Troubleshooting Yahoo! Messenger on a Mac

This article troubleshoots problems with logging in, adding or deleting contacts, and adding, removing or ignoring list entries.

Before we get started: If you haven't already, we highly recommend that you download the latest version of Yahoo! Messenger for Mac. We've found that most users' issues disappeared after updating to the latest version of the software.

It's fast and easy! You can get the latest version of Yahoo! Messenger for Mac at:

http://messenger.yahoo.com

First, make sure that you're connected to the Internet. Opening a browser (Safari, Firefox, Internet Explorer) is a quick way to test if you're online.

Then, let's make sure that your Messenger connection preferences are correctly set.

Here's how:

1. Select Messenger from the main menu.
2. Select Preferences
3. Click Connection
4. Select the Firewall with no proxies option.
5. Click OK. Messenger will ask you if you want to re-sign in with your new proxy settings.
6. Click OK
7. Enter your ID and password and click Sign In

Note: Connecting in this way disables Yahoo! Messenger's Voice feature.

If your issue is still unresolved, then you can try this:

1. Select Messenger from the main menu
2. Select Preferences
3. Click Connection
4. Select the No network detection option
5. Click OK. Messenger will ask you if you want to sign in with your new proxy settings.
6. Click OK.
7. Enter your ID and password and click Sign In.

It is possible you could be behind a firewall. If you are still having trouble, then try these steps:

1. Select Messenger from the main menu.
2. Select Preferences
3. Click Connection
4. Select the Use proxies option. Here you can enter your firewall and/or proxy server's address and port number. Please contact your network administrator (if you're at work), or your Internet service provider (if you're at home) to determine the correct firewall and proxy settings.
5. Click OK. Messenger will ask you if you want to sign in with your new proxy settings.
6. Click OK.
7. Enter your ID and password and click Sign In.

If you're still unable to connect, try disabling your firewall. There are lots of types of firewall applications. It's possible you've got one or more of these running on your computer:

• Symantec/Norton Internet Security Suite
• Symantec/Norton Personal Firewall
• McAfee Internet Security Suite
• McAfee Personal Firewall
• ZoneAlarm
• F-Secure Internet Security
• Windows XP Windows Firewall
• Mac OS X Personal Firewall

Do you have any of the above applications installed?

If so, no problem. You may need to configure the firewall to allow the necessary connections from Yahoo! Messenger, or to disable your firewall.

Unfortunately, we can't do that for you. You'll need to refer to the manufacturer or developer of your product if you need help with the configuration or disabling of your firewall or proxy server.

Note: Yahoo! Premium Voice services (Phone In and Phone Out), Yahoo! Webcam, and Yahoo! Voice Chat are not supported through a Proxy Server.

Add Yahoo! Messenger to exception list

In some cases you can add the executable file to the exception list for your firewall.

On Mac OS X, you'll need to do the following:

1. Open System Preferences
2. Click Security
3. Click Firewall
4. Select Set access for specific services and applications
5. Click the plus (+) sign at the bottom of the list window.
6. Locate Yahoo! Messenger
7. Select Yahoo! Messenger and click Add. By default, new applications added to this list are set to Allow incoming connections
8. Close System Preferences

CONFIGURING THE FIREWALL OR PROXY SERVER:

Usually, you can configure your firewall (often part of your DSL or broadband router or wireless router) using the router configuration software you used to install your router.

You run this from your computer, so you may have the software already installed or on your router installation CD or DVD. If you're at work, you probably don't have the software, and will need to contact your network administrator.

If you do have the software, please enter the following server and port info:

Basic Connection:
Protocol: TCP
Servers:

• scs.msg.yahoo.com
• scsa.msg.yahoo.com
• scsb.msg.yahoo.com
• scsc.msg.yahoo.com
• scsd.msg.yahoo.com
• scse.msg.yahoo.com
• scsf.msg.yahoo.com

Ports:

Server: 5050, 23, 80, 25, 119, 20
Peer-to-peer: 5101

If you try all of the above and Messenger still can't connect, please contact your network administrator, ISP (Internet Service Provider), or whoever initially set up your computer to make sure that your firewall and/or proxy settings are correct.