Frustrated with GIFs Not Working on Facebook? Let’s Find Solutions!

Have you ever encountered the pesky issue of GIFs not working when you’re trying to share them on Facebook? It can be quite a letdown, disrupting the fun and light-heartedness we associate with these animated images. But worry not! I’ve got some tips and tricks to help you solve this dilemma.

Firstly, let’s consider why this problem might be happening. Facebook supports GIFs, but there can be various reasons why they may not work. It could be a compatibility issue with the browser or device you’re using, an error in the GIF itself, or a temporary glitch on Facebook’s end. It’s a puzzling situation, but we’ll get to the bottom of it.

To troubleshoot this issue, follow these steps:

1. Check your internet connection: Ensure you have a stable internet connection. Sometimes, a weak or unstable connection can hinder the proper loading of GIFs on Facebook.

2. Clear your browser cache: Your browser may be storing outdated information that can impact the display of GIFs. Clearing your cache will refresh the page and potentially resolve the problem. Just go to your browser settings, find the option to clear the cache, and follow the instructions.

3. Try using a different browser: Sometimes, the browser you’re using may not fully support the GIF format. Switching to a different browser, like Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox, can often solve the issue.

4. Update your browser and Facebook app: Outdated software versions can lead to compatibility issues. Make sure both your browser and Facebook app are updated to the latest version available.

5. Disable browser extensions: Certain browser extensions or add-ons can interfere with the proper functioning of GIFs on Facebook. Try disabling any extensions you have installed and see if the GIFs start working again.

6. Test the GIF on another device: If possible, try accessing Facebook from another device, like a smartphone or tablet, to see if the issue persists. This will help determine if the problem is specific to your device or browser.

7. Reach out to Facebook support: If none of the above steps work, it’s time to seek help from the experts. Contact Facebook support and provide them with details of the problem you’re facing. They should be able to assist you further and provide a solution.

Remember, troubleshooting these technical glitches can be perplexing at times, but don’t lose hope. With a bit of patience and experimentation, you can get those GIFs up and running on Facebook again. So, go ahead and give these tips a try – it’s time to bring the GIF magic back to your Facebook feed!

For a while now, GIFs have been Facebook’s weak spot. But in May 2015, the largest social network in the world finally accepted Graphics Interchange Format files (GIFs) with open arms. They added a GIF button to the Post and Comment text boxes, while still allowing external GIF links.

These fun animations are a great way to express yourself or entertain your friends. You can even make your own GIFs. Unfortunately, there’s nothing worse than having the perfect animation in mind and not being able to share it, ruining your communication.

Even though it’s been a while, some users still struggle with posting GIFs, especially ones from other sites like Reddit, Tumblr, or Giphy. Let’s take a closer look at what’s happening.

Facebook and GIFs

Facebook has been slow to embrace GIFs. When it first launched in 2004, the platform had far fewer features and options than it does today. In the beginning, there was no built-in support for GIFs.

But like with most things on the internet, users started asking for native GIF support. At first, Facebook was resistant to the idea. However, persistent users eventually convinced Facebook’s management to reconsider their dislike for GIFs.

The reason why Facebook doesn’t like GIFs is because they function as links, and Facebook doesn’t like links. Links take users away from the site’s news feed, comments, and videos, which negatively impacts Facebook’s traffic and usage statistics.

To make GIF lovers happy and reduce the number of links in status updates and comments, Facebook introduced the GIF button. This button is now available in the Post and comment text boxes.

However, GIFs from other online sites like Tumblr and Giphy are still allowed on Facebook, and it doesn’t seem like they will be banned anytime soon, if ever. External links are also likely here to stay, as it appears that Facebook will not take any significant action against them. Instagram, we’re keeping an eye on you!

That being said, it is expected that Facebook will modify its algorithms to prioritize content created or viewable within the platform.

What Could Possibly Go Wrong?

There are three main ways to post a GIF on Facebook. You can add one using the GIF button in the Post box, post one in a comment (also using the GIF button), or link to a GIF on an external site.

Uploading a GIF from your computer or mobile devices is still not allowed on Facebook. Additionally, posting GIFs in ads or on brand pages is prohibited.

