Comprehensive Guide to Fix Instagram Reel Stuck Not Uploading | Uncovering Hidden Solutions

Why Is My Instagram Reel Stuck? Common Reasons

Before jumping into the solutions, let’s quickly look at why your reel might be stuck:

1. Weak Internet Connection: If your Wi-Fi or mobile data isn’t strong, Instagram can have trouble uploading your reel.
2. Outdated Instagram App: If you haven’t updated the app in a while, bugs might prevent your reel from uploading.
3. Not Enough Storage on Your Phone: When your phone is almost full, Instagram might struggle to save and upload your reel.
4. Corrupt Cache: Sometimes, Instagram’s temporary data (cache) can mess things up.
5. Instagram Servers Are Down: The issue could be with Instagram, not you. Sometimes their servers go down, affecting uploads.
6. Violating Instagram’s Rules: If your reel has content that goes against Instagram’s rules, it might get blocked from uploading.

Now, let’s get into the fixes!

Easy Solutions to Fix Instagram Reels Stuck Not Uploading

1. Check Your Internet Connection

This might seem obvious, but a weak connection is one of the most common reasons for a stuck reel.

• Switch Networks: If you’re on Wi-Fi, try switching to mobile data, or the other way around.
• Move Closer to Your Router: If your Wi-Fi signal is weak, try moving closer to the router for a stronger connection.
• Reset Your Router: Unplug your router for 30 seconds, then plug it back in to refresh the connection.

2. Update Your Instagram App

Using an old version of Instagram can cause bugs, including problems with uploading reels.

• Update the App: Go to your app store (Google Play Store or Apple App Store) and see if there’s an update for Instagram.
• Reinstall the App: If updating doesn’t work, try uninstalling and reinstalling Instagram. This can help clear out any hidden bugs.

3. Clear Instagram Cache

Sometimes, the temporary files Instagram stores (called cache) can cause issues. Clearing this out might solve your problem.

• On Android:
  • Go to Settings > Apps > Instagram > Storage > Clear Cache.
• On iPhone:
  • iPhones don’t have a specific “Clear Cache” option. Instead, uninstall the app and then reinstall it to clear out the cache.

4. Free Up Space on Your Phone

If your phone’s storage is almost full, Instagram may have trouble saving and uploading your reel. Try freeing up some space.

• Delete Unused Apps and Files: Go through your phone and delete apps, photos, and videos you don’t need.
• Move Files to the Cloud: You can use cloud storage services like Google Drive, iCloud, or Dropbox to store files you don’t need to keep on your phone.

5. Restart Your Phone

This is a simple but effective fix. Restarting your phone can reset all the processes and potentially fix the issue.

• Restart: Hold down the power button and select the option to restart your phone.

6. Log Out and Log Back In to Instagram

Sometimes, logging out and back in can refresh your Instagram session and solve the problem.

• Log Out: Go to Settings in the Instagram app, scroll down, and tap Log Out.
• Log Back In: After a few seconds, log back into your account and try uploading the reel again.

7. Re-Edit Your Reel

If your video file is corrupt or not in the right format, Instagram might not upload it.

• Shorten the Video: If your reel is too long, try trimming it down a bit.
• Change the File Format: Make sure your video is in MP4 format with the correct specifications for Instagram. You can use video editing apps like InShot or Adobe Premiere Rush to re-export it.

8. Check Instagram’s Server Status

Sometimes, the problem isn’t on your end—it’s Instagram’s servers that are down.

• Check Downdetector: Websites like Downdetector can tell you if Instagram is experiencing outages.
• Search Social Media: Look on Twitter or other platforms to see if other people are having the same problem. If they are, Instagram is probably down.

9. Disable Instagram’s Data Saver Mode

Instagram has a Data Saver feature that limits how much data the app uses, but it can also slow down your uploads.

• Turn Off Data Saver: Go to Settings > Account > Cellular Data Use, and turn off Data Saver.

10. Report the Problem to Instagram

If you’ve tried everything and nothing works, you can report the problem directly to Instagram.

• Report a Problem: Go to Settings > Help > Report a Problem and explain the issue. Instagram’s support team might be able to help.

FAQ

Q1: How long should Instagram Reels take to upload?

• If your internet connection is strong, an Instagram Reel should upload within a few minutes. If it’s taking longer, check your connection or follow the steps above.

Q2: Will clearing the cache delete my Instagram data?

• No, clearing the cache won’t delete your photos, messages, or account. It just removes temporary files that might be causing issues.

Q3: What video format should I use for Instagram Reels?

• Instagram prefers MP4 format with H.264 codec and AAC audio. If your video isn’t in this format, try converting it using a video editor.

Conclusion

Having your Instagram Reel stuck while uploading can be annoying, but by following these simple steps, you should be able to get it working again. Start with the basics, check your connection, update the app, and clear the cache. If that doesn’t work, try the more advanced solutions like freeing up space on your phone, re-editing the reel, or reporting the problem to Instagram.

Remember to keep your app updated and ensure you have a good internet connection to avoid this issue in the future. However if you need our further help, please leave us a comment, we will be happy to assist you.

About The Author

Position: Team Lead (Content Writers).

Saboor has been employed as editors head at Socialhubin for years, authoring articles centered around new discoveries, latest news, and advance methods to learn. Additionally, he pens articles pertaining to Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, Snapchat, and Twitter. Almost all social media Platforms, During his leisure time, Saboor delights in reading, traveling, and researching new features In social media.