How to Fix BlackBerry Messenger Contact Stuck As Pending

It’s happened to all of us at least once, especially when we get our first BlackBerry smartphone. You add a contact to BlackBerry Messenger (BBM) and what happens? They’re stuck as pending and you don’t know why! This issue can lead to mini tantrums if not fixed as soon as possible. That’s why I decided to post about the recently published KB12319 on RIM’s support site which offers some help for this problem. Here are some of the causes of a “pending” contact:

• Network delays
• The BlackBerry messenger request is being sent via email and the acknowledgment was placed in the users SPAM/Junk mail folder.
• There may be corruption in the BlackBerry Messenger installation or contacts list.
• The PIN of the recipient or the sending BlackBerry smartphone is not active on the wireless network.
• The incorrect PIN was used when sending the request.

If you’re experiencing this problem be sure to check out the full guide below with info on how to possibly fix and avoid future “pending” issues. Let me know if you found this helpful!

Cause 1

• Network delays

Resolution 1

1. Send a PIN message to the contact to verify the PIN delivery status. For instructions, see KB02913.
2. Determine whether there is a delay with the PIN message delivery.
3. If the PIN message was not sent successfully, verify the signal status and contact the wireless service provider if there is an issue with PIN message delivery.

Cause 2

• The BlackBerry Messenger request is being sent via email and the acknowledgment was places in the users SPAM/Junk mail folder.

Resolution 2

1. Log in to your email account
2. Check the SPAM/Junk folder.
3. If the acknowledgment is there, mark it is as not SPAM/Junk and wait for the BlackBerry® Internet Service to deliver the message to your device.

Cause 3

• There may be corruption in the BlackBerry Messenger installation or contacts list.

Resolution 3

1. Make sure that a backup has been made of the BlackBerry Messenger contacts. For instructions, see KB12487.
2. Remove and reinstall BlackBerry Messenger using the Application Loader tool in BlackBerry® Desktop Manager. For instructions, see KB03621.

OR

Clear the BlackBerry Messenger contacts list through the Backup and Restore tool in BlackBerry Desktop Manager. To perform this, complete the following steps:

• 1. Open BlackBerry Desktop Manager.
  2. Connect the BlackBerry smartphone to the computer.
  3. Double-click on Backup & Restore.
  4. Click Advanced.
  5. In the right-hand pane, locate and select BlackBerry Messenger and click Clear.
  6. Add contacts back to BlackBerry Messenger and send another request to the desired BlackBerry smartphone user.

Cause 4

• The PIN of the recipient or the sending BlackBerry smartphone is not active on the wireless network.

Resolution 4

• Verify that both BlackBerry smartphone PINs are active on the wireless network.

Cause 5

• The incorrect PIN was used when sending the request.

Resolution 5

• Verify that the correct PIN is being used and then resend the request.