What Does Unable to Load Venmo iMessage Mean
1. The Bummer of Them All….Venmo is Down
Sometimes, the problem has nothing to do with the user or the program itself. If you’re having problems using Venmo, it could be that Venmo’s server is down due to a technical issue on their end. If that is the case, you will not be able to access Venmo on your phone or on your computer until they have resolved their issue. There are free websites online that will allow you to check if the issue is Venmo’s server rather than an issue with your account. A few possibilities include DownDetector or IsItDownRightNow.
Fix – Wait For Venmo Servers to Correct Itself
If the issue is Venmo’s server, there isn’t much that you can do on your end except wait for the technical issue to be resolved. Fortunately, issues with Venmo’s servers are normally fixed in a short amount of time. If you’ve been receiving error messages, specifically “Bad State” error messages, Venmo recommends that you wait a little while and then attempt your transaction again due to a technical problem. If your transaction was a payment or a bank transfer, check your transaction history first to see if it went through before trying again. To check your transaction history on your computer, open Venmo and log in. Once logged in, click on “Statements” on the left-hand side of your screen. Your transaction history will then be visible. If you would rather see your transaction history through the app, open the Venmo app on your phone and click on “Me” in the bottom left corner. This will show you your Venmo balance as well as all of the transactions you’ve completed.
2. Is it Possible You’ve Got A Bug?
Venmo is a really convenient way to pay and receive money, but sometimes there are issues with your account. If you’re getting 400 or 403 messages, it could be because you’re trying to do something on the app or online that Venmo either doesn’t allow or cannot do. If the issues are related to a payment or bank transfer, ensure you haven’t exceeded your limits. Further, Venmo will only allow you to log in from the U.S., so if you’re traveling abroad, that could be the reason for your problem. When you are trying to log in, be sure that you’re choosing to “Sign In” instead of “Sign Up”, as you could be attempting to create a new account with information that Venmo already has assigned to another user. Finally, check and make sure your financial information is correct and verified. If your information is wrong, you won’t be able to complete any transactions. If you’ve done everything above and are finding that you are still unable to complete your transactions or are receiving error messages, try the fixes below to see if they resolve your problem:
Fix – Log Out and Log In
It could be possible that you need to log out and log back in to your account to fix the issue. To do this through the Venmo app, open the app and select “Me” in the bottom right corner. From here, you will see a gear icon for your Venmo settings on the top right corner. Tap the gear icon and scroll all the way down to the bottom. The final option is the “Sign Out” button. Tap this and Venmo will prompt you to verify your decision. Tap “Ok” and you will be logged out of the app. Wait a few minutes and then log back in using your email and password. If you are using an internet browser, log in to Venmo and you will see your home screen. Scroll down and look on the left side menu. The final option is to sign out. Click on “Log Out” and you will be taken back to the login screen. Wait a few minutes, log back in, and see if your problem has been resolved.
Fix 2 – Clear The Cache
A cache is a form of temporary storage on your computer or phone that stores information from websites and apps. Some users don’t really pay attention to this storage, but if it becomes too full, it can slow down or time out programs like Venmo. To clear your cache through Venmo on your phone, open your settings and locate your apps. Search for Venmo or scroll through your apps and select Venmo. Choose “Storage” and select “Clear Cache”. This will clear the cache for Venmo on your phone. If you are wanting to clear your cache on your browser, it will depend on what browser you use. If you are using Google Chrome, open Chrome in a browser or your app and click on the three vertical dots in the right corner. A dropdown menu will appear, and you will need to hover your mouse over “More Tools”. A new menu will pop out, and you will click on “Clear Browsing History”. A new menu, entitled “Clear Browsing History”, will appear. Select your time range from the drop down options. If you are wanting to clear everything, choose “All Time”. You can select three boxes to clear your information, so be sure that the “Cookies and Other Site Data” and the “Cached Images and Files” boxes have blue check marks next to them. Click the blue “Clear Data” box. It may take a few minutes, depending on how long it has been since you’ve cleared this information. Once complete, the box will disappear. However, this will clear the cache for your entire browser, not just Venmo.
