How do I fix Facebook not loading properly?

Facebook not loading properly can be frustrating, but there are several troubleshooting steps you can take to try and resolve the issue. In this article, we’ll go over some of the most common reasons why Facebook may not be loading correctly and provide solutions to help get your news feed working again.

Check Your Internet Connection

The first thing to check is your internet connection. Issues like a slow or unstable connection can prevent pages like Facebook from loading properly. Try loading other websites – if they are slow too, it points to a broader internet connectivity problem. Here are some steps to troubleshoot your connection:

• Restart your router and modem – Turn both off, leave disconnected for 1 minute, then turn back on.
• Check for internet outages in your area – Look for service alerts from your provider about known outages.
• Test your connection speed – Run a speed test to check your current upload/download speeds.
• Try a different network – Connect your computer directly to your modem or try loading Facebook on your phone using cellular data.
• Contact your internet service provider – If you consistently have slow speeds or connection drops, contact your ISP for troubleshooting.

Checking for connection issues is one of the first steps with any page failing to load properly. Facebook requires a minimum 2-3 Mbps download speed for smooth functionality, so an internet speed upgrade may be required if your current plan is slower than that.

Clear Your Browser Cache

If other sites are loading normally, the issue may be isolated to Facebook itself. One common solution is to clear your browser cache – this forces the browser to delete stored website files and re-download fresh copies. Here are the steps for the major browsers:

Chrome

1. Click the 3 vertical dots in the top right corner
2. Hover over “More tools” and select “Clear browsing data”
3. Select “Cached images and files”
4. Set the time range to “All time”
5. Click “Clear data”

Firefox

1. Click the 3 horizontal lines in the top right corner
2. Select “Settings”
3. Scroll down to “Privacy & Security” and click “Cookies and Site Data”
4. Click “Clear Data”
5. Select “Cached Web Content”
6. Click “Clear”

Safari

1. Click “Safari” in the top left corner
2. Select “Preferences”
3. Go to the “Privacy” tab
4. Click “Manage Website Data”
5. Select “Cached Web Content” and “Offline Website Data”
6. Click “Remove All”

Clearing the browser cache forces Facebook to re-download all assets, so any corrupt files get replaced. This is a quick fix that works for many users when Facebook won’t load.

Check Facebook Status

Sometimes loading issues are on Facebook’s end, not yours. Check Facebook’s status page to see if they have reported any current outages or technical problems. Major outages that affect most users will also be posted on Facebook’s Twitter account.

If Facebook is down for maintenance or fixing bugs, there is usually nothing you can do except wait for them to complete the work on their end. These outages typically last from a few minutes up to a couple hours.

Update Your Browser

An outdated browser can also cause Facebook loading problems. Facebook is continually updating their site with new features and designs, so an older browser may have compatibility issues.

Make sure you are running the latest version of your browser. Here are the links to download the newest versions:

• Chrome
• Firefox
• Safari

Updating gives you the latest optimizations and fixes any bugs in the prior release that may have affected Facebook. This is good general advice to keep all your web browsing running smoothly.

Try Facebook Lite

The lightweight Facebook Lite site is designed for regions where bandwidth is limited. However, it can also help troubleshoot loading problems. Facebook Lite removes some visual heavy elements like images and videos that may fail to load on a spotty connection.

To use Facebook Lite:

1. Go to lite.facebook.com
2. Log in with your regular Facebook account

The functionality is mostly the same, just with a simpler interface. Use Facebook Lite to see if removing certain elements helps pages load properly again.

Reset Facebook Password

Resetting your Facebook password can help rule out account security issues. Go to Facebook’s Compromised Account page and follow the steps to reset your password. Use a new, strong password that you don’t reuse anywhere else.

Resetting kicks other sessions out, so if someone else was logged in, it boots them off. Also update your password anywhere else you may have used the same one. A compromised account can sometimes interfere with normal login functions.

Try Facebook Mobile App

Determine if the issue is isolated to the desktop browser version. Install the Facebook app on your smartphone or tablet from the iOS App Store or Android Play Store. Then try loading Facebook in the mobile app over WiFi and cellular data.

If Facebook loads normally in the app, then the problem is something with the desktop browser integration. You can keep using mobile until you resolve the browser difficulties.

Use Facebook in Incognito/Private Mode

Browsing Facebook in an incognito or private window prevents other browser extensions from loading that may interfere with functionality. Here are the steps for incognito mode:

Chrome

1. Click the 3 dots in the top right
2. Select “New incognito window”
3. Go to Facebook in this new window

Firefox

1. Click the 3 horizontal lines in the top right
2. Select “New Private Window”
3. Go to Facebook in this new window

Safari

1. Click “File” in the top left
2. Choose “New Private Window”
3. Go to Facebook in this new window

Incognito mode loads just the core browser functionality without any third-party addons. This can determine if an extension is responsible for Facebook loading incorrectly.

