How to Fix Facebook Ads Stuck in “Preparing”
If you’ve ever launched a Facebook ad only to see it stuck in “Preparing” for hours or even days, you’re not alone. This issue can be frustrating your money is on the line, but your ad isn’t reaching anyone. The good news is that it’s usually an easy fix. Let me walk you through exactly how I solved this problem.
Step 1: Identify the Problem with Your Ad Setup
When your ad is stuck in preparing mode, it almost always means something in your setup is conflicting. For me, the issue was with the call-to-action button.
I wanted people to contact me directly via WhatsApp but Facebook automatically added a Messenger button instead. That small mismatch between my objective and my button caused the ad to stall and not deliver.
Step 2: Correct the Button or Objective
Here’s what I did:
I went back into the ad manager.
I paused the old ad that wasn’t delivering.
I created a new ad, this time making sure that the WhatsApp button was selected instead of Messenger.
After refreshing the ad, I could clearly see that the WhatsApp button was added correctly. This aligned with my campaign objective.
Step 3: Relaunch the Campaign
Once I reposted the ad with the corrected button, it started delivering immediately. The reach started showing and people began seeing my ad.
If you have an ad stuck in preparing, the best approach is to:
Pause the old ad.
Duplicate or create a new ad.
Fix the setup issue (button/objective mismatch or any other setting).
Most of the time, a Facebook ad stuck in “Preparing” simply means there’s a small setup issue. Don’t stress too much just identify the error, fix it and relaunch.
If you try these steps and still face issues, feel free to drop your challenge in the comments below or follow wa.me/233599511825 to WhatsApp us. I’ll be glad to help.
By turning this quick troubleshooting guide into a process, you’ll never waste money or time on Facebook ads that don’t deliver again.
Your Facebook ad may be stuck in “Preparing” because of a setup conflict, such as a mismatch between your campaign objective and call-to-action button. For example, using a Messenger button when your goal is WhatsApp messages can prevent your ad from delivering. Double-check your ad setup for inconsistencies before relaunching.
To fix it, pause the ad that’s stuck, duplicate or recreate the campaign and correct any mismatched settings especially your CTA button and objective. Once everything aligns (e.g., selecting “WhatsApp” if that’s your target action), relaunch the ad. It should start delivering within minutes.
Normally, Facebook ads move from “Preparing” to active within a few minutes to a couple of hours. If it takes longer than 24 hours, there’s likely a setup or review issue. Review your ad’s objective, creative elements, and payment method, then try relaunching the campaign.
Yes. Sometimes ads remain in “Preparing” due to pending payment verification or Facebook’s ad review delay. Ensure your payment method is valid and that your ad complies with Facebook’s advertising policies. Once these are resolved, your ad should start running normally.
Before launching, double-check your campaign objective, ad format, button type and payment settings. Always test one ad at a time to spot issues early. Staying consistent with Facebook’s ad policies and using the correct CTA button (e.g., “WhatsApp” or “Learn More”) prevents most “Preparing” errors.
David Asaana is a Digital Marketer, Author and Entrepreneur with over five years of experience. He has worked with 4,000+ clients across Ghana, the USA, the UK, and beyond, and his YouTube channel where he shares step-by-step tutorials on digital marketing and business growth has reached more than 1.9 million views.
