How to tell if Facebook Pay is actually down
Facebook Pay goes down occasionally, but the outage is usually brief and affects only some users. Before you assume the worst, check whether the problem is on your end or Facebook's. Open a web browser (not the app) and go to facebook.com. If the main Facebook site loads normally, your internet connection is fine. If you can log in but Facebook Pay won't load, the payment system itself may be having trouble.
Next, try a different device if you have one — a phone, tablet, or computer. If Facebook Pay works on one device but not another, the issue is usually your app, your browser cache, or your device's connection. If it fails on every device you own, Facebook's payment system is more likely to be down.
Check the Facebook Help Center by searching "Facebook Pay not working" in a browser. Facebook sometimes posts status updates there when they know about a widespread problem. You can also search Twitter or Reddit for "Facebook Pay down" to see whether other people are reporting the same issue right now.
Key Takeaways
- Test Facebook Pay on a web browser first, because app problems are more common than actual outages.
- Try a different device to narrow down whether the problem is your phone, your internet, or Facebook's servers.
- Check the Facebook Help Center and search social media to see if other users are reporting the same issue.
- If Facebook Pay is down, you can send money through Messenger, PayPal, or Venmo instead while you wait for it to come back.
- Clearing your app cache or reinstalling the Facebook app fixes most payment problems that are not caused by an actual outage.
What to do while Facebook Pay is down
If Facebook Pay is genuinely down and you need to send money now, use a different payment method. Messenger has a built-in money transfer feature that works separately from Facebook Pay — open a conversation, tap the plus icon, and select "Money." You can also send money through PayPal, Venmo, or Zelle, all of which work on your phone or computer.
Tell the person you are sending money to which app you are using instead. Most people have at least two or three payment apps on their phone, so switching is usually quick. If the person does not have the app you choose, you can send them a link to read it, or you can wait for Facebook Pay to come back online.
Why Facebook Pay goes down and how long it usually lasts
Facebook Pay outages happen for the same reasons any online service goes down: server maintenance, software updates, or unexpected technical problems. Facebook schedules maintenance during off-peak hours (usually late night or early morning), but sometimes problems happen during the day. When that happens, the outage usually lasts between 30 minutes and a few hours.
Major outages that affect the entire Facebook network — where you cannot log in at all — are rare and usually make news. Payment-only outages, where you can use Facebook normally but cannot send or receive money, are more common and usually shorter. If Facebook Pay has been down for more than a few hours, check the Help Center again or contact Facebook support through the app.
How to fix Facebook Pay problems on your device
Most Facebook Pay problems are not caused by an outage. Before you assume Facebook's servers are down, try these steps on your phone or computer. First, close the Facebook app completely and reopen it. On iPhone, swipe up from the bottom of the screen and swipe the Facebook app up. On Android, go to Settings, tap Apps, find Facebook, and tap Force Stop.
If that does not work, clear the app's cache. On iPhone, go to Settings, tap General, then iPhone Storage, find Facebook, and tap Offload App (this removes the app but keeps your data). Then reinstall it from the App Store. On Android, go to Settings, tap Apps, find Facebook, tap Storage, and tap Clear Cache. Restart your phone and try again.
If you are using a web browser instead of the app, try a different browser or clear your browser's cache. In Chrome, press Ctrl+Shift+Delete (Windows) or Command+Shift+Delete (Mac), select All Time, and click Clear Data. Then reload facebook.com and try Facebook Pay again.
When to contact Facebook support
If Facebook Pay still will not work after you have tried these steps on multiple devices, contact Facebook support. Open the Facebook app, tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines), scroll down, and tap Settings & Privacy, then Settings. Tap Help & Support, then Report a Problem. Describe what happens when you try to use Facebook Pay — for example, "The payment button does not appear" or "I get an error message that says [exact message]."
Facebook support usually responds within a few days, but response time varies. While you wait, use another payment app to send money. Keep a record of the date and time you reported the problem, in case you need to follow up.
How to know if your account has a problem versus a system outage
Your Facebook Pay account might be restricted even when the system is working normally. This can happen if Facebook detects unusual activity, if your payment method is expired, or if your account has not been verified. When this happens, you see a message like "Payment could not be completed" or "Try again later," but other people can use Facebook Pay normally.
If you see a message that mentions your account, payment method, or verification, the problem is with your account, not Facebook's servers. Check that your linked debit card or credit card has not expired. If it has, remove it from Facebook Pay and add a different card. Go to Settings & Privacy, then Settings, then Personal Information, then Payment Methods. Remove the old card and add a new one.
If Facebook says your account needs to be verified, you may need to confirm your identity or add a phone number. Follow the on-screen instructions. If you cannot figure out what Facebook is asking for, contact support and describe the exact message you see.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if Facebook Pay is down for everyone or just me?
Open facebook.com in a web browser and log in. If the main site works but Facebook Pay does not, try a different device. If it fails on every device, search Twitter or Reddit for "Facebook Pay down" to see if others are reporting the same problem right now. If many people are reporting it, Facebook's payment system is likely down.
Can I send money through Messenger if Facebook Pay is not working?
Yes. Messenger has its own money transfer feature that is separate from Facebook Pay. Open a conversation, tap the plus icon, and select Money. You can send money this way even if Facebook Pay is down, though the money still goes to the same account.
What should I do if I see an error code when I try to use Facebook Pay?
Write down the exact error code or message. Clear your app cache and restart your phone, then try again. If the error persists, contact Facebook support and include the exact error message. This helps them identify whether the problem is your account, your device, or their system.
How long does Facebook Pay usually stay down during an outage?
Most outages last between 30 minutes and a few hours. If Facebook Pay has been down for more than four hours, check the Help Center or contact support. Outages that last longer than that are uncommon and usually affect the entire Facebook network, not just payments.
Will I lose money if Facebook Pay goes down while I am sending it?
No. If the system goes down during a transaction, the payment either completes or fails — it does not get stuck in between. If you are unsure whether your money went through, check your bank or payment app to see if the charge appears. If it does not, the payment failed and you can try again when Facebook Pay is back up.