There are a few common reasons why Facebook may get stuck on the loading screen:
Your Internet Connection is Slow or Unstable
The most likely culprit is an issue with your internet connection. Facebook requires a relatively fast and stable internet connection to load properly. If you are on a weak WiFi network or using a slow mobile data connection, Facebook may have trouble fully loading.
Try disconnecting and reconnecting to the WiFi network. If you are on mobile data, try finding a location with better signal strength. Turning Airplane Mode on and off can also help reset the connection. Check if other websites are having trouble loading – if so, it’s likely an issue with your general internet connectivity rather than just Facebook.
Outage or Server Issues at Facebook
Sometimes the loading issues are on Facebook’s end. Facebook has billions of users, so server and technical issues can and do occur. When the servers are overloaded or experiencing downtime, users may have problems accessing and loading Facebook properly.
Check Downdetector to see if others are reporting Facebook problems. Try loading Facebook on multiple devices on different networks – if the loading problems are widespread, it likely indicates a broader outage.
Unfortunately there is not much you can do besides wait for Facebook engineers to resolve the problem. Server issues are usually fixed within a few hours.
Software Bugs or Glitches
Less commonly, a software bug or glitch in the Facebook app or website may prevent loading. Trying force closing and reopening the app or doing a hard refresh of the browser cache can resolve one-off glitches.
Make sure you are running the latest version of the Facebook app and your browser is fully updated. Older versions may be more prone to bugs and issues.
If the loading problems started after an app update, see if others are reporting the issue and wait for Facebook to patch the bug in a future update.
Account or Login Issues
Problems with your Facebook account can also prevent Facebook from working properly.
If Facebook gets stuck while trying to log in, it may indicate an issue with your password, 2FA/login approvals, or other security settings. Try resetting your password and making sure your account email/phone is up to date.
Facebook will sometimes lock accounts for suspicious activity or violations of policy. You may need to submit a review request to unlock the account if you believe the block was in error.
Browser or App Conflicts and Incompatibilities
Problems may arise if Facebook has compatibility issues with your browser, device, OS, or other software:
- Try logging in to Facebook using different browsers like Chrome, Firefox, Safari to see if one works better than the others.
- Update your browser to the latest version if it is outdated.
- Clear browser cookies, caches, and data to remove possible conflicts.
- Update or reinstall the Facebook app if on mobile.
- On iPhones, check if iOS is fully updated and restart the device.
- Temporarily disable browser extensions and VPNs to see if they are interfering.
Corrupted Local App or Browser Storage
In rare cases, the Facebook app or website data itself may become corrupted locally, preventing loading. This can happen sometimes after app crashes or computer shutdowns during use.
As a last resort, try the following:
- Uninstall and reinstall the Facebook app
- On desktop browsers, clear site storage and data for Facebook
This will wipe any locally stored data and force a fresh load of Facebook.
How to Prevent Facebook Loading Issues
While loading issues can be tricky to troubleshoot in the moment, there are some steps you can take to avoid them occurring as much as possible:
- Ensure your internet connection is fast and stable enough to use bandwidth-intensive sites like Facebook.
- Don’t use outdated browsers and keep your devices updated with the latest OS versions.
- Clear browser caches and app data occasionally to prevent conflicts.
- Be mindful of any new browser extensions or major software updates you install right before Facebook starts having issues.
- Keep backup login methods available in case of Facebook account problems.
Following general troubleshooting best practices for browsers and apps can go a long way in keeping Facebook running smoothly.
When to Seek Further Help
If you have tried the common fixes and Facebook continues to get stuck loading, you may need to seek assistance:
- Search for your specific error message or symptoms to see if other users have found solutions.
- Post on Facebook’s help community describing the issue in detail.
- Consult with your device, browser, or software vendors’ technical support.
- Submit a request to Facebook support if you believe your account is impacted.
Provide as many details as possible, including when the issue started, what troubleshooting you have done, and any error messages you see. This will help narrow down the cause and speed up resolution.
Conclusion
Facebook failing to load is a common annoyance that has a range of potential causes – from internet outages to software bugs to account settings. Methodically trying the various solutions discussed can usually get Facebook back up and running.
Have patience, don’t rush troubleshooting steps, and take notes on what works or doesn’t. In most cases, Facebook loading issues can be successfully diagnosed with some guided trial-and-error using the right technical tools and knowledge.