Running into an insufficient funds error when trying to run Facebook ads can be frustrating. This error occurs when your payment method on file does not have enough money to cover the cost of the ads you are trying to run. There are a few steps you can take to resolve this issue:
Check Your Payment Method Balance
The first thing to do is check the balance on your payment method. Log into your Facebook Ads Manager account and go to the billing section. This will show you the payment method on file and the available balance. If the balance is lower than the cost of the ads you want to run, you’ll need to add more funds.
Reload Your Facebook Ads Account Balance
If there are not enough funds in your payment method, you will need to add more money. Here are some options for reloading your Facebook Ads account balance:
- Add money directly in Ads Manager – You can add funds directly in the billing section of Ads Manager with a debit/credit card or PayPal.
- Use an ad coupon – Facebook occasionally provides coupons that can be used towards ad spend. Check your Ads Manager account for any available coupons.
- Contact Facebook support – If your payment method is declining for some reason, you may need to contact Facebook support to troubleshoot.
Change Your Payment Method
If you have exhausted funds in your current payment method, you may want to change to a new method:
- Log into Ads Manager and go to the billing section.
- Click “Change Payment Method” and choose to add a new payment method.
- Enter details for the new payment method and submit.
Once you update the payment method, the new source of funds should be available for your ads.
Adjust Your Ad Budget or Bids
Another option is to lower your overall ad budget or bids to align with your available funds. Here are some ways to reduce costs:
Lower Your Daily Budget
If your daily ad budget is set higher than your account balance, lower the budget to be within your available funds. Just keep in mind this will likely lead to reduced ad delivery and performance.
Lower Your Bids
Lowering your bid amounts can also help lower your costs. Be mindful that this may also reduce the number of impressions and clicks your ads receive.
Pause Some Ads
Consider pausing some of your active ads. This will stop them from spending your limited available funds. You can pause lower performing ads and keep your top ads active.
Wait for Your Payment Method to Replenish
If you are using a debit/credit card and recently ran out of available funds, you may just need to wait until your next billing cycle for available funds to replenish. Just be aware your ads may underdeliver until your payment method resets.
Troubleshoot Payment Method Issues
In some cases, you may get an insufficient funds error even when your payment method balance appears sufficient. This can happen due to holds placed on the funds or other payment method problems. Here is how to troubleshoot:
- Contact your payment provider – Reach out to your credit card company, bank, PayPal, etc to see if there are any holds on transactions or other issues with the account.
- Try a different payment method – Switching to a new payment method can determine if the issues are due to your current provider.
- Check for Facebook payment method errors – There may be a glitch or error with Facebook’s billing system causing problems.
- Contact Facebook support – If you cannot resolve the issue on your own, reach out to Facebook’s ads support team for troubleshooting help.
Avoid Future Insufficient Funds Errors
Here are some tips to help avoid running into insufficient funds errors in the future:
Regularly Monitor Your Balance
Get in the habit of regularly checking your Facebook Ads account balance and the balance on your payment method. This way you can proactively add funds before running out.
Set Up Payment Alerts
Many payment providers let you set custom alerts when your balance drops below a certain threshold. This can remind you to reload your account.
Link Multiple Payment Methods
You can link multiple sources of funds to your Facebook Ads account, like multiple credit cards or a PayPal account. Facebook will automatically draw from the next source if one runs out.
Use a Business Account
For larger ad spend, use a dedicated business account, which allows higher spending limits and easier tracking.
Overestimate Your Budget Needs
When setting budgets, overestimate your needs slightly. This provides a buffer in case your ads overperform and spend more than expected in a given period.
Pause Ads Entirely If Needed
If you are unable to add any additional funds to resolve the insufficient funds error, you may need to pause your ads entirely until you can secure more budget. While this will lead to a temporary loss in ad exposure, it is better than accruing balance issues with Facebook.
Just remember to closely monitor your ads when unpaused to make sure your payment method balance can keep up with spend.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why am I getting an insufficient funds error when trying to activate my Facebook ad?
The most common reasons you may see this error are:
- Your payment method does not have enough available funds to cover the ad spend.
- There is a hold on your payment method temporarily reducing the available balance.
- There is a problem with your payment method that Facebook’s system cannot process.
How can I check my balance for Facebook ads?
To check your Facebook Ads account balance:
- Log into Facebook Ads Manager
- Go to the billing section
- This will display your current account balance and any pending expenditures
You can also log into your payment method account (credit card, PayPal, etc) to view the current balance.
How do I add money to my Facebook Ads account?
You can add funds directly through Facebook Ads Manager in the billing section. They accept major credit/debit cards and PayPal. You can also contact Facebook support if you are having issues adding funds from your payment method.
Why is Facebook still showing insufficient funds when I have money in my account?
A few possible reasons Facebook may show this error even with available funds:
- A temporary hold on your payment method
- Pending Facebook transactions that will draw from your balance
- Other payment method issues preventing processing
Check with your payment provider and Facebook support to troubleshoot further.
Is there a way to get Facebook ad credits?
Facebook occasionally offers free ad credits and coupons to use towards Facebook advertising spend. You can find these ad credits in your Facebook Ads Manager account under the billing section. These are limited time offers though.
| Error Message | Possible Cause | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| Insufficient Funds to Activate Ad | Payment method lacks available balance | Add funds to payment method |
| Insufficient Funds for Bid Strategy | Daily budget exceeds balance | Lower daily budget |
| Insufficient Funds to Create Ad Set | Campaign budget too high | Lower campaign budget |
Conclusion
Running into insufficient funds errors when running Facebook ads can be very frustrating. However, in most cases, this issue can be easily corrected by adding funds, lowering budgets, changing payment methods, or troubleshooting payment issues. Keep a close eye on your account balance, set up alerts, and have backup funding sources to avoid future insufficient funds problems.