A Meta ad typically stays in the “Preparing” status for a few minutes up to an hour, but in some cases, it can take up to 24 hours, especially if:
1. The ad is under manual review
Meta’s automated system might flag certain creatives, audiences, or copy for deeper review—especially if you’ve used:
Sensitive keywords (health, finance, politics)
Bold claims or aggressive CTAs
New ad accounts or unverified pages
Solution: Wait for manual review or appeal if stuck for over 24 hours.
2. The ad is still syncing with Advantage+ features
If you're using Advantage+ placements, catalog ads, or creative enhancements, it may take longer to render previews across formats.
Solution: Be patient. These setups require backend processing to test layouts and placements.
3. Poor connectivity between assets
Sometimes the “Preparing” status is caused by:
Missing product feeds (for catalog ads)
Pixel issues or event misfires
Unlinked Instagram/Facebook accounts
Solution: Double-check that all assets and tracking tools are connected properly.
4. Meta system delays
During peak hours or platform updates, Meta’s systems slow down. You’ll usually see ads “stuck” longer than usual in “Preparing” during:
Solution: If more than 24 hours pass, duplicate the ad, or contact Meta Support.
Most ads move past "Preparing" within 1 hour, but delays of up to 24 hours are not uncommon. If it’s stuck longer, it's often a signal of review flags, asset issues, or platform delays—not necessarily a rejection.
