There are a few common reasons why Facebook may show that you have no internet connection even when your internet is working fine. The most likely culprits are an issue with your browser, an outage on Facebook’s end, or a problem with your router or network connection.
Browser Issues
The first thing to check is whether the problem is isolated to Facebook or if other websites are failing to load as well. Try opening some other sites in your browser – if they won’t load either, then the issue is likely with your browser. Here are some browser-related reasons Facebook could show no internet:
- Browser cache is corrupted – Clear your browser cache and cookies and try again.
- Browser extensions are interfering – Disable any browser extensions and test if Facebook works.
- Browser needs to be restarted – Completely close out of the browser and relaunch it.
- Browser is out of date – Make sure your browser is updated to the latest version.
If after trying the above solutions, other sites are loading fine, then there must be something specifically related to Facebook causing connectivity issues.
Facebook Outage
The next possibility is that Facebook itself is experiencing an outage or service disruption. Facebook has billions of users, and like any major website, occasionally has intermittent technical difficulties. Some signs that the issue may be on Facebook’s end include:
- You get an error message when trying to load Facebook pages.
- Your Facebook feed won’t refresh or load new content.
- Chat messages won’t send.
- You can’t log into your account.
Before you panic, check Facebook’s status page to see if they have reported any ongoing outages. Major outages will also usually be reported by news outlets. The good news is Facebook outages are typically resolved within an hour or two at most.
Router or Network Issues
Assuming no larger internet outage is occurring, router problems or other network connectivity issues could explain why Facebook is showing no internet connection specifically. Things to check include:
- Rebooting your router and modems – Unplug them, wait 30 seconds, and plug back in.
- Checking for loose connections – Ensure ethernet and coaxial cables are properly plugged in.
- Connecting a different device to your network – Try connecting another phone, computer, etc to see if the connectivity issue persists.
- Resetting network settings on your device – On an iPhone, go to Settings > General > Reset > Reset Network Settings.
- Checking for VPN conflicts – Turn off any active VPN connections and see if Facebook works normally.
Network problems tend to affect more than just Facebook, so if you can load other websites fine, this is less likely to be the issue.
Facebook App Problems
The Facebook mobile app itself could also be the source of connectivity problems. Try these app troubleshooting steps:
- Force close and relaunch the app
- Update to the latest version of the app
- Delete and reinstall the app
- Clear the app’s cache and data
- Restart your phone
If other apps are functioning normally and you’ve ruled out wider network issues, then reinstalling the Facebook app will often resolve app-specific bugs.
Account or Security Issues
Less commonly, connectivity issues limited to Facebook may stem from your account being restricted in some way or a security-related precaution being triggered. Possibilities include:
- Your account is temporarily locked or suspended – Usually the result of suspected suspicious activity or violating Facebook’s policies.
- Login approvals are enabled – Facebook may require an additional code to be entered when you log in from new devices as a security measure.
- Your location settings are blocking access – Facebook sometimes blocks logins from certain countries or regions as a security precaution.
Try logging into Facebook from a different device or network to see if your account access is being limited for some reason. If your account has been locked, you will need to follow Facebook’s account appeal process.
Internet Censorship
In some countries, governments intentionally block or restrict access to certain websites like Facebook. This internet censorship could also cause Facebook connectivity issues. Ways to bypass these restrictions include:
- Using a VPN to route your traffic through another country
- Trying alternate domain names for Facebook like fb.com
- Connecting through an anonymous proxy server
- Using censorship-evading apps and tools like Psiphon
If other sites are accessible except for Facebook, internet censorship is a possible cause, especially if you are traveling or using internet in another country.
DNS Issues
The DNS (Domain Name System) is like the internet’s phone book, translating domain names like facebook.com to the correct IP addresses. DNS issues can block access to Facebook even if the site is up and running. Some ways to troubleshoot potential DNS problems:
- Flushing your DNS cache
- Switching to public DNS servers like Google’s 8.8.8.8
- Trying alternate domains like fb.com if facebook.com won’t load
- Using a VPN to route around any DNS blocks
- Checking if a site like Downdetector shows DNS issues reported by others
DNS problems tend to affect more than just Facebook, so this may be a last resort item to check if other sites are working fine.
Facebook Site Errors
In some cases, you may encounter specific errors when trying to access Facebook. Some common Facebook error messages and solutions include:
| Error Message | Solution |
|---|---|
| This site can’t be reached / ERR_INTERNET_DISCONNECTED | Indicates a network connection issue. Check router, cables, proxy settings, etc. |
| This site can’t provide a secure connection | Try manually typing https:// at the start of the URL. May indicate network issues intercepting secure connection. |
| Facebook is down for maintenance | The site is down for scheduled maintenance. Try again later. |
| Error establishing a database connection | Wait for Facebook engineers to resolve issue. Possibly a Facebook server outage. |
Pay attention to any specific error messages shown to help narrow down root causes.
When to Seek Further Help
With some diligent troubleshooting, connectivity issues in Facebook can usually be resolved. Try to systematically isolate the problem – determine if it’s browser-related, a larger internet outage, a DNS issue, etc.
If you still can’t get Facebook working after trying all the above steps, some additional things to try include:
- Contacting your internet service provider for assistance
- Posting details about your issue on a Facebook support forum to see if others have ideas
- Running diagnostics like ping and tracert to analyze network connection problems
- Checking if third-party sites like Downdetector have reported outages
- Reporting connectivity issues directly to Facebook through their help page
With a mix of checks on your device, network, browser, DNS, and Facebook itself, the source of no internet connection errors can usually be uncovered with some diligent troubleshooting.
Conclusion
Facebook showing no internet connection can be frustrating, but the issue typically stems from some common culprits. Start by verifying the problem is unique to Facebook and not your whole internet connection. Browser-specific problems, Facebook outages, router configuration issues, mobile app bugs, account restrictions, internet censorship, DNS problems or site errors could all be at fault. Methodically go through troubleshooting steps for each possibility until the cause is uncovered. Check Facebook’s status page, restart equipment and apps, and post on forums if the problem persists. With some focused effort, Facebook should be accessible again in no time.