Uploading videos without sound is a common issue faced by many Facebook users. There are several reasons why a video may lose its sound when uploaded to Facebook. The most common causes include incompatible file formats, corrupted video files, and improper upload settings. Understanding the potential causes and solutions can help troubleshoot and fix soundless videos on Facebook.
Main Causes of Facebook Videos Uploading Without Sound
Here are some of the most common reasons a video may lose sound when uploaded to Facebook:
Incompatible Video Format
Facebook supports certain video file formats like .MP4 and .MOV. Uploading videos in other formats like .AVI, .WMV, .MPG, etc. may cause the audio to be stripped off or not be recognized by Facebook. This incompatibility with the video codec is a primary reason for soundless videos.
Corrupted Video File
If the original video file is corrupted or damaged, it may get uploaded to Facebook without sound. Issues during video encoding, incomplete file transfer, virus infection, etc. can all lead to corrupted video files. Trying to upload such a defective file to Facebook will result in a video with no audio.
Improper Upload Settings
Facebook offers options to upload videos with or without sound. If the “Upload without sound” option is accidentally selected during upload, it will strip off the audio from the video. Double-checking this setting can avoid user-error leading to soundless videos.
Copyrighted Audio
Facebook’s automated copyright detection system may identify copyrighted background music or audio tracks in your video. To avoid copyright issues, it may automatically remove the restricted audio and upload the video without sound.
Technical Glitches
In some rare cases, technical errors during Facebook’s transcoding and processing of uploaded videos may also result in loss of audio. Server issues, encoding failures or software bugs could potentially lead to such glitches.
Solutions and Fixes for Restoring Sound in Facebook Videos
If you’ve uploaded a video without sound on Facebook, there are a few ways to troubleshoot and fix the issue:
Re-encode Video in Supported Format
Try to convert the original video file into a Facebook-compatible format like .MP4 or .MOV using a video converter tool. Then re-upload the re-encoded video file, which should now retain the audio when uploaded to Facebook.
Repair Corrupted Video
If the source video file is corrupted, use video repair software to fix the broken file. Remo Repair MOV and Stellar Repair for Video are good options for fixing corrupted MOV and MP4 files. Once repaired, re-upload the healthy video to Facebook.
Double Check Upload Settings
When re-uploading the video, carefully check that the “Upload without sound” option is not selected. This ensures the audio gets carried over with the video to Facebook.
Remove Copyrighted Audio
If your video contains copyrighted background music, consider removing that audio track before uploading. You can mute/delete the restricted audio using video editing apps like Kapwing, ClipChamp, etc. Uploading the video without the copyrighted audio may allow it to bypass Facebook’s content filters.
Convert to HTML5 Format
Facebook prioritizes HTML5 video file format for faster, more reliable streaming. Converting corrupt files to HTML5 format using online converters before uploading may help retain the sound. Popular tools like CloudConvert, Zamzar, etc. can convert to HTML5 video format.
Edit and Re-Upload Video
Using video editing software like Filmora, Movavi, or iMovie, import the video file, edit it, and export it in a new file. Try uploading this newly edited and exported video, which may avoid any glitches affecting the original file.
Report Problem to Facebook
If all else fails, report the technical issues with video uploads losing sound directly to Facebook for further troubleshooting. They may be able to identify and resolve any encoding or processing errors on their end causing the audio loss.
Best Practices to Avoid Soundless Videos When Uploading to Facebook
Here are some tips to help prevent uploading soundless videos to Facebook:
Check Video File Format
Confirm the video file is in a Facebook-supported format like .MP4 or .MOV before uploading. Avoid formats like .WMV, .AVI, .MPG, etc. which may cause audio issues.
Use Optimal Encoding Settings
Encode the video with optimal settings for Facebook, such as H.264 video codec, AAC audio codec and proper bitrates. This improves compatibility and preserves sound.
Upload Short Video Clips
Uploading shorter clips (under 15 minutes) minimizes file size issues or glitches compared to longer videos. The smaller file size also enables faster upload.
Avoid Background Music
Don’t add copyrighted songs or audio tracks as background music in the video to prevent automatic audio removal by Facebook.
Check Video Before Uploading
Preview the video file on your computer before uploading to Facebook to confirm it plays properly with sound. Verify there are no corruption or encoding issues.
Why Facebook Strips Audio from Some Uploaded Videos
While user errors can lead to soundless videos on Facebook, the platform’s automated systems also strip audio for certain reasons including:
Blocking Copyrighted Content
To comply with copyright law and avoid legal issues, Facebook scans videos and removes restricted music or audio content. This results in videos with no sound.
Reducing File Size for Faster Streaming
Facebook transcodes videos into smaller file sizes for smoother streaming. The downsizing process may sometimes mistakenly remove audio or leave it corrupted.
Catching Policy Violations
Automated filters check for videos violating Facebook’s community standards or policies. Restricted audio may be stripped to prevent policy violations.
Standardizing Format for All Devices
Audio may get removed while converting uploaded videos into a standardized format for seamless playback across all devices and platforms.
Bugs in Transcoding Process
Glitches during Facebook’s transcoding of uploaded video file into a streamable format may sometimes inadvertently cause loss of audio.
How Facebook’s Algorithms Detect and Remove Audio
Facebook uses sophisticated audio recognition algorithms to identify and remove restricted or copyrighted audio tracks from uploaded videos. Here is an overview of how this technology works:
Digital Audio Fingerprinting
Unique fingerprint of audio file is extracted based on waveform patterns, spectral values, etc. This fingerprint is compared to Facebook’s database of copyrighted fingerprints.
Automated Audio Analysis
Machine learning models analyze audio in video to detect copyrighted music tracks, banned speech content, etc. based on training data.
