How to Use Facebook Chat: Settings, Problems & Tricks

Facebook Chat is a lot like all the other popular instant messengers: it’s fast, easy to use, and very addictive. But Facebook Chat has a few other features that separates itself from the competition.

One of the differences: you can see the profile photos other users who are on chat. You can also see who’s online and who’s using a mobile device. And if you send a messenger to one of your friends, only to find out that friend has logged off? Your message will still be delivered via Facebook Messages.

But if you want to learn a little more about Facebook Chat – like how to change your settings, deal with problems and learn a few tricks – read the below summary, then give it a test drive yourself.

How to get started
Starting a chat is easy. The chat sidebar should be on the right side of your Facebook page. Once there, you’ll see several Facebook friends, with their profile photos. Out of that group, find someone you want to chat with, then click on the person’s name or profile photo. If you want to chat with someone who does not appear in the chat tool, type that person’s name in the search box at the bottom of the sidebar. Once you’ve clicked on someone’s name or pic, this will open a chat window. From there, simply type your message and hit Enter afterward.
Available to chat?
Friends who have a green bullet next to their names are online, while those without an icon are offline. To chat with multiple friends at the same time, first click on a user to initiate the chat, then another window will appear to the left of the sidebar. Click the star at the upper right corner of your chat window, then click on AddFriends to Chat. Now you can add the names of the Facebook contacts you want in your group.

Where’d he go?
Don’t feel like letting the world know you’re on Facebook (especially if you’re at work)? You can go offline, or unavailable, to all of your friends, some of them, or individuals. You can also go offline to some friends while still staying online with others.

Once offline, you can still see the sidebar. To hide it, click on the button at the bottom right of the sidebar. To close a conversation, click on the “X” at the top right window or press Escape.

What he’d say?
You can turn off the chat sounds by clicking on the star button, then uncheck Chat Sounds. Repeat the step to turn the sounds back on.
Still working out the kinks

Facebook is still working out the kinks with a few ongoing Chat issues. Facebook maintains an updated list of common issues (they’re working on it) and some of the most common problems that you can fix yourself.