Why isn't Facebook login working?

Facebook login issues can be frustrating, but there are usually some simple troubleshooting steps that can get you logged in. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll walk through the top reasons why Facebook login may not be working and how to fix them.

Facebook is Down

One of the most common reasons Facebook login isn’t working is that the site itself is experiencing an outage or technical issues. Facebook has billions of users, so any downtime affects a huge number of people. Some things to check:

Visit the DownDetector Facebook page to see if others are reporting login problems or outages.

Check the Facebook Platform Status page for notifications about known issues.
See if you can access Facebook from a different device or network connection – that helps rule out a problem on your end.

If Facebook itself seems to be experiencing technical difficulties, the only option is to wait it out until functionality is restored. Outages don’t usually last too long thankfully.

Your Facebook Account is Temporarily Locked

If you enter an incorrect password too many times, Facebook will temporarily lock your account as a security precaution. Here’s what to do if you think your account is locked:

Reset your password – even if you think you’re entering it correctly, reset it just in case.
Check the email associated with your Facebook account for a notification about the locked profile.

Follow the steps in the email to unlock the account, or use the Facebook Help Center guide.
If you can’t access that email anymore, use the Facebook Help Center to recover the account.

As frustrating as it is, a temporary lockout is designed to protect your account from unauthorized logins. Once you regain access, be sure to set up two-factor authentication as an added layer of security.

Browser or App Issues

Problems with your web browser or the Facebook mobile app could prevent logging in even when the service itself is up and running. Some browser issues that can block Facebook access include:

Cookies being blocked – Facebook login depends on cookies being enabled.
Facebook website not loading properly – try clearing the cache and cookies.

Web browser is outdated – update to the latest version.

On mobile, make sure you have the latest version of the Facebook app installed. If updating doesn’t fix any crashing or freezing issues, try deleting and reinstalling the app to resolve software glitches.

Login Approvals

If you have two-factor authentication enabled, you’ll need both your password and a login code generated from an approved device. Common reasons 2FA could block access include:

Not having your mobile device with you to get the code.
Using a new device that hasn’t been set up for 2FA.
Authentication codes going to an old number if you got a new phone.

Check your Facebook Security settings and make sure your mobile number is up to date. You can also set up backup authentication methods like security keys or backup codes.

Suspicious Login Location

For security reasons, Facebook may block logins from unknown devices or locations. For example:

Trying to login from a different city, state or country.

Using a VPN or proxy service that masks your real location.
Attempting to login from an IP address flagged as suspicious.

If Facebook thinks an attempted login looks suspicious, you may need to confirm your identity to regain access. Check for any alerts from Facebook and verify your identity using options like two-factor authentication codes or confirming recognized devices.

Account Has Been Deactivated

If you haven’t used Facebook in a while, your account may have been automatically deactivated due to inactivity. Here’s how to reactive a closed account:

Visit Facebook and click Create New Account.
Enter your name, email or phone number and click the link to reopen your old account.

Confirm your identity and agree to Facebook’s policies to complete reactivation.

In some cases, you may have manually deactivated your own account. Just follow the same steps to restore your profile and password.

Banned or Disabled Account

In severe cases, Facebook may outright ban accounts that violate policies. Some examples include:

Abusive, dangerous or fraudulent behavior.
Fake or inaccurate information.
Harmful speech or actions.

Inappropriate content.
Spamming.

If your account has been disabled, first check your email for details on why and whether the ban is temporary or permanent. To appeal a disabled account:

Fill out the Facebook Help Center Appeal form.
Provide any context or explanation for the behavior that violated policy.
Detail what steps you’ve taken to correct the issue and follow all policies going forward.

Keep in mind appeals don’t always lead to restored accounts, especially for severe or repeat offenses. But for bans over smaller misconduct, an appeal is your best shot at access.

Wrong Password

Typing an incorrect password is one of the simplest reasons Facebook login can fail. To troubleshoot:

Carefully retype your password – common mistakes like caps lock or off-by-one typos could be throwing you off.

If you can’t remember the password, use Facebook’s Forgot Password tool to reset it.
Don’t use old passwords saved by your browser – logins can fail if you changed passwords since saving.

If the password reset email never shows up, that’s a sign you may be using the wrong email address on your account. The Forgot Password tool can also help you identify the registered email.

Hacked or Phished Account

While rare, it’s possible your Facebook account was compromised, leading to login errors. Warning signs include:

Unfamiliar posts or messages sent from your account.
Login emails from unknown locations or devices.

Forgotten password emails you didn’t initiate.
Friends reporting spam from your account.

If your account shows signs of unauthorized access, change your password immediately and turn on two-factor authentication if you haven’t yet. Also scan devices used to login to Facebook for any spyware or keylogging malware.

Facebook Connection Issues

Problems with your own internet connection can also block access to Facebook, even if the site is running smoothly overall. Some connectivity issues that could interfere include:

WiFi outage or weak signal.
Cellular data network being down.

ISP or internet service disruption.
Poor internet speeds.
VPN connectivity problems.

