Why is my Facebook app not loading properly?

There are a few common reasons why the Facebook app may not be loading properly on your device:

Outdated app version

One of the most common reasons for the Facebook app not working correctly is being on an outdated version of the app. Facebook is constantly updating the app with bug fixes and new features, so it’s important to keep it updated to the latest version available in your device’s app store.

To update the Facebook app on your iPhone or Android device:

Open the App Store (iPhone) or Play Store (Android)
Search for Facebook
If an ‘Update’ button is shown, tap it to update to the latest version

If no update is available, you’re already on the latest version

Updating to the latest version of the Facebook app can often resolve common loading issues and crashes.

Connection issues

Problems with your internet connection can also cause loading issues for the Facebook app. Apps require a stable internet connection to load all their content and functionality.

Try these troubleshooting steps:

Check if other apps are having connection issues – If it’s just the Facebook app, the problem likely lies with the app specifically. But if you can’t load other internet-connected apps properly either, your device may have a general connectivity problem.
Restart your device – Toggle your device’s airplane mode on and off to reset all network connections.

Test different networks – Try loading the Facebook app when connected to different wi-fi networks or when using mobile data. See if one network works better than others.
Check service status – Service outages for Facebook, your ISP, or cell provider can prevent the app from connecting to Facebook’s servers.

If you consistently have connectivity issues, there may a problem with your network equipment, cell signal, or internet plan. Contact your ISP or cell provider for help.

App conflicts

Conflicts with other apps on your device can sometimes interfere with the Facebook app’s functionality. If you’ve recently installed a new app, try uninstalling it to see if problems with the Facebook app resolve.

Additionally, clearing app cache and data for Facebook can help eliminate any corrupted files or settings:

iPhone – Go to Settings > General > iPhone Storage. Tap on Facebook and choose Offload App or Delete App.

Android – Go to Settings > Apps. Select Facebook, then choose Clear Cache and Clear Data.

Reinstalling the Facebook app from scratch can also help rule out any conflicts.

Buggy app release

In some cases, loading issues with the Facebook app may stem from a buggy release version that was pushed out by Facebook.

Check Facebook’s known issues page and user forums to see if loading problems with the app align with a recent buggy update:

If Facebook has acknowledged a bug that matches your issue, try downgrading to the previous app version to resolve it until an official fix is released.

Corrupted app files

In rare cases, the Facebook app may have corrupted files that are preventing it from working properly. This can happen if there was an error while installing or updating the app.

To rule out corrupted files:

Uninstall and reinstall the Facebook app
Restart your device after uninstalling the app
Download the Facebook app again from the App Store/Play Store

This will completely wipe the app data and reinstall a clean version of the Facebook app files on your device.

Insufficient storage space

Lack of available storage space on your device can also cause apps like Facebook to misbehave or fail to load properly. Loading content requires free space.

Check how much free storage you have available on your device and free up space if needed:

iPhone – Go to Settings > General > iPhone Storage
Android – Go to Settings > Storage

Try uninstalling unused apps and deleting files to free up storage space.

Outdated device software

Using outdated iOS or Android versions can also lead to app compatibility and performance issues. Facebook designs their app to work best on the latest software.

Make sure your device is updated to the newest OS version available:

iPhone – Update iOS via Settings > General > Software Update

Android – Update Android OS via Settings > System > Advanced > System Update

Updating your device software will help ensure maximum compatibility with the latest version of apps like Facebook.

Device performance issues

Hardware-related device performance issues can also prevent apps from running smoothly. If your device is low on memory, storage, or Processing power, apps may lag or fail to load properly.

Try these troubleshooting tips:

Close all other apps running in the background
Restart your device to clear any memory issues

Check your device temperature – Overheating can throttle performance
Factory reset your device to wipe performance-slowing files

Upgrading to a newer device can also resolve persistent performance issues affecting app stability.

Facebook server issues

Problems connecting to Facebook’s servers will prevent the app from loading content properly. Server outages are rare, but do happen.

Check Downdetector to see if Facebook is experiencing reported widespread outages related to your issue timing. You can also try loading Facebook on other devices or networks to help isolate the issue.

Additionally, logged-in Facebook users can receive alerts when outages occur via Facebook’s App Notifications settings.

Restrictive networks

Using restricted public networks or work networks can block the Facebook app or limit its functionality. Apps often fail to load fully on hotel, airline, school, or business networks with firewalls and traffic shaping policies.

Try troubleshooting the Facebook app on standard home or cellular data networks to see if the issues persist. If the app loads fine outside of the restrictive network, you will need to adjust firewall policies or use a VPN to resolve the app constraints while on that network.

Disabled permissions

The Facebook app requires certain permissions to access device data and features for full functionality. Disabling access to things like location, storage, contacts, and mobile data can cause the app to fail loading properly.

Ensure you have granted the Facebook app necessary permissions:

iPhone – Settings > Facebook > Enable permissions like Location, Contacts, Photos etc
Android – Settings > Apps > Facebook > Permissions

Granting permissions that align with how the app functions will help resolve restricted functionality issues.

Jailbroken/rooted devices

Jailbroken iPhones and rooted Android devices can sometimes experience app stability issues depending on the configuration. Facebook may fail to load properly if there are conflicts with certain installed tweaks.

Try troubleshooting the Facebook app with all tweaks disabled. If the issues disappear, re-enable them one by one to isolate the conflict. You may need to remove the problematic customization.

Facebook account issues

Problems with your Facebook account itself can also prevent the app from functioning correctly when logged in.

Ensure your Facebook account is in good standing:

Reset your Facebook password in case your account was compromised

Check for Facebook notifications about account locks or bans
Log out then log back into the Facebook app with your username and password

Resolve any platform violations or security risks with your account that could be restricting app access.

Conflicting apps

Other apps that interact with Facebook can sometimes interfere with the main Facebook app. For example, apps that enhance or customize Facebook functionality.

Try disabling or removing any other Facebook-related apps like:

Facebook Pages Manager

Facebook Groups
Friendcaster for Facebook
Social Kit

Swift for Facebook

If disabling a conflicting third-party Facebook app resolves issues loading the main app, you may need to choose just one and uninstall the other.

Reinstall the app

If you continue experiencing Facebook loading issues after trying the above troubleshooting, your last resort may be uninstalling and reinstalling the Facebook app entirely.

On iPhone:

Delete the Facebook app
Power cycle your device (turn it fully off and back on)

Reinstall Facebook from the App Store
Log in to your account

On Android:

Force stop the Facebook app
Clear app cache and data
Uninstall updates to revert to factory version

If issues persist, uninstall the app
Restart your device
Reinstall Facebook from the Play Store

Reinstalling can eliminate any corrupted files or settings and give you a fresh start with the app.

Contact Facebook support

If you still cannot get the Facebook app loading properly after trying all troubleshooting steps, you may need to contact Facebook support:

via in-app support chat
Twitter support at @facebook
Facebook Help Community forums

Facebook can further help diagnose the cause and provide specialized troubleshooting tips based on your detailed issue report.

Conclusion

App loading issues can be frustrating, but are often fixable. Updating the app, checking for connection problems, removing conflicts, reinstalling the app, and contacting Facebook support are the main ways to troubleshoot and resolve Facebook app loading failures.

With some dedicated troubleshooting and patience, you should hopefully be able to get the Facebook app working properly again.