How to Stop Facebook Videos from Playing Automatically: A Step-by-Step Guide

Facebook’s autoplay feature for videos can be convenient for some users, but for others, it can be annoying, consume data, or disrupt their browsing experience. Fortunately, Facebook allows you to disable this feature. Below is a step-by-step guide to stop Facebook videos from playing automatically on both desktop and mobile devices.

On Desktop (Web Browser)

1. Log in to Facebook
   Open your preferred web browser and log in to your Facebook account.
2. Access Settings & Privacy

• Click on the downward-facing arrow in the top-right corner of the screen.
• From the dropdown menu, select Settings & Privacy, then click Settings.

1. Navigate to Media Settings

• In the left-hand menu, click on Videos under the Preferences section.

1. Adjust Autoplay Settings

• Under the Autoplay section, you’ll see a dropdown menu with three options:
  • On: Videos will autoplay.
  • Off: Videos will not autoplay.
  • On Wi-Fi Only: Videos will only autoplay when connected to Wi-Fi.
• Select Off to disable autoplay entirely.

1. Save Changes

• Your changes will be saved automatically. Close the settings window and continue browsing Facebook without videos autoplaying.

On Mobile (Facebook App)

1. Open the Facebook App
   Launch the Facebook app on your iOS or Android device.
2. Access the Menu

• Tap the three horizontal lines (menu icon) in the bottom-right corner (iOS) or top-right corner (Android).

1. Go to Settings & Privacy

• Scroll down and tap Settings & Privacy, then select Settings.

1. Find Media Settings

• Scroll down to the Preferences section and tap Media and Contacts.

1. Adjust Autoplay Settings

• Tap Autoplay to open the options.
• You’ll see three choices:
  • On: Videos will autoplay.
  • Off: Videos will not autoplay.
  • On Wi-Fi Only: Videos will only autoplay when connected to Wi-Fi.
• Select Off to disable autoplay entirely.

1. Confirm Your Selection

• Your changes will be saved automatically. Exit the settings menu and enjoy a video-free browsing experience.

Additional Tips

• Data Savings: Disabling autoplay can help reduce data usage, especially if you’re on a limited mobile data plan.
• Browser Extensions: If you’re using Facebook on a desktop browser, you can install extensions like Facebook AutoPlay Blocker for additional control.
• Check for Updates: Facebook occasionally updates its interface, so the steps may vary slightly. If you can’t find the settings, ensure your app or browser is up to date.

By following these steps, you can easily stop Facebook videos from playing automatically, saving data and improving your browsing experience. Whether you’re on desktop or mobile, these settings are quick to adjust and can make a big difference!