Quick answer
Switch between Wi-Fi and mobile data, then allow Facebook unrestricted data if Android’s Data Saver is on, or turn off Low Data Mode on iPhone. Update Facebook and close and reopen it. If videos still won’t play, clear the app’s cache (on iPhone, offload and reinstall the app for a fresh copy), and free up storage. On a computer, try a private window, turn off extensions and update your browser. If one video says it isn’t available, the problem is that video, not your phone.
What happens when you play a video?
Does this match what you see?
- Videos or Reels keep buffering or show a spinning circle.
- You get a black screen with sound, or a frozen picture.
- Videos play for a few seconds and stop.
- Reels won’t scroll to the next video, or show grey boxes.
- Videos play in the app but not on facebook.com, or the other way round.
- One video says “This video is unavailable” or “This content isn’t available right now”.
iPhone & iPadAndroidComputer (browser)
Meta said its updated full-screen video player would roll out first in the US and Canada in 2024, then globally, so what you see may differ slightly. The fixes are the same.
Why videos look different now: every video is a reel
Meta says that since September 2025, all videos on Facebook are Reels: every video posted is shared as a reel, whatever its length or orientation. Meta’s creator blog adds that reels have no length or format limits, and that the Reels tab was previously called the Video tab. So if you’re looking for “videos”, look in Reels.
In April 2024, Meta announced an updated video player that brings Reels, longer videos and Live into one full-screen experience:
- Tapping a video opens it full screen and vertical.
- Most horizontal videos have an option to flip to landscape.
- A slider lets you skip ahead. Tapping shows controls to pause, skip 10 seconds and change playback speed.
- Meta said the player would roll out first in the US and Canada, then globally.
If a video looks different from before, that’s the new player, not a fault. Problems uploading a video? See can’t upload Reels.
Why this happens: the possible causes
Match what you see to the likely cause.
| What you see | What it usually means | Do this first |
|---|---|---|
| Buffering, spinning, low quality | Slow or limited connection, or data saving | Fix 1 |
| Black screen or frozen picture | An app glitch, an old version or damaged temporary files | Fix 2 and Fix 3 |
| Stutters, the phone gets slow or hot | Little free storage or memory | Fix 4 |
| Fails only in a browser | An extension, stored data or an old browser | Fix 5 |
| One video says it’s unavailable | Removed, private, or blocked in your area | What that means |
- A slow, limited or filtered connectionCheck this first
Video needs far more data than text or photos. Weak signal, an exhausted data plan, data-saving modes and VPNs all show up first as buffering.
- An app glitch or old versionCheck this first
Black screens and frozen frames are often fixed by updating, closing and reopening the app, or restarting the phone.
- Damaged temporary files or a full phonePossible
The app stores parts of videos to play them smoothly. Damaged files or a nearly full phone can stop playback.
- Browser extensions or settingsPossible
On a computer, ad blockers, privacy tools and old browsers can stop the video player loading.
- The video itselfLess likely
A video can be removed, made private, or unavailable where you are. Then nothing on your side will make it play.
Try these 60-second checks first
- Play a video in another app, such as YouTube. If that buffers too, it’s your connection.
- Switch between Wi-Fi and mobile data.
- Check your data bundle hasn’t run out.
- Try the same video on another device or on facebook.com.
How to fix it, step by step
Work through these in order. They start with the quickest, safest checks and only move to steps that sign you out or remove data later.
Fix 1: Fix the connection: data saving, VPN and network
Buffering almost always means the video can’t download fast enough. Data-saving modes deliberately limit video data.
iPhone & iPad
- Switch Wi-Fi off and on in Control Center, or try mobile data instead.
- Check Facebook may use mobile data: Settings > Mobile Data (or Cellular) > Facebook on.
- Turn off Low Data Mode and any VPN briefly to test.
Android
- Switch between Wi-Fi and mobile data from the quick settings panel.
- If Data Saver is on, allow Facebook unrestricted data (on many phones: Settings > Network & internet > Data Saver > Unrestricted data > Facebook). Google notes this option on Android 7 and later.
- Turn off any VPN briefly to test.
Computer (browser)
- Reconnect to your Wi-Fi, or try a different network such as a phone hotspot.
- If the connection is slow, restart your router or modem (Meta’s own tip).
- Pause downloads or streaming on other devices sharing your Wi-Fi.
- Turn off any VPN or proxy briefly.
If Facebook’s own settings include a media or video quality option, check it isn’t set to save data. Its name and location vary between versions.
Did it work? Videos start quickly and play without long pauses.
Fix 2: Update Facebook, then close it and restart your phone
Black screens and frozen videos are usually a glitch in the app or the phone’s memory. Apple’s and Google’s own steps for misbehaving apps include updating and restarting.
iPhone & iPad
- App Store > your profile icon > App Updates > Update next to Facebook.
- Swipe up from the bottom, pause, and swipe Facebook away.
- Restart the iPhone, then open Facebook and try the video again.
Android
- Google Play > your profile icon > Manage apps & device > Updates available > update Facebook.
- Force stop Facebook: Settings > Apps > Facebook > Force stop.
- Restart the phone, then try the video again.
Did it work? The video plays with picture and sound.
Fix 3: Clear the app’s temporary files (or reinstall a fresh copy)
Damaged temporary video files can cause black screens or videos that stop part-way. Clearing them is safe.
iPhone & iPad
- Settings > General > iPhone Storage > Facebook > Offload App, then Reinstall App. Apple says offloading keeps the app’s documents and data.
Android
- Settings > Apps > Facebook > Storage & cache > Clear cache.
- Don’t tap Clear storage: Google notes this permanently deletes the app’s data, so you’ll be signed out.
Did it work? Videos play past the point where they used to stop.
