There are a few common reasons why you may be unable to watch videos on Facebook:
Your internet connection is slow or unstable
One of the most common reasons videos won’t play on Facebook is an unstable or slow internet connection. Streaming video requires a relatively fast and consistent internet connection to load and play properly. If your internet is slow or keeps cutting in and out, videos may fail to load or may pause frequently while trying to play.
Try restarting your router and modem to refresh your connection. Also make sure other devices aren’t using up your bandwidth in the background. Close out of other apps and windows using your internet, and try again. If the issues persist, contact your internet service provider to troubleshoot your connection.
The Facebook app needs to be updated
If you’re trying to watch videos on the Facebook mobile app, an outdated version of the app could be the culprit. Facebook regularly releases updates to fix bugs and optimize performance.
Go to your app store and make sure you have the latest version of the Facebook app installed. If an update is available, download and install it, then try watching videos again.
Your browser needs to be updated
Similar to the mobile app, your web browser may need to be updated as well. Old browser versions can lose compatibility with Facebook’s video player over time. Make sure you have the most recent version of browsers like Chrome, Firefox, Safari, or Edge installed.
In your browser settings, check for available updates and install any that are pending. Restart the browser after it updates. An outdated browser is one of the most common fixes for Facebook video problems.
The video file is corrupted or unsupported
In some cases, the video file itself is the issue. Videos can become corrupted or encoded in a format unsupported by Facebook. Some things to try:
- Try watching the original video file source outside of Facebook.
- Download the video file and try opening it in another video player app.
- Try watching other videos on Facebook to see if it’s isolated to one video.
If the video won’t play anywhere else, it’s likely a corrupted file. If other videos play fine, that one video may be in a format not supported by Facebook.
Your browser security settings are blocking the video
Some browsers have security settings, plugins or extensions that can block videos from loading on Facebook. Try the following troubleshooting steps:
- Disable any ad blocker extensions and try again.
- Temporarily turn off firewall or antivirus software.
- Make sure third-party cookies are not blocked in browser settings.
- Try watching the video in an incognito or private browsing window.
If the video plays in a private window, it’s likely some security feature causing the issue. Review your browser settings and whitelist Facebook.
The video was removed from Facebook
If a video you previously watched is no longer playing, it may have been removed by the user who posted it or taken down by Facebook. Copyright issues, community standards violations, or the user deleting their account can all lead to video removal.
Try checking the video on another device or web browser to confirm it’s no longer available. If the video is removed everywhere, you unfortunately won’t be able to watch it again on Facebook.
Your Facebook account has restrictions
In some cases, there may be restrictions on your Facebook account that prevent videos from playing. This can happen if your account was flagged for potential policy violations.
You should receive a notification from Facebook if your account has restrictions in place. Check your emails or notifications within Facebook for details. You may need to appeal the restrictions or serve a temporary probation period before video playback is restored.
Facebook is having site issues
Like any website, Facebook can experience occasional technical issues on their end that affect video playback. Issues may range from isolated bugs to widespread outages.
Check isitdownrightnow.com/facebook.com to see if others are reporting problems with Facebook. You can also check Facebook’s official page for updates on any known issues.
If Facebook is down or experiencing technical difficulties, you may just have to wait it out until functionality is restored. Patience is key.
You have restricted video playback enabled
Facebook allows you to restrict videos from autoplaying as you scroll through your feed. This can save cellular data usage on mobile. If you have this enabled, videos won’t play until you actively click on them.
To check if this setting is enabled, go to the Facebook app settings or click the down arrow at the top right of the Facebook site. Go to Settings & Privacy -> Settings and look for the “Videos and Photos” section. Make sure “Restrict Videos from Autoplaying” is disabled or set to “Don’t Restrict Videos”.
Logging out and back into Facebook
As a last resort, try fully logging out of Facebook then logging back in. This refreshes your login session and clears any bugs that may be temporarily stuck.
To fully log out on desktop, click the down arrow -> Log Out. Close the browser entirely, then reopen Facebook and log in again. On mobile, go to the app Settings -> Log Out. Force close the app entirely before reopening.
