It can be frustrating when the Facebook app on your phone or tablet gets stuck or freezes. Here are some troubleshooting tips to try and get your Facebook app working again.
Force Close and Reopen the App
The simplest solution is to force close the Facebook app and reopen it. On an iPhone or iPad, you can force close an app by double clicking the home button and swiping up on the Facebook app preview to close it. On Android, open the app switcher and swipe the Facebook app preview upward to force close. After closing the app, wait a few seconds and then launch the Facebook app again to see if the issue is fixed.
Check Your Internet Connection
Issues with the Facebook app are often due to internet connectivity problems. Check that your Wi-Fi or cellular data connection is working properly. Try disabling Wi-Fi and switching to cellular data, or vice versa, to see if that fixes things. You can also try resetting your router or modem if you’re on Wi-Fi. Using a bad internet connection can lead to freezing, crashing, or failure to load new content.
Update the App
An outdated version of the Facebook app can cause problems. Open your device’s app store, search for Facebook, and check if there are any app updates available. Install the latest version of the Facebook app and see if that resolves your issues.
Reinstall the Facebook App
If all else fails, uninstalling and reinstalling the Facebook app may fix any corrupt files or cache issues causing crashes or freezing. On an iPhone or iPad, hold down on the Facebook icon until the apps jiggle, then tap the X to delete. On Android, go to Settings > Apps > Facebook and choose Uninstall. After uninstalling, download the Facebook app again from the app store and log back in.
Restart Your Device
Performing a quick reboot of your smartphone or tablet can clear out any memory issues or glitches affecting the Facebook app. Power down your device completely, wait 30 seconds, and then power it back on. Once your device has restarted, open the Facebook app again normally.
Update Your Device’s Operating System
Make sure your device’s OS is updated to the latest version. Software updates often include bug fixes and optimizations that can resolve app freezing issues. On an iPhone or iPad, go to Settings > General > Software Update. On Android, go to Settings > System > System Update. Install any available OS updates and see if it helps stabilize the Facebook app.
Clear the App’s Cache and Data
Clearing the Facebook app’s cache and data can delete any corrupt files that may be causing crashing issues. On an iPhone or iPad, go to Settings > General > iPhone Storage, select Facebook, then tap Offload App. This will clear cache and data. On Android go to Settings > Apps > Facebook > Storage > Clear Cache and Clear Data. Keep in mind this will sign you out of the app.
Disable Background App Refresh
Having Background App Refresh enabled for the Facebook app allows it to run processes even when not open, which can sometimes cause problems. Disable Background App Refresh for the Facebook app by going to Settings > General > Background App Refresh and toggling the switch off for Facebook. This prevents the app from running in the background.
Turn Off Auto-Play for Videos
The Facebook app’s auto-play feature for videos can use a lot of processing power and data. Turn off auto-play by going into the Facebook app’s Settings > Media and toggling Video Autoplay off. This prevents videos from automatically playing as you scroll through the app, which can reduce freezing.
Check Your Storage Space
If your device is low on storage space, it can cause apps like Facebook to misbehave or freeze. Check your available storage by going to Settings > General > iPhone Storage on an iPhone, or Settings > Storage on Android. Make sure you have sufficient free space – 1GB or more is recommended. Delete unneeded apps and files or transfer photos/videos to cloud storage to free up space.
Turn Airplane Mode On and Off
As a quick connectivity troubleshooting step, turn on Airplane Mode for 30 seconds, then turn it off again. Airplane Mode will disable all radios briefly, which can reset any network connectivity issues impacting the Facebook app.
Log Out and Log Back In
Logging out of the Facebook app and then logging back in can reset any account or connectivity problems. Open the Facebook app’s menu and choose Settings > Account Ownership and Control > Log Out. Then re-enter your username and password to log back in to the app normally.
Conclusion
With any luck, one of these troubleshooting tips should get your stuck Facebook app up and running again. Issues with mobile apps can be frustrating, but are often easy to fix by resetting the app, clearing corrupt files, or updating software and settings. Be sure to keep the Facebook app and your device’s operating system updated to prevent future freezing or crashing problems.
Common Facebook App Errors and How to Fix Them
Beyond just the app freezing or getting stuck, there are some other common Facebook app errors and issues that users may encounter. Here are some tips for fixing other Facebook app problems that may arise:
Can’t Log In
If you can’t log in to the Facebook app, it’s likely an issue with your password or account. Try resetting your password at www.facebook.com. Make sure you’re entering the correct email/username. Double check your internet connection is working too.
App Launches to Blank or White Screen
This usually indicates the app is having trouble loading content and communicating with Facebook’s servers. Force close the app, restart your device, reinstall the app, and check your internet connection to resolve this.
App Crashes Immediately After Launch
Crashing right after opening the app points to a corrupt installation. Try reinstalling the Facebook app and make sure your device has the latest OS updates installed. Reset the device to rule out any software conflicts.
Can’t Load News Feed
If your News Feed won’t load, it’s likely a temporary glitch when communicating with Facebook’s server. Pull down to refresh the News Feed and try force closing and reopening the app. Check your internet connection too.
Can’t Upload Photos or Videos
Uploading issues typically come down to your internet connection speed and bandwidth. Use Wi-Fi instead of mobile data and disable Background App Refresh for the best upload experience. The files may also be too large if upload keeps failing.
Notifications Not Working
Ensure notifications are enabled for the Facebook app in your device settings. Go to Settings > Notifications > Facebook and check they are turned on. The app must also be allowed to run in the background for notifications.
Chat Heads Not Working
Facebook’s Chat Heads feature uses overlay permissions that sometimes get revoked. Go to Settings > Apps > Facebook > Permissions and allow overlays. Force close and reopen the Facebook app to restart Chat Heads.
