Change Your Facebook Language in Settings

To change Facebook back to English, open your account settings and look for the language option in the left sidebar. The exact steps depend on whether you're using Facebook on a computer or phone, but the setting is always in the same place: your account menu.

On a computer, click the downward arrow in the top right corner of any Facebook page, then select Settings and privacy, then Settings. On the left side, you'll see a menu. Scroll down until you find Language and region. Click it, and you'll see a dropdown showing your current language. Click that dropdown and select English from the list. Facebook will refresh when ready.

On a phone or tablet, tap the three horizontal lines (the menu icon) at the bottom right of the screen. Scroll down and tap Settings and privacy, then Settings. Tap Language and region. Tap the language dropdown and choose English. The change takes effect right away.

Key Takeaways

  • The language setting is in your account menu under Settings and privacy > Settings > Language and region on both computer and phone.
  • On a computer, click the downward arrow in the top right; on a phone, tap the three-line menu icon at the bottom right.
  • Select English from the language dropdown and the change happens when ready across your entire account.
  • If you don't see English in the dropdown, scroll down — the list is alphabetical and may have multiple English options for different regions.

What to Do If the Language Menu Looks Different

Facebook occasionally updates its menu layout, so the exact wording or location of buttons may shift. If you can't find Language and region in your settings, look for a section labeled Preferences or Account instead — language settings are always grouped with regional or account preferences.

If you're using an older version of the Facebook app on your phone, the menu structure may be slightly different. Make sure your app is up to date by checking your device's app store. Outdated versions sometimes have settings in different places or missing options entirely.

Why Your Facebook Switched Languages

Facebook usually changes your language when you log in from a new device or location, or when you accidentally click a language link while browsing. Some users also report their language changing after clicking a link in a message or comment that was set to a different language.

If your language keeps switching back after you change it, check whether you're logged into multiple accounts on the same device. Each account has its own language setting, and switching between them can feel like the setting isn't sticking. Log out completely, then log back in to the account you want to use, and change the language again.

Changing Language for Specific Features

Facebook lets you set different languages for different parts of your account. If you want your main feed in English but your keyboard to suggest words in another language, those are separate settings. The Language and region menu controls your main interface language — what you see on buttons, menus, and notifications.

Your keyboard language is controlled by your device, not Facebook. If you're typing in a different language even though Facebook is in English, go to your phone or computer's language settings instead. On an iPhone, that's Settings > General > Keyboard > Keyboards. On Android, it's Settings > System > Languages and input.

Troubleshooting When English Doesn't Appear

If you open the language dropdown and don't see English listed, it usually means your region setting is restricting which languages are available. Check the Region field right above or below the language option and make sure it's set to a country where English is spoken — United States, United Kingdom, Canada, or Australia are common choices.

In rare cases, Facebook's language list may load slowly or incompletely on a slow internet connection. If the dropdown appears empty or cuts off, try refreshing the page or closing and reopening the settings menu. If you're on a phone, try switching from Wi-Fi to mobile data or vice versa, then try again.

Changing Language on Facebook Messenger

Messenger uses the same language setting as your main Facebook account, so changing it in your account settings changes Messenger too. You don't need to adjust Messenger separately. However, if you use Messenger on a different device — like a tablet or a second phone — make sure you're logged into the same Facebook account on that device.

If Messenger is still showing a different language after you've changed your account setting, try logging out of Messenger completely, then logging back in. Close the app entirely (not just minimizing it), wait a few seconds, and reopen it. This forces Messenger to refresh and pull your updated language preference from your account.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will changing my language affect my friends or what they see?

No. Your language setting is personal to your account only. Your friends will see Facebook in whatever language they've set for themselves. Changing your language doesn't change anything about your profile or posts — it only changes the language of the buttons, menus, and labels you see.

Can I set different languages for different parts of Facebook?

Not officially. Facebook applies one language setting to your entire account — your feed, messages, notifications, and settings all appear in that language. You can't set your feed to English and your messages to another language through Facebook's settings.

What if I accidentally changed my language to something I don't recognize?

Look for the downward arrow in the top right corner of the page (on computer) or the three-line menu at the bottom right (on phone). Tap or click it, then look for a gear icon or the word "Settings" — it's usually near the bottom of the menu. Once you're in settings, the language option is typically the first or second item in the left sidebar.

Does changing my language affect my password or login information?

No. Your language setting has nothing to do with your password, email, or any security settings. Changing the language you see Facebook in won't log you out or require you to re-enter your password.

Why does Facebook keep switching back to another language?

This usually happens if you're logging in from a new device, a new browser, or an incognito window. Each login session may start with a default language based on your device's location settings. Change the language again and it should stick. If it keeps happening on the same device, clear your browser cache and cookies, then log back in.