One quick way to tell if the problem is on your end is trying to load any other websites. If Facebook is the only site not working, then they are likely experiencing technical problems. But if nothing is loading properly, restarting your modem/router and checking for ISP issues could resolve connectivity problems interfering with Facebook access.

Facebook Privacy Settings

While not directly related to login, your Facebook privacy settings could be blocking your own access if configured incorrectly. Some settings that may cause issues include:

Restricting your profile visibility too much.

Deleting your browsing history and activity.
Blocking your primary IP address.
Disabling platform integrations.

Head to Facebook’s Privacy Shortcuts to verify your settings aren’t inadvertently restricting access. For example, you may have blocked your current location or IP, not realizing it would prevent your own logins.

Underage or Fake Accounts

To comply with COPPA regulations, Facebook requires users to be at least 13 years old. If you signed up with an inaccurate age below 13, you may lose access once Facebook discovers the violation. Trying to operate a fake or misrepresentative account also often results in bans.

If your account was disabled due to age or authenticity violations, unfortunately the only recourse is to sign up for a new account once you meet the minimum age requirements and use your real identity. Continuing to access or lie about underage, fake or pseudonymous accounts will just get those new profiles disabled as well.

Buggy Facebook Apps

Bugs in the Facebook mobile apps or Facebook Lite app could also be interfering with logins for some users. If the app is crashing, freezing or failing to load, login issues are often connected. You can troubleshoot mobile app problems like:

Updating to the latest Facebook app version.
Reinstalling the app.

Trying the web browser version instead.
Switching to Facebook Lite if the main app is struggling.

Problems only happening in the mobile apps but not web browser are a sign of a buggy install. Keeping apps updated or reinstalling resolves many intermittent glitches.

Facebook Site Outage Map

One helpful resource for checking Facebook’s status is DownDetector’s Facebook outage map. This displays a real-time heatmap of Facebook downtime and issues reported around the world.

If you’re unable to login, a quick glance at the map can give you an idea if the problem is widespread or isolated to your region. Outages indicated across large areas point to broader Facebook technical problems, while issues limited to a single spot could mean trouble with your local network or ISP.

While not definitive, the outage map provides helpful context around the scale and geographic spread of any Facebook disruption. It can also keep you updated as issues are resolved.

Facebook Outage Map – Example Screenshot

Checking the Facebook outage map should be one of your first steps whenever login or connectivity issues arise. This real-time overview of status and problems can identify if the cause is on Facebook’s side or related to your own network and devices.

Facebook Login Errors

Specific error messages you may encounter when trying to access Facebook can also indicate what’s going wrong. Some common login errors include:

“Incorrect Username or Password” – You have the wrong email/password.

“Account Temporarily Locked” – Too many login attempts triggered a short lockout.
“Suspicious Login Attempt” – Facebook flagged your login as abnormal and requires ID confirmation.
“This Feature Isn’t Available Right Now” – Facebook is down or experiencing an outage.

“Please try Again Later” – Servers are overloaded or down for maintenance.

Paying attention to the exact wording of login errors can quickly reveal whether the issue is your own credentials, a temporary glitch, or something like a security lockout that requires specific fixes before regaining account access.

Can’t Access Facebook Account

If none of the above solutions work and you still can’t login to Facebook, a few last resort troubleshooting steps include:

Try your account password on Facebook mobile – ruling out mobile app issues.
See if you can login via Facebook Messenger – which runs on a separate infrastructure.
Check whether your Facebook account was merged into another – login using that merged account instead.

Use the Facebook Help Center to submit an account access request.

Submitting an access request starts the process of working with Facebook support for additional troubleshooting. They may request details to verify your identity or diagnose strange login problems if standard steps don’t resolve it.

Prevent Facebook Login Problems

While frustrating when they happen, there are some preventative steps that can reduce future occurrences of Facebook login failures:

Add Two-Factor Authentication. Enabling 2FA requires both your password and a secondary code during login, making your account much more secure.
Check Account Recovery Settings. Make sure your recovery email, trusted contacts and backup codes are up to date in case you need them.
Use Strong Passwords. Weak or reused passwords make it easier for attackers to compromise your accounts.

Beware Phishing Attempts. Don’t enter your Facebook login credentials on suspicious sites or links to avoid getting scammed.

Proactively securing your account through steps like 2FA and strong passwords reduces the chances of problems like hacks, lockouts or forgotten passwords blocking access down the road.

Facebook Login Not Working – Conclusion

Facebook login failures can result from issues on either the user or Facebook side, ranging from simple password problems to major site outages. By methodically checking possible causes – your credentials, account settings, device status, Facebook status and error specifics – you can troubleshoot and isolate the root cause.

Patience may be required during widespread service issues. But for account-specific problems, tools like password resets and Facebook Help can get you reunited with your profile. Enable security precautions as well so future disruptions are less likely. With the right mix of troubleshooting and preventative measures, Facebook login issues can be minimized and quickly corrected when they do pop up.