How to Solve "Error Performing Query" in Facebook

Seeing an Error Performing Query message pop up when you’re trying to post on Facebook is one of the most frustrating, momentum-killing experiences for any social media manager or content creator. This vague, unhelpful error stops you in your tracks without explaining what went wrong or how to fix it. This article breaks down exactly what that error means, the most common reasons it happens, and a step-by-step guide to get it fixed so you can get back to creating and publishing your content.

What "Error Performing Query" Actually Means

In simple terms, "Error Performing Query" is a generic message from Facebook that indicates a communication problem. When you perform an action - like publishing a post, liking a comment, or loading your feed - your device sends a request (a "query") to Facebook's servers. If something goes wrong while Facebook’s servers try to process that request and retrieve the necessary information from their database, this error message is the result. It’s the platform’s way of saying, “I tried to do what you asked, but something broke, and I don't have a more specific reason why.”

You’ll most commonly see this error when:

• Publishing or scheduling a post to a page, group, or profile.
• Liking, replying to, or hiding a comment.
• Updating your profile information or page settings.
• Switching between accounts in Meta Business Suite.
• Simply trying to load a page or group feed.

Annoyingly, the cause could be anything from a massive, global Facebook outage to something as simple as a corrupted file in your browser’s cache. The key is to diagnose the cause methodically instead of panicking.

Common Causes Behind the Facebook Query Error

Before jumping into solutions, understanding the likely culprits can save you time. The problem usually falls into one of these buckets.

1. Facebook Server or API Issues

Most of the time, the problem isn’t with you or your computer - it’s on Facebook’s end. Their servers handle billions of queries every minute. Even a minor glitch, partial outage, or maintenance update in their system can cause temporary hiccups for thousands or millions of users. These system-wide issues are the most frequent cause of the "Error Performing Query" message.

2. Browser-Related Problems

Your web browser is the gateway to Facebook, but it can also be the source of the problem. Over time, stored data can become outdated or corrupted, causing conflicts with how Facebook’s code runs on the platform.

• Corrupted Cache and Cookies: Your browser stores temporary files (cache) and data (cookies) to help websites load faster. If this data becomes corrupted, it can interfere with new server requests.
• Problematic Browser Extensions: Ad-blockers, anti-tracking tools, or even some productivity extensions can accidentally block essential scripts that Facebook needs to function properly.
• Outdated Browser: Using an old version of Chrome, Firefox, or Safari can lead to compatibility issues with Facebook’s ever-evolving platform.

3. Mobile App Glitches

If you're using the Facebook or Meta Business Suite mobile app, similar issues can occur. Accumulated cache within the app can go stale, or a recent update might have introduced a bug. An older version of the app might no longer be fully compatible with Facebook’s current system.

4. Network Connectivity Issues

A weak, unstable, or interrupted internet connection is another common trigger. If your connection drops for even a split second while your device is communicating with Facebook’s servers, the query can fail. This is particularly common if you're on an unstable Wi-Fi network or have low cellular data reception.

5. Account-Specific Bugs

In some rare cases, the error isn’t global or local but tied directly to your user account. This can be caused by a temporary security flag, a specific bug related to your permissions (for example, as a Page admin), or an unknown server-side glitch attached to your profile. These are harder to diagnose but usually get resolved by Facebook's internal systems over time.

Your Step-by-Step Guide to Fixing the "Error Performing Query" Message

Start with the simplest solutions first and work your way down the list. Most of the time, you'll solve the problem within the first few steps.

Step 1: Check if Facebook Is Down

Before you start troubleshooting your own devices, confirm that the problem isn't with Facebook itself. A quick check can save you a ton of unnecessary work if the platform is experiencing a large-scale outage.

• Visit a Status Checker Site: Go to a third-party status website like Downdetector.com. Search for "Facebook" and check the outage graph. If you see a huge spike in user-reported problems, you’re not alone. In this case, your only option is to be patient and wait for Meta's engineers to fix it.
• Search on Other Social Platforms: Head over to X (formerly Twitter) and search for terms like "#facebookdown" or "error performing query facebook." If other users are reporting the same issue in real-time, it's a clear sign of a wider problem.

If the outage reports are high, just step away for 30-60 minutes and try again later. Don't waste energy trying to fix your browser if the server itself is broken.

Step 2: Try the Classic "Turn It Off and On Again" Method

This is standard advice for a reason - it works surprisingly often. A simple reset can clear temporary glitches and re-establish a clean connection with Facebook's servers.