Can’t Send or Receive Messages
Messaging issues are commonly caused by internet instability disrupting connectivity. Switch between Wi-Fi and cellular data to test. Make sure you’re logged into the Facebook app fully. Force closing the app can reset messaging capabilities.
Facebook App Troubleshooting Tips
To recap, here are some top troubleshooting tips for common Facebook mobile app issues:
- Force close and relaunch the app
- Check your internet connection
- Update or reinstall the app
- Restart your device
- Update your device operating system
- Clear the app cache and data
- Disable Background App Refresh for the app
- Turn off auto-play video
- Check available storage space
Following basic mobile app troubleshooting steps like these will help resolve many Facebook app problems you may encounter. With the huge number of people using Facebook’s mobile apps, issues inevitably come up now and then, but are usually easily fixed.
Why Does the Facebook App Consume So Much Battery Life?
One common complaint about the Facebook mobile app is that it drains your device’s battery life very quickly. There are a few reasons why the Facebook app is such a battery hog:
Frequent background activity
Even when you’re not actively using it, the Facebook app runs frequent background tasks to sync data and fetch updates. All this background activity keeps the app awake and consuming power.
Auto-playing videos
The default setting has videos in your News Feed playing automatically as you scroll by. Auto-playing videos drain battery as they use power-hungry graphics processing.
Location services
The Facebook app uses your device’s location services to tag your posts, find nearby places, show relevant ads, etc. Constant location tracking in the background reduces battery life.
Push notifications
Push notifications allow the Facebook app to wake up your phone when it receives alerts. Constant notifications keep the app active and use more juice.
Heavy data usage
Loading images, videos and other data over your mobile connection requires your device’s radios to be active. Heavy mobile data usage by the Facebook app burns battery.
How to Extend Facebook App Battery Life
Luckily there are some steps you can take to reduce the Facebook app’s battery drain and extend your device’s battery life:
- Disable Background App Refresh for Facebook
- Turn off auto-play videos
- Restrict background data usage
- Disable location services
- Reduce push notification frequency
- Enable Low Data mode
- Close the app fully when not in use
- Lower screen brightness for the app
- Delete and reinstall the Facebook app
Implementing even a few of these battery saving tips can significantly improve your battery life. The Facebook app will always use more power than simple, lightweight apps. But with the right settings adjustments, you can still enjoy Facebook without completely destroying your battery.
Facebook App Data Usage
The Facebook app uses a significant amount of data to provide a smooth and speedy experience while scrolling and accessing content. Here are some key facts about the Facebook app’s data usage:
- The Facebook app uses about 20-50MB of data per hour of active usage depending on content
- Video content uses the most data at up to 250MB per hour
- Background app data usage is around 10-20MB per hour
- Image heavy News Feed content consumes more data
- Chat uses about 5MB per hour
- The average user active on Facebook consumes 150-350MB per day
Facebook itself estimates average usage of the app to be around 55-100MB per day. But this can vary significantly depending on your usage patterns. Video calling, high-resolution photo uploads and frequent chat can drive your data usage much higher.
Ways to Reduce Facebook App Data Usage
If you need to limit your data consumption in the Facebook app, here are some ways to save data:
- Enable Low Data mode in app settings
- Disable auto-play videos
- Avoid uploading high-res photos/videos
- Don’t stream Facebook Watch videos
- Turn off Background App Refresh
- Restrict background data
- Use Messenger Lite for chat
With the right restrictions, you can cut the Facebook app’s data usage significantly – often by 50% or more. But keep in mind this may impact your experience and convenience.
Common Facebook App Bugs
Like any complex software, the Facebook app for Android and iOS frequently experiences bugs that cause odd behaviors for users. Here are some of the most common Facebook app bugs:
News Feed fails to refresh
This bug causes the News Feed to get stuck despite pulling to refresh. Force closing the app usually resolves it.
Can’t post statuses or photos
Uploading and posting errors are a widespread bug generally fixed by reinstalling the app or deleting its data/cache.
Chat heads disappear
Chat heads randomly disappearing is an annoying bug caused by messaging permission issues. Revoking and re-enabling overlay permissions fixes it.
Stories don’t load
An inability to view Stories is often caused by an authentication bug. Logging out and back in is the best solution.
Notifications not working
This is typically caused by OS-level notification permission issues. Check the notification settings for the Facebook app.
Major battery drain
Excessive battery usage has been a constant Facebook bug. Try restricting background activity and location access.
App freezing and crashing
Freezing, stuttering and sudden crashes point to performance bugs. Update the app and restart your device.
Considering the app’s complexity and wide user base, bugs are inevitable. But Facebook engineers work quickly to squash recurring issues with app updates. Reporting bugs directly to Facebook can help improve the app too.
Should You Use the Facebook Mobile Website Instead?
Some users opt to access Facebook through their device’s web browser instead of installing the official mobile app. There are pros and cons to using the Facebook mobile website versus the native app:
| Facebook Mobile Website | Facebook Mobile App |
|---|---|
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The mobile web version uses less data, battery, and storage space. But the native app provides a smoother experience with more convenient features. If your device is low on storage or you want to conserve battery life, using the Facebook mobile site is a viable option.
Conclusion
The Facebook mobile app allows staying connected on the go, but also comes with its fair share of issues. App freezing, crashing bugs, battery drain, and data usage concerns are common complaints. However, with the right troubleshooting and usage management, these problems can usually be minimized or overcome entirely. Keeping the app updated, modifying settings, and following best practices will provide the best experience using Facebook on your mobile device.