Messenger problems: Solving Messenger error code 81000306 at sign-in

Some of you have problems while trying to sign in to Messenger, receiving error code 81000306. Let’s take a look at the solution.

• Open the Messenger status website at http://status.messenger.msn.com/Status.aspx . If you see a green check there, that means that the Messenger service is running, and you can continue with the next step. If the service is not running properly, check back later, until it is running. Continue with the next step then.
• Delete the Windows Live Messenger proxy settings.
  • Start Messenger.
  • Open the menu next to your display name, and click Options.
  • In the left column, choose Connection.
  • At Connection settings, click the button Advanced settings.
  • Delete the SOCKS entries.
  • Click OK, then again OK.
  • After you have deleted the proxy settings, retry to sign in to Messenger. If it still doesn’t work, continue with the next step.

• If you are using Windows Vista, disable the auto-tuning feature.
  • Click Start, All Programs, Accessories.
  • Right-click the entry Command Prompt, and choose Run as administrator.
  • When Windows prompts for your consent, click Continue.
  • Now enter the following line in the command prompt, and press Enter:
    netsh interface tcp set global autotuninglevel=disabled
  • Note: using this command, you are disabling the Windows auto-tuning feature.
  • Now retry to sign in to Messenger.
  • If it still doesn’t work, re-enable the auto-tuning feature by repeating the preceding steps, yet typing this line instead:
    netsh interface tcp set global autotuninglevel=normal
• If you are using Windows Vista and a router (e.g. made by Linksys, Netgear, D-Link) to connect to the Internet, visit your manufacturer’s website to check for updates to your router’s firmware.

If these steps do not resolve your problem with Windows Live Messenger error code 81000306, please refer to http://support.live.com/ to get further support.

Source: http://messengermaximal.spaces.live.com/Blog/cns!40F43EC9BA81D814!5276.entry