5 Reasons Why Facebook Payment on Hold and How to Fix It

Facebook payment hold is funds that Facebook retains in your advertising account. Disappointed to see your Facebook payment on hold? You're not alone. Many advertisers face this frustrating situation. But fear not, there are ways to get those funds flowing again!

In this article, I'll show you the most common reasons, and how to fix the annoying temporary hold unsuccessful error on Facebook.

Why is My Facebook Payment on Hold?

The most common cause for Facebook payout on hold is insufficient funds, but your Facebook payment could also be pending for various reasons:

#1 Violation of Facebook’s Usage Policies

Any action that violates Facebook’s community standards can lead to your account being put on a “hold money” status. This includes posting banned content, sending spam messages, or conducting improper activities on the platform.

How to fix:

• Check Notifications: Review any notifications from Facebook that explain the nature of the violation. These notifications often contain specific details about what rule was broken.
• Review Facebook’s Policies: Familiarize yourself with Facebook’s community standards and advertising policies. Understanding these guidelines can help you identify what went wrong.
• Correct the Violation: If the hold is due to specific content, delete or edit the posts that violate Facebook’s policies.

#2 Verification Process

Facebook might be verifying your payment method or account details, and hold your payment. This can sometimes take a bit of time, especially if there are discrepancies or issues with the information provided.

How to fix:

• Check Your Email or Notifications: Sometimes, Facebook sends emails or notifications regarding the verification process. Look for any messages from Facebook in your email inbox or notifications within the Facebook app or website. These messages may contain instructions or requests for additional information needed to complete the verification.
• Verify Your Identity: If Facebook requires identity verification, follow the provided instructions carefully. Typically, this involves providing a copy of a government-issued ID, such as a driver's license or passport. Make sure to provide clear and legible copies of the requested documents.
• Update Payment Information: Ensure that your payment information, such as credit card details or bank account information, is up to date and accurate. If there have been any changes or if the information on file is incorrect, update it in your Facebook account settings.

#3 Security Check

Facebook may conduct security checks on transactions, particularly if they are larger amounts or if they detect any suspicious activity. This can delay the processing of payments until they are confident that everything is secure.

For example, when you make changes to your payout account information, your account will undergo a 5-day hold period to protect your personal and financial details.

How to fix:

• Review Recent Activity: Start by reviewing your recent activity on Facebook and any associated payment methods. Look for any unusual or suspicious activity that may have triggered the security check. If you notice any unauthorized transactions or changes to your account, report them to Facebook immediately.
• Complete Security Checks: Facebook may require you to complete additional security checks to verify your identity or confirm the legitimacy of the transaction. Follow the instructions provided by Facebook to complete these checks. This may involve providing additional information, such as verifying your phone number or confirming your identity through other means.

#4 Incomplete Transaction

Ensure that you've completed all necessary steps to finalize the transaction. If you've missed any steps, the payment may remain pending until it's properly completed.

How to fix:

• Check Payment Status: Start by checking the status of the payment to confirm that it is indeed incomplete and on hold. Look for any error messages or notifications associated with the payment that may provide clues as to why it wasn't completed.
• Verify Payment Method: Ensure that the payment method you used for the transaction is valid and has sufficient funds or credit available. If you used a credit card or bank account, double-check that the payment details are correct and up to date in your Facebook account settings.
• Retry Payment: In some cases, you may be able to retry the payment to complete the transaction. Navigate to the payment or transaction history section in your Facebook account and look for an option to retry the payment. Follow any prompts or instructions provided to proceed with the transaction.

#5 Technical Glitch

Sometimes, payments get stuck in pending status due to technical issues either on Facebook's end or with the payment processor. In such cases, the payment may eventually go through once the problem is resolved.

How to fix:

• Refresh or Restart: If you encounter a technical glitch while trying to make a payment on Facebook, start by refreshing the page or restarting the app or website. Sometimes, a simple refresh can resolve temporary glitches or errors.
• Check Internet Connection: Ensure that you have a stable internet connection while making the payment. A poor or unstable connection can lead to transaction errors or delays. Try switching to a different network or reconnecting to your current network to see if that resolves the issue.
• Clear Cache and Cookies: Clearing your browser's cache and cookies can sometimes help resolve technical glitches related to website functionality. Go to your browser settings and clear the cache and cookies, then try making the payment again.

How Long Does It Take Facebook to Pay Out?

After the hold is lifted, it could take anywhere from 1 to 7 business days for you to receive your payout, depending on your bank's processing times. If you update your payout account within 5 days of the payment date, your payment will be issued in the following scheduled payout cycle.

Case Study: How Two Owls Solved the “Temporary Hold Unsuccessful on Facebook” Issue

I once had a client who was new to Facebook ads and was attempting to launch their first campaign. A few days ago, they entered their payment information but encountered the following error message:

"Temporary hold unsuccessful”.

I managed to resolve the issue, and I'll outline the steps I took.

At first, there was a misunderstanding with their team regarding the balance on their card, which led to insufficient funds. However, even after rectifying this, the problem persisted.

Upon further investigation, I realized they had initially opened the ads account through their personal account. To address this, I advised them to open a new ads account through our business account. They added the same card to this new account, and surprisingly, there were no issues. To confirm the solution, I created a campaign, and it ran flawlessly without any hitches.

So, that's essentially what I did to resolve the situation. About a few days later, we saw this:

Tips to Prevent Facebook Payment on Hold Issue

By following these tips and staying proactive, you can significantly reduce the chances of encountering the payment on hold on Facebook issue:

Use Old Ad Accounts

I realized that Facebook promptly suspends newly created business accounts, and resolving this issue took an extended period of time.

Also, your Facebook page shouldn’t be new. I onced created a page and after a week or so I linked it to my 8-year-old business account. And it has worked smoothly ever since.

You can use either a postpaid or prepaid Facebook account.​

Verify Identity

Verify the quality of your Facebook account by providing accurate personal information. This can include a mobile phone number, email, and identity verification through personal documents if required.

Use Real Name

Use your real name and accurate personal photo to create and maintain your account. Avoid using fake names or inappropriate images.

Follow Usage Rules

Ensure you do not violate any of Facebook’s rules or policies. Avoid posting offensive content, misleading advertisements, or improper activities.

Maintain Sufficient Funds

Ensure that there are sufficient funds available in your payment method, whether it's a credit card, debit card, or linked bank account. Insufficient funds can result in payment failures and hold errors.

Use Trusted Payment Methods

Link payment methods that have a history of successful transactions and are associated with reputable financial institutions. Avoid using temporary or prepaid cards that may raise suspicion.

Or you can try adding a new payment method and let that new one be the primary payment method.

Maintain Account Activity

Regularly use your Facebook ad account for legitimate advertising purposes to maintain account activity. Inactive accounts or sudden spikes in activity may trigger payment holds as part of Facebook's fraud prevention measures.

Wrap up

Encountering a Facebook payment on hold can be frustrating, but understanding the possible reasons behind it and taking steps to address the issue can help resolve it efficiently. Remember, transparency, consistency, and compliance are the keys to a smooth and successful Facebook payment experience.