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Troubleshooting the 'Something Went Wrong When Connecting to Facebook' Error

28 threads Sep 17, 2025 Plugin → Facebook for woocommerce

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Connecting your WooCommerce store to Facebook should be a straightforward process, but a common and frustrating error can bring everything to a halt: "Something went wrong when connecting to facebook!" This error is often accompanied by additional messages like "Could not create a new System User" or "Could not retrieve installation IDs."

Based on community reports and troubleshooting threads, this error is not caused by a single issue but can be the result of several different factors. This guide will walk you through the most common causes and their solutions to help you get your store connected.

Why This Error Happens

The connection process between WooCommerce and Facebook involves multiple steps: verifying permissions, creating system users within the Facebook ecosystem, and exchanging secure tokens. A failure at any point in this chain can trigger the generic "Something went wrong" message. Common culprits include browser issues, incorrect Facebook settings, unsupported configurations, server-level firewalls, or temporary outages on either platform.

Most Common Solutions

1. Perform Basic Browser and Account Checks

Before diving into complex troubleshooting, start with these simple steps:

  • Try a Different Browser or Device: Clear your browser cache or attempt the connection using an incognito/private window. If that fails, try a completely different web browser (e.g., Chrome, Firefox, Safari).
  • Check Your Facebook Permissions: Ensure you are using a Facebook account that is an admin of both the Facebook Page and the Meta Business Manager you are trying to connect. The connection will fail if you lack the necessary permissions.
  • Disable Two-Factor Authentication (Temporarily): Some users have reported that having two-factor authentication (2FA) enabled on their Facebook account can interfere with the connection process. Try temporarily disabling 2FA, completing the connection, and then re-enabling it.

2. Verify Your WooCommerce Currency

Facebook has a specific list of currencies it supports for transactions. If your WooCommerce store uses an unsupported currency (e.g., the Moroccan Dirham), the connection will fail.

  • Go to WooCommerce > Settings > General and check your currency.
  • If it's not a common currency like USD, EUR, or GBP, temporarily switch it to a supported one like USD.
  • Attempt the Facebook connection again. Once successful, you can often switch the currency back.

3. Investigate Server and Hosting Issues

Sometimes, the problem lies with your web host's configuration.

  • Mod_Security/Firewall Blocks: If you see a "Not Acceptable" or "403 Forbidden" error mentioning "Mod_Security," this is a server-level firewall blocking the request. You will need to contact your hosting provider, provide them with the error message and the URL where it occurred, and ask them to whitelist the request.
  • Check for Plugin Conflicts: While not mentioned in every thread, a general best practice is to rule out conflicts with other plugins. Temporarily disable all plugins except for WooCommerce and Facebook for WooCommerce, then try to connect. If it works, reactivate your plugins one by one to identify the culprit.

4. Check for a Known Platform Outage

On occasion, this error is caused by a temporary issue on Facebook's or the WooCommerce connection service's end. The problem is often widespread and resolved within hours. It's worth checking the plugin's official WordPress support forum or GitHub repository to see if other users are reporting the same issue at the same time. If it's a known outage, the best solution is to wait for an update from the developers.

5. Gather Information for Advanced Troubleshooting

If the solutions above don't work, the next step is to gather detailed information about your site's environment. The 'Facebook for WooCommerce' team frequently asks for this data to diagnose deeper issues.

  • System Status Report: Navigate to WooCommerce > Status. Click "Get system report" and then "Copy for support." This report contains vital information about your WordPress, WooCommerce, and server settings.
  • Plugin Logs: Ensure logging is enabled in Marketing > Facebook. Then, after another failed connection attempt, go to WooCommerce > Status > Logs. Use the dropdown menu on the right to select a Facebook-related log file (e.g., `facebook_for_woocommerce`). Look for any error messages that provide more detail than the generic front-end alert.

What to Do Next

Work through these solutions in order. For many users, switching browsers or checking their currency resolves the problem immediately. If you've tried all these steps and are still stuck, the best course of action is to start a new thread on the WordPress support forum for the plugin. Be sure to include your System Status Report and any relevant error logs from the plugin to help volunteers understand your specific setup and provide accurate help.

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