• Log Out and Log Back In: Completely log out of your Facebook account on the device where you're seeing the error. Close the browser tab or mobile app. Wait a minute, then log back in. This will force a new session and can often correct authentication-related hangs.
• Hard Refresh the Page: If you’re on a desktop browser, perform a hard refresh. For most browsers, the shortcut is Ctrl + F5 on Windows or Cmd + Shift + R on a Mac. This bypasses your browser's local cache for a particular page and downloads the newest version directly from the server.

Step 3: Clear Your Browser’s Cache and Cookies

If a simple reset doesn't work, corrupted or outdated browser data is the next most likely culprit. Clearing your cache and cookies removes the problematic files and forces your browser to start fresh.

How to Clear Cache and Cookies:

• Google Chrome: Click the three dots in the top-right corner >,, Clear browsing data... >,, Change the time range to "All time" >,, Check the boxes for "Cookies and other site data" and "Cached images and files" >,, Click "Clear data."
• Mozilla Firefox: Click the three horizontal lines in the top-right corner >,, Settings >,, Privacy &, Security >,, Scroll to "Cookies and Site Data" and click "Clear Data..." >,, Make sure both boxes are checked and click "Clear."
• Safari: Go to Safari in the menu bar >,, Settings (or Preferences) >,, Privacy >,, Manage Website Data... >,, Search for Facebook, select it, and click "Remove." For cache, go to the Develop menu and select "Empty Caches." If you don't see the Develop menu, you can enable it in Settings >, Advanced.

After clearing the data, completely close and reopen your browser before logging back into Facebook.

Step 4: Troubleshoot Browser-Specific Issues

If clearing the cache didn't help, the issue might be with your browser's configuration instead of its stored data.

• Open Facebook in an Incognito/Private Window: This is the quickest way to test for extension conflicts. Incognito or Private mode typically loads without any extensions running. If Facebook works perfectly in this mode, then an extension is almost certainly the cause. Go back to your normal browser window and disable your extensions one by one (especially ad-blockers and privacy-focused add-ons) until you find the one causing the conflict.
• Try a Different Web Browser: Temporarily switch to a different browser (e.g., if you're using Chrome, try Firefox or Edge). If the error disappears in the new browser, you know the problem is isolated to your primary browser’s settings or installation, not your network or your Facebook account.
• Update Your Browser: Make sure your browser is running the latest version. Go to settings and look for the "About Chrome/Firefox" section to check for and apply updates.

Step 5: Troubleshoot the Mobile App

If the error is happening on your phone, follow these mobile-specific steps:

• Force Quit and Relaunch the App: Don't just close it, force it to shut down from your phone's app switcher.
• Restart Your Device: A good old-fashioned reboot can solve all sorts of strange app behaviors.
• Clear the App Cache (Android Only): Go to Settings >, Apps >,, find the Facebook or Business Suite app >,, Storage >,, tap "Clear Cache." (Important: Do not tap "Clear Data" unless you are prepared to log back in and reset all your app preferences).
• Update the App: Go to the App Store or Google Play Store and check if an update is available for the Facebook app.
• Reinstall the App: If nothing else has worked, uninstalling and reinstalling the app is your best bet. This gets rid of any deeply buried corrupted data and installs the latest, cleanest version.

Step 6: Rule Out Network Problems

An inconsistent network connection can easily disrupt the communication between you and Facebook.

• Switch Your Connection: If you’re on Wi-Fi, try switching to your phone's cellular data. If you’re on cellular, try connecting to a stable Wi-Fi network. If the error goes away when you switch, you've found your culprit.
• Reboot Your Router: Unplug your Wi-Fi router from the power source, wait 30 seconds, and plug it back in. This often clears up temporary network congestion and performance issues.

Step 7: Last-Ditch Effort - Report the Problem

If you have tried everything above and the error still persists after 24 hours, it might be an account-specific bug. At this point, you can report it to Facebook. Click the "Help & Support" icon (often a question mark) and find the "Report a Problem" option. Be detailed in your description: explain what you were trying to do, what device and browser you're using, and the exact error message you received. While a direct response isn't guaranteed, this flags a potential bug for their engineering team to review.

Final Thoughts

The "Error Performing Query" message on Facebook is usually just a temporary obstacle. By methodically working through the troubleshooting steps - checking for outages, clearing your cache, testing in different environments, and a quick device reboot - you can typically pinpoint the cause and fix it in minutes. The key is to stay calm and not assume the worst, more often than not, it's a minor hiccup you can control.

We know how critical reliability is when you’re managing social media for a business. Unexpected errors like these can derail your content schedule and cause immense frustration. We built Postbase from the ground up prioritizing stable, modern connections to all the major social media platforms. Because our system is built for how social media works today, we work to minimize those annoying API glitches that lead to failed posts. Your content should publish when you schedule it, and you'll find our rock-solid scheduler just plain works.