After logging back in, try viewing videos again. This may resolve simple session bugs that were interfering with video playback.
Conclusion
Troubleshooting video playback issues on Facebook can be frustrating, but is usually caused by an easily resolvable software or settings problem. Update browsers and the app, check security settings, restart devices, and make sure Facebook is functioning properly at their end.
Videos failing to play is one of the most common Facebook problems, but persevering through the various fixes above should get videos working again. Always start with simpler steps like an app update before trying more complex solutions. Patience and persistence usually pays off!
Related Questions
Why do my Facebook videos not have sound?
If Facebook videos don’t have sound, first make sure your device volume is turned on and not muted. Check for any headset or auxiliary cable connections too. If other videos play sound properly, try refreshing the page, restarting your device or updating the Facebook app to the latest version. The video file itself may also be corrupted or have no audio track to begin with.
Why are my Facebook videos blurry?
Blurry Facebook videos are typically caused by a slow internet connection resulting in lower video resolution. Try watching over a faster Wi-Fi or wired connection to allow higher quality video playback. The video file size or aspect ratio could also be the issue – videos not encoded properly or low resolution uploads can appear blurry or pixelated.
Why do my Facebook videos buffer all the time?
Frequent video buffering while watching Facebook is usually a sign of an unstable internet connection. Try closing other apps using bandwidth, connect over wired internet if possible, or contact your ISP if issues persist. Glitchy video playback can also occur if your browser, Facebook app, or device OS needs updating to the latest version.
Why does Facebook say my video failed to upload?
Uploading videos to Facebook involves relatively large files, so an intermittent internet connection can cause failures. Try uploading on a stable Wi-Fi network or with Ethernet. The video also needs to be under the file size and length limits. If other uploads fail too, your account restrictions may need to be checked. Restarting and trying again usually resolves most upload failures.
Common Facebook Video Solutions
Here is a summary of the most common fixes for Facebook video issues:
- Update the Facebook app and browser software
- Check internet connection speed and stability
- Disable browser extensions and firewalls temporarily
- Clear Facebook cookies and cache data
- Ensure your account does not have restrictions enabled
- Check Facebook’s server status at isitdownrightnow.com/facebook.com
- Log out and back into Facebook to refresh login session
Troubleshooting Tools
For additional help troubleshooting Facebook video problems, some useful tools include:
| Tool | How It Helps |
|---|---|
| Facebook Help Community | Connect with and ask other Facebook users about fixing video issues. |
| Facebook Video Diagnostics | Built-in tool provides network info while playing videos. |
| Facebook Error Code Lookup | Search for video-related error codes to identify specific causes. |
Preventing Facebook Video Problems
While troubleshooting is useful when Facebook videos won’t play, prevention is always preferable. Here are some tips to avoid video issues in the first place:
- Maintain a fast, wired broadband connection for reliable video streaming.
- Close unused apps and browser tabs to maximize internet bandwidth.
- Don’t rely on public Wi-Fi for video, cellular data is often faster.
- Regularly update the Facebook app, browser, operating system and device drivers.
- Use recommended video formats and encoding settings when uploading.
- Double check video content before uploading to prevent removal.
Following these best practices for your connection, software, and video files will minimize technical problems and create a smooth video experience on Facebook.
When to Contact Facebook Support
If you’ve tried all the troubleshooting steps and Facebook videos still won’t play properly, it may be time to contact Facebook support for additional help:
- Report persistent technical issues or bugs
- Get help with account restrictions or disabled video features
- Request review if you believe a video was removed in error
Keep in mind support response times may be slow. But for video problems clearly on Facebook’s end, getting in touch with support is the next logical step.
Conclusion
With Facebook used by billions of people, video playback problems are bound to occur now and then. But staying aware of the most common fixes can get your videos working again quickly.
Often it’s a simple software update, browser setting toggle or connection refresh needed to resolve the issue. Other times it requires digging a bit deeper into your account’s standing with Facebook. Patience and methodically trying different solutions almost always gets videos playing once more.
If all else fails, don’t hesitate to leverage Facebook’s support channels to report unresolved technical issues. With the right troubleshooting approach, any blank videos or error messages on Facebook can be corrected.