Buddy list on AOL says nobody is online but they are. Help!

[ssh1109]

they are not blocked and i have uninstalled and reinstalled. what can i do?

[patndoris]

Hello and welcome to BBB! It very well could be a server issue and may have nothing at all to do with your machine. Have you tried logging on to the web version of AIM to see if you can see them there?

[tbozeglav]

I am having the same issue. For no reason at all, my entire buddy list appears offline (not all of them really are).

I have tried this with multiple clients with mixed results. I primarily use the client Pidgin for my AIM account, but it will sometimes work and then sometimes not. Most of the time, however, I will get everyone back on my buddy list only to have them go back "offline" about 10 minutes later. I have also used the Mac program Adium and iChat, but those arent able to get my buddy list either. I have also tried to get things to work using AIM express and Meebo.com, but those aren't working either.

It should be noted I do use my AIM account in multiple locations. My desktop at home stays on all the time with pidgin logged into my AIM account and then I will log in to my AIM account from my laptop while in class or at work.

I am assuming this is a server issue, but does anyone know HOW to contact AOL regarding this issue to get more info? This is really getting annoying!

[tbozeglav]

UPDATE: It appears to be giving me problems only when I am logged in at 2 different locations. Annoying because it means I cant leave my AIM client logged in at home, but I am willing to sacrifice it if thats how I am able to get my AIM service back.

[patndoris]

I'm glad to hear you found a way to deal with it. AIM has always been pretty good about multiple locations. Hopefully it will get resolved soon.

Unless you have a paid account, there really is no support available beyond their online help.

[tbozeglav]

Well, it works by only for a while. I was sitting in class for about a half hour, then suddenly the buddy list disappeared. I had to manually sign off and sign back on to get the list to come back.

[patndoris]

Definitely smacks of server issues.

You could try submitting something via the feedback button in the AOL menu to send a comment about the problem. However I wouldn't expect any kind of response back directly and it may or may not get routed to the proper group. It's worth a try.

Unless you happen to have a paid account for AOL you won't get anyone live to talk to you.

[Ven0m]

Yep, server issues is my guess.

[Cronus]

This was a server-side problem, but should be fixed now. Are you still seeing problems?

[tbozeglav]

Most definitely. Every so often everyone on my buddy list gets signed off. I am also having issues with being signed in at multiple locations.

I will confirm this tonight and tomorrow and report back, but I believe it is still not working quite right.