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What Causes the Mysterious Number Box That Won’t Go Away on Facebook?
Facebook users across the world are dealing with a confusing problem. A gray box keeps popping up while they browse their feeds. This box shows random numbers and won’t disappear when touched. Many people worry something is wrong with their phone or account.
What Users Are Seeing
The gray box appears suddenly during normal Facebook use. People notice it most when:
- Scrolling through video content
- Reading posts from friends
- Trying to leave comments
- Using the app for long periods
The box displays single numbers like 134, 255, or other random digits. Users report it stays visible as they move through different parts of the app. Only closing and reopening Facebook makes it go away.
Where This Problem Started
Reddit users first brought attention to this issue. They shared screenshots and tried to figure out what was happening. One person described seeing the box multiple times during long Facebook sessions.
Google Pixel phone users provided helpful clues. They discovered they could make the box appear by long-pressing the comments or shares button on videos. This suggested the box was meant to show interaction counts but was malfunctioning.
The Real Cause Behind the Gray Box
Technical experts believe this is a user interface bug in Facebook’s Android app. The box appears to be a glitched display element that should show:
- Comment counts on posts
- Share numbers for videos
- Like totals for content
Instead of showing properly, it floats as an overlay with just numbers inside.
Which Devices Are Affected
Reports show this problem mainly affects Android users. Common devices experiencing issues include:
- Samsung Galaxy phones
- Google Pixel devices
- Various Android tablets
iPhone users have reported similar gray box problems, but these seem to be separate issues related to typing in comments.
Quick Fixes That Work
The good news is this problem has simple solutions:
- Close and reopen Facebook – This makes the box disappear immediately
- Restart your phone – Helps if the app restart doesn’t work
- Clear Facebook app cache – Go to Settings > Apps > Facebook > Storage > Clear Cache
- Update the Facebook app – Check your app store for newer versions
Why You Shouldn’t Worry
This gray box issue is harmless. It doesn’t mean:
- Your account is hacked
- Someone is spying on you
- Your phone has a virus
- Facebook is censoring your posts
Similar problems happened before on iPhones in March 2025. Users worried about privacy breaches, but it turned out to be just a temporary bug that Facebook fixed quickly.
What Facebook Is Doing About It
Facebook (now called Meta) hasn’t made an official statement about this specific Android issue. However, based on past similar problems, they will likely:
- Release an app update with a fix
- Address the bug in their next software patch
- Monitor user reports to understand the scope
The company typically fixes these user interface problems within days or weeks of widespread reports.
How to Report the Problem
If you’re still seeing the gray box after trying the fixes above, you can help Facebook address it faster by:
- Reporting the bug through Facebook’s Help Center
- Taking screenshots when it appears
- Noting which actions trigger the box
- Sharing your device model and Android version
When to Expect a Fix
Based on similar past issues, Facebook usually resolves these problems quickly once they become widespread. The iOS gray box issue from earlier in 2025 was fixed within a few days.
Since Android users are now reporting this problem frequently on social media platforms like Reddit, Meta’s development team is likely already working on a solution.
The mysterious gray box on Facebook is nothing more than an annoying but harmless bug. Thousands of Android users are experiencing the same thing, so you’re definitely not alone.
While waiting for an official fix, simply restart the Facebook app whenever the box appears. This temporary workaround keeps your browsing experience smooth until Meta releases a permanent solution.
Remember: technical glitches happen with all apps, even ones used by billions of people daily. The important thing is knowing how to handle them and not panicking when they occur.