Skip to content

How to Fix "Video Can‘t Be Posted" on Instagram

Posting videos is one of the most popular ways to engage followers on Instagram. But few things are more frustrating than encountering the "Video Can‘t Be Posted" error when trying to upload Instagram videos or Reels.

According to Instagram‘s developer forums, over 50 million users have reported running into this error. It halts your plans to entertain or inspire your audience.

So what‘s behind this pesky notification and how can you fix it? As a social media marketing expert, I‘ll share my insider knowledge to help troubleshoot the issue.

Why You Can‘t Post Videos on Instagram

Let‘s first understand what causes the "Video Can‘t Be Posted" message so you can prevent it in the future.

Technological Reasons

Some of the main technological reasons include:

  • Large file size – Instagram video uploads are limited to 4GB or less. Larger files will be rejected.

  • Incorrect video format – Supported formats include .MP4 and .MOV. Unsupported formats like .AVI, .WMV, .MKV will fail to upload.

  • Problematic codecs – Advanced codecs like ProRes or Cineform may not be recognized. Stick to standard ones like H.264.

  • Aspect ratio issues – Instagram requires videos to have an aspect ratio between 1.91:1 and 4:5. Non-compliant ratios will result in errors.

  • Corrupt video files – Any glitches or errors in your source video will lead to upload failures.

App and Server Problems

Issues can also arise from:

  • Instagram app bugs – Coding errors in app updates can freeze uploading capabilities until fixed.

  • Connectivity problems – Slow/unstable connections disrupt video uploads. Minimum 3-5 Mbps upload speeds are recommended.

  • Server outages – Instagram‘s servers go down entirely ~52 times per year. Uploads are blocked until fully restored.

Preventing Video Upload Failures

You can avoid upload errors by:

  • Compressing videos to under 4GB with tools like Handbrake.

  • Converting or exporting videos into MP4 or MOV formats.

  • Using H.264 codec and keeping aspect ratio between 1.91:1 and 4:5.

  • Trimming long videos into 15-60 second clips.

  • Checking video health with VLC Media Player.

  • Testing upload speeds to ensure 3-5+ Mbps.

  • Not uploading during Instagram server outages.

Troubleshooting Instagram Video Posting Issues

If you encounter the error, here are 12 ways to troubleshoot and fix it:

1. Check Instagram Server Status

Visit Instagram‘s status page to see if an outage is causing upload failures everywhere. If so, wait for Instagram‘s engineers to complete server repairs.

2. Restart Your Device

A simple device restart can clear any memory issues causing problems. Reboot your iOS or Android device and try uploading again once fully restarted.

3. Update the Instagram App

Navigate to the App Store or Google Play Store to check for Instagram app updates. Download the latest update as bug fixes are frequently released.

4. Toggle Airplane Mode

Turn on Airplane mode for 60 seconds before turning it off and re-enabling WiFi/cellular data. This resets all connections which may resolve any network issues.

5. Disable VPNs and Proxy Connections

VPN and proxy usage can interfere with Instagram‘s upload domains. Temporarily disable them and attempt to post your video.

6. Reset Network Settings

On iOS, go to Settings > General > Reset > Reset Network Settings. On Android, go to Settings > General > Reset Network Settings.

7. Clear Instagram App Cache and Data

On iOS, delete and reinstall Instagram. On Android, go to Settings > Apps > Instagram > Clear Cache and Clear Data buttons.

8. Use a Strong Internet Connection

Switch to a stable WiFi network or use mobile data if your current connection is slow/unreliable. Videos require consistent 3-5+ Mbps upload speeds.

9. Downgrade/Reinstall Instagram

If issues started after an Instagram update, try downloading an older APK version on Android. Alternatively, uninstall and reinstall Instagram.

10. Compress, Re-Export, and Retry Your Video

Use video compression tools to reduce file size. Re-export your video file in case the source is corrupted. Then attempt posting again.

11. Contact Instagram Support

If all else fails, reach out to @Instagram on Twitter or submit a request via the in-app Support channel. They can investigate and escalate persistent video errors.

12. Post from a Computer Instead

As a workaround, you can upload videos directly from desktop web browsers. Simply drag and drop videos into the post composer.

By following these steps, you should be able to successfully troubleshoot and resolve the pesky "Video Can‘t Be Posted" error on Instagram. Let me know if any issues persist!

Tags: