Maintenance for the week of October 27:
• [IN PROGRESS] PC/Mac: NA and EU megaservers for maintenance – October 29, 4:00AM EDT (8:00 UTC) - 12:00PM EDT (16:00 UTC) https://forums.elderscrollsonline.com/en/discussion/684603
• [IN PROGRESS] Xbox: NA and EU megaservers for maintenance – October 29, 4:00AM EDT (8:00 UTC) - 12:00PM EDT (16:00 UTC)
• [IN PROGRESS] PlayStation®: NA and EU megaservers for maintenance – October 29, 4:00AM EDT (8:00 UTC) - 12:00PM EDT (16:00 UTC)
If you're not in the same instance with someone on your friends list, try porting to them. Or group with them then port to their instance. What platform are you on? I've had no issues interacting with my friends list so far today.