Facebook Reels allow users to create and share short, entertaining videos on Facebook. Reels can be up to 60 seconds long and are designed to be easy to create and share. However, some users may encounter issues when trying to upload Reels to Facebook. There are a few common reasons why you may not be able to upload Facebook Reels.
You Haven’t Updated to the Latest Version of Facebook
One of the most common reasons why users can’t upload Reels is because they don’t have the latest version of the Facebook app. Reels were first introduced in 2020, so you need to make sure your Facebook app is updated to the current version that supports this feature.
Go to your device’s app store (the App Store for iOS or the Google Play Store for Android) and check if there are any updates available for the Facebook app. The app may need to be manually updated to the latest version that contains support for Reels. Once updated, try uploading a Reel again to see if that resolved the issue.
Your Device or OS Version Isn’t Supported
Facebook Reels requires iOS 11 or later and Android 5 or later. If your iOS device is running an older version than iOS 11 or your Android device is running an older OS than Android 5, you will not be able to create or upload Reels.
Check your device’s operating system version in your Settings app. If you are running an unsupported OS version, you will need to update your device’s software to use Reels. Contact your device manufacturer for instructions on updating to a supported version.
You Don’t Have Enough Storage Space
Creating Reels requires having enough storage space available on your device to record and save the video. If you are getting error messages about storage when trying to upload a Reel, you likely need to free up space.
Delete unused apps, photos, videos and files to clear space. Also make sure to upload and back up photos and videos from your device to cloud storage apps so you can delete those files from your device’s internal storage. Having at least a few GB of free space is recommended to properly create and upload Reels without running into storage errors.
Your Internet Connection is Poor
Uploading Reels requires a stable, fast internet connection. Slow, spotty connections will cause errors and prevent the Reel from uploading correctly. Check that your WiFi or mobile data connection is strong in your current location.
Move closer to your WiFi router, connect to a different WiFi network or switch to mobile data if you are having issues uploading over your current connection. Poor internet connectivity is a common obstacle when sharing Reels and videos.
Facebook’s Servers are Down
In rare cases, you may be unable to upload a Reel due to Facebook’s internal servers being down or unavailable. Server outages on Facebook’s end can prevent videos and Reels from going through.
Check Facebook’s public status accounts on Twitter to see if they have reported any known outages. You can also try basic troubleshooting steps like force quitting the Facebook app and restarting your device. If Facebook is experiencing server issues, you’ll have to wait until they are resolved on their end before you can upload Reels again.
You Don’t Have Permission to Post Reels
Facebook allows Page owners to restrict permission levels for contributors that have access to the Page. If you are trying to post a Reel to a Facebook Page but don’t have permission to do so, the Reel will fail to upload.
Page owners can assign roles like Editor or Moderator to contributors that allow or restrict posting of content like Reels. As an Editor or Moderator, request that the Page owner update your permission levels if needed to be able to post Reels. Lacking posting permission is the only reason approved contributors would be unable to upload Reels to a Page.
The Reel Does Not Meet Requirements
Facebook has certain requirements that Reels must meet in order to be uploaded:
- Must be between 15 seconds and 60 seconds long
- Video must be in MP4 or MOV format
- Dimensions must be between 9:16 and 9:19.5
- File size must be under 30MB
If your Reel does not meet these parameters, Facebook will fail to upload the file and show an error. Use your device’s editing tools to trim the length, adjust the dimensions, lower the resolution and re-export the file to meet the requirements before uploading.
There’s a Temporary Upload Ban
If you have repeatedly uploaded content that violates Facebook’s rules, they may temporarily disable your ability to post Reels. Actions like posting nudity, hate speech or terrorism result in upload bans.
You will receive an on-screen notification about the ban when attempting to upload during the suspension period. Avoid rule violations to prevent future upload bans. There is no way around the temporary ban, you will need to wait for the suspension period to end.
You Have Restrictive Ad Targeting Selected
Facebook allows you to restrict certain age demographics from seeing your Reels when you are uploading them or in your Ad Preferences settings. If you have selected to exclude your Reel from key demographics, Facebook may block you from uploading the content entirely.
Go to your Ad Preferences and remove any age targeting to rule out this issue. Facebook requires Reels to not be restrictively targeted to limited audiences. Broadly sharing Reels gives you the highest potential reach.
There’s a Bug in the Facebook App
Like any software application, the Facebook app can have bugs that cause specific features to malfunction. In some cases, a bug directly related to uploading or posting Reels could be preventing you from sharing your content.
If other troubleshooting steps don’t uncover the issue, this may be a temporary bug interfering with Reels. Report the bug to Facebook through their Help Community. You may need to wait for Facebook to issue an app update that resolves the Reels upload bug.
Conclusion
If you are having issues getting Facebook Reels to upload properly, the problem likely stems from one of these common causes:
- Needing app update
- Unsupported device OS
- Insufficient storage space
- Poor internet connection
- Facebook server outage
- Lacking Page permissions
- Reel file issues
- Upload ban in effect
- Restrictive ad targeting enabled
- App bug or glitch
Confirm your Facebook app is up-to-date, your device meets system requirements, you have enough storage, and your internet connection can support uploads. Also check that you have posting permissions, the Reel file itself meets requirements, and any upload bans have expired.
For issues on Facebook’s end, be patient and try again later after servers recover or app bugs are patched. With consistent troubleshooting, you should be able to resolve most problems that are preventing you from sharing Facebook Reels.