Why Some Facebook Videos Can’t Be Downloaded
“Not found” usually means the video isn’t public. Which Facebook videos can be downloaded, how to check, and what to do instead.
By Downloaderize Published 3 min read
You paste a Facebook link into FB Reels Downloader and get “not found” instead of a video. Almost always the reason is the video’s privacy setting, not a bug. Here is why some videos can’t be downloaded, and what you can do instead.
Only public videos can be downloaded
Facebook decides who may see each post. A downloader can only fetch what anyone on the internet could watch without logging in. That rules out:
| Where the video is | Downloadable? |
|---|---|
| Public Reel or public post on a profile or Page | Yes |
| Facebook Watch video from a Page | Yes |
| Post shared with Friends or Friends of friends | No |
| Private or closed group | No |
| Public group | Usually yes |
| Messenger chats and Stories | No |
| Live video while it’s live | No (try again once it has ended and become a normal video) |
This isn’t a limitation we could switch off: the video simply isn’t available to anyone outside the audience its owner chose. That’s a good thing; it protects your own friends-only posts too.
How to check whether a video is public
- Look at the small icon next to the date on the post: a globe means Public; two people mean Friends; a padlock or group icon means a private audience.
- Or open the link in a private/incognito browser window where you’re not logged in. If Facebook asks you to log in instead of showing the video, it isn’t public.
Other reasons a download fails
- The video was deleted or the account was deactivated.
- The link points to a post, not a video: copy the link from the video or Reel itself (see how to copy a Facebook video link).
- Age or country restrictions: some Pages limit their videos to certain countries or adult audiences.
- A temporary hiccup: wait a minute and try again.
What you can do instead
- Ask the owner. If a friend posted the video, they can send you the original file; it will be better quality than any download anyway.
- Use Facebook’s Save button. Saving a video keeps it in your Saved list inside the app, as long as you can still see the post.
- Download your own videos. If it’s your post, Facebook’s Download your information tool or the video’s ⋯ → Download video option (on your own posts) gives you the original. The tool site has a guide to downloading your own Facebook Reels.
Respecting privacy
When someone shares a video with friends only, they’re trusting that audience. Even when you can see it, re-sharing a copy elsewhere can break that trust, and possibly Facebook’s rules or privacy law. Ask first.
For public videos, FB Reels Downloader saves HD or SD MP4 with sound, or just the audio, in any browser.
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