Facebook is down for everyone right now
Original article: Facebook is one of the most popular social media platforms in the world with billions of active users. Despite its size, there are times when Facebook is down and users all over the world get frustrated. If you think Facebook is currently unavailable, here are a few ways to test it and possibly work around the problem.
See also: 10 best Facebook alternative apps for Android
When the problem on Facebook ends, all you have to do is wait for it to come back online. In the meantime, be patient and try out some of our tricks.
Check if Facebook is not available
If you’re having trouble accessing Facebook, the problem may not be yours. We know you want to keep up with your family and friends again. However, you may want to check Facebook’s server status first.
See also: How to update your Facebook privacy settings
There are many ways to do this, but we prefer the Down Detector website. It gathers information from social media feeds like Twitter and merges it with Down Detector’s user reports. Once you make your way to the Down Detector’s Facebook page, you will see one of three messages:
- No current problems on Facebook
- Possible current problems on Facebook
- Current problems with Facebook
If you have problems but Down Detector gives the all-clear, you can press the big red I have a problem with facebook Button to submit a report. Let’s move on to other corrections.
Restart the Facebook app
The good old ways of turning it off and back on still sometimes work wonders. You may be very lucky to restart the Facebook app if all the signs are that the company’s servers are fine. This process is slightly different between Android and iOS, but the end goal remains the same. Follow these steps:
Restart on Android:
- Open your recent apps by tapping the square at the bottom right or swiping up from the bottom.
- Swipe (don’t tap) on the Facebook app to close it.
- On your home screen, tap the app again to open it.
Let’s go, a restarted app. Now we’re going to walk you through the steps on iOS. They rely a little more on gestures, but the process is simple enough.
Restart under iOS:
- Swipe up from the bottom of the screen and hold to see the latest apps.
- Swipe (don’t tap) the Facebook app with your finger to close it.
- On your home screen, tap the app again to open it.
If restarting your app isn’t enough, it’s time to take a few more steps.
See also: All the Facebook apps, what they do and where to get them
Update the Facebook app
Although restarting your app should usually do the trick for basic issues, sometimes an update is needed. If you’re not using the latest version of the app, bug fixes or security updates may be missing. Again, we’ll give you the right steps for Android and iOS.
Update to Android:
- Open that Google Play Store.
- Tap on Hamburger symbol top left to open the menu.
- Choose My apps & games.
- Tap To update next to Facebook or Refresh all.
Update to iOS:
- Open that Appstore.
- Choose today Tab.
- Tap your profile icon at the top of the screen.
- Scroll down to check for updates or select Refresh all.
Test your internet connection
If you’re still having trouble loading Facebook or the app didn’t update, the problem may be with your internet connection. Hopefully you have a Wi-Fi connection. In this case, you need to try some fixes. Make sure it’s you, then try some of the following methods:
- Turn off your WiFi and use data instead.
- Get closer to your router.
- Reset your router.
Also read: What to do if your phone won’t connect to Wi-Fi
If none of the above tricks get Facebook back online right away, don’t give up. Keep using data instead of Wi-Fi and see if there is just a little lag in the connection. You can also invest in a new router. However, this may not be necessary if your WiFi is still working on other devices.
Restart your device
We’re back to the turn off and on method, but we’re no longer talking about apps. If you still can’t get Facebook working, try the same logic that you did when restarting your phone.
There’s a good chance a simple restart will fix your problems and get you straight back to Facebook. Just hold the power button down until you can tap on restart. If you’re using an iPhone, wait for the power off slider to appear.
Uninstall and reinstall the Facebook app
Sometimes you come across a big mistake while scrolling on Facebook and can’t find an easy solution. If we haven’t been able to fix the situation so far, it may be time to uninstall the app and start over. This is the most extreme measure and will result in having to log in again. On the plus side, this will fix your problem assuming it’s in your app.
See also: How to delete a Facebook page
How to uninstall on Android:
- Open settings.
- Choose Apps & Notifications.
- Choose Facebook from the list.
- Tap on Uninstall.
When you’ve removed Facebook from your phone, go back to the Google Play Store and find the app page. Click the Install button and wait for the latest version to download. You’ll need to sign in again, but that shouldn’t take long.
To uninstall on iOS:
- Press and hold the app icon.
- Tap the Delete App option if it appears.
- Click the Confirm button.
Just like with Android, all you have to do is go back to the App Store and find the Facebook page. Now install the app and log back in. You should see the latest version again.
Investigate known issues
If you’ve really tried all of the options on our list and Facebook still isn’t working, the problem is out of your hands. It could be a known problem within the platform or a bug in the app. Fortunately, Facebook maintains a help center that should keep you posted.
Some of Facebook’s known issues may have temporary fixes that can be found in the help above. If you still can’t find a solution, it’s time to take a quick break from Facebook. Search other platforms while the developers work on a fix and know you’ll like and share again before you know it.
See also: No, not just you: Instagram is down | WhatsApp doesn’t seem to be available, but here are 5 easy fixes
These are all of our best tricks for fixing Facebook when it goes down. Did we miss one of your best practices? Let us know in the comments!
