There are a few common reasons why you may see the “upload failed” message when trying to post photos or videos on Facebook:
Poor Internet Connection
One of the most common reasons for upload failures is a poor or unstable internet connection. Uploading photos and videos requires a reasonably fast and consistent internet speed. If your connection is slow or keeps cutting in and out, the upload may fail partway through.
Try checking your internet connection speed using a tool like Speedtest.net. If your upload speed is less than 1 Mbps, you may have trouble uploading large files like videos. Switching to a stronger WiFi network or Ethernet connection can help.
Uploads are also more likely to fail if you have a weak mobile data signal. Move closer to a window or go outside to improve your mobile reception.
File Size Limits
Facebook places limits on the maximum file size and length for photos and videos:
- Photo uploads are limited to 25MB per photo
- Video uploads are limited to 4GB per video
- Video length caps out at 240 minutes (4 hours)
If your files exceed those size restrictions, the upload will fail. You’ll need to reduce the file size or length before trying again.
For photos, try loading them into an image editor like Photoshop and re-saving them at a lower resolution or quality setting. For videos, you can trim the length or compress the file size using a video compressor tool.
Incorrect File Types
Facebook only allows you to upload certain file types and formats:
- Photos: BMP, GIF, JPEG, PNG
- Videos: MP4, MOV, AVI, MPEG
Uploading files in other formats like PSD, TIFF, WMV will result in an upload failed error. Try converting the files to a supported format before uploading.
Facebook Server Issues
In some cases, the “upload failed” error may be caused by problems on Facebook’s server side rather than anything on your end. Heavy traffic or a technical glitch can temporarily disrupt the upload process.
If you’re seeing widespread reports of upload failures around the same time, it may be a site-wide Facebook issue. Check Downdetector to see if others are experiencing problems.
The best option is to wait a little while and try uploading again later. Facebook engineers are usually quick to resolve disruptions.
Incorrect Permissions
The upload may fail if you do not have permission to post in the album or group you are trying to upload to.
Make sure you are an approved member of the group and have posting privileges. For photo albums, check that the album privacy is set to “Public” or that you are the album admin.
If trying to post to a friend’s timeline, your post visibility may be restricted. You can ask your friend to confirm you are allowed to post on their timeline.
Corrupt Files
In rare cases, the file itself may be corrupt and unable to upload properly. This can happen if the file was not created properly or has become damaged.
Try re-exporting or re-saving a fresh version of the file and uploading the new copy. If it still fails, the original may be corrupt and unusable.
Browser and App Issues
Uploads can fail due to glitches in your web browser or Facebook app:
- Try clearing your browser cache and cookies
- Close and re-launch the browser or app
- Update to the latest version of the browser or app
- Try uploading from a different browser or device
If uploads consistently fail from one app or browser but work in others, it points to an underlying software issue.
Account Restrictions or Bans
In severe cases, your Facebook account may be temporarily banned from posting if you have violated Facebook’s terms of service.
This can happen if you frequently post abusive, dangerous or spammy content. The ban restricts your ability to post new content.
You should have received a notification explaining the reason and length of the ban. Try waiting it out and avoiding further violations once the ban lifts.
How to Troubleshoot Facebook Upload Failures
Here are some general troubleshooting tips if you keep running into Facebook upload failed errors:
- Check your internet connection speed and strength
- Try uploading smaller files or shorter videos
- Compress photos and videos to reduce file size
- Convert files to supported formats like JPEG or MP4
- Clear browser cookies and cache and re-launch the app
- Try uploading from a different device and network
- Check for site outages or server issues
Persisting upload failures may require contacting Facebook support for help diagnosing the specific cause in your case.
Conclusion
The “upload failed” error when posting on Facebook is usually caused by poor connections, oversized files, unsupported formats, or glitches in the app or site. Following Facebook’s size limits, troubleshooting your software and network, and compressing files can help resolve many upload issues. For ongoing problems, contacting Facebook support may be needed to identify and correct the underlying cause.