Facebook reels getting stuck on the “Finishing Up” screen is a common issue that many users face. There could be several reasons why your Facebook reel is not processing properly and remains stuck.
What does “Finishing Up” mean?
When you create and post a reel on Facebook, it goes through processing on Facebook’s servers before being published. This processing includes compressing the video file, generating thumbnails, adding captions etc.
The “Finishing Up” screen indicates that your reel is still going through this processing and is not ready to be published yet. It is the final stage before the reel is posted publicly for your followers to see.
Why is my Facebook reel stuck on Finishing Up?
Here are some common reasons why your Facebook reel may be stuck on the Finishing Up screen:
Poor internet connection
Uploading and processing reels requires a stable internet connection. If you are on a slow or intermittent connection, the reel processing can fail leading to it being stuck. Ensure you are on a strong WiFi or cellular data connection when you upload reels.
Large file size
Facebook reels are limited to a maximum of 30 seconds and file size of 30MB. If your reel video exceeds this size limit, the processing may fail. Use shorter videos recorded at lower resolution/bitrates to avoid this issue.
Unsupported file format
Facebook supports MP4 and MOV video formats for reels. Using formats like AVI, MKV, WEBM etc could lead to processing issues. Make sure to convert your reel video into a valid format before uploading.
App issues
Sometimes a bug in the Facebook app itself could prevent reel processing. Try force quitting the app, clearing app cache/data and updating to the latest version of Facebook app. Also try uploading on both WiFi and cellular data to isolate any network issues.
Server issues
Facebook servers could be facing downtime or a temporary glitch leading to reels being stuck. This is a widespread issue affecting many users. You will have to wait for Facebook to resolve it on their end.
How to fix a Facebook reel stuck on Finishing Up
Here are some troubleshooting steps you can try to get your stuck Facebook reel posted:
1. Check your internet connection
Ensure you are connected to a strong, stable WiFi or cellular data network. Retry uploading the reel after disconnecting and reconnecting to the internet. This will rule out any temporary network drops causing processing failures.
2. Re-encode the reel video
If your reel video file is too large, re-encode it to a lower resolution or bitrate. The optimal settings for Facebook reels are:
– Resolution: 1080×1920 (9:16 aspect ratio)
– Bitrate: 4-5 Mbps
– Codec: H.264
– File size: Under 30MB
3. Convert to supported format
If your reel video is in AVI, MKV, WEBM or other unsupported format, convert it to MP4 or MOV using a video converter tool before uploading.
4. Try lower resolution
For very large files, re-encode the video to a lower resolution like 720P. This will produce a smaller file size that can process properly. Just ensure the aspect ratio remains portrait oriented.
5. Update Facebook app
Update to the latest version of Facebook app on your device. The new version may have fixed bugs affecting reel processing.
6. Clear Facebook app cache/data
In your phone settings, clear the cache and app data for the Facebook app. Then re-open the app and try uploading the reel again. This will reset any corrupted temporary data.
7. Try another device
Attempt uploading the reel using another phone or tablet to see if the issue is specific to a device. Also try on both WiFi and cellular data to isolate network problems.
8. Wait it out
If you have confirmed there are no issues on your end, just wait patiently for a few hours. The processing might complete after some time. Facebook servers could be facing temporary glitches.
How long does “Finishing Up” take?
The Finishing Up processing should not take more than 10-15 minutes in most cases. Here is an estimate of how long it takes:
- Good network connection: Up to 2 minutes
- Average network connection: 2-5 minutes
- Poor network connection: 5-10 minutes
- Large video file size: 10-15 minutes
- Server issues: Few hours
If it stays stuck beyond 15 minutes, there is likely an issue that needs to be troubleshooted.
What to do if reel is stuck for hours?
If your Facebook reel remains stuck on Finishing Up for over an hour or longer, here are some things you can try:
- Check Facebook Server Status page for any known issues. If they indicate disruptions, you have to wait.
- Delete the stuck reel and upload a fresh shortened version. This essentially restarts processing.
- Try uploading from another device and network.
- Contact Facebook support if the issue persists for over 24 hours.
While frustrating, be patient as the reel will eventually get posted in most cases. Avoid repeatedly deleting and re-uploading stuck reels as it can lead to other upload issues.
Does a stuck reel get deleted?
No, a Facebook reel stuck on Finishing Up does not automatically get deleted by Facebook after a certain period of time. The stuck reel will remain in pending processing state until either:
- The processing completes successfully after some time.
- You manually delete the stuck reel.
- In rare cases, Facebook deletes stuck posts if they remain pending for over 2 weeks.
So unless the reel has been stuck for over 14 days, it will not be removed from Facebook systems automatically.
Should I delete and repost the stuck reel?
You can retry posting a stuck reel by deleting it and uploading again. But avoid doing this over and over. Here are some guidelines on reposting stuck reels:
- Wait at least 30 minutes before reposting to allow servers to recover.
- Edit the video to shorter duration or re-encode to lower resolution.
- Try uploading from another device or network.
- Do not delete and repost the same reel multiple times.
Reposting repeatedly can cause your account to be flagged for abuse. Have some patience as the initial stuck reel will eventually get posted in most cases.
How to prevent Facebook reels from getting stuck?
Here are some tips to avoid Facebook reels getting stuck on processing:
- Use optimal resolution (1080×1920) and bitrate settings when editing reels.
- Limit reel duration to 15-30 seconds ideal.
- Convert to MP4 or MOV format before uploading.
- Use a good internet connection.
- Update Facebook app regularly.
- Allow sufficient processing time and don’t rapidly delete/repost.
Following these best practices for Facebook reels will help minimize technical issues during uploading and processing.
Conclusion
Facebook reels getting stuck on Finishing Up is a reasonably common frustration for creators. Issues like poor internet connectivity, large file size, unsupported formats or Facebook server problems could be the potential cause. Trying steps like re-encoding the reel, updating the app, switching devices and allowing for processing time can help resolve the issue. Avoid continuously reposting the same stuck reel. With some patience, the reel should get posted in most cases without you needing to delete it and restart. Following the recommended guidelines and best practices when creating reels will help avoid processing issues in the future.