Fix 4: Free up storage space
Video playback needs room for temporary files. Google’s Android help notes problems can start when less than 10% of a phone’s storage is free.
iPhone & iPad
- Settings > General > iPhone Storage: offload or delete apps you don’t use and remove large videos you’ve backed up.
Android
- Settings > Storage: remove unused apps and large files, and clear old WhatsApp media from inside WhatsApp.
Did it work? Your phone has comfortable free space and videos play smoothly.
Fix 5: Videos fail only on facebook.com
In a browser, video problems usually come from an extension, stored data or an out-of-date browser.
Computer (browser)
- Open facebook.com in a private or incognito window. If videos play there, an extension or stored data is the cause.
- Turn off extensions one at a time, especially ad blockers and privacy tools.
- Chrome: More (top right) > Delete browsing data > tick Cached images and files > Delete data.
- Safari on iPhone (mobile browser): Settings > Apps > Safari > Advanced > Website Data > Remove All Website Data.
- Use the latest version of Chrome, Firefox, Safari or Microsoft Edge, which Meta recommends. On Windows 7 or earlier, Meta suggests trying a different browser.
- Close the browser and restart your computer (Meta’s tip), then try again.
Did it work? Videos play in your normal browser window.
“This video is unavailable” or “This content isn’t available right now”
If one video shows this while others play, the problem is the video, not your phone. It usually means the video was deleted, removed for breaking the rules, shared with an audience that doesn’t include you, or isn’t available in your country. You can’t fix this from your side.
Error messages and what they mean
Typical wording people report. The exact message varies between versions and languages, so match the meaning.
This video is unavailable- What it usually means
- The video was removed, made private, or isn’t available where you are.
- What to do
- Nothing to fix on your side. Details
Something went wrong. Tap to retry.- What it usually means
- The video didn’t load, usually because of the connection.
- What to do
- Check the connection. Fix 1
No internet connection- What it usually means
- Facebook can’t reach its servers.
- What to do
- Switch networks and check data settings. Fix 1
How to know it worked
- Videos and Reels start quickly and play without long pauses.
- You see picture and hear sound.
- Videos play in both the app and facebook.com.
Still not working? Your next steps
- If the app closes when you open videos, see Facebook app keeps crashing.
- If nothing on Facebook loads, check Is Facebook down?.
- Report the problem: ☰ Menu > Help and support > Report a problem, choose Video or Videos on Select product, and add a screen recording.
Official help routes
SocialAppFix can’t see or change your account. For account decisions, recovery and appeals, only the platform’s own tools can help. These links go to the official sites.
- Facebook Help: unable to view or play reelsFacebook Help Center (external site, opens in a new tab)
- Meta: Exploring videos on Facebook just got easierMeta Newsroom (external site, opens in a new tab)
- Facebook Help: report a problemFacebook Help Center (external site, opens in a new tab)
- Android Help: fix an app that isn’t workingAndroid Help (external site, opens in a new tab)
Frequently asked questions
Why do Facebook videos keep buffering?
The video can’t download fast enough. Switch networks, turn off data-saving modes and VPNs, and check your data bundle.
Why do I get a black screen on Facebook videos?
Usually an app glitch. Update Facebook, close it, restart your phone, then clear the app’s cache (or offload and reinstall on iPhone).
Why do Reels not load but photos do?
Video needs much more data than photos, so a slow or data-saving connection affects Reels first. Fix the connection, then update and clear the cache.
Why does a video say it’s unavailable?
It was removed, made private, or isn’t available in your country. Nothing on your phone can change that.
Why do Facebook videos look different now?
Meta moved Reels, longer videos and Live into one full-screen player in 2024, and says that since September 2025 all videos on Facebook are shared as Reels. The Video tab is now the Reels tab.
Where did the Video tab go?
Meta’s creator blog says the Reels tab was previously called the Video tab. Look for Reels.
Did this solve your problem?
Your answer stays in your browser — nothing is sent or stored. The “tell us” link opens your own email app.
Out of date or didn’t work? Email us — never include passwords or codes.
Sources and how we checked this guide
We base steps on the platforms’ own help pages and the phone makers’ official guides. Menu names change often and can differ by device, app version and region. Where a platform page could not be independently read, we link it so you can check the current wording yourself.
- Unable to view or play reels on Facebook (external site, opens in a new tab)
- Making it easier to create videos on Facebook (June 2025) (external site, opens in a new tab)
- Exploring Videos on Facebook Just Got Easier (April 2024) (external site, opens in a new tab)
- Report That Something Isn’t Working on Facebook (external site, opens in a new tab)
- Turn on background data (external site, opens in a new tab)
- Fix an installed Android app that isn’t working (external site, opens in a new tab)
- Clear up space (external site, opens in a new tab)
- Fix an Android device that freezes or won’t respond (external site, opens in a new tab)
- If an app on your iPhone or iPad stops responding, closes unexpectedly, or won’t open (external site, opens in a new tab)
- How to manually update apps from the App Store (external site, opens in a new tab)
- How to update apps on Android (external site, opens in a new tab)
- How to check the storage on your iPhone and iPad (external site, opens in a new tab)
- Close an app on your iPhone or iPod touch (external site, opens in a new tab)
- Delete browsing data in Chrome (computer) (external site, opens in a new tab)
- Delete your Safari history, cache, and cookies on iPhone (external site, opens in a new tab)
Last reviewed 21 October 2026 by the SocialAppFix editorial team against the sources above. Next scheduled review: 19 April 2027. How we write and review guides.
What changed
- 21 October 2026: Added Meta’s reels playback tips and the September 2025 change (all videos are now Reels).
- 21 October 2026: First published.
SocialAppFix is an independent guide and is not affiliated with or endorsed by Meta or Facebook. We never ask for passwords, login codes or payment to fix an account.