How to Add Funds to Facebook Ads

Nothing stops a high-performing Facebook ad campaign in its tracks faster than running out of funds. This guide cuts straight to the chase, showing you exactly how to add funds to your Facebook Ads account, troubleshoot common payment issues, and manage your budget proactively. We’ll cover both prepaid and postpaid accounts so you can get your ads back online, no matter your setup.

Before You Add Funds: Prepaid vs. Postpaid Ad Accounts

Before you can add money, it’s good to know how Facebook is set up to collect it. Your ad account operates in one of two ways: either you pay upfront (prepaid) or you pay after your ads run (postpaid). Knowing which one you have is the first step.

Prepaid Ad Accounts (Manual Payments)

Think of this like a prepaid phone plan. You load a specific amount of money into your account, and as your ads run, Facebook deducts the cost from that balance. When the balance hits zero, your ads stop until you add more funds.

• Perfect For: Advertisers who want total control over their spending. You can never accidentally spend more than what you've deposited.
• Common in: Certain countries or with newer ad accounts that haven't yet established a payment history with Meta.

Postpaid Ad Accounts (Automatic Payments)

This is the more common setup and works like a utility bill. You add a primary payment method (like a credit card, debit card, or PayPal), and Facebook automatically charges you as you accrue ad costs. These charges happen in two ways:

• Billing Threshold: Facebook sets an initial spending limit (e.g., $25). Once your ads spend that amount, Facebook charges your payment method. As you successfully pay your bills, your threshold typically increases (to $50, $100, $500, etc.).
• Monthly Billing Date: You'll also be charged on a set day each month for any outstanding costs, even if you haven't hit your threshold.

How to Check Your Account Type

Not sure which one you have? It's easy to find out:

1. Navigate to your Facebook Ads Manager.
2. Click the hamburger menu (☰ All Tools) on the left-hand side.
3. Select "Billing" from the menu.
4. Click on "Payment Settings."

Right at the top of the page, you’ll either see a "Prepaid Balance" with an "Add Funds" button (you're on manual payments) or a "Payment Methods" section showing a primary card and an "Amount Due" (you're on automatic payments).

How to Add Funds to a Prepaid Facebook Ad Account

If you've confirmed you have a prepaid (manual) account, adding funds is a straightforward process. This is the only scenario where you are literally "adding funds" to a balance.

1. Go to Your Billing Section: As outlined above, head to Ads Manager >, All Tools >, Billing.
2. Access Payment Settings: Click on the "Payment Settings" tab in the upper left corner.
3. Click "Add Funds": You will see your current prepaid balance clearly displayed. Right next to it, there will be a blue button labeled "Add Funds." Click it.
4. Enter Your Details: A pop-up window will appear. Here, you'll enter the amount of money you wish to add and select your preferred payment method. Available methods often include:
   • Credit or Debit Card (Visa, Mastercard, Amex, Discover)
   • PayPal
   • Online Banking (Bank Transfer)
   Note: Your available payment methods will vary depending on your country and currency.
5. Confirm Your Payment: Review the details one last time and click to confirm your payment. For credit cards and PayPal, the funds are usually added almost instantly. Bank transfers, however, can sometimes take a few business days to process and appear in your account.

Once the funds are reflected in your prepaid balance, any paused ads will automatically start running again, assuming the campaigns and ad sets are still active.

Managing Your Payment Methods for Postpaid (Automatic) Accounts

If you have a postpaid account, the concept of "adding funds" is different. You aren't loading a balance. Instead, you're making sure Facebook has a valid and working payment method to charge when your bill comes due. Keeping this information up to date is how you keep your campaigns funded.

How to Add or Update a Primary Payment Method

If your primary card expired or you want to switch to a different one, follow these steps:

1. Begin in your Ads Manager's "Billing" section and go to "Payment Settings."
2. Under the "Payment Methods" heading, click the “Add Payment Method” button.
3. Follow the prompts to add your new credit card, PayPal account, or other available options.
4. Once added, you can make it your primary payment method. Facebook will use this card for all future automatic charges.

Why a Backup Payment Method is a Lifesaver

Imagine your primary credit card gets unexpectedly declined right as your biggest sale of the year kicks off. Your ads stop, you lose momentum, and potential sales vanish. A backup payment method prevents this disaster.

When you have a backup on file, Facebook will automatically attempt to charge it if the primary method fails for any reason - be it an expired card, a fraud alert, or hitting your credit limit. This simple step can keep your campaigns running without interruption.

To set one up, simply add a second payment method using the steps above. Once you have more than one card on file, you can manage which one is primary and which is the backup.

Troubleshooting: What to Do When Adding Funds Fails

Sometimes, payments don't go through as planned. Here are some of the most common hiccups and how to fix them.

Problem: Your Payment Was Declined

This is the most frequent issue. A payment can be declined for several reasons:

• Incorrect Information: A simple typo in the card number, CVV code, or expiration date. Double-check everything carefully.
• Insufficient Funds: The account or card doesn't have enough money to cover the charge.
• Bank Security Block: Many banks will automatically flag unexpected or large online transactions as potential fraud. This is very common for first-time ad payments to Meta. Solution: Call the number on the back of your card and speak to your bank's fraud or security department. Let them know you are trying to make a legitimate payment to "Facebook Ads" and ask them to approve it. Then, try the payment again.

Problem: The "Add Funds" Button is Missing

If you're looking for the "Add Funds" button and can't find it anywhere, odds are you don't have a prepaid account. Remember, this button only exists for manual payment accounts.

Solution: Refer back to the section on managing postpaid accounts. Your goal is not to load a balance but to add or update a valid primary payment method that Facebook can charge automatically.

Problem: Your Ad Account is Disabled

If your ad account has been restricted due to policy violations, all payment functions will be frozen. No matter how many times you try, you won't be able to add funds or run ads.

Solution: Forget about payments for a moment. You need to resolve the account restriction first. Go to your Account Quality dashboard and follow the instructions to appeal the decision or fix the cited issue. Once your account is reinstated, you'll be able to manage your billing again.

Beyond Adding Funds: Smart Ways to Manage Your Ad Budget

Keeping your ads funded is one-part adding money and one-part smart management. Here are a few ways to stay ahead.

Set an Account Spending Limit

An Account Spending Limit is a hard cap on the lifetime total your ad account can spend. It’s a fantastic safety net. If you set a limit of $5,000, your ads will stop dead once you’ve spent that amount across all campaigns - no exceptions. You can adjust or remove it at any time, but it’s great for preventing accidental overspending.

You can find this option in your "Payment Settings."

Keep an Eye on Your Billing Threshold

For postpaid accounts, understanding your billing threshold helps with cash flow planning. If your threshold is $250, you know to expect a charge from Facebook every time your ad spend crosses that mark. Knowing when these charges are likely to hit helps you manage your finances better.

Final Thoughts

Successfully managing your Facebook Ad funds comes down to knowing whether your account is prepaid or postpaid and keeping a valid payment method on file. Being able to quickly add funds or update your details keeps your campaigns running smoothly, while proactive strategies like setting spending limits prevent costly surprises.

Of course, keeping ads online is just one piece of a strong social media presence. Profitable ad campaigns are often built on a foundation of consistent, engaging organic content. We created Postbase because we were tired of wrestling with clunky, outdated tools while managing our organic social. By simplifying how you plan your content on a visual calendar, schedule video-first content reliably, and manage all your conversations in one inbox, we help you build a brand that makes every ad dollar work that much harder.