TechTips - Windows Live Messenger Won't Sign in Error 80048820 or 81000314

I ran into a very common problem that seems to affect a lot of users of the popular Microsoft instant messaging software program MSN Live Messenger. I got the 80048820 the actual message looks like this when displayed in Windows 7:

"Signing in to Windows Live Messenger failed because the service is temporarily unavailable. Please try again later. Error code: 80048820." (Possibly different error code number another common one is 81000314)

Well there isn't a single fix because honestly it could be many different things in your PC configuration. This article tells you the most common things to do to try to fix this issue and how to do each one step by step.

So first you will want to make sure your date and time are set properly on your computer. I know this seems like a dumb reason for your Windows Live Messenger not signing in but it's probably the culprit 75% of the time. So to change the time you will want to do the following:

Click Start button

Click Control Panel

Double Click Date and Time

Click Change Date and Time

Set the Date and Time to the proper settings

Click OK

Click OK

Close the control panel

Test your Windows Live Messenger

If that worked then you are done and can go enjoy chatting with your friends. If it didn't work then let's continue with other solutions.

Another common problem is when the Windows Firewall is turned on or not set to allow Windows Live Messenger through. So we can do one of two things, we can shut off the firewall (I would only do this if you have a good Antivirus program) or we can allow Windows Messenger Live access through the firewall (probably a better option for novices).

So to turn off the Windows Firewall do the following:

Click Start button

Click Control Panel

Double Click Windows Firewall icon

Click on the Link on the left "Turn Windows Firewall on or off"

Select the off option (you may have more than one network so select it for each if you do)

Click OK

Close the Windows Firewall option page

Close Control Panel

Test your Windows Live Messenger

If this solves your problem then you are done if not the lets add an exception to the Windows Firewall to allow Windows Messenger Live. To do this do the following:

Click Start button

Click Control Panel

Double Click Windows Firewall icon

Click on the Link on the left "Allow a program through Windows Firewall"

ENTER OPTIONS HERE

Click OK

Close the Windows Firewall option page

Close Control Panel

Test your Windows Live Messenger

Again if this step worked then you are done, if not please continue reading for more solutions to try.

Next thing I would try is to re-register the DLL (Dynamic Link Library) softpub.dll with Windows, it's a long shot fix but is easy enough to try just in case it is your problem. To re-register the DLL do the following: (if you have questions about regsrv check out this link)

Click Start

Click Run (Vista/Windows 7 Search Box)

Type CMD

Hit enter

Type regsvr32 softpub.dll

Hit enter

It should give you a message saying it worked

Test Messenger

If this worked then you are done and can enjoy MSN Live once again. If not there are a few other fixes you can try. I am not going to go to in-depth on the next fixes/work around. First thing I would try is to uninstall and then reinstall the MSN live software; you can get the newest version HERE.

You can also try installing the Trillian messenger software; this software allows you to use MSN and various other chat programs via the Trillian software. It's a safe and trusted chat client, it might solve your problem, if you are desperate I suggest at least trying it.

You can also try the website Meboo.com and use the MSN chat function via their website. It works pretty well and might be another viable work around.