Watching videos in high definition (HD) quality on Facebook can provide a much better viewing experience, with crisper images and smoother motion. However, Facebook doesn’t enable HD video playback by default. You have to change some settings to start watching videos in HD.
Enabling HD video on Facebook is easy and only takes a few steps. Here’s what you need to do:
Check Your Internet Connection Speed
Before enabling HD video, you should check that your Internet connection speed meets the minimum requirements for streaming HD quality video. Generally, you’ll need a broadband connection with a download speed of at least 5 Mbps.
To test your connection speed:
- On your computer, open a browser and go to a speed test website like Speedtest.net.
- Click the “Go” button to start the speed test. It will test your download and upload speeds.
- Your download speed should be at least 5 Mbps to stream HD quality video.
If your speed is lower than 5 Mbps, you may want to contact your Internet service provider about upgrading your Internet plan to a higher speed tier before enabling HD video on Facebook.
Update Your Browser
Your web browser also needs to be up-to-date to stream HD video properly on Facebook. Older browsers may not fully support HD video playback. Follow these steps to update your browser:
Google Chrome
- Click the three vertical dots in the top right corner.
- Hover over “Help” and click “About Google Chrome.”
- Chrome will automatically check for updates and install any that are available.
- Relaunch the browser after updating.
Mozilla Firefox
- Click the “hamburger” menu (three horizontal lines) in the top right.
- Select “Help” > “About Firefox.”
- Firefox will scan for updates and install any available updates.
- Restart Firefox after updating to complete the process.
Microsoft Edge
- Click the three horizontal dots in the top right.
- Go to “Help and Feedback” > “About Microsoft Edge.”
- Edge will check for updates and download any available updates.
- Click “Restart” after updating to finish.
Enable HD on Facebook
Once your Internet connection speed is sufficient and your browser is up-to-date, you can enable high-definition video on Facebook:
- Go to Facebook in your browser and log into your account.
- Click the down arrow in the top right corner and select “Settings & Privacy.”
- In the left sidebar, click “Settings.”
- Click “Videos” on the General Account Settings page.
- Under “Video Playback,” check the box next to “Show videos in HD when available.”
That’s it! HD video should now be enabled on Facebook. To confirm, try playing a high-resolution video on Facebook. Look for the “HD” indicator in the bottom corner of the video player to know you’re watching in HD quality.
Troubleshooting HD Video Issues
If HD videos still won’t play even after following the steps above, here are some troubleshooting tips:
- Refresh the page – HD video settings may not take effect until you refresh Facebook in your browser.
- Clear browser cache – Old cached video files could prevent HD playback. Clear your browser’s cache and cookies.
- Update graphics drivers – Outdated graphics card drivers can disrupt HD video. Update your graphics driver software.
- Allow third-party cookies – Facebook uses cookies for HD video. Make sure third-party cookies are not blocked.
- Try another browser – Some browsers may have issues with HD video on Facebook. Try switching to a different modern browser.
If you’re still unable to get HD video working, it could be related to video encoding issues on Facebook’s end. You may need to wait for Facebook to fix any encoding problems before HD will work properly.
Optimizing Your Settings for HD Video
A few additional settings tweaks can help optimize your Facebook experience for HD video playback and improve video quality:
- Set your video resolution to 1080p HD in your browser settings.
- Enable your browser’s HTML5 player (this is on by default in most browsers).
- Disable any browser extensions that could interfere with videos.
- Adjust your browser’s cache settings to improve performance.
- Update your device’s firmware and apps to eliminate software conflicts.
- Close unused tabs and apps to devote more bandwidth to Facebook.
Testing different settings in your browser and on your computer or mobile device can help pinpoint any issues hindering HD video playback.
Using Third-Party Apps for HD Video
Alternatively, you can use a third-party app to watch Facebook videos in HD quality. For example:
- Facebook App – The official iOS and Android apps support HD video.
- Swipe for Facebook – A popular Android Facebook app with HD video support.
- Friendly for Facebook – An Android app designed for HD video streaming.
- Boomerang for Facebook – A Chrome extension adding HD settings to Facebook.
The advantage of apps like these is they often come pre-configured with the optimal settings needed for HD video playback.
Conclusion
Here are the key takeaways on how to enable and watch high-definition videos on Facebook:
- Check your Internet connection speed is at least 5 Mbps.
- Update your web browser to the latest version.
- In Facebook Settings, enable “Show videos in HD.”
- Refresh Facebook and play an HD video to test.
- Adjust browser settings and troubleshoot if issues arise.
- Consider using a third-party app for improved HD playback.
Following these tips should have you watching crisp, clear HD videos on Facebook in no time! Kick back and enjoy the enhanced viewing experience.