Facebook users around the world faced major problems accessing the platform on Thursday, May 9, 2025. According to Downdetector, more than 2,900 reports came in, showing a clear spike in global issues. Most users said the website was not working. Others had problems logging in or using the Facebook app.
The outage affected people in many countries, including the United States, Canada, the UK, and parts of Asia and Europe. Many users turned to X (formerly Twitter) and other platforms to share their experiences, ask questions, and post memes using the hashtag #FacebookDown.
What Happened?
As of now, Meta, Facebook’s parent company, has not given an official reason for the disruption. The outage started around midday UTC, according to user reports collected by Downdetector.
77% of complaints were about the website not loading or crashing. 14% had issues with logging into their accounts. 9% faced trouble using the Facebook mobile app.
The issue appeared to be global, and it affected both personal accounts and business pages.
User Reactions Online
While Facebook was down, users flocked to X (Twitter) to voice their frustration. Some shared jokes, while others asked whether the platform had been hacked or shut down temporarily.
One user posted, “Went to Facebook to deactivate my account, and of course, it’s the one time it’s actually down. #facebookdown.” Another shared a meme of Mark Zuckerberg, Meta’s CEO, with the caption, “Facebook is down and so is productivity!”
No Official Update Yet
As of the time of writing, Meta has not released a public statement about the reason for the outage. The company’s status page for developers and business tools showed no alerts.
Users checking Meta’s Help Center or support forums found no clear answers. This left many frustrated, especially businesses relying on Facebook for ads, outreach, and customer contact.
Meta usually experiences occasional technical issues, but global outages on this scale are rare. The last major Facebook outage occurred in March 2024, when a server update caused login failures for hours.
Impact on Businesses and Users
For millions of users, Facebook is more than just a place to post pictures and messages. Many small businesses use it to promote their services, connect with clients, and manage bookings.
During this outage, several online stores that depend on Facebook Shops and Messenger reported losing access. Some advertisers also complained about interrupted ad campaigns and delayed performance data.
According to Statista, Facebook has over 3 billion monthly active users as of 2025. Even a short downtime can affect advertising, e-commerce, and user trust.
Is Facebook Back Online?
As of Friday morning, Facebook service appears to have gradually returned to normal in many areas. Some users still report slower loading speeds or partial access.
Downdetector’s live outage map showed a drop in new reports, indicating that the platform was recovering. However, without an official response from Meta, users are unsure if the issue is fully resolved.
If you’re still facing issues, you can:
- Clear your browser cache or app data
- Restart your device
- Check your internet connection
- Visit Downdetector for live updates
A History of Facebook Outages
Facebook has seen similar outages before. Notable incidents include:
- March 2024 – A server upgrade caused login failures and app crashes for 4 hours.
- October 2021 – A six-hour global outage due to DNS configuration changes.
- July 2019 – A partial outage that affected image uploads and app features.
Each of these events highlighted how deeply users rely on Facebook’s platform in daily life.
What’s Next?
Users are now waiting for Meta to issue a formal statement. It’s unclear whether the outage was caused by internal changes, a technical bug, or a cyberattack.
Experts suggest that growing pressure on Meta’s servers, especially during updates or new feature launches, may be contributing to increased system stress.
