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How to Delete a Video From Facebook: A Definitive Guide

So, you’ve decided that a video you uploaded to Facebook needs to vanish. Whether it’s an embarrassing throwback, a professionally produced piece that’s now outdated, or simply a video you no longer want associated with your profile, deleting a video from Facebook is a relatively straightforward process. This guide will walk you through each step, ensuring you remove your video effectively and permanently.

The process is simple: Navigate to your Facebook profile, go to the “Photos” section, find the “Videos” album”, select the video you want to delete, click the three dots (ellipsis) in the top right corner, and choose “Delete Video”. Confirm your decision, and poof – it’s gone.

Let’s dive into a more detailed breakdown, including handling potential glitches and exploring related FAQs.

A Step-by-Step Guide to Deleting Your Facebook Video

Here’s a more granular look at the process, covering different platforms and potential scenarios:

Deleting a Video from Your Facebook Profile on a Desktop

This is the most common and often easiest method:

Log in to Facebook: Open your web browser and head to Facebook.com. Log in with your username and password.
Navigate to Your Profile: Click on your name or profile picture in the top left corner of the screen to go to your profile page.
Access the “Photos” Section: Look for the “Photos” tab, usually located below your cover photo. Click on it.
Find the “Videos” Album: Within the “Photos” section, you’ll see different albums. Locate the “Videos” album. If you haven’t created custom albums, all your videos will be stored here.
Select the Video: Click on the video you wish to delete. This will open the video in a larger view.
Open the Options Menu: In the top right corner of the video, you’ll see three horizontal dots (the ellipsis). Click on these dots to open a drop-down menu.
Choose “Delete Video”: From the drop-down menu, select the “Delete Video” option.
Confirm the Deletion: A confirmation box will appear, asking if you’re sure you want to delete the video. Click “Delete” to confirm. The video will then be permanently removed from your Facebook profile.

Deleting a Video from Your Facebook Profile on the Mobile App

The mobile app follows a similar process:

Open the Facebook App: Launch the Facebook app on your smartphone or tablet.
Go to Your Profile: Tap on your profile picture in the top left corner (or the menu icon, which looks like three horizontal lines, then your profile).
Find Your Profile: Scroll down to the section where you see your posts and photos.
Access the “Photos” Section: Scroll down and tap on the “Photos” tab.
Locate the “Videos” Album: Tap on the “Albums” option, then select the “Videos” album.
Select the Video: Tap on the video you want to remove.
Open the Options Menu: Tap on the three vertical dots (ellipsis) in the top right corner of the video.
Choose “Delete”: Select the “Delete” option from the menu.
Confirm the Deletion: A confirmation prompt will appear. Tap “Delete” to permanently remove the video.

What if the Video Isn’t on Your Profile? (e.g., a Group or Page)

If the video you want to delete isn’t on your personal profile, the process changes slightly:

Facebook Group: If you uploaded the video to a Facebook Group, you’ll need to navigate to the Group, find the video within the Group’s posts or media section, and then follow the same steps for deleting a video (three dots, “Delete Post,” confirm). You must be an admin or moderator to delete videos posted by others.
Facebook Page: If the video is on a Facebook Page you manage, go to the Page, find the video in the “Posts” or “Videos” section, and use the three-dot menu to select “Delete.” You must have admin or editor privileges on the Page to delete videos.
Another Person’s Profile: You cannot directly delete a video from someone else’s profile. If you are tagged in a video you want removed, you can untag yourself. If you believe the video violates Facebook’s community standards, you can report it to Facebook.

