If you’re having issues playing Facebook videos on your phone, you’re not alone. Many users report problems with Facebook videos not loading or playing on mobile devices. The good news is that in most cases, there are steps you can take to fix the issue and get your Facebook videos working again.
Quick Fixes to Try
Here are some quick things to try if Facebook videos won’t play on your phone:
- Force close and restart the Facebook app
- Update the Facebook app to the latest version
- Check your internet connection and switch to a stronger WiFi or cellular data network if possible
- Update your phone software to the latest OS version
- Clear the cache and data for the Facebook app
- Toggle your cellular data or WiFi off and back on
Often a simple fix like force closing or updating the app, clearing app data, or checking your internet connection is enough to resolve issues with Facebook videos not playing. If those basic steps don’t get your videos working, read on for some more in-depth troubleshooting tips.
Check Your Internet Connection
One of the most common reasons Facebook videos won’t play on your phone is problems with your internet connection. Video requires a relatively strong and stable connection to load and play properly. Here are some things to check:
- WiFi signal strength – If you’re connected to WiFi, make sure you have at least 2-3 bars of signal strength. Move closer to your router if the signal is weak.
- Cellular data connectivity – Similarly, check that you have a strong 4G LTE or 5G connection. Slow 3G cellular connections may have trouble with video.
- Connection speed – Run a speed test to check your actual download and upload speeds. Video requires speeds of at least 5-10 Mbps download to play smoothly.
- Data limits – Check if you’re running up against your cellular data cap or ISP data limits, which could throttle your connection speeds.
- Router connection – If on WiFi, restart your router and modem and check for firmware updates from your ISP.
Switching to a stronger WiFi or cellular connection often fixes Facebook video issues on phones. Disconnect and reconnect from WiFi or cellular data to force your phone to re-establish a strong connection.
Update the Facebook App
Make sure the Facebook app is updated to the latest version. Open the App Store (iOS) or Google Play Store (Android) and check for available updates. Install any updates listed for the Facebook app.
The developers of the Facebook app release frequent bug fix and performance updates. Updating the app ensures you have the latest code fixes that may resolve Facebook video playback problems. The latest version could contain optimizations for streaming video to mobile devices.
Update Your Phone’s Software
Similarly, also check for any software updates available for your phone’s operating system. Keeping your phone’s OS up to date provides important security patches and fixes system bugs that could affect Facebook app performance.
On iPhone, install the latest iOS updates from the Settings app. On Android, check for OS updates in the System section of Settings. Perform major version updates (like iOS 16 or Android 13) as well as minor bug fix updates.
Clear Cache and App Data
Over time, cached data and files can build up and cause issues with apps like Facebook. Clearing the app data forces the app to start fresh, which could resolve any corrupt files or issues caching video files. Here are the steps to clear data and cache for the Facebook app:
- Open your phone’s Settings app
- Select the Apps or Applications option
- Choose Facebook from the list of apps
- Tap Storage (Android) or Offload App (iOS)
- Tap Clear Cache and/or Clear Data/Offload App
- Reopen the Facebook app – your data will re-sync
This forces the Facebook app to delete any cached or corrupt data and re-download fresh files and data from Facebook’s servers. Often this solves issues like videos not playing properly in the app.
Check Video Format Support
Certain phones may lack support for newer video formats used on Facebook. Most modern smartphones support formats like H.264, but lower-end or older phones may have limited codec support.
Facebook videos are available in three quality formats – SD, HD, and HD 1080p. If your phone has trouble with HD or 1080p playback, try adjusting the video quality settings in the Facebook app:
- In the Facebook app, tap the Menu (three line hamburger icon)
- Go to Settings & Privacy > Settings
- Tap Media and Contacts
- Adjust the video quality to a lower setting like SD if needed
Selecting a lower video resolution may allow the video to load if your phone lacks HD codec support.
Disable Battery Optimization
Some Android devices feature battery optimization settings that restrict apps running in the background to save power. Unfortunately, this can also cause intermittent problems with apps like Facebook properly loading video content.
