Messenger problems: Cannot sign in, no error code

You cannot sign in to Messenger, but you do not see any specific error code? Your computer’s clock might go wrong.

Check if time and date are set correctly

• If you are using Windows Vista or Windows 7, click Start, and type Date and Time into the search box. Then press Enter.
• The Date and Time Properties dialog opens. Check if date and time are set correctly there. If not, change them and click OK afterwards.
• If you are using Windows XP, click Start, Run. In the textbox, type the following command and press Enter:
  control timedate.cpl
• The Date and Time Properties dialog opens. Check if date and time are set correctly there. If not, change them and click OK afterwards.

Empty the Messenger contacts cache

If you are using Windows Vista or Windows 7, try the following:

• Show hidden folders and files.
  • Click Start, Computer.
  • Open the Organize dropdown and choose Folder and search options.
  • In the appearing dialog Folder options, switch to the View tab.
  • Check the checkbox Show all folders and files, and click OK.
• Empty the Contacts cache.
  • Click Start, Computer.
  • Open the following folder:
    C:\\Users\\\\Contacts\\
  • Delete all files in this folder. Do NOT delete the folder itself, only its contents!
  • Now, open the following folder:
    C:\\Users\\\\AppData\\Local\\Microsoft\\Windows Live Contacts
  • Delete all subfolders and files inside this folder, including the hidden ones. Do NOT delete the folder Windows Live Contacts itself, only its contents!
  • Then close the open windows and retry to sign in to Messenger.

If you are using Windows XP, the following steps might work:

• Show hidden folders and files.
  • Click Start, My Computer.
  • Open the Tools menu, and choose Folder options…
  • In the appearing dialog Folder options, switch to the View tab.
  • Check the checkbox Show all folders and files, and click OK.
• Empty the Contacts cache.
  • Click Start, My Computer.
  • Open the following folder:
    C:\\Documents and Settings\\\\Contacts\\
  • Delete all files in this folder. Do NOT delete the folder itself, only its contents!
  • Now, open the following folder:
    C:\\Documents and Settings\\\\Local Settings\\Application Data \\Microsoft\\Windows Live Contacts
  • Delete all subfolders and files inside this folder, including the hidden ones. Do NOT delete the folder Windows Live Contacts itself, only its contents!
  • Then close the open windows and retry to sign in to Messenger.

If Messenger is not blocked by any firewall, the sign-in should now work. If these steps did not fix your sign-in issue, check your firewall settings or contact the Windows Live team at http://support.live.com/ .

Source: http://messengermaximal.spaces.live.com/Blog/cns!40F43EC9BA81D814!5382.entry