Facebook’s Native GIFs

Hey, if you’ve ever posted a GIF in a status update or comment on Facebook, you know it’s usually smooth sailing. The GIF plays just fine because, well, it’s from Facebook. But let’s say you encounter a rare hiccup and your awesome GIF is frozen in your comment box. No worries, here’s what you can do.

First, click on those tiny three dots next to your comment or status update. From the options that pop up, select “Edit”. Now, delete the frozen GIF that’s giving you trouble. Take a deep breath and let’s find a solution. Search for the GIF again in the GIF menu and once you find it, include it in your comment or status. Ready? Awesome! Now hit Enter to re-post it. If this trick doesn’t work, don’t panic! Give it another shot. And if all else fails, you can always try using a different GIF to spice things up.

GIFs from Other Sites

Now, if you’re posting a GIF from another site, be prepared for a rollercoaster. The chances of it turning into a frozen image instead of an animated GIF are higher compared to when you’re using Facebook’s native GIFs. The main reason? It all comes down to how you post it.

When you’re sharing a GIF from an external site like Giphy, treat it like a regular link. Even though it appears as an animated image, Facebook sees it differently. So here’s the trick: always share the true URL of the GIF, not just a link to the page where it’s hosted. This ensures that your GIF stays animated when you post it on Facebook.

Let’s say your friend just graduated from college and you want to celebrate with a sweet dancing GIF of Walt Aikens from the Miami Dolphins. If you post the URL of the Giphy page where the GIF is hosted, you might end up with a disappointing still image in your comment. So, remember to share the actual URL of the GIF itself for the best results.

If you want to fix things, let’s go back to the page where you found the link and do a little right-clicking. Find the GIF that you want to post and right-click on it. You’ll see a drop-down menu pop up. In that menu, click on the option that says “Open image in new tab.” Now, take a good look at the address bar up top. Make sure you select all of the stuff in there. The address should end with .gif – that’s super important!

Hey there! So, here’s what you can do if you want to replace a still image with an animated GIF in your Facebook comment. First, go back to Facebook and open your comment in the Edit mode. Next, replace the link to the GIF’s page with the address that you’ve just copied. Once you’re done tweaking your comment, hit Enter to post it again. Ta-da! Now you should have an animated GIF instead of a still image in your comment.

Brand Pages and Facebook Ads

If you’re trying to post a GIF on your Facebook brand page or include it in a paid ad, guess what? Facebook won’t allow it. Unfortunately, there’s nothing you can do about it. Facebook acts a lot like its daughter company and social platform, Instagram, in this respect. No GIFs for you.

Now, let’s talk about those third-party apps that supposedly help you cheat Facebook and Instagram’s business and ad algorithms. Well, turns out, they’re all talk and no action. None of them have actually succeeded in doing what they claim to do. So, no tricks up your sleeve on this one!

Helpful Tips

If you’re still running into issues with Facebook and GIFs, here are a few things you can try:

• Switch to a different web browser if you’re on your computer.
• Make sure you have the latest Facebook app updates. They often release fixes to glitches through updates.
• If all else fails, use the ‘Report an Issue’ button. Take a screenshot if you can, and report the problem to Facebook. Maybe they’ll come to your rescue!

GIF, GIF, Hooray!

Posting GIFs on Facebook is a piece of cake, especially since they added the GIF button. And guess what? You can even link to GIFs from other sites. Just make sure you follow the procedure correctly, or you might end up with a disappointing still image instead. Nobody wants that.

So, let me know, do you share GIFs in your Facebook comments and posts? If you do, have you ever encountered any problems with them? Share your experiences with Facebook and GIFs in the comments below. I’m curious to hear your stories!

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20 thoughts on “GIF Not Working in Facebook – What to Do”

BERYL O’Neill says:

Whenever I post GIFs, they don’t show up. It just says “external and encrypted.” It was working fine up until a month ago. I’ve tried uninstalling Facebook, clearing data and cache, and restarting my phone, but nothing works. Stickers work fine though on my Samsung s21.

Victoria S. Briscoe says:

I have a brand new phone, but GIFs rarely work on Facebook for me. I have no idea why, and Facebook’s customer service is terrible. They simply never respond and don’t care. I can’t wait for them to be broken up as a monopoly. They wouldn’t get away with this lack of response if they had to fight for customers.