The most effective solution for MSN not being able to sign in

If you are having trouble logging on to Windows Live Messenger, try a small collation of the following solutions:

View Messenger connection Settings

If you cannot log on to Messenger, it is possible that the connection settings in Messenger (the settings associated with the Internet connection) prevent you from connecting to the Windows Live ID or the. NET Messenger Service. The Messenger Connection Troubleshooter can often identify and fix these problems. If Messenger encounters a connection problem, the Connection Troubleshooter will start automatically. If you choose not to use the Connection Troubleshooter, or it fails to resolve your connection problem:

• On the Tools menu, click Options.

• Under Connections, click Advanced Settings.

• In the Settings dialog box, click Test in the HTTP section. When the test results appear in the Connection Test Program dialog box, click OK.

• Click OK, and then click OK again.

• Wait a few minutes, and then try to log on again.

Attention

• If you are using a 802.11b wireless card, the Connection Troubleshooter may indicate that you have a wired connection.

• To have Messenger record your logon process, under Windows Live Messenger settings, select the Save server connection log to help resolve connection issues check box. This log is helpful when you need to contact customer support.

To view your Internet connection settings

Verify that you are connected to the Internet by visiting another Web site. If the site is not open, contact your ISP (Internet service provider). The company that provides access to Internet services) contact for assistance to enable Internet connectivity. If you have previously been connected through a dial-up networking connection and are now using a different dial-up network connection, you will need to view your Internet connection settings.

• Start Internet Explorer.

• On the Tools menu, click Internet Options.

• Click the Connection tab.

• Click Dial regardless of whether the network connection is present or not.

"Viewing firewall settings does not prevent Windows Live Messenger

• Visit the MSN Web Messenger Web site to log on to MSN Web Messenger.

• Click "Start MSN Web Messenger", and then try to log on. If you can log on to MSN Web Messenger, the firewall may have blocked Messenger. If your computer is running Third-party (non-Microsoft) software or firewall software, make sure that the software is set to allow Messenger operations, and then try to log back in to Messenger.

Clear Windows Live Messenger proxy settings

• Launch Messenger.

• On the Tools menu, click Options.

• Under Connections, click Advanced Settings.

• Delete the entry under "SOCKS".

• Click OK, and then click OK again.

Adjust proxy settings for Windows Internet Explorer

• Start Internet Explorer.

• On the Tools menu, click Internet Options.

• On the Connections tab, click LAN Settings.

• Clear the Automatically detect settings check box.

• Click OK, and then click OK again.

Re-register SSL Security Library

• On the taskbar, click Start, and then click Run.

• Type "cmd" and click OK.

• Type each of the following commands, and then press Enter.

After each command has been successfully executed, you will receive the message: "DllRegisterServer successful." After you receive this information, you can continue to type the next command.

Windows 2000 and Windows XP:

%windir%system32regsvr32 Softpub.dll

%windir%system32regsvr32 Wintrust.dll

%windir%system32regsvr32 Initpki.dll

Windows Millennium Edition and Windows 98:

%windir%systemregsvr32 Softpub.dll

%windir%systemregsvr32 Wintrust.dll

%windir%systemregsvr32 Initpki.dll

View the date and time of the security certificate

Double-click the clock in the notification area, and then verify that the date and time settings are correct. The security certificate used to connect to the Windows Live ID must have the correct date and time settings.

Registering an XML library file

• On the taskbar, click Start, and then click Run.

• Type "%windir%system32 Egsvr32%windir%system32msxml3.dll", and then click OK.

If you successfully complete the registration, you will receive a confirmation message.

Clears the SSL status and AutoComplete history (Windows XP only).

• Start Internet Explorer.

• On the Tools menu, click Internet Options.

• Click the Content tab.

• Under Certificates, click Clear SSL status.

• When you receive a message stating that the SSL cache was successfully purged, click OK.

• Click Auto Complete. Select the items you want to clear, and then click OK.

Confirm Date and Time settings

• On the taskbar, click Start, and then click Run.

• Type "control Timedate.cpl", and then press Enter.

• Verify that the date and time settings on your computer are set correctly, and then click OK.

Confirm your credentials

• Visit the MSN Account Services Web site, and then click Login. If you are already logged on to the Windows Live ID, you will not receive a prompt to sign in again.

• Enter the username and password you used to sign in to Messenger, and then click OK.

After you successfully log on, you will see the logout button. If you receive an error message, your password is incorrect or your account has expired:

Change your password

• Go to the Windows Live ID Web site.

• If you are not already logged in, click "Sign In" and follow the instructions below to log in.

• Click Account information, and then click Change your password.

• Follow the instructions on the screen.

Reset a forgotten password

Click the "Forgot Password" button at the bottom of the Messenger login window, and then follow the on-screen instructions.

Change Messenger Automatic logon credentials

If Messenger automatically connects without prompting you to enter a password, you may have saved an incorrect password.

• In the Messenger login window, clear the Remember my password check box to activate the password check box.

• Type your password in the Password box, and then select the Remember my password check box to save the updated password.

• Select the Automatically log on for me check box to turn on automatic logon.

Disable any antispyware programs that are running

Disable any antispyware programs that are running, and then try to log on to MSN Web Messenger. If you are unable to log on to MSN Web Messenger, contact the software manufacturer or view the software documentation for assistance.

Files necessary to update validation

• On the taskbar, click Start, and then click Run.

• Type "cmd" and click OK.

• Type each of the following commands, and then press Enter.

CD%allusersprofile%application datamicrosoftidentitycrl*.* Del *.dll

cd%appdata%microsoftidentitycrl*.* del *.dll

If you receive a prompt to confirm the deletion, press "Y".

Re-register an expired MSN e-mail address or sign up for a new MSN e-mail address

If you have not used your Hotmail or MSN e-mail address for a long time, or if your Windows Live ID profile uses a username that does not have "MSN" or "Hotmail" after the @ symbol, and you have not used the account for more than a year, The account will not be available.

To register for a new Hotmail account: Access Windows Live IDs. Click Register, and then follow the instructions on the screen.

Delete your Contacts cache folder

To remove your Contacts cache folder, you need to see the complete list of folders in Windows Explorer. To change your Windows Explorer settings:

• On the taskbar, right-click Start, and then select Explorer.

• Click Tools, and then select Folder Options.

• In the Folder Options window, click the View tab.

• In the Advanced Settings list, select Show hidden files and folders, make sure that hide extensions for known file types is not selected, and then click OK.

• In the Windows Explorer window, click View, select Explorer Bar, and then verify that folder is selected.

After you change your Windows Explorer settings:

• On the taskbar, right-click Start, and then select Explorer.

• In the Folder list in the left pane, locate the folder c:documents and Settingsyour Windows logon namecontactsyour Messenger email address.

• Delete all files in the your Messenger email address folder

• In the Folder list in the left pane, locate the folder Documents and Settingsyour Windows logon namelocal settingsapplication datamicrosoftwindows Live Contactsyour Messenger Email Address

• Delete the "real" and "Shadow" folders in the Your Messenger email address folder.

• Shut down Windows Explorer and try to sign in to Messenger again.