If a Facebook download is not working, do not start by refreshing the page repeatedly. Check the post visibility, the link shape, the browser, and the content type first.
Check whether the content is public
Private posts, friends-only videos, closed-group media, and login-gated pages are the most common hard stops.
A downloader can only save files that Facebook exposes publicly or through a direct media URL. It should not bypass privacy settings.
Check the link you copied
Copy the specific video, reel, photo, story, or post URL. Profile links and feed links often do not point to a single downloadable item.
Remove extra text before or after the URL. A clean link gives the resolver the best chance of identifying the media type.
Try one of three tools
If the link is public and one resolver fails, testing another tool can separate a tool limitation from a Facebook visibility issue.
Do not keep trying tools for private or expired content. That usually wastes time and sets the wrong expectation.
Check the content type
A reel, a normal video, a photo post, and a story can expose different metadata. Using the wrong workflow can look like a broken download.
If only audio is missing, Facebook may have exposed separate video and audio streams. Save the audio separately when the preview offers it.