Facebook not working on iPhone and iPad? 13 Ways to fix it!

Facebook remains a popular choice for billions of users to stay connected with their loved ones, despite the rise of alternative social media platforms. Hence, it can be frustrating when Facebook unexpectedly stops working on your iPhone. Fortunately, the quick and easy solutions mentioned in this troubleshooting guide can help you fix Facebook not working on iPhone or iPad. Let’s get started!

1. Force quit and re-launch Facebook
2. Ensure Facebook can access your iPhone’s cellular data
3. Check for network-related issues
4. Check if Facebook servers are down
5. Sign out and re-login to Facebook app on iPhone
6. Update or re-install Facebook app
7. Ensure VPN is turned off on your iPhone
8. Enable Background app refresh for Facebook on iPhone
9. Remove Facebook from Screen Time
10. Access Facebook from a web browser
11. Check for Software updates
12. Restart your iPhone
13. Reset Network Settings on your iPhone

1. Force quit and re-launch Facebook

If Facebook is not working on your iPhone or iPad, often the quickest and simplest solution is to force quit the app and relaunch it. This simple step clears any temporary glitches or cache that could be causing the app to malfunction. Here’s how you can force quit and relaunch apps on iPhone:

1. Open the App Switcher on your iPhone.
2. Swipe up on the app window for Facebook.
3. Re-launch Facebook and check if the issue is fixed.
   
   

2. Ensure Facebook can access your iPhone’s cellular data

If you’re unable to use Facebook on your iPhone or iPad when you’re not connected to Wi-Fi, the issue might be related to cellular data access. Facebook, like any other app, requires permission to utilize your cellular data to function properly outside of areas with stable Wi-Fi connectivity.

1. Open the Settings app on your device → Select Cellular.
2. Scroll down and toggle on Facebook.
   
   

3. Check for network-related issues

Before diving into more technical troubleshooting steps, it’s essential to rule out any potential network issues that might prevent Facebook from working on your iPhone or iPad. Just like other social media apps, Facebook relies on a stable internet network to access your feed, display updates, and more.

To ensure network-related issues aren’t causing the error on your iPhone or iPad, you may run an internet speed test.

If the speed test fails, you’ll need to disable and re-enable Airplane mode to refresh your device’s cellular network or restart the wireless router if you’re connected over Wi-FI.

4. Check if Facebook servers are down

Sometimes, when Facebook is not working on your iPhone or iPad, the issue might not be on your end. Outages and technical problems with Facebook servers can affect users worldwide.

So, before you dive into troubleshooting your device, you must check if Facebook is experiencing a broader outage.

5. Sign out and re-login to Facebook app on iPhone

If you’re able to open the Facebook app on your device but are met with a blank screen or an unresponsive feed, signing out and logging back in can be a simple yet effective solution.

This process refreshes your connection to Facebook servers and clears any bugs or glitches that can cause the issue.

1. Open the Facebook app on your iPhone or iPad.
2. Tap your profile picture in the lower right corner → Log out.
   
   
3. Now, tap on Not now → Log out.
   
   
4. Tap the Settings option in the top right corner → Remove profile.
   
   
5. Tap Remove → enter your credentials to re-login.
   
   

6. Update or re-install Facebook app

If the Facebook app on your iPhone or iPad still refuses to work, updating or reinstalling the app can be a powerful solution. This process essentially refreshes the app’s files and settings, potentially clearing any bugs or glitches causing the Facebook app to stop working on your device.

1. Open the App Store → Tap your profile picture at the top right corner.
2. Scroll down and tap the Update button next to Facebook.
   
   

If no update is available, you must reinstall Facebook as I’ve detailed below:

1. Tap and hold Facebook’s app icon on the Home Screen.
2. Then, tap Remove App → Delete App → Delete.
   
   
3. Open the App Store → Go to the Search tab → Search for Facebook.
4. Tap the blue cloud icon beside the Facebook icon to re-install the app.
   
   

7. Ensure VPN is turned off on your iPhone

If Facebook isn’t working on your iPhone or iPad even when you have a strong internet connection and the servers are online, consider checking if your VPN is active.

VPNs, while helpful for privacy and security, can sometimes interfere with an app’s functionality, including Facebook.

• If you’ve configured a VPN manually, go to Settings → toggle off VPN.
• If you use any other VPN service, open the VPN app → tap Disconnect.
  
  

8. Enable Background app refresh for Facebook on iPhone

If you’re facing issues like unresponsive Facebook app on your iPhone or iPad, enabling Background App Refresh might be the answer. Enabling this feature allows the Facebook app to automatically update its content and stay active in the background, even when you’re not actively using it.

1. Locate and open the Settings app on your iPhone or iPad.
2. Navigate to General → Background App Refresh.
3. Toggle on Facebook.
   
   

9. Remove Facebook from Screen Time

Are you unable to use Facebook on your iPhone or iPad because you’re encountering a strange error message related to “App Limits” every time you open the app? If yes, removing the Facebook app from Screen Time restrictions in the settings app should help you quickly resolve the issue.

1. Go to Settings → Screen Time → App Limits.
   
   
2. Select Facebook from the list of apps and categories.
   Select Social if you’ve enabled App Limits for the whole category.
3. Toggle off App Limit to disable it or tap Delete Limit to remove it.
   
   

10. Access Facebook from a web browser

If the Facebook app on your iPhone or iPad is not working, don’t worry! You can still access Facebook directly from Safari or any other web browser installed on your device.

This can be a great way to bypass app-specific issues and access your Facebook account without using the app.

11. Check for Software updates

Outdated software often causes compatibility issues or may contain bugs that can interfere with an app’s functionality. So, if the Facebook app is not working on your iPhone or iPad, installing the latest version of iOS or iPadOS system updates can often help you resolve these issues once and for all.

1. Navigate to Settings → General → Software Update.
2. Tap Update Now if an update is available.
   
   

12. Restart your iPhone

Sometimes, simply restarting your iPhone can be all it takes to get your Facebook app working again. Restarting your device helps clear any temporary files or bugs that can prevent the app from working properly.

1. Press and hold the Volume Up or Down and the Power/Side Button at once.
2. Swipe from left to right on the slide to power off toggle.
   The iPhone will switch off.
3. Now, wait for about 20-30 seconds. Then press and hold the Power Button to restart your iPhone.

If you are using iPhone 7/7 Plus or earlier, then follow our detailed guide on how to restart your iPhone.

13. Reset Network Settings on your iPhone

If Facebook is not working on your iPhone or iPad, even after trying out other solutions, resetting your network settings should help. This action essentially erases all saved network configurations, including Wi-Fi passwords, cellular settings, and VPN details, restoring them to their default factory settings.

1. Go to Settings → General → Transfer or Reset iPhone.
   
   
2. Tap Reset → Reset Network Settings.
3. Enter your iPhone’s passcode.
4. Tap Reset Network Settings again to complete the process.
   
   

Wrapping up…

I hope this troubleshooting guide has helped you identify and fix the issue preventing Facebook from working on your iPhone or iPad. Remember, the key to success is often a combination of these solutions, so don’t hesitate to try a few different approaches until you find the one that works for you.

If this guide was able to help you, do let us know which solution fixed the Facebook app not working on your device in the comments section below.

Also read:

• How to log out of Facebook Messenger on iPhone and iPad
• How to hide stories in Facebook on iPhone or iPad
• How to block or unfriend people on Facebook on iPhone or iPad

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