Speech Transcription
Speech-to-text transcription converts speech in video to text, which is then analyzed by natural language processing to identify policy violations.
Matching Text Cues
Closed caption text and subtitles embedded in video are scanned using text analysis to detect banned phrases, lyrics, etc.
Third-Party Audio Recognition
Facebook uses external services like Audible Magic to match audio fingerprints against databases like YouTube Content ID for copyright detection.
Appealing Blocked or Removed Audio
If Facebook wrongly blocks audio from your uploaded video, you can appeal the removal and restore the sound:
Review Blocking Reason
Check notifications from Facebook on why the audio was removed – copyright claim, policy violation, etc. Understanding the cause can help make a strong appeal.
Provide Copyright Permissions
If using copyrighted content, submit permissions from the rights holder to prove you have legal authority to include that audio.
Dispute False Matches
The automated system may have misidentified your original audio as copyrighted. File a dispute explaining why it is false match.
Trim Blocked Sections
Edit the video to remove any segments with flagged audio, even a few seconds long clip. Then upload the trimmed video with the rest of the audio intact.
Replace Audio Track
Swap out the removed audio track with a copyright free alternative or different music before re-uploading the video.
Seek Human Review
Request for a human reviewer at Facebook to evaluate your appeal if automated systems repeatedly block the audio incorrectly.
Best Alternatives to Upload Videos with Sound
If Facebook is giving you trouble with retaining audio, consider these alternative platforms to upload and share videos without any sound issues:
| Platform | File Format | Max Video Length | Free Storage |
|---|---|---|---|
| YouTube | MP4, MOV, AVI | 12 hours | 15GB |
| Vimeo | MP4, MOV, AVI | 500MB | 5GB |
| DailyMotion | MP4, MOV, AVI | 60 minutes | 20GB |
YouTube
YouTube supports a wider variety of formats and has no issues with retaining audio in uploaded videos. But length is limited to 12 hours maximum.
Vimeo
Vimeo works well for short, high-quality video uploads without audio stripping issues. But free users have tighter length and storage limits.
DailyMotion
DailyMotion provides generous storage and length limits for free users. Smooth audio retention on uploads makes it a good Facebook alternative.
Risks of Streaming Videos With Copyrighted Audio
While it may seem harmless to use popular songs as background music in videos, streaming copyrighted audio carries notable risks:
Copyright Strikes
Media companies aggressively monitor for unauthorized audio usage and issue takedown notices and copyright strikes against infringing videos. Accumulating multiple strikes can lead to terminated accounts.
Revenue Loss
Any revenue earned from videos containing copyrighted audio – like YouTube ad revenue – will get claimed by the rights holder, leaving you with no income.
Legal Action
Severe cases of copyright infringement can prompt legal action, resulting in heavy fines or even jail time in certain instances.
Banned Accounts
Using stolen audio tracks repeatedly despite multiple warnings could get your social media accounts banned permanently.
Damaged Reputation
Receiving copyright claims or community strikes makes your account appear suspicious, damaging your reputation among viewers and followers.
Mitigating Risks of Using Copyrighted Audio
If you must use short copyrighted audio segments, certain precautions can help mitigate the potential risks:
Alter Audio Pitches
Slightly modify the tune or pitch of background music to make it unrecognizable from the original version. This avoids audio fingerprint matches.
Credit the Artist
Explicitly crediting the musician, song, and label helps show you’re not intending infringement, but rather promoting their work.
Dispute Erroneous Claims
Many copyright matches are erroneous. Disputing false claims with proof of original content creation can get them removed.
Seek Formal Licenses
Secure proper licenses from music labels and publishers to legally use their audio, although fees may apply. This authorization protects you from any infringement allegations.
Limit Usage to Fair Use
Where possible, restrict copyrighted audio use to short segments that may qualify as fair use, reducing infringement risks. But outcomes aren’t guaranteed.
Educational Fair Use of Copyrighted Material
Educators enjoy certain exemptions when using copyrighted audio or video clips for instructional purposes:
Citing Sources
Always cite the original creator and source of any third-party materials used in educational videos or presentations.
Transformative Usage
The material should be used in a transformative way, like commentary or analysis, rather than just reposted in its original form.
Restricted Portions
Only the portions necessary for the educational purpose should be used, not the entire copyrighted work.
Non-profit Access
The content should only be made available to students or other participants in the educational activity, not the general public.
Balanced Presentation
For instructional multimedia, the copyrighted materials used should represent just a small portion compared to the overall original content.
However, these protections are not absolute. Fair use requires reasonable application, and charges of infringement are still possible if guidelines are abused. Legal counsel may be advisable when dealing with copyrighted materials in an educational context.
Facebook’s Stance on Copyright Protection
Facebook has published detailed policies and protections surrounding copyright on their platform:
- Rights holders can report infringing videos to request removal.
- Copyright holders can block material from being re-shared via Rights Manager tool.
- Strikes are issued for repeat copyright violations, potentially disabling accounts.
- Automated systems identify and mute problematic audio tracks.
- Appeal process available for mistaken copyright claims.
- Educational institutions have some protections under fair use doctrine.
Despite some allowances for incidental use, Facebook places the burden on creators to avoid unauthorized inclusion of copyrighted materials in their videos and other content. Repeated failure to do so can prompt penalties according to their policies.
The Bottom Line
Losing audio when uploading videos to Facebook is often frustrating, but there are fixes available in most cases. The most common reasons involve incompatible formats, corrupted files, improper settings, copyrighted music, or technical glitches. Converting to supported formats, repairing damaged files, double-checking upload settings, removing copyrighted audio, and reporting technical issues can typically resolve otherwise soundless videos. With proper troubleshooting and optimized practices, you can successfully retain the full audio experience in videos uploaded to Facebook.