Meta Error: Error Validating Access Token (Facebook & Instagram)

Note: Due to Instagram Business and Creator profiles requiring a connection to a Facebook Page for direct publishing to work, you might see these errors come up for Instagram posts too.

Access token errors can be a pain, as they come up when the connection between SmarterQueue and your Social Profiles has been severed, affecting your publishing.

Let's take a look at why these errors might appear, and how to solve them 💪

In This Article

What Are Access Tokens

Tokens are access keys or permissions that allow an application, like SmarterQueue, to interact with your social media accounts, or in this case, Facebook (and Instagram). They are a secure way for the application to access and manage your account without needing your password.

The access tokens are initially created when you connect Facebook (and Instagram) accounts to SmarterQueue via your secure credentials and you grant SmarterQueue permissions for them.

These tokens will eventually expire, as they are given a limited lifespan as a security measure implemented by Meta. This is done to ensure the safety and privacy of your accounts.

Additionally, access tokens can be invalidated when you make changes to your accounts natively (update their names, passwords, permissions, etc.).

When your Meta token expires, it means that SmarterQueue temporarily loses its ability to access your Facebook (and Instagram) accounts. But don't worry, we always send you notifications when this happens to ensure you can take the appropriate actions and solve the matter.

Common Access Token Errors 

Some of the most frequent error messages that can come up when your Meta access tokens have expired (or were invalidated) are:

  • Access Token Invalid or Expired;
  • Access Token Expired;
  • Logic status or access token issue;
  • Access token issue;
  • Invalid OAuth Access Token;
  • Application Permission Denied;
  • Error validating access token: The session has been invalidated because the user changed their password or Facebook has changed the session for security reasons;
  • Error validating access token: The user is enrolled in a blocking, logged-in checkpoint.

How To Re-Authorize Permissions To Fix Access Token Errors

To solve these errors and restore the connection between SmarterQueue and your Facebook (and Instagram) accounts, you simply need to follow the re-authorization process.

This involves re-authorizing permissions and then logging back into your Facebook (and Instagram) accounts through SmarterQueue.

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