Fix 3 – Update the App
Apps are constantly being updated, and an outdated version of Venmo could be preventing you from completing your transactions. To remedy this problem, you need to see if your app version is up-to-date. If you use Google Play, open it on your phone. Select your image on the top right hand corner and select “My Apps & Games”. Your screen will then show you all of the apps that you have installed on your phone. Check to see if Venmo appears under the “Update Pending” list. If it is there, click on the white “Update” box next to the app so that you have the latest version. If you use an iPhone or iPad, you can manually check for updates by accessing the App store. Once the App store is open, select your profile icon at the top of your screen and check your pending updates. If Venmo requires an update, select “Update” next to the app. If you choose to, you can also delete the app from your phone and then reinstall it using either the Google Play store or the App Store for Apple products. Deleting and reinstalling the app will not affect your account with Venmo.
Fix 4 – Use Venmo on Browser instead of App
One potential reason that you are experiencing issues with Venmo could be due to your phone. If the app is updated but you are still having problems, try accessing Venmo through your preferred internet browser. In the search bar, access Venmo through their URL. Log in using the same email and password that you use on the app. Though the interface is a little different than the app, you will still be able to see your transactions, pay or request money, and make adjustments to your account.
Fix 5 – Contact Venmo
If you’ve verified that Venmo’s servers are not down, tried all of the fixes above, and still unable to complete or receive transactions, it may be time to contact Venmo. Venmo has a form you can fill out with your information so that someone on their team can look into your issue and assist you further. The form asks for information including your name, phone number, email address that you use for your account, and allows you to write an email-style description of your problem. You can also include attachments, so consider including screenshots of your problem so that the tech can better assist you with your specific issue. Always be sure to protect your privacy by covering any identifiable personal information before including screenshots, credit card information, or banking information. There is also the option to “speak” with a Venmo chatbot to help you trouble shoot your problems. When you click on the help link above in an internet browser, the option to speak with the chatbot automatically appears in the bottom left-hand corner. Choose to “try it now” and the chatbot window will open. The chatbot provides you with different subject areas to try to help you troubleshoot, including “Login Issues”, “My Transactions”, “Missing Payment”, “Getting Started”, “Bank Transfers”, “Disputes”, “Declines”, and “Venmo Issued Cards”. Select your specific problem, and the chatbot will continue to provide you with prompts to select to narrow down the setback. Once you have progressed through all of the sections, the chatbot will provide instructions and ask if your problem has been resolved. If the problem is fixed, you’ll just select “Yes, I’m all set”; however, if the problem still exists, you can choose “No, I need more help”. The chatbot will then tell you to fill out the form so that a member of customer support can help. While that may be a little disheartening, the overall goal of the chatbot is to help you troubleshoot to potentially fix the dilemma before you’re forced to wait on customer service. Venmo does have a verified Venmo Support Twitter to assist you through your social media. Their Twitter handle is @VenmoSupport and can be accessed. You can tweet Venmo directly, but be sure not to put any of your private information in the tweet. The typical response is for them to request a DM with your name, phone number, and the email address you have on file with Venmo. According to Venmo’s help page, their fastest service is available by speaking with a representative through the app on your phone. There are hours of operation, however, so be sure that you’re doing so during their business hours. They are available Monday through Friday from 6:00am to 11:59pm Central Time, and Saturday and Sunday from 8:00am to 10:00pm Central Time. If you’d rather speak with someone directly, you can physically call customer service at (855) 812-4430 from 8:00am to 8:00pm Central Time, any day of the week.
