The song topped the charts in several countries around the world, including Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Finland, France, Hungary, Italy, Latvia, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Russia, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland.

Walker debuted a live performance of "Faded" with Solheim and string support on 27 February 2016 at the X Games in Oslo.

Walker commented on this in an interview with Norwegian national broadcaster NRK: "This is not what's popular these days," adding: "It's very different.

The song's protagonist feels like she is fading away, both physically and emotionally, and struggles to find her way back to a place of belonging and purpose.

In a Genius attribution, Walker said of the lyrics: I would describe “Faded” as a happy yet emotional song, appropriate for both sad and/or uplifting occasions.

Tatiana Cirisano of Billboard said, "The rolling beats and stunning synth progressions have captivated dance listeners around the world."

Simon Cleese of the music website Dance-Charts [de] wrote, "With Faded, Alan Walker, along with vocalist Iselin Solheim, has created a radio hit that is at least as suitable for main floor clubs.

"[20] Anke van de Weyer of German radio station 1LIVE said, "It's a brilliant pendulum between melancholy and bass banging, but when it gets too set, Alan Walker picks up the tempo, and when he really gets into party mode, he slows down again.

"[21] The website vol.at wrote, "The voice of young artist Iselin Solheim fits the concept perfectly.

"[22] Forbes contributor Kris Holt said: "Which is a pretty humdrum EDM track that didn’t grab me in any way except for the vocals.

While The Chainsmokers rode a corrugated rollercoaster, Walker made something weightless, with drifting piano parts floating around Fourth World synth percussion that sounded like Enigma put together after a big puff of helium.

The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) certified his 3× Platinum for sales of 3 million copies.

The British Phonographic Industry (BPI) awarded him a 3× platinum certification for sales of over 1.8 million copies.

"Faded" topped the charts in several countries around the world, including Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Finland, France, Hungary, Italy, Latvia, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Russia, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland.

[29] On 4 November 2017, Alan Walker performed the song live with Against the Current at the 2017 League of Legends World Championship closing ceremony in Beijing.

The video shows a young man dressed in scruffy clothes and covering his face, roaming with his backpack and a photograph of his home in his hand.

He wanders through devastated high rises and derelict structures in an abandoned town, wielding a flare to explore a dark building.

[32][35] The video was filmed in Estonia[32][36][37] at such locations as the Linnahall building;[37] a disused textile manufacturing plant and a concert hall in Tallinn; the former Rummu prison; the Rummu quarry[37] and lake alongside the adjoining spoil tip in Vasalemma Parish; and the city of Paldiski.

On 11 February 2016, Alan Walker published an acoustic version of the song, titled "Faded (Restrung)".

Walker wrote in a note to The Fader that he had decided on an alternative version of "Faded", so as "to highlight other aspects of the song; to present it to another audience who may like Iselin [Solheim]'s voice and the melodies, but can't stand the electronic parts of it.

The tracks of his that NCS signed ("Fade", "Spectre" and "Force") performed incredibly well and we have greatly enjoyed playing our part in Alan's growth into one of the most successful producers in the world.

We sincerely hope that all the arrangements that we put in place as a label that provides free music for creators will continue to be respected on these tracks in the future.

We wish Alan the best in his future and we shall continue on our mission, providing free music for creators and developing the next generation of NCS artists.

I am forever grateful for the opportunity, support and help that Billy and NCS gave me, as they have done with thousands of other creators and producers trying to get their break.

The decision to not renew the agreement with NCS for my old catalogue of songs has nothing to do with not wanting to work with them as a label or YouTube Channel.

[174]In 2022, Walker signed with Corite, a Swedish crowdfunding website that allows fans to invest in music projects.

Walker raised more than $100,000 from fans for his next musical project and released a compilation EP called Origins, which includes "Fade", "Spectre", and "Force".