Quick Answer
The short answer is no, you cannot remove an admin from a Facebook group if they originally created the group. The group creator is the top admin and has full control over the group, including adding and removing other admins. Even if you are also an admin in the group, you cannot remove the original group creator.
Explanation
On Facebook groups, there is a hierarchy of roles and permissions:
Group Admins
– Can add/remove other admins and moderators
– Can edit group settings, info, cover photo and announcement
– Can approve or deny member requests
– Can post and edit anyone’s posts
– Can delete posts and comments by anyone
Group Moderators
– Can approve member requests
– Can delete posts and comments by members
– Cannot add/remove other mods or admins
– Cannot edit group settings or info
Group Members
– Can post in the group if allowed by settings
– Can comment on posts if allowed by settings
The group admin at the top of the hierarchy is always the person who originally created the group. This person has full administrator rights over the group.
When someone creates a new group, they are automatically the first admin and group creator. Facebook does not allow anyone to demote or remove the group creator from the admin role.
Even if other people are added as admins in the group later, they do not have the same full privileges as the original creator. Importantly, other admins cannot remove the top-level creator admin.
This applies even if the creator admin is inactive in the group. As long as they created the group originally, they remain as the head admin in perpetuity.
So in summary, it is not possible for another admin or moderator to remove the group creator admin under any circumstances. Even if they have been inactive for a long time, you cannot usurp or remove their ownership of the group.
Why Facebook Doesn’t Allow Removal of Group Creator
Facebook designed groups to give the creator full ownership and control. Here are some reasons why Facebook does not allow other admins to remove the original group creator:
Prevents Hostile Takeovers
If any admin could remove the founder, it would enable hostile takeovers of groups. For example, someone could be added as an admin, then immediately delete the creator and take over the group against their wishes.
By making the creator sacrosanct, Facebook protects groups against coup attempts by other admins.
Original Vision
The group creator had the original idea and vision for the group. Even if inactive, they retain ownership in deference to that original intent. Removing them could alter the group in ways they never wanted.
Built the Group
The founder put in the work to start, build and manage the group. If it has become popular and valuable, they deserve continued credit for that effort. Removing them erases their contribution.
Admin Churn
Admins frequently come and go, but the creator persists. Having an immutable top admin provides consistency even as other admins change.
Oversight
Having the unremovable creator admin provides oversight should other admins behave badly. The buck stops with the founder.
Logical Default
Most people would assume the group creator remains in charge. Facebook aligns with that expectation by making the creator permanent top admin.
So in summary, Facebook privileges group creators to prevent disruptive power struggles, preserve original intent, give credit for building the group, provide continuity, enable oversight, and match normal assumptions.
What If the Group Creator is Inactive, Problematic or Harmful?
A common issue is an inactive, problematic or harmful group creator. What can you do if the group founder is no longer involved, abusing privileges, or violating Facebook policies? Here are some options:
Contact the Creator
Try messaging the creator directly explain the issues and need for change. If receptive, the creator admin can willingly add other admins or amend their behaviors. An earnest discussion may resolve problems amicably.
Report Content Violations
If the creator is posting prohibited content or harassing members, repeatedly report violations to Facebook through official channels. If violations are verified, Facebook may intervene with warnings, temporary restrictions, or permanent removal of the creator account.
Stage a Coup
As a last resort, admins can stage a “coup” by removing all other admins and moderators, then restricting, banning or silencing the creator within the group. This assertively works around their power while retaining the benefits of keeping the existing group intact. However, the creator can still undo these changes if they become active again. Use with caution.
Start a New Group
If all else fails, the nuclear option is for admins and members to spin off a brand new group under proper leadership. Former members can be invited, retaining connections with less disruption than trying to reform an unsalvageable group plagued by a problem creator.
So in difficult situations, there are ways to mitigate an errant founder through discussion, reporting, coup or starting over. But ultimately, you cannot fully usurp or remove a group creator.
What About Deleting the Entire Group?
Can you at least delete the entire group if you cannot remove its creator? Again, the answer is no.
Normal group admins do not have the ability to delete groups – only the group creator can delete a group. This prevents other admins from destroying groups by deleting them.
In very rare cases, Facebook support may delete groups that severely or repeatedly violate policies. But regular group admins cannot petition Facebook to delete a group simply because the creator is problematic.
So deleting a group also remains the sole privilege of the original creator admin. Other admins cannot force deletion or ask Facebook to annihilate a group against the creator’s wishes.
Best Practices for Facebook Group Creators
To avoid these kinds of problems, group creators should adopt these best practices:
Add Backup Admins
Appoint at least 2-3 other trusted admins immediately after creating a group. If anything happens, they can fill the void.
Communicate Plans and Vision
Tell new admins about your goals and plans for group. This ensures continuity if you become less involved later on.
Train Successors
Mentor other admins on how to manage the group’s culture and community. Prepare them to govern the group properly in your absence.
Transfer to Successor if Stepping Down
If handing off the reins, willingly add an heir as co-admin and remove yourself. Transfer orderly power instead of abandoning the group.
Stay Active
Keep engaged with your group community. Inactive absentee group creators cause the most issues.
By taking these steps, group creators can avoid the problems that often come with monopolizing power and disengaging over time.
Conclusion
On Facebook groups, the original group creator is cemented as the permanent top-level admin. They cannot be removed by other admins for any reason. Even if inactive or problematic, the founder remains firmly entrenched with full authority.
For better or worse, the group creator calls the shots indefinitely. The nuclear options of deposing the founder, deleting the group or requesting removal from Facebook are extremely difficult or impossible.
This immutable role prevents hostile takeovers, preserves the creator’s vision, respects their effort in building the group, enables oversight and provides consistency.
Still, wise creators should empower backup admins, communicate plans, train successors, transfer ownership smoothly if stepping down, and remain engaged with their community.
While you cannot strip power from an errant founder, you can persuade them to reform, report policy violations, stage an admin coup or regroup in an entirely new group. So there are ways to contain even uncooperative group creators.
But removing the group creator entirely? Never possible. Their admin reign lasts for life…or until the group itself is eventually deleted.