Videos Not Playing On Facebook, How To Fix Facebook Videos Not Playing?
by Priyanka P
Updated Jul 21, 2023
What is Facebook?
Facebook is a prominent online social media and social networking platform that is currently owned by the American technology giant, Meta Platforms. It was established in 2004 by Mark Zuckerberg, along with several of his fellow Harvard College students and roommates, including Eduardo Saverin, Andrew McCollum, Dustin Moskovitz, and Chris Hughes.
The name "Facebook" was inspired by the face book directories traditionally provided to American university students.Initially, Facebook's membership was limited exclusively to Harvard students. However, over time, it expanded its reach to include other North American universities.
Subsequently, in 2006, Facebook opened its doors to individuals aged 13 and older from all around the world, enabling a much broader user base. As of December 2022, Facebook boasted an astonishing 2.96 billion monthly active users, solidifying its position as one of the most widely-used social media platforms worldwide. Additionally, it held the distinction of being ranked third among the most visited websites globally.
The platform offers accessibility from various devices with internet connectivity, such as personal computers, tablets, and smartphones. Upon registering, users can create detailed profiles that reveal information about themselves, including personal interests, hobbies, and background details.
These profiles also serve as a hub for users to share different types of content, such as text posts, photos, and multimedia, with other users who have accepted their "friend" requests. Depending on their chosen privacy settings, users can share their posts publicly or with specific groups of friends.
Facebook facilitates direct communication between users through its messaging service known as "Messenger." This feature allows individuals to send messages, images, and other media to each other privately. Moreover, users have the option to join "common-interest groups," which are communities formed around specific topics, causes, or shared hobbies.
By participating in such groups, users can interact with like-minded individuals and exchange ideas and information.One of Facebook's most notable characteristics is its notification system, which keeps users informed about the activities of their friends and the pages they follow. These notifications serve as updates on various events, such as when a friend posts new content or when a page they are interested in shares updates.
Despite its massive popularity and influence, Facebook has faced numerous controversies throughout its existence. One of the primary areas of criticism has been related to user privacy, with the platform being involved in high-profile scandals such as the Cambridge Analytica data breach. Moreover, Facebook has been accused of being a platform for political manipulation, especially concerning the 2016 U.S. elections, and has been subject to scrutiny over its practices of mass surveillance.
In addition to privacy concerns, Facebook has also been criticized for its potential negative psychological effects. Critics argue that the platform may contribute to issues like addiction and low self-esteem among its users. Furthermore, Facebook has been entangled in various controversies surrounding the content shared on the platform, including the spread of fake news, conspiracy theories, copyright infringement, and hate speech.
Some have accused the company of knowingly facilitating the dissemination of such content and allegedly inflating its user numbers to attract advertisers.Despite these controversies, Facebook remains a major player in the realm of social media and continues to have a significant impact on how people interact, share information, and stay connected in the digital age.
Why Are Videos Not Playing on Facebook?
Weak Network Connection:
Cache on Facebook:
Failed App Launch:
If the Facebook app fails to launch properly on a device, it may result in video playback problems.
Insufficient Storage:
Facebook requires significant storage space on a device to load its content, and a lack of storage can lead to video playback issues.
Video Unavailability:
Sometimes, videos may not play on Facebook because they have been removed from the platform by the source.
Outdated Facebook App:
Using an outdated version of the Facebook app can lead to errors and compatibility issues. If the app version is not up-to-date, it may affect video playback on the platform.
Data Saver Mode on Facebook:
When Data Saver Mode is enabled on the Facebook app, it reduces data usage but may also restrict video playback due to limited network access.
Data Saver Mode/Low Data Mode on Device:
The device's Data Saver Mode (Android) or Low Data Mode (iOS) can interfere with video playback. If enabled, these features may restrict data usage, impacting video streaming.
Abrupt Session Interruptions:
Apps, including Facebook, may behave abnormally if sessions are abruptly interrupted. This can occur due to various factors and can lead to issues with video playback.
Facebook Server Issues:
At times, Facebook's servers may experience problems or downtime, which can result in videos not playing on the platform.
How to Fix Facebook Videos Not Playing?
Check Video Availability:
First, verify if the video you are trying to play is still available on Facebook. Videos may be removed from the platform, leading to unavailability and playback problems. Look for signs like a missing watch video icon tab or an error message stating "This content isn't available right now."
Restart Your Device:
A simple yet effective solution is to restart your smartphone or device. Oftentimes, this resolves various errors on Android or iOS devices, including video playback issues. Press and hold the power button, then select the restart option for Android devices. For iOS devices, press and hold the volume down and power buttons until the Slide appears, then move it to power off the device.
Update the Facebook App:
Ensure that your Facebook app is up-to-date, as outdated app versions can cause compatibility issues and impact video playback. Go to the respective app stores (Play Store for Android, App Store for iOS), search for Facebook, and tap on the update button.
Turn Off Data Saver Mode on Facebook:
If the Data Saver Mode is enabled on the Facebook app, it may restrict video playback due to limited data usage..
Clear Facebook Data and Cache:
Accumulated cache files on Facebook can sometimes affect video playback. To clear data and cache on Android devices, press and hold the Facebook app, tap on the 'i' icon, and then tap on "Clear data" and "Clear cache." For iOS devices, clearing cache data individually for the Facebook app is more complex, so consider reinstalling the app if necessary.
Check Facebook Servers:
If none of the above solutions work, there may be issues with Facebook's servers. Use a service like Downdetector to check if Facebook servers are down or experiencing problems. If so, you may need to wait until the issue is resolved on Facebook's end.
Contact Facebook Tech Support:
If the problem persists and none of the provided methods resolve the issue, reach out to Facebook's technical support for further assistance.
Videos Not Playing On Facebook - FAQs
Videos on Facebook may not play due to factors such as weak network connections, overloaded cache files, outdated app versions, video unavailability, or low storage on the device.
To resolve the issue, try restarting your device, updating the Facebook app, clearing data and cache, and ensuring a stable network connection.
Videos may disappear if they are removed by the original source or due to copyright violations on the platform.
If Facebook servers are down, you'll have to wait for them to come back online for videos to play again.
If the issue persists, you can reach out to Facebook Tech Support for further assistance in resolving video playback problems.