3. Poor Internet Connection
A poor internet connection will prevent you from being able to complete transactions, regardless of if you are on your phone or using your computer or tablet. To determine the strength of your internet on your computer, left click on the internet icon on your desktop’s taskbar. This will show you what network you are currently connected to, as well as other available networks. Ensure that you are connected to your network. Typically, the network that you are connected to will be the first network that shows up on the list. If you are connected but there seems to be a problem, open the “Networks and Internet Settings” and view the status page. The status page should indicate that you are connected to the internet directly under the network’s name. Select “Properties” and scroll down to your network’s information. Look at the link speed (receive/transmit) and ensure that the numbers are the same, if not very close together. This information tells you how well your internet is working. If there is a connectivity issue, right click on your internet icon on your desktop’s taskbar and select “Open Network and Internet Settings”. Scroll down and select “Network Troubleshooter”. A diagnostic will begin to run and prompt you to select the network adapter you want to diagnose. To troubleshoot all forms, select “All Network Adapters” and click “Next”. The diagnostic will scan for issues and then continue to guide you through prompts to identify and fix the specific issue.
Fix – Turn Wi-Fi Off Then On. Do the Same with Data.
If you are trying to access Venmo through Wi-Fi, you may need to disconnect and reconnect to your network to see if that fixes the problem. If you are using a computer, left click on your internet icon on your desktop’s taskbar and select “disconnect” from your network. Wait a few minutes and then repeat the same process, except select “connect” to the network and see if that helps. If you are on your phone, go to your internet and Wi-Fi information under your phone’s settings and disconnect from the network. This will automatically revert your phone to using your cellular provider’s data, so be prepared for potential charges if you proceed to use Venmo without being connected to your Wi-Fi. Wait a few minutes and reconnect to your network through your phone’s settings to see if a connectivity issue was the problem. Sometimes, cell phone users will find Wi-Fi connection issues if they’re out in public and have found themselves outside of a data coverage area. Users who have their Wi-Fi turned on may automatically connect to an available Wi-Fi network that isn’t providing any network access. Always be sure that you are connected to a secure, safe Wi-Fi network if you use any mobile banking app. Disconnecting and reconnecting to your phone’s data may also provide a solution. To turn it off and then back on, access your phone’s settings and select connections. Select “Data Usage” and then select “Mobile Networks”. Uncheck the “Mobile Data” section and wait a few minutes before reconnecting. Check and ensure that you have sufficient storage and memory on your phone or computer. Not having enough storage or memory can cause Venmo to not work. Also, if you are using a Virtual Private Network (also known as a VPN), you may want to try disconnecting and reconnecting to it to see if this resolves the problem.
Fix 2 – Restart Router
If you are at home and you’ve tried disconnecting and reconnecting to your Wi-Fi, it may be possible that your router needs to be restarted. Home routers are always plugged in and may need a few minutes to cool down. To restart, locate your router. If your router is connected to a modem, you may also need to restart the modem to fix a connectivity issue. Start by unplugging the router and the modem. Don’t rely on a reset button on the router or modem; using this feature could possibly revert your router or modem back to its factory settings and cause more problems. Leave your router and/or modem unplugged for at least 30 seconds. If you have a router/modem combo, you’ll then plug in the modem first. Allow the modem to power on and cycle through for at least a minute, and then plug your router back in. Depending on your router, you may need to locate and press a power button to turn it back on. Wait for about two to three minutes for everything to be powered back on, and then attempt to reconnect your device. It isn’t always necessary to restart your phone or computer after troubleshooting your router and/or modem; however, you may want to do this to see if the issue is resolved.
Fix 3 – Reset Router
A common technology problem in many households is that users don’t always realize that there is a difference between restarting a router versus resetting a router. Restarting a router means that you’ve turned it off and taken away the power supply; resetting a router is essentially erasing everything customized to your network and returning it to the state it was in when you first purchased the router. Resetting a router results in your custom password (if you created one) reverting back to the original password that came with the router and losing the Wi-Fi network information. Resetting a router is far more drastic and should only be done if everything else has failed. If you still need to reset your router, leave it plugged in. Locate the reset button on the back of the router- this is typically a small hole that you cannot accidentally hit. Use a paperclip, insert the end into the reset hole, and hold for around 30 seconds. Release the button and allow the router to power itself back on for a few minutes. Remember that if you have reset your router, you will need to use the original password that came with the router in order to access your network.
