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Complete Guide
Performance

It says Limited Delivery. What does that mean and how do I fix it?

In this guide

Full explanation

Limited Delivery means the campaign cannot reach its delivery potential. Meta uses this status when structural issues prevent the algorithm from finding enough conversion events to optimise effectively.

This issue is common among Meta advertisers and usually indicates a structural or optimization problem that can be resolved with the right approach. Understanding the mechanism behind the problem is the first step to fixing it.

Common causes

This problem typically stems from one or more of the following:

  • Calculate budget floor: target CPA x 50 / 7
  • Check if too many ad sets are splitting budget
  • Check if conversion event fires frequently enough

How to diagnose

Follow these steps to identify the root cause:

  1. Calculate budget floor: target CPA x 50 / 7
  2. Check if too many ad sets are splitting budget
  3. Check if conversion event fires frequently enough
  4. Check audience size estimate in ad set
  5. Check if bid cap or cost cap is too restrictive

Detailed fixes

Once you've identified the cause, apply these fixes:

  1. Start by identifying the root cause using the diagnostic checklist above
  2. Make one change at a time and wait 24-48 hours to see results
  3. Document what you changed and the outcome for future reference
  4. If the issue persists, consider reaching out to Meta support with specific details
  5. Use the quick fix page for immediate action items

What to avoid

Common mistakes
  • Don't make multiple changes simultaneously — this makes it impossible to identify what worked
  • Don't panic and pause everything — sudden stops can reset learning and make things worse
  • Don't ignore the issue hoping it resolves itself — most problems compound over time
  • Don't compare to other accounts — every account has unique history and context

Advanced notes

For experienced advertisers
  • Attribution windows affect how conversions are reported — ensure you're comparing apples to apples
  • Learning phase typically requires 50 conversions per week per ad set for stability
  • CPM fluctuations are normal during seasonal periods and major shopping events
  • Event Match Quality below 6.0 can significantly impact optimization effectiveness

Related tools

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