How to Delete a Live Video on Facebook

Went live on Facebook and now regret it? Whether a technical glitch ruined the stream, you said something off-brand, or the video has simply served its purpose, you need it gone - fast. The good news is that removing a Facebook Live video is a straightforward process. This guide covers everything you need to know about deleting past broadcasts and ending a current live stream you don't want posted, with step-by-step instructions for both desktop and mobile devices.

Why You Might Need to Delete a Facebook Live Video

While going live is a powerful way to connect with your audience, mistakes happen. Knowing you have an exit strategy can give you the confidence to hit that "Go Live" button more often. There are plenty of perfectly valid reasons to remove a live video after the fact.

• Technical Issues: Bad audio, a frozen video feed, or a poor connection can make a replay unwatchable. Deleting the video allows you to clean up your feed and perhaps try again later with a better setup.
• Accidental Broadcasts: Sometimes the "Go Live" button gets pressed by mistake. If you accidentally started broadcasting a team meeting or your messy desk, you'll want to get rid of that video immediately.
• Off-Brand or Off-Topic Content: In the heat of the moment, you might say something that doesn't align with your brand's messaging, or the conversation may veer into unproductive territory. If the video doesn't represent your brand well, deleting it is a form of quality control.
• Sensitive Information was Shared: Someone may have accidentally shared confidential details, personal information, or proprietary data during the stream. Deleting the video is the first and most important step in protecting that information.
• The Content is Outdated: Your live video might have been for a specific event, promotion, or announcement that is no longer relevant. Removing old content can help keep your video library fresh and focused on your current goals.

Before You Hit Delete: A Quick Checklist

Once a video is deleted, it's gone for good. Before you remove it permanently, take a second to consider a few alternatives or precautionary steps. You might find a better solution or save yourself from losing valuable data.

1. Download a Copy for Your Records

If there's any part of the video you might want to save - even just for internal review or to salvage clips - download it first. You can repurpose good sections into smaller video clips, reels, or stories later. To do this, find the video, click the three-dot menu icon (...), and you should see an option to "Download video."

2. Save the Analytics and Insights

Even a "failed" live video provides valuable data. Before deleting, head into your Page's analytics or open the video's insights. Take note of key metrics like peak live viewers, reach, engagement (comments, shares, reactions), and audience retention. Look at where viewers dropped off. This information can tell you a lot about what works and what doesn't, helping you improve your future live streams.

3. Consider Unpublishing or Trimming Instead (for Facebook Pages)

If you manage a Facebook Page, you may have more options than just deletion. Instead of permanent removal, you can sometimes "Unpublish" a video. This removes it from public view but keeps it (and its data) in your content library. Pages also occasionally offer the ability to trim the beginning or end of a video, which can be perfect for cutting out a long, awkward start or a glitch that happened at the end.

How to Delete an Ended Facebook Live Video

The process for deleting a live video that has already finished is slightly different depending on whether you're using a computer or the mobile app. We’ll cover both scenarios below.

On a Computer (Desktop/Laptop)

Using the desktop site is often the easiest way to manage your video library. Here’s how to find and delete a past live stream from your personal Profile or a Facebook Page you manage.

1. Navigate to Your Profile or Page: Go to the Facebook Page or personal Profile where the video was originally broadcast.
2. Find Your Videos: On your Page, look for the "More" tab below your cover photo and select "Videos" from the dropdown menu. On a personal Profile, click on your name to go to your timeline, then find the "Videos" tab.
3. Locate the Video: Facebook organizes videos into different playlists and albums. The video might be in "Live" or under a main "Uploads" section. Browse through your library until you find the specific live video you want to remove.
4. Open the Menu: Hover your mouse over the video thumbnail or click on it. You will see a three-dot menu icon (...) appear. Click it.
5. Select "Delete Video": A dropdown menu will appear with several options. Click on "Delete Video."
6. Confirm the Deletion: Facebook will show a popup asking you to confirm your decision, reminding you that this action is permanent. If you're sure, click the final "Delete" button. The video will be removed immediately.

Pro Tip: If you're managing multiple videos, Facebook's Creator Studio (or Meta Business Suite) offers a more powerful "Content" library where you can filter by video type, search, and bulk-manage your posts.

On a Mobile Device (iPhone or Android App)

You can also easily delete a live video directly from the Facebook app on your smartphone or tablet. The steps are very similar for both iOS and Android.

1. Go to Your Profile or Page: Open the Facebook app and navigate to the location of the video.
2. Access Your Video Library:
   • For a personal Profile: Tap on your profile picture, scroll down your timeline a bit, and find the "Photos" section. Tap on it, and then switch to the "Albums" tab. Look for an album titled "Videos" or "Live Videos."
   • For a Facebook Page: Tap the "More" button on your Page's menu bar and then select "Videos."
3. Find and Tap the Video: Scroll through your videos to find the one you wish to delete and tap to open it.
4. Access the Menu: Look for the three-dot menu icon (...) in the top-right corner of the video player screen and tap on it.
5. Choose "Delete": A menu of options will slide up from the bottom of the screen. Tap "Delete."
6. Confirm Your Choice: Just like on desktop, the app will ask you to confirm that you want to permanently delete the video. Tap "Delete" again to finalize the action.

How to Stop a Current Live Video & Prevent It From Posting

What if you realize mid-stream that things are going wrong and you want to stop immediately, without the video ever hitting your timeline? You have that control.

1. End the Broadcast: While you are live, you'll see a button that says "Finish" or "End." Tap this button to stop the live stream.
2. Review the Post Options Screen: After you end the broadcast, Facebook won't automatically post the replay. Instead, it will take you to a summary screen. Here, you'll see options like "Post to Your Timeline/Page," "Share to Your Story," and, crucially, a trash can icon or a "Delete" button.
3. Choose to Delete Immediately: Instead of hitting the "Post" button, tap the "Delete" or trash can icon. Facebook will ask for confirmation one last time. Confirm, and the video will be discarded permanently without ever being published to your followers.

This is your "emergency brake." It ensures a problematic live stream doesn't get saved for public viewing, containing the issue to only those who were watching live at that exact moment.

Final Thoughts

Knowing how to delete a Facebook Live video gives you control over your online presence, allowing you to quickly remove content that's outdated, problematic, or simply didn't turn out as planned. Whether the broadcast is over or happening right now, the process is quick and effective on both desktop and mobile.

Of course, the best way to avoid deleting videos is to have a solid content strategy from the start. A well-planned video is less likely to go off the rails. That's why we built Postbase with a video-first mindset. Our visual calendar helps you schedule not just your live streams but all your video content - from Reels to Shorts - across every platform, so you can execute a polished strategy without the chaos. By building our platform for how social media works today, we make it simpler to manage the content that truly engages your audience.