In this article, we will discuss how to fix the issue of Pidgin refusing to connect to Facebook Chat. We will cover the necessary settings for a successful connection, the use of the purple-facebook plugin, and other troubleshooting steps.
To fix Pidgin’s refusal to connect to Facebook Chat, ensure that your account settings are correctly configured with the XMPP protocol, username, domain, resource, password, and local alias. If the issue persists, try using the purple-facebook plugin, create an application password on Facebook, and consider changing the connect port if you’re behind a proxy.
Understanding the Problem
Pidgin is a popular chat client that supports multiple protocols, including XMPP, which was used by Facebook Chat. However, as of May 2015, Facebook no longer uses XMPP, which may cause connection issues in Pidgin.
Setting Up the Facebook Account in Pidgin
Before we delve into troubleshooting, let’s ensure that the basic settings for the Facebook account in Pidgin are correctly configured. Here’s what you need:
- Protocol: XMPP
- Username: The username that appears in your Facebook timeline URL (e.g., https://www.facebook.com/xyz)
- Domain: chat.facebook.com
- Resource: Pidgin (this is often missing)
- Password: Your Facebook account password
- Local alias: The desired alias for the account
On the advanced tab, use the following settings:
- Connect port: 5222
- Connect server: chat.facebook.com
Using the Purple-Facebook Plugin
Since Facebook no longer uses XMPP, you may need to use a plugin called purple-facebook. This plugin is available for both Windows and Linux and can be found at github.com/jgeboski/purple-facebook/wiki.
To install the plugin, download the appropriate file for your operating system and follow the instructions provided on the GitHub page. Once installed, you should be able to select “Facebook” as a protocol when adding a new account in Pidgin.
Authorizing the Account
If you’re still having trouble connecting, it may be because your account is not authorized to connect to Facebook. To solve this, you can create an application password. This is especially important if your Facebook password contains special characters that Pidgin may not handle well.
To create an application password, go to the security settings on Facebook and follow the instructions to generate a new password. Use this password when setting up the account in Pidgin.
Dealing with Proxies
If you’re behind a proxy, you may need to change the “connect port” from the default 5222 to 443. This is because some proxies block certain ports, and port 443, which is typically used for HTTPS traffic, is usually open.
Conclusion
In conclusion, if Pidgin is refusing to connect to Facebook Chat, check your account settings, consider using the purple-facebook plugin, create an application password on Facebook if necessary, and try changing the connect port if you’re behind a proxy. By following these steps, you should be able to resolve the issue and connect to Facebook Chat using Pidgin.
Pidgin may be experiencing connection issues with Facebook Chat because Facebook no longer uses XMPP, which is the protocol that Pidgin supports. This change by Facebook can cause compatibility issues with Pidgin.
The purple-facebook plugin is a plugin for Pidgin that allows it to connect to Facebook Chat, even though Facebook no longer uses XMPP. It provides the necessary support for Pidgin to connect to Facebook’s chat service. You can download and install the plugin from GitHub, and once installed, you should be able to select "Facebook" as a protocol when adding a new account in Pidgin.
If you’re having trouble connecting, it may be because your Facebook account is not authorized. To solve this, you can create an application password on Facebook. Go to the security settings on Facebook and follow the instructions to generate a new password. Use this password when setting up the account in Pidgin. This is especially important if your Facebook password contains special characters that Pidgin may not handle well.
If you’re behind a proxy, you may need to change the "connect port" from the default 5222 to 443. This is because some proxies block certain ports, but port 443, which is typically used for HTTPS traffic, is usually open. By changing the connect port to 443, you may be able to bypass the proxy and establish a successful connection to Facebook Chat using Pidgin.
