If you are seeing an “error fetching data” message when using Facebook, there are a few potential causes and solutions to try. This error typically means there is some kind of issue connecting to Facebook’s servers to load your news feed or other Facebook content.
Common Causes of Facebook Error Fetching Data
Here are some of the most common reasons why Facebook may show the “error fetching data” message:
- Internet Connection Issue – If you have a weak or unstable internet connection, it can prevent Facebook from loading properly. Try disconnecting and reconnecting to WiFi or toggling Airplane Mode on and off.
- Outdated App – An outdated version of the Facebook app may have compatibility issues leading to errors. Update to the latest version of the Facebook app for your device.
- Server Outage – Facebook’s servers could be experiencing downtime or technical issues, preventing data from loading. Check Facebook’s status page to see if there are any known outages.
- Account Restriction – If your account has been temporarily restricted by Facebook, it can block access to your news feed and other data.
- Corrupt App Data – Corrupted app data like cached or temporary files could affect the Facebook app’s ability to fetch data properly.
- Excessive Load – If you have an extremely large number of posts/contacts/groups, it may cause an error when Facebook tries to load all your data.
How to Fix Facebook Error Fetching Data
Try these troubleshooting steps to resolve the error fetching data issue:
- Force Quit and Reopen the App – Fully close out of the Facebook app either from your app switcher or by rebooting your device. Reopen Facebook to force a clean app launch.
- Check for Facebook Outages – Visit Facebook’s Platform Status page to see if they have reported any known issues or outages with their servers.
- Confirm Internet Connection – Make sure your device has a strong WiFi or cellular data connection that allows other sites/apps to load normally.
- Update the Facebook App – Go to your device’s app store and install any available updates to the Facebook app.
- Clear Facebook App Cache – In your device settings, find and clear cached data and files for the Facebook app to eliminate corrupted temporary data.
- Log Out and Back In – Sign fully out of Facebook either from settings or by deleting the app. Reinstall and log back in to your account to refresh your authentication.
- Use an Alternate Connection – Try loading Facebook with a different WiFi network or switch to mobile data if on WiFi to see if connection issue persists.
- Restrict Background Data – If on mobile data, disable background data usage for Facebook which can cause errors when multitasking between apps.
- Turn Off Battery Saver – Battery saver/power saving modes can sometimes restrict app data usage leading to Facebook errors.
- Restart Your Device – Perform a full restart/reboot of your device to clear out any memory issues causing persistent Facebook problems.
Advanced Troubleshooting Tips
For additional troubleshooting steps if the error persists, try these advanced tips:
- Try Facebook Lite – The streamlined Facebook Lite app avoids some data loading issues caused by the main Facebook app’s extra features.
- Report Bug to Facebook – Use the in-app reporting tool to notify Facebook developers of the “error fetching data” bug for investigation.
- Contact Facebook Support – Reach out to Facebook’s customer support for personalized help fixing persistent account and app errors.
- Temporarily Limit Account – To isolate the cause, try limiting Facebook data usage by temporarily unfollowing people/groups or connecting with only a test account.
- Try Facebook in a Browser – Load Facebook in your mobile browser or computer browser to see if the error occurs only inside the main Facebook app.
- Reset Advertiser ID – In your device ad settings, reset your advertising ID which could resolve incorrectly cached Facebook ad data.
- Check Server Status – Monitor Facebook’s developer platform status page for any identified bugs causing widespread data fetching issues.
Conclusion
To review, the most common fixes for a Facebook error fetching data message include:
- Updating the Facebook app
- Clearing the app’s cached data
- Checking for Facebook server outages
- Switching to a strong internet connection
- Restricting background app data usage
- Refreshing the app by signing out and back in
If you still see the error after trying these basic troubleshooting steps, resetting your device, using Facebook Lite, or contacting Facebook support may help resolve rarer causes. With some diligent troubleshooting, the Facebook error fetching data message should disappear and seamless access to your news feed and contacts will be restored.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my Facebook app keep showing an error?
If your Facebook app persistently shows errors like “error fetching data”, some common reasons include connection issues, outdated app, server outages, account restrictions, excessive load on your account, or corrupted cached data. Trying the troubleshooting steps like resetting the app, updating the app, clearing cached data and checking server status can help resolve these types of persistent Facebook errors.
Why is my Facebook news feed not loading?
If your Facebook news feed shows an error or constantly spins without loading content, it’s usually caused by the same issues that lead to a general “error fetching data” message. Connection problems, app crashes, server outages, or too much load on your account can prevent the news feed from populating. Following troubleshooting tips like switching WiFi/cellular data, reinstalling the app, and using Facebook Lite can help get your news feed working again.
How can I fix if Facebook is not working?
When Facebook is down or showing errors like “error fetching data”, there are a few ways you can attempt to fix it:
- Check Facebook’s platform status page to see if there are any known widespread outages.
- Force close and relaunch the Facebook app.
- Update to the latest version of the Facebook app.
- Clear cached data and files for the Facebook app.
- Try accessing Facebook from both WiFi and cellular data to isolate connection issues.
- Temporarily limit account activity to reduce data demands.
If these basic troubleshooting tips don’t restore full Facebook functionality, you may need to contact Facebook support for additional help diagnosing and fixing the problems.
General Facebook Troubleshooting
Outside of the “error fetching data” message, here are some steps to troubleshoot other common Facebook issues:
Can’t Log In to Facebook
- Reset your account password if forgotten
- Verify your account email or phone number
- Check for active account lockouts or restrictions
- Ensure Facebook is allowed internet access and not blocked
Facebook Keeps Crashing
- Update to the latest Facebook app
- Restart your device
- Check for corrupt cached data and clear it
- Disable battery saver/power saving mode
- Troubleshoot issues with your device OS or hardware
Facebook Videos Won’t Play
- Check your internet connection speed and stability
- Allow Facebook access to storage to save video cache
- Update your device software and apps
- Clear cached data to refresh video file information
- Toggle hardware acceleration in Facebook settings on/off
Can’t Upload Photos to Facebook
- Check photo file size and format requirements
- Allow Facebook access to your photo library
- Compress photos if file sizes are too large
- Switch to a stronger internet connection
- Make sure Facebook app has updated permissions
Facebook Notifications Not Working
- Check notification settings and turn them on
- Update Facebook app to the latest version
- Ensure notifications are enabled OS-wide
- Toggle notifications off and on for the app
- Restart your device
By methodically working through resets, updates, permission and settings changes, reinstalls, OS tweaks and more, most Facebook issues like errors fetching data can be resolved successfully.