There are a few common reasons why Facebook reels may stop playing midway through when you’re scrolling through your feed:
Internet Connection Issues
One of the most likely culprits is an unstable internet connection. Facebook reels contain video content that requires a steady stream of data to continue playing smoothly. If your internet connection drops out or becomes slow, the reel may buffer endlessly or stop altogether.
Try checking your wifi status or switching to a cellular data connection to see if that helps stabilize things. Slow speeds or intermittent drops in service from your internet provider can interrupt reel playback. Moving closer to your router or modem may help in some cases.
Outdated App
Make sure you have the latest version of the Facebook app installed on your device. Over time, bugs or glitches can develop that cause problems with video playback. Updating to the most current version of the app may resolve any issues.
On iOS devices, you can check for app updates by going to the App Store and tapping your profile icon in the top right. Pull down to refresh and you’ll see any available updates. On Android, go to the Play Store, tap the hamburger menu in the top left, choose My Apps & Games, then check the Updates tab for any pending Facebook app updates.
Corrupt Cache/Data
Corrupted temporary data or caches related to the Facebook app on your device could also be interfering with reels. Try fully force quitting and restarting the Facebook app to clear out any problematic cached files.
On an iPhone, double click the home button and swipe up on the Facebook app preview to close it. On Android, open the Settings app, select Apps, choose Facebook, then select Force Stop. In either case, restart Facebook afterward and test if reels work again.
Buggy Reels
It’s also possible there may be an issue with a specific reel you’re trying to view. Even if other reels play fine, that one problematic video could freeze up or stop loading due to a bug or glitch.
See if the issue persists with other reels. Try deleting and re-sharing the problem reel, or ask the creator to re-export it. There could be something wrong with the individual video file itself.
Account Restrictions
In some cases, there may be restrictions placed on your Facebook account that prevent reels from playing. For example, if you’ve violated Facebook’s terms too many times your account could enter a sort of probation with limited features.
Check that you’re able to access all other parts of Facebook normally. If not, you may need to appeal any restrictions placed on your account. Contact Facebook support if you believe your account has been incorrectly suspended.
Facebook Server Issues
It’s also possible Facebook itself is experiencing widespread technical difficulties that are affecting reels. Server outages, bugs, or other platform issues could temporarily disrupt reel playback.
Check downdetector.com to see if others are reporting Facebook problems around the same time reels stopped working for you. Usually these platform-wide problems are resolved within hours. Just try again later.
How to Troubleshoot and Fix
Here are some steps to troubleshoot and try fixing interrupted reels on Facebook:
- Force quit and restart the Facebook app
- Update Facebook app to latest version (check App/Play Store)
- Check for any pending iOS or Android system updates
- Restart your device
- Toggle wifi off/on or switch between wifi and cellular data
- Clear Facebook app cache and data (back up first)
- Delete and re-share problem reel
- Ask reel creator to re-export and re-share original file
- Check Downdetector.com for any Facebook platform issues
- Appeal any restrictions placed on your Facebook account
Preventing Interrupted Playback
Here are some tips to help prevent Facebook reels from stopping unexpectedly in the future:
- Maintain a strong, stable internet connection via wifi or cellular data.
- Keep the Facebook app updated to the current version.
- Give reels plenty of time to buffer instead of tapping immediately.
- Clear old cached data and restart your device periodically.
- Avoid viewing reels on very low battery charge.
- Check for Facebook platform issues if multiple reels aren’t working.
Why Facebook Reels Stop Playing – Key Takeaways
- Unstable internet connections are a top reason videos freeze or stop.
- Updating to the latest app version can resolve software bugs.
- Corrupted caches may need to be cleared to get reels working again.
- Specific reels may have issues and need to be re-exported.
- Account restrictions could limit your access to reels.
- Temporary Facebook platform problems may disrupt reel playback.
Following troubleshooting steps like restarting the app, switching networks, and deleting caches can often get reels playing again. Preventative measures like maintaining strong wifi/data and updating apps regularly can reduce issues in the long run. Check Downdetector if problems persist for any widespread Facebook outages.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do my Facebook reels not play automatically?
If Facebook reels don’t play automatically, it’s likely an issue with your internet connection preventing them from loading properly. Videos require a steady download speed to begin playback, so an unstable connection will disrupt things. Try switching wifi networks or cellular data to resolve.
Why are my Facebook reels blurry?
Blurry reels are also typically caused by a weak internet connection. Video quality depends heavily on having enough bandwidth to maintain high resolution streams. Lower image quality is a sign your network speed can’t support HD reels. Improving your internet connectivity will help boost video quality.
What should I do when Facebook reels stop but audio continues?
This specific issue points to a problem isolated to the video portion of the reel. Since audio continues while video freezes, it likely indicates an encoding issue with the corrupted video data. Ask the creator to re-export and re-share the original reel file to get a fresh copy without this glitch.
Why do only some Facebook reels not play?
If the problem is isolated to just a few reels, it may be an issue with those specific video files. Perhaps they weren’t exported properly or have become corrupted. Deleting and asking the creators to re-share fresh copies of those problem reels should resolve the situation.
How can I tell if other users are having Facebook reel issues?
Check Downdetector.com to see if people are reporting widespread Facebook problems around the same time you experience issues. Spikes in outage reports indicate its likely platform-related rather than an isolated device problem. Following Facebook support accounts can also reveal if known bugs are affecting services.
Conclusion
Frozen and interrupted Facebook reels can be annoying and disruptive. But some simple troubleshooting and maintenance steps can typically get videos playing smoothly again. Maintaining optimal internet connectivity, keeping apps updated, clearing caches, re-sharing problem files, and monitoring for platform issues will help minimize disruptions during your Facebook scrolling.