Try Disabling Browser Extensions

As a further test, you can individually disable any browser extensions one-by-one to see if Facebook loads properly. Here are the steps:

Chrome

1. Click the 3 vertical dots in the top right corner
2. Hover over “More tools” and select “Extensions”
3. Toggle off individual extensions and check if Facebook loads after each

Firefox

1. Click the 3 horizontal lines in the top right corner
2. Select “Add-ons”
3. Toggle off individual add-ons and check Facebook after each

Some privacy or ad blocking extensions are known to sometimes interfere with Facebook. Disabling them one-by-one helps pinpoint if a specific addon is causing a conflict.

Try Different Web Browser

Install an alternate web browser like Firefox or Chrome if you normally use Safari, or vice versa. Sometimes switching browsers provides a fresh slate that avoids any software conflicts.

Test Facebook in the new browser for a short period. If the loading problems go away, you can either stick with the alternate browser or try to diagnose the issue with your preferred browser.

Delete Cookies and Site Data

If clearing the cache did not work, take it a step further by deleting all Facebook cookies and site data. This erases your login sessions and forces a full reauthentication.

Follow the same browser steps above for clearing cache, but select “Cookies and site data” instead. Make sure Facebook is selected before deleting. Then reload Facebook and log back in.

Try Facebook Website Troubleshooter

Facebook provides a troubleshooting tool that checks for common technical issues on your computer that may interfere with Facebook. Run the Facebook Website Troubleshooter and apply any fixes or tweaks it suggests related to files, browsers settings or third-party apps.

Scan for Malware

While less common, sometimes malware or viruses can infect your computer and cause all types of unusual problems. Run a full system security scan using antivirus software like Windows Security or Malwarebytes to check for any infections.

Malware is known to particularly target Facebook login credentials. Remove any harmful findings that pop up during the scan. A clean bill of health from the antivirus scan can tell you the issue lies elsewhere.

Update Graphics Drivers

Outdated graphics card drivers can potentially lead to display issues that disrupt Facebook. Go to the website of your computer’s graphics card manufacturer to download the latest drivers:

• Nvidia
• AMD
• Intel

After installing the new drivers, restart your computer and retry Facebook. Newer drivers optimize rendering performance.

Adjust Hardware Acceleration Settings

Hardware acceleration uses your graphics card to improve browser performance. However, it can sometimes cause display problems. An option is to temporarily disable hardware acceleration:

Chrome

1. Click the 3 vertical dots in the top right
2. Select “Settings”
3. Click “Advanced”
4. Toggle “Use hardware acceleration when available” off

Firefox

1. Click the 3 horizontal lines in the top right
2. Select “Settings”
3. Scroll down and uncheck “Use recommended performance settings”
4. Uncheck “Use hardware acceleration when available”

Test Facebook with hardware acceleration off to see if it resolves loading problems. If so, it’s recommended to leave it off for now and update your computer’s graphics drivers and hardware.

Disable Browser Plugins

Plugins like Adobe Flash and Java run additional code inside the browser and have been known to cause website loading issues. You can temporarily disable plugins:

Chrome

1. Enter chrome://plugins/ in the address bar
2. Find Adobe Flash Player and click Disable
3. Do the same for Java and any other plugins listed

Firefox

1. Click the 3 horizontal lines in the top right
2. Select “Add-ons”
3. On the left side, choose Plugins
4. Toggle off any plugins like Adobe Flash to disable them

Many sites are moving away from legacy plugins, so try browsing without them enabled. Facebook itself no longer requires Adobe Flash.

Try Facebook in Safe Mode

As a last resort, start your computer in safe mode with networking. Safe mode loads only the bare minimum drivers and software.

If Facebook loads properly in safe mode, it indicates a conflict with something loading during regular startup. You can then systematically check startup programs and non-essential services.

Refer to your device manufacturer’s guide for specific steps to boot into safe mode.

Contact Facebook Support

If you’ve tried all troubleshooting steps and Facebook is still not loading, reach out directly to the Facebook Help Center:

• Go to Facebook Help
• Select “Report a Problem”
• Choose the “Something Went Wrong” option
• Select “Login and Account Access”
• Explain you cannot load or access Facebook properly

Facebook can further diagnose the issue on their end and provide specialized troubleshooting tips. They may be able to resolve any account or technical issues preventing Facebook from displaying properly.

Conclusion

Facebook failing to load can have many sources – browser problems, account issues, page conflicts, or outages. Following structured troubleshooting steps can methodically pinpoint the cause.

Check your internet connection, clear browser data, update software, and scan for malware. Isolate the issue by trying Facebook on different devices and browsers. Contact Facebook support if problems persist for further help getting Facebook back up and running.