If you’ve ever uploaded a video to Facebook only to be frustrated when it shows up sideways or rotated incorrectly, you’re not alone. Playing videos horizontally when they were shot vertically is a common annoyance on the platform.
What causes Facebook videos to play sideways?
The reason behind sideways Facebook videos lies in how the platform processes and displays video files. Specifically, it has to do with the orientation metadata embedded in the video file itself.
When you record a video on your phone, metadata is added that specifies the orientation the video was shot in. Most mobile phones these days record vertically, which makes for a portrait orientation video.
However, Facebook is designed with landscape video in mind. So when you upload a vertical video, Facebook ignores the original orientation metadata and displays the video horizontally. This makes the video look sideways or rotated 90 degrees from its intended viewing angle.
Can I fix a sideways Facebook video?
Fortunately, yes – there are a few different ways to rotate your video and correct the sideways orientation on Facebook:
Edit the video before uploading
The best option is to edit your video first before uploading to Facebook. Use video editing software to rotate the video to landscape orientation. This removes any incompatible vertical metadata and ensures Facebook plays it properly horizontal.
Some easy video editor options include:
- iPhone/Android default editing tools
- Windows Photos app video editor
- iMovie on Mac
- Free options like Kapwing, Clipchamp, or VSDC Free Video Editor
Simply rotate your clip 90 degrees clockwise or counter-clockwise before exporting and uploading to Facebook.
Facebook’s video rotation tool
If you’ve already uploaded your video to Facebook, they provide a handy built-in rotation tool:
- Click the three-dot menu next to your video post and select “Edit Post”
- Click on your video thumbnail to open the edit window
- Click “Rotate” and choose either 90° left or right to rotate the orientation
- Save your changes and exit back to your post
This will permanently rotate and save the new orientation of your video to display properly on Facebook.
Upload video from desktop
Uploading sideways videos from your desktop provides more control. Rather than auto-processing the file, Facebook simply displays your video as-is if uploaded on desktop.
So you can rotate the video yourself with video editing software first. Or upload it sideways initially, then use the built-in Facebook rotation tool after.
How to avoid sideways videos
Going forward, you can take steps to ensure your videos upload with the proper landscape orientation to Facebook:
Record horizontally
The easiest option is to simply shoot all your videos in landscape orientation. Hold your phone sideways before you hit record to capture a horizontal clip.
Edit orientation before uploading
As mentioned above, use video editing software to rotate your clip to landscape first. This overrides any vertical orientation data.
Upload from a desktop
Uploading videos directly from a computer allows Facebook to display the original orientation without processing or rotation.
Use square video settings
Some phones allow you to shoot or export a square 1:1 aspect ratio video. Square videos display properly when uploaded to Facebook without any rotation needed.
Troubleshooting sideways Facebook videos
If you continue having issues with sideways videos on Facebook, here are some troubleshooting tips:
- Double check orientation metadata – Use a tool like MediaInfo to inspect your video file metadata. Look for orientation flags.
- Try re-exporting the video – Re-exporting the file from your editing software can strip away and reset inconsistent metadata.
- Convert to another format – Converting to a standardized format like MP4 can help resolve metadata issues.
- Clear Facebook cache – Clearing your browser cache and cookies can reset any cached video issues.
- Try alternate browsers or devices – Uploading from another device or browser resets any caching.
- Report as a Facebook bug – If all else fails, report the issue directly to Facebook through their help pages.
Why Facebook plays videos sideways
In summary, the root cause for sideways videos on Facebook boils down to a mismatch between vertical orientation mobile footage and Facebook’s horizontal player:
- Mobile phones natively capture vertical, portrait video
- Facebook video player is designed for landscape, horizontal footage
- Automatic processing rotates videos to fit Facebook’s player
- Results in sideways videos that need manual rotating
So bypassing Facebook’s auto-rotation is key. Shoot or edit videos to horizontal orientation prior to uploading can prevent headaches!
Following the tips outlined in this article, you can take control of your video orientation. Ensure your Facebook videos always play as intended, avoiding frustrating sideways playback issues.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are my Facebook videos rotated sideways?
Facebook videos play sideways because of incompatible orientation metadata between vertical mobile videos and Facebook’s horizontal video player. The automatic processing rotates videos incorrectly.
How can I rotate a video on Facebook?
You can rotate videos on Facebook using the built-in rotation tool. Just edit your post, open the video thumbnail, click “Rotate” and choose left or right 90 degree turns to adjust the orientation.
How do I fix a sideways video on Facebook?
To fix sideways Facebook videos:
- Edit and rotate the video before uploading
- Use Facebook’s rotation tool after uploading
- Upload video from desktop instead of mobile
- Record new video horizontally or in square format
Why do some Facebook videos upload sideways?
If you upload vertically oriented video shot on a mobile device, Facebook will automatically rotate it sideways to fit their horizontal player. The best way to prevent this is to edit the orientation before uploading.
How do I make sure Facebook doesn’t rotate my video?
To keep Facebook from rotating your video incorrectly:
- Edit and export video files horizontally before uploading
- Upload videos directly from a desktop computer
- Record new videos in landscape orientation initially
Conclusion
Sideways videos on Facebook can be super frustrating, but thankfully there are ways to take control over your video orientation. By understanding the root cause – and learning to pre-empt Facebook’s auto-rotation – you can easily fix, prevent, and troubleshoot sideways video issues.
With the right editing tricks and upload techniques, you can say goodbye to sideways footage for good. So go forth and capture epic horizontal footage, sharemust-see vertical clips, and stop sideways videos from ruining your Facebook feed!