# Help and Troubleshooting > Troubleshoot public Facebook video, reel, fb.watch, and link errors with practical steps for visibility, availability, and browser issues. Canonical source: [https://f4facebook.com/help](https://f4facebook.com/help) Specific, practical fixes Troubleshoot public Facebook video, reel, fb.watch, and link errors with practical steps for visibility, availability, and browser issues. If you want the supported public-link workflow before troubleshooting, review [how F4Facebook works](https://f4facebook.com/how-it-works) and then return here for the matching fix. ## Popular next steps These guides cover the most common follow-up tasks for the **Public-link troubleshooter** and **Mobile saver** visitors: confirming the supported workflow, copying the correct public link, resolving download failures, and finding the saved MP4 on iPhone or Android. [Workflow ### How F4Facebook works Review the supported public-link process before retrying the same URL.](https://f4facebook.com/how-it-works) [Copy link ### Copy the correct Facebook video link Use exact steps for video, reel, share, and fb.watch link formats.](https://f4facebook.com/how-to-copy-facebook-video-link) [Troubleshooting ### Fix Facebook video download errors Match invalid URL, private-video, fb.watch, audio, HD, and browser-save issues to the right fix.](https://f4facebook.com/facebook-video-not-downloading) [iPhone ### Save a Facebook video on iPhone Find Safari Downloads, Files, and supported Save Video steps.](https://f4facebook.com/download-facebook-video-iphone) [Android ### Download a Facebook video on Android Check Chrome Downloads, Files, and inline-player save behavior.](https://f4facebook.com/download-facebook-video-android) ## On this page [Invalid URL](https://f4facebook.com/help#invalid-facebook-url) [Private video](https://f4facebook.com/help#private-video) [Reel not detected](https://f4facebook.com/help#reel-not-detected) [fb.watch redirect](https://f4facebook.com/help#fb-watch-redirect) [No HD option](https://f4facebook.com/help#no-hd-option) [Platform change](https://f4facebook.com/help#temporary-platform-change) [Rate limit](https://f4facebook.com/help#rate-limit) [Browser support](https://f4facebook.com/help#browser-compatibility) ## Invalid Facebook URL ### What it means The submitted text is not a complete supported web address. ### Most likely cause The link may be incomplete, copied with extra text, missing HTTPS or taken from the wrong interface element. ### Steps to try 1. Open the video itself and choose Share → Copy link. 2. Remove surrounding text or spaces. 3. Confirm the address begins with https://. ### What F4Facebook cannot do It cannot guess a missing post address or search Facebook for a video. [Return to the Facebook video downloader](https://f4facebook.com/#downloader) Need examples of supported video, reel, share, and short-link formats? Use the [copy-link guide](https://f4facebook.com/how-to-copy-facebook-video-link) before submitting the address again. ## Unsupported domain ### What it means The link points outside the explicit facebook.com and fb.watch allowlist. ### Most likely cause It may be a search result, another social platform, a deceptive lookalike domain or an HTTP link. ### Steps to try 1. Copy the link directly from Facebook's Share menu. 2. Use the full Facebook URL when possible. 3. Check the spelling of the hostname. ### What F4Facebook cannot do It cannot process unrelated websites or relax the hostname safety policy. [Return to the Facebook video downloader](https://f4facebook.com/#downloader) ## Private video ### What it means The post is not publicly viewable without account access. ### Most likely cause The audience is Private, Only me, a limited group, or another restricted setting. ### Steps to try 1. Open the link in a private browser window. 2. If you own the video, use Facebook's own download controls. 3. Try another post whose visibility is Public. ### What F4Facebook cannot do It cannot bypass privacy controls or use your account credentials. [Return to the Facebook video downloader](https://f4facebook.com/#downloader) ## Friends-only post ### What it means The post requires a signed-in account with the right social connection. ### Most likely cause Its audience is Friends or a custom friends list. ### Steps to try 1. Ask the owner for the original file. 2. If it is your upload, use Facebook's built-in option. 3. Use a genuinely public post instead. ### What F4Facebook cannot do It cannot sign in as you, accept cookies or imitate a friend relationship. [Return to the Facebook video downloader](https://f4facebook.com/#downloader) ## Deleted video ### What it means Facebook no longer serves the referenced post or media. ### Most likely cause The owner deleted it, the post URL changed, or Facebook removed it. ### Steps to try 1. Open the link directly and confirm the post exists. 2. Copy a fresh share link. 3. Ask the owner for the original file if appropriate. ### What F4Facebook cannot do It cannot recover removed media or old copies. [Return to the Facebook video downloader](https://f4facebook.com/#downloader) ## Region-restricted video ### What it means The public post is unavailable from the server's region. ### Most likely cause The publisher or platform applies geographic availability rules. ### Steps to try 1. Confirm the message by opening the link normally. 2. Contact the publisher for an authorised copy. 3. Try another unrestricted public video. ### What F4Facebook cannot do It cannot evade geographic restrictions or promise availability in every country. [Return to the Facebook video downloader](https://f4facebook.com/#downloader) ## Age-restricted video ### What it means Facebook requires an eligible signed-in account before showing the media. ### Most likely cause The post or page has an age gate. ### Steps to try 1. Use Facebook directly if you are eligible. 2. Ask the publisher for an appropriate copy. 3. Choose a public video without a login gate. ### What F4Facebook cannot do It cannot verify age, log in or bypass an age restriction. [Return to the Facebook video downloader](https://f4facebook.com/#downloader) ## Reel not detected ### What it means The submitted address did not resolve as a supported public reel. ### Most likely cause A caption URL, profile URL, stale share link or restricted reel may have been copied. ### Steps to try 1. Open the reel full-screen and use its Share button, not the creator profile or caption menu. 2. Submit either the direct /reel/ address or the complete /share/r/ link supplied by Facebook. 