Troubleshooting: What to Do if You Can’t Delete a Video

Occasionally, you might encounter issues when trying to delete a video. Here are some common problems and solutions:

Internet Connection: Ensure you have a stable internet connection. A weak connection can interrupt the deletion process.
Browser Issues: If you’re using a web browser, try clearing your browser’s cache and cookies, or try a different browser altogether.
Facebook App Issues: If you’re using the mobile app, try closing and reopening the app, or clearing the app’s cache.
Software Update: Make sure your Facebook app is updated to the latest version. Outdated apps can sometimes have glitches.
Facebook Bugs: In rare cases, there might be a temporary bug on Facebook’s end. Wait a few hours and try again.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are some common questions about deleting videos from Facebook, along with detailed answers:

1. Can I recover a video after deleting it from Facebook?

No, once you delete a video from Facebook, it is permanently gone. There is no “undelete” or recycle bin feature. Therefore, before you confirm the deletion, make absolutely sure you no longer need the video. Consider downloading it to your computer as a backup before deleting it from Facebook if there’s any chance you might want it later.

2. Does deleting a video from Facebook also delete it from Instagram if I cross-posted?

No, deleting a video from Facebook does not automatically delete it from Instagram, even if you initially cross-posted it. You’ll need to delete the video separately from Instagram if you want it removed from both platforms. Remember, these are separate platforms with their own content management systems, even though they are owned by the same company (Meta).

3. How long does it take for a deleted video to disappear completely from Facebook?

In most cases, a deleted video disappears almost immediately from your profile and from public view. However, there might be a slight delay (a few minutes at most) while the deletion propagates through Facebook’s servers. Facebook’s internal systems might retain the video briefly for technical or security reasons, but it won’t be accessible to you or other users.

4. Can other people still see a video I deleted if they shared it?

If someone shared your video before you deleted it, their shared post will also be deleted. When the source video is gone, all copies that are in “shares” from the original post are removed.

5. Will deleting a video from Facebook remove it from Messenger conversations?

If you shared the video directly in a Messenger conversation, deleting it from your profile will not remove it from the Messenger conversation. Those copies remain until you manually delete them from within the individual Messenger chats.

6. Can I delete a video that someone else uploaded and tagged me in?

No, you cannot directly delete a video that someone else uploaded, even if you are tagged in it. However, you can untag yourself from the video. This will remove the video from your timeline and prevent it from being associated with your profile. You can also report the video to Facebook if you believe it violates their community standards.

7. What happens if I delete a video that is part of a Facebook ad campaign?

If you delete a video that is currently being used in an active Facebook ad campaign, the ad will stop running. Facebook will likely notify you that the ad is no longer active because the media is missing. It’s crucial to review your ad campaigns regularly and replace any deleted videos with new ones to maintain continuous advertising.

8. How do I delete a Live video that I streamed on Facebook?

The process for deleting a Live video is the same as deleting any other video. Once the Live broadcast ends, it’s saved as a video on your profile or Page. Simply follow the steps outlined above to locate and delete the video.

9. Is it possible to archive a video instead of deleting it from Facebook?

No, Facebook does not offer a direct “archive” feature for videos like it does for posts. The only options are to leave it visible, adjust the privacy settings (e.g., making it visible only to you), or delete it entirely. If you want to archive the video, your best bet is to download it to your computer and then delete it from Facebook.

10. Does deleting a video affect my Facebook account in any negative way?

No, deleting a video from Facebook generally does not have any negative impact on your account. There are no penalties or repercussions for removing content you’ve uploaded. The only potential impact is on any ad campaigns that were using the video, as mentioned earlier.

11. If I delete my Facebook account, what happens to the videos I uploaded?

When you delete your entire Facebook account, all of your data, including all the videos you uploaded, will be permanently deleted. This process is irreversible. Before deleting your account, consider downloading all your information, including your videos, as a backup.

12. Can I schedule a video to be automatically deleted from Facebook after a certain date?

No, Facebook does not offer a feature to schedule video deletion for a future date. You must manually delete the video when you want it removed. This is a feature some users have requested, but currently, it’s not available.

Deleting a video from Facebook is a simple but important task. By following the steps outlined above and understanding these FAQs, you can confidently manage your video content and ensure your Facebook profile reflects your current preferences. Always remember to double-check before hitting that “Delete” button, as there’s no going back!