LinkedIn, the premier social platform for professionals, has become an essential tool for networking, outreach, and job searching. One of its most powerful features is InMail, which allows users to message people outside their direct connections. However, for many mobile users, sending InMail via the LinkedIn mobile app has occasionally been marred by failure — with messages not sending, getting stuck, or simply disappearing. If you’re encountering this issue, you’re not alone. Fortunately, there’s a straightforward solution that has resolved the problem for many: clearing the app cache and relaunching the app.
TL;DR (Too Long; Didn’t Read)
If you’re facing issues sending InMail messages through the LinkedIn mobile app, the problem is likely related to corrupted cache data or glitches in the app’s temporary files. Clearing the app cache and fully relaunching the application has been proven to quickly fix the issue for many users. This solution helps refresh the app environment, re-syncs your profile, and eliminates temporary bugs. Follow the instructions in this article to fix InMail sending failures and resume your professional communications smoothly.
The Growing Reliance on Mobile LinkedIn Usage
More professionals today are relying on their smartphones to browse LinkedIn, connect with new contacts, and reply to networking messages. According to a recent report, over 57% of LinkedIn sessions take place on mobile devices. With this shift toward mobile-first interactions, functional reliability is essential — especially when it comes to features like InMail that directly enable relationship building.
When an InMail fails to send, it can feel like an opportunity lost. Worse still, when no error message appears, users may not initially realize that vital messages are left unsent. These intermittent failures can undermine productivity and cause confusion for both sender and receiver.
Common Symptoms of LinkedIn Mobile App Messaging Failure
InMail sending issues in the LinkedIn mobile app typically show up in a few recognizable ways:
- InMail messages remain in “sending” status indefinitely.
- Messages appear to send, but never arrive on the recipient’s end.
- The “Send” button becomes unresponsive.
- Draft messages suddenly disappear after hitting “Send.”
Before diving into complex technical troubleshooting, it’s often best to start with the simplest and most effective fix: clearing the app cache and relaunching the application entirely.
Why Clearing Cache May Solve Mobile Messaging Issues
Every time you use an app like LinkedIn, it stores temporary data — images, scripts, and actions — in what’s called a cache. This cached data helps speed up app performance, but over time, it can become corrupted or outdated. When this happens, features like messaging may fail to function correctly.
Clearing the cache essentially resets the application’s temporary storage, allowing it to reload all features with fresh data from LinkedIn’s servers. This method avoids a full app reinstall or deeper system-level changes, making it the preferred first step in troubleshooting.
Step-by-Step Guide: Clear Cache and Relaunch LinkedIn App
Follow these clear, non-technical steps to resolve your LinkedIn InMail problem:
For Android Users
- Go to your phone’s Settings.
- Navigate to Apps or Application Manager.
- Scroll down and tap on LinkedIn.
- Select Storage.
- Tap Clear Cache. Do not tap Clear Data — this will log you out and delete saved preferences.
- Now, forcibly close the LinkedIn app. This can usually be done by tapping the Recent Apps button and swiping LinkedIn off the screen.
- Relaunch the app and attempt to send your InMail again.
For iPhone (iOS) Users
Unfortunately, iOS doesn’t offer a direct “Clear Cache” button. Instead, follow these steps:
- Open the LinkedIn app.
- Go to Settings within the LinkedIn app and scroll to Sign Out.
- Sign out and force-quit the app by bringing up the app switcher and swiping LinkedIn off the screen.
- Reopen the app and log back in. This indirectly clears application cache and forces a refresh.
While the iPhone method isn’t as targeted as Android’s cache clearing, it typically resolves the issue because a fresh sign-in re-establishes the secure session and messaging protocols.
Verifying If the Fix Worked
Once you’ve completed the steps above, test the InMail functionality:
- Try sending a message to a contact with whom you previously had trouble.
- Check that the message appears in your Sent folder.
- If possible, confirm with the recipient that they received the InMail.
If your messages are now sending correctly and promptly, you can be confident the cache issue has been resolved. If problems persist, it could indicate deeper issues — such as app version incompatibility or server-side errors.
Keeping Cache Problems From Returning
Recurrent cache issues often stem from outdated app versions or heavy usage without maintenance. The good news is, you can take several proactive steps to prevent messaging issues from arising again:
- Update LinkedIn regularly. Always use the most recent version of the app available in the App Store or Google Play Store to get performance improvements and bug fixes.
- Restart your phone weekly. Soft restarts clear out a range of temporary files and tasks that can accumulate in mobile RAM.
- Sign out periodically and back in. This refreshes your user session and helps LinkedIn re-sync with your data.
- Clear cache monthly (Android). While iOS users are limited, Android users can make cache clearing a routine maintenance step.
When to Try Advanced Troubleshooting
If clearing the cache and relaunching the app doesn’t solve the problem, consider these deeper levels of troubleshooting:
- Uninstall and Reinstall the LinkedIn App. This gives you a completely fresh start with new app data.
- Check Connectivity & VPN Settings. Poor internet connectivity or VPN restrictions can block LinkedIn’s messaging APIs.
- Contact LinkedIn Support. If nothing else works, gather screenshots and contact LinkedIn via their Help Center.
Conclusion: Don’t Let a Glitch Interrupt Your Networking
InMail is a valuable tool for expanding your professional network, but minor glitches on the mobile app can sometimes get in the way. Fortunately, a simple cache clear and app relaunch is a fast, effective fix that restores functionality for many users. It eliminates old and possibly corrupted data, ensures a smooth re-sync with LinkedIn’s servers, and lets users get back to meaningful conversations.
By taking regular maintenance steps and staying aware of app behavior, you can keep your mobile LinkedIn experience smooth, efficient, and glitch-free. InMail shouldn’t be a guessing game — and with these fixes, it won’t have to be.