Try whitelisting the Facebook app to disable battery optimization and allow it to always run in the background:
- Go to Settings > Apps & notifications > Special app access
- Select Battery optimization
- Choose Facebook from the list of apps
- Toggle Off Battery optimization (white listing)
This ensures Facebook can properly pre-load and buffer video content even when running in the background.
Disable Data Saver/Restrictions
Some Android phones have Data Saver or Data Restrictions settings that prevent apps from using background data. Like battery optimization, this can interfere with streaming video performance. Try disabling these restrictions:
- Go to Settings > Network & internet > Data Saver
- Toggle Off Data Saver
- Also check Settings > Apps & notifications > App info > Facebook > Mobile data & WiFi > Background data usage restrictions
- Set background data to Unrestricted
This allows Facebook unfettered access to data so videos can buffer and play properly.
Reset Network Settings
For persistent Facebook video issues on iPhone, try resetting your network settings as a last resort. This will erase any problematic network settings and resets the connection to factory defaults:
- Go to Settings > General > Reset
- Tap Reset Network Settings
- Enter your passcode if prompted
- Your device will reboot – retest Facebook videos
Use Facebook Lite App
The Facebook Lite app is optimized for slower connections and less capable phones. Try installing the streamlined Facebook Lite app from the app store and use it instead of the full Facebook app. The Lite version sheds some bells and whistles for better performance on low-end devices.
Update Your Phone Hardware
In some cases, the culprit may be an older or lower-end phone that lacks the hardware capability to properly process HD video. If your phone is more than 2-3 years old, it may not have the RAM, GPU, or processor power needed for smooth Facebook video playback.
Upgrading to a newer mid-range or flagship phone will provide much better performance for streaming Facebook videos. Newer generation phones have more powerful chipsets that can easily process HD video content.
Conclusion
With some troubleshooting and app adjustments, you should be able to resolve most issues with Facebook videos not playing correctly on your iPhone or Android phone. A few quick things to try are force closing and reloading the app, checking your internet speeds, clearing cached data, and updating the app and device software. Tweaking battery and data saver settings, using Facebook Lite, or upgrading your phone hardware are some other options if issues persist.
Facebook is constantly making improvements and optimizations on the server side to enhance the video experience across devices. So stay patient and keep your app up to date to take advantage of Facebook’s ongoing enhancements for streaming video to phones and tablets. With the right troubleshooting steps, you’ll be viewing Facebook videos with ease in no time.
| Quick Fixes | Advanced Troubleshooting |
|---|---|
| – Force close the app – Update the app – Check internet connection – Update phone OS – Clear app cache/data |
– Check connection quality – Disable battery optimization – Disable data saver – Update phone hardware |
Here are some of the key troubleshooting steps summarized in table form. Try the quick app fixes first and move on to more advanced troubleshooting if needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do my Facebook videos buffer forever but never play?
Endless video buffering that never starts playback is typically caused by a poor quality internet connection. Check that you have a strong WiFi signal or LTE/5G cellular data connection. Slow speeds due to congestion or distance from a cell tower can prevent videos from loading properly.
Why does my Facebook video keep pausing while watching?
Frequent mid-video buffering or pausing usually indicates an unstable internet connection. Try moving closer to your WiFi router, switching to mobile data, or reducing video resolution if you have a marginal connection. Data restrictions or battery saver settings could also be interrupting video downloads.
Why do Facebook videos appear pixelated on my phone?
Low resolution, blurry video on your phone points to a weak internet connection that can’t handle HD streaming. Lower video quality in the Facebook app settings and ensure you have a strong WiFi or LTE cellular signal to stream high resolution video smoothly.
How can I improve Facebook video performance on my Android phone?
On Android, disabling battery optimization for Facebook, allowing unrestricted data usage, and freeing up storage space can all help with video performance. Updating to Android 12 or higher provides optimizations for streaming video from apps like Facebook.
Should I reinstall the Facebook app to fix video issues on iPhone?
Before reinstalling the Facebook app on your iPhone, try simpler steps like force closing the app, checking for updates, verifying your internet connection, and clearing cached data. Reinstall as a last resort if you keep experiencing mobile video problems.
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