Facebook glitches can be frustrating, but there are some quick solutions you can try to get your account working properly again. In this article, we’ll go over the most common Facebook glitches and how to fix them.
Why am I having Facebook glitches?
There are a few potential causes of Facebook glitches:
- A bug or error in the Facebook app or website code
- An issue on your device, like low storage space, outdated software, etc.
- Problems with your internet connection
- Too many actions being performed at once, overloading Facebook’s servers
Glitches happen to everyone on occasion. Try not to get too frustrated – in most cases, they can be resolved with a few troubleshooting steps.
How to fix the most common Facebook glitches
Can’t log in or stay logged in
If you’re having issues logging into Facebook or staying logged in, try these steps:
- Force quit and relaunch the Facebook app on mobile or refresh the website.
- Check your internet connection – switch WiFi networks or toggle airplane mode on/off.
- Clear your browser cookies and cache.
- Try logging in on another device or browser.
- Reset your password in case your account was compromised.
- Uninstall then reinstall the Facebook app if on mobile.
If you still can’t login, your account may be temporarily locked for suspicious activity. Check for login notifications from Facebook and follow prompts to regain access.
News feed not refreshing
If your news feed seems frozen or isn’t loading new posts, a few things to try:
- Pull down to refresh the news feed.
- Force quit the Facebook app or refresh browser.
- Clear cached data and cookies for Facebook.
- Check your internet connection.
- Log out then back into your account.
- Update the Facebook app if an update is available.
News feed glitches are often temporary. Trying the above steps will usually get it working again.
Chat issues
Problems with Facebook messenger and chat can be very annoying. Here are some fixes:
- Force quit and relaunch the Messenger app.
- Make sure you have the latest version of Messenger installed.
- Turn your phone to airplane mode briefly to reset the connection.
- Clear the app cache and data.
- Uninstall and reinstall Messenger.
- Log out then back into your Facebook account.
Also check your notifications and privacy settings. You may have missed a message request or have messaging turned off temporarily.
Page errors
Seeing random Facebook errors, undefined pages or error messages? Try these tips:
- Refresh the page or browser.
- Clear your cookies and cache.
- Try accessing Facebook from another device.
- Check Downdetector.com to see if Facebook is down.
- Disable browser extensions that may conflict.
- Update to the latest version of your browser and Facebook app.
Page errors are typically temporary as long as the rest of Facebook is working. Just refresh or revisit the page a bit later.
Other common Facebook glitches and how to address them
| Glitch | How to Fix |
|---|---|
| App crashing | Force quit, clear cache/data, uninstall/reinstall app, update app |
| Can’t post or comment | Refresh page, logout and login again, check account restrictions |
| Missing notifications | Refresh notifications, check settings, force quit app |
| Can’t upload photos | Faster internet connection, compress images, restart app/phone |
| News feed showing old posts | Refresh feed, update Facebook app, clear cached data |
For any persistent glitches, also submit a bug report to Facebook directly. This will help them identify and resolve ongoing issues.
How to avoid Facebook glitches
While even tech giants like Facebook encounter bugs and technical problems, there are some steps you can take to minimize glitches:
- Update the Facebook app and your phone/computer OS regularly.
- Close out of the Facebook app fully when not in use.
- Clear cached data and browser cookies occasionally.
- Don’t overload your Facebook feed too quickly (posting tons of photos at once, for example).
- Use a stable internet connection for fewer loading errors.
Following general mobile best practices will help prevent problems not only with Facebook but other apps as well.
When to seek further help
If you’re unable to resolve a Facebook problem after trying the troubleshooting tips in this article, a few options include:
- Reporting the bug directly to Facebook.
- Contacting Facebook support through chat or email.
- Posting on Facebook’s help community forum for advice from other users.
- Searching online for your specific error message or glitch.
- Asking your more tech-savvy friends for help.
Major glitches affecting many users at once will be prioritized and resolved sooner by Facebook. For account-specific issues, contacting Facebook support is your best bet for personalized troubleshooting.
Conclusion
Facebook has over a billion users, so glitches are inevitable even for the most robust platforms. However, most issues can be fixed with simple troubleshooting like refreshing, reinstalling the app, clearing out cached data, and ensuring your software is up-to-date. For persistent glitches, report the issues directly to Facebook to help them improve the product. With a few quick fixes, you’ll have your Facebook account working smoothly again in no time.