Your account is restricted
In some cases, LinkedIn may restrict certain account functions as a result of suspicious activity. For example, if your account was flagged for spamming or spreading inappropriate content, LinkedIn may limit your messaging abilities.
You will likely receive an email notification from LinkedIn if your account has been restricted. Check your email and account settings to see if your messaging privileges have been suspended. You may need to contact LinkedIn customer support to regain full access.
LinkedIn is experiencing a bug
Like any software platform, LinkedIn can occasionally suffer from bugs that cause specific features to malfunction. A bug preventing message loading may be tied to a recent app update or change on LinkedIn’s end.
Check LinkedIn’s status page and user forums to see if other users are reporting the same messaging errors. Try updating your LinkedIn app to the latest version as well. If the issue started right after an update, a bug is likely to blame.
How to troubleshoot and fix LinkedIn message loading issues
If you are unable to load LinkedIn messages, there are a few steps you can take to troubleshoot and resolve the problem:
Check your internet connection
Make sure you have a stable internet connection on your device by running a speed test and browsing other websites. Connect to a different WiFi network or switch to mobile data if needed.
Restart the LinkedIn app
Force quit and relaunch the LinkedIn mobile app if you are trying to load messages on your phone or tablet. This can clear any temporary glitches.
Log out and log back in
Fully logging out of your LinkedIn account everywhere and then logging back in can sometimes resolve account and loading issues.
Clear your browser cache
On desktop browsers, clear your browsing data and cache to eliminate any corrupted LinkedIn files that could be interfering with message loading.
Check LinkedIn’s status page
See if LinkedIn has reported any service outages or disruptions on their status page that could explain the problem loading messages.
Update the LinkedIn app
Install the latest version of the LinkedIn mobile app, as an update may have addressed bugs preventing messages from loading.
Contact LinkedIn customer support
If all else fails, reach out to LinkedIn’s customer support through their help center. They can look into any account restrictions or other issues on LinkedIn’s end.
What to do if LinkedIn messages won’t load on desktop
If you are unable to load LinkedIn messages when using the desktop website, try the following steps to resolve the issue:
- Check for internet connectivity problems on your computer.
- Use a different web browser or try loading LinkedIn in an incognito/private window.
- Clear your browser cache and cookies.
- Log out and log back into LinkedIn in your browser.
- Make sure you have the latest version of your web browser.
- Try disabling browser extensions and plugins that may interfere with LinkedIn.
- Reset your browser to default settings if needed.
If the problem persists across browsers and devices, it’s likely a server-side issue on LinkedIn’s end. You will need to wait it out or contact LinkedIn support.
What to do if LinkedIn messages won’t load on mobile
On the LinkedIn mobile app for iOS or Android, try these steps to get messages loading again:
- Force quit and restart the LinkedIn app.
- Update to the latest version of the app.
- Toggle your phone’s airplane mode on and off to refresh the connection.
- Clear the app cache and data through your device settings.
- Uninstall and reinstall the LinkedIn app.
- Log out and back into the LinkedIn app.
- Ensure you have a strong WiFi or cellular data connection.
If you still see errors when trying to load messages, get in touch with LinkedIn’s mobile support for further assistance.
Preventing LinkedIn message issues in the future
To avoid LinkedIn message loading problems going forward, keep these tips in mind:
- Maintain a stable internet connection on all devices.
- Promptly update LinkedIn when new versions are released.
- Clear out browser and app caches occasionally.
- Don’t rely solely on LinkedIn messaging for important communications.
- Add important LinkedIn contacts so you can message them.
- Use LinkedIn’s status page to check for service issues.
Conclusion
LinkedIn message loading failures can be frustrating, but are often caused by fixable issues like network disruptions, outdated apps, or temporary bugs. Check for LinkedIn service problems, restart your app and browser, clear cached files, and ensure you have a connection to troubleshoot. Contact LinkedIn support if you continue experiencing unresolved message loading problems for help getting your communications back on track.