3. If a /share/r/ link still fails, open it in a normal browser, copy the final supported Facebook video or reel URL, and confirm it plays while signed out. ### What F4Facebook cannot do It cannot find a reel from a caption, username or private profile. [Return to the Facebook video downloader](https://f4facebook.com/#downloader) Need the full mobile and desktop checklist? Read the [Facebook reel detection guidance](https://f4facebook.com/facebook-video-not-downloading#reel-not-detected). Once you have the individual public reel link, open the [Facebook reels downloader](https://f4facebook.com/facebook-reels-downloader). ## fb.watch redirect issue ### What it means The short link did not resolve cleanly to a supported public video. ### Most likely cause The redirect may be expired, require consent, or lead to restricted content. ### Steps to try 1. Open the fb.watch link in your browser. 2. After it resolves, copy the full facebook.com address. 3. Submit that full HTTPS URL. ### What F4Facebook cannot do It cannot follow unlimited or unsafe redirects. [Return to the Facebook video downloader](https://f4facebook.com/#downloader) Have a supported public short link? Open the [fb.watch downloader](https://f4facebook.com/fb-watch-downloader), or use the [full redirect troubleshooting guide](https://f4facebook.com/facebook-video-not-downloading#fb-watch-redirect) if it still fails. ## No HD option ### What it means The extracted public source did not provide a progressive HD MP4 option. ### Most likely cause The original upload may be SD, still processing, or delivered in a format the service does not combine. ### Steps to try 1. Check the original video's visible quality. 2. Try again after Facebook finishes processing a new upload. 3. Use the available MP4 option. ### What F4Facebook cannot do It cannot manufacture pixels or promise quality absent from the source. [Return to the Facebook video downloader](https://f4facebook.com/#downloader) ## Audio missing ### What it means The selected source contains no usable audio track. ### Most likely cause The reel may intentionally be silent, use restricted licensed audio, or expose separate tracks. ### Steps to try 1. Play the original post and confirm audio exists. 2. Try another available option if displayed. 3. Ask the owner for the original file. ### What F4Facebook cannot do It cannot add audio, merge unsupported streams or bypass music restrictions. [Return to the Facebook video downloader](https://f4facebook.com/#downloader) ## Download button opens the video ### What it means Your browser chose to play the MP4 instead of saving it immediately. ### Most likely cause Browsers may handle supported media inline based on platform and headers. ### Steps to try 1. Use the browser menu and choose Download or Save video as. 2. On mobile, press and hold where supported. 3. Check the browser's Downloads list. ### What F4Facebook cannot do It cannot override every browser or device file-handling preference. [Return to the Facebook video downloader](https://f4facebook.com/#downloader) For device-specific save locations and full-browser guidance, read the [video opens instead of downloading steps](https://f4facebook.com/facebook-video-not-downloading#download-button-opens-video). Need exact save-path steps after the MP4 opens? Use the [iPhone guide](https://f4facebook.com/download-facebook-video-iphone) for Safari or the [Android guide](https://f4facebook.com/download-facebook-video-android) for Chrome and Files. ## iPhone saves the video incorrectly ### What it means Safari downloaded the MP4 to Files rather than placing it in Photos. ### Most likely cause iOS keeps web downloads in the Downloads folder by default. ### Steps to try 1. Open Safari's Downloads button. 2. Open the file in Files. 3. Choose Share → Save Video when that option is available. ### What F4Facebook cannot do It cannot silently write to Photos or change iOS permissions. [Return to the Facebook video downloader](https://f4facebook.com/#downloader) ## Android download location ### What it means The MP4 downloaded but is not visible in the gallery. ### Most likely cause Chrome and Android usually place browser files in Downloads before media apps index them. ### Steps to try 1. Open Chrome → Downloads. 2. Check Files by Google → Downloads. 3. Search for a recent MP4 and move it only if needed. ### What F4Facebook cannot do It cannot control manufacturer-specific file managers or storage permissions. [Return to the Facebook video downloader](https://f4facebook.com/#downloader) ## Temporary platform change ### What it means Facebook changed a public response used during extraction. ### Most likely cause Platform markup or media delivery can change without notice. ### Steps to try 1. Confirm the public post still opens. 2. Copy a fresh full URL. 3. Wait and try again later rather than repeated rapid submissions. ### What F4Facebook cannot do It cannot guarantee uninterrupted compatibility with an external platform. [Return to the Facebook video downloader](https://f4facebook.com/#downloader) ## Rate limit ### What it means Too many requests reached the service within a short period. ### Most likely cause Repeated submissions, shared-network traffic or automation triggered the protective limit. ### Steps to try 1. Stop submitting and wait a moment. 2. Avoid refreshing or clicking repeatedly. 3. Try one supported public link after the wait. ### What F4Facebook cannot do It cannot remove the protective limit for an individual request. [Return to the Facebook video downloader](https://f4facebook.com/#downloader) ## Browser compatibility ### What it means A browser feature such as Clipboard access or file download behaved differently. ### Most likely cause The browser may be outdated, embedded in another app, or blocking clipboard/download permissions. ### Steps to try 1. Use a current Safari, Chrome, Firefox or Edge release. 2. Open f4facebook.com in the full browser instead of an in-app view. 3. Paste manually if clipboard access is unavailable. ### What F4Facebook cannot do It cannot change browser permissions or support obsolete browser engines. [Return to the Facebook video downloader](https://f4facebook.com/#downloader)