[Fixed] Instagram Photo Can't Be Posted‍

To fix the "Instagram photos can't be posted" issue, follow the below steps.

1. Check your internet connection.
2. Restart your device.
3. Clear Instagram's cache.
4. Ensure your photo meets Instagram's size requirements.
5. Free up device storage.
6. Update or reinstall the Instagram app.
7. Ensure your photos comply with Instagram's policies.
8. Check if your actions are temporarily blocked on Instagram.
9. Adjust Instagram's data usage limits if needed.

Instagram is the go-to platform for sharing photos and videos, and having a vibrant Instagram feed is a priority for many. However, at times, while trying to post a photo, Instagram won't post it and will instead display an error. Now, if you've worked hard on capturing the perfect moment, or spent a lot of effort editing a photo to perfection, this error can be frustrating.

Hence, in this article, we'll give you a step-by-step walkthrough so that you can first identify why your photo can't be posted on Instagram, and then fix it.

Why can't I post on Instagram - Reasons

There are many reasons why you might be being prevented from posting your photo or video on Instagram. Here are the most common reasons:

1. Your photo is in violation of Instagram policies

• To protect users, Instagram has implemented stringent policies that govern the content of the photos or videos posted and shared on its platform.
• Instagram has an army of moderation bots that can detect prohibited content like nudity, violence, or gore in photos or videos, and disable the user from uploading them.
• If you're trying to post a photo on Instagram but aren't able to, make sure that the contents of the photo aren't banned, or even resemble banned content. Further, if any questionable content is detected, your Instagram account might get flagged or even suspended

2. Your actions have been blocked by Instagram

• Instagram rolled out new updates Din 2018 aimed at preventing user accounts from spamming other users with promotions. The update looked to crack down on the use of 3rd-party bots and services aimed at gaining followers.
• Therefore, if Instagram detects you engaging in non-authentic behaviour - like posting multiple photos in quick succession, or liking and commenting on many posts within a short period, it will temporarily block you from doing that action.
• Hence, if you've been posting too many photos at once in quick succession, and if your account is fairly new, you might be prevented from posting new photos temporarily.

3. Your device's storage has run out

• If Instagram won't post a certain photo of yours, it may be that your device storage is full, or doesn't have enough capacity to post that photo.

4. Instagram cache is full

• Another reason why you can't post Instagram photos might be because the app's cache files on your device are full.
• Note that cache files are the temporary files that are stored by an app on your device, to speed up the page load timings for a smoother experience.

5. Instagram servers are down

• Although highly unlikely, you may be unable to post photos on Instagram due to Instagram servers being down or under maintenance. Make sure you check Instagram's other social media accounts to see if their servers are down temporarily.

What to do if Instagram photo can't be posted - Fixes

These are some fixes that you can try out if you can't make an Instagram post or if your photos won't upload.

1. Check your internet connection

1. The first step is to make sure that your internet connection isn't the reason why you can't post photos on Instagram. Ensure you have adequate signal if you're using Wifi/ mobile data.
2. You can also go to Speedtest and check your connection's speed, to ensure you have a working and fast internet connection.

2. Restart your device

1. Next, you can try restarting your device, as more often than not, rebooting the system fixes errors. So, if you can't post on Instagram, try restarting your phone.
2. Note that on an Android device, you'll have to hold down the power button until you see the reboot option, and select it. On an iPhone, you'll have to hold down both the power and home buttons together for ~3 seconds until the screen goes black and the Apple logo appears.

3. Clear Instagram's cache on your device

1. Go to your device's settings menu, tap on ‘Apps' and select Instagram. Next, find the ‘Clear Cache' option, and select it. Your phone/ tablet will now delete the cache files for Instagram.
2. Note that you'll have to log in again when you open Instagram, after clearing your cache. Hence, ensure that you know your credentials before clearing cache for Instagram.
3. After you've cleared Instagram's cache, open the app, log in, and check if you are able to post photos or any content again.

4. Reduce the image size

1. Instagram only supports the uploading of photos if they are under 1936 x 1936 pixels, and for videos, under 1920 x 1080 pixels and within 3 to 60 seconds in length.
2. Hence, if your phone camera supports 4K or UHD recording, and you've shot the image in this resolution, you can't post it on Instagram.
3. To fix it, you'll have to first reduce the size of the image in your phone, or via a 3rd-party application like Reduce Images.

5. Free up your device's storage

1. Make sure you've got adequate storage space in your phone. Just go to your phone's settings menu, and select the ‘Apps' section to view all the apps you've got installed on your phone and their corresponding storage.
2. Delete any apps that are not important and you don't use. You can also delete any documents, videos, or photos from your storage.

6. Update or re-install Instagram

1. Go to the Play Store (if you use an Android phone) or the App Store (iPhones) and search for Instagram. Make sure the app is up-to-date. If it isn't, click on ‘Update' to download and install the latest version. You can also try re-installing the Instagram app on your phone.

7. Ensure your photos are complaint of Instagram policies

1. As mentioned earlier, Instagram has bots in place that recognise if your photo contains sensitive material, like nudity, violence, or gore. Hence, make sure you aren't posting photos related to these topics, or even bare resemblance to them.

8. Check if your actions are blocked

1. If your account is new, and you've been hyper-active on the platform in initial use - like liking/ following/ posting too many posts, Instagram might flag your account as engaging in ‘inauthentic' behaviour.
2. This might also happen if you're using 3rd-party bots and services to speed up your engagement on the platform. Hence, make sure your account hasn't been blocked temporarily from carrying out certain actions.
3. If it is, follow the steps detailed in this guide to overcome the ban. Some fixes that you can try include completing your profile info and logging in from another device.

9. Change Instagram's data limits

1. Instagram has a feature wherein users can set the maximum data usage by the app over a certain period of time. The app restricts you from uploading or viewing photos and videos after the set data limit has been exceeded.
2. However, you can increase the data limits for Instagram from within the app. Go to ‘Profile' > ‘Settings' > ‘Account. Next, scroll down and tap on ‘Mobile/Cellular Data Usage', and increase the limit.

FAQs

1. Why can't I post my photos on Instagram?

There could be various reasons ranging from Instagram policies violations, blocked actions by Instagram, device storage issues, Instagram cache being full, to server downtime. Refer to the main article for detailed explanations.

2. How do I know if my photo violates Instagram's policies?

Instagram has guidelines on content like nudity, violence, or gore. If your photo closely resembles or contains such content, it might be flagged by Instagram's moderation bots. Always review Instagram’s content guidelines before posting.

3. What should I do if Instagram's servers are down?

If Instagram servers are down, there isn’t much you can do other than wait. It’s a good practice to check Instagram's other social media accounts or official website for any service-related announcements.

4. Why is clearing Instagram's cache important?

The cache is a collection of temporary files used by the app for a smoother experience. If the cache is full, it might prevent you from posting photos. Clearing it can often resolve various app-related issues.

5. How do I reduce the size of my photo for Instagram?

Instagram has specific size requirements for photos and videos. If your photo exceeds these limits, you can use built-in tools on your phone or third-party applications like 'Reduce Images' to resize them.

6. How can I check if my actions are blocked by Instagram?

If you've been extremely active in a short period, especially on a new account, Instagram might temporarily block your actions. Look for notifications or messages from Instagram indicating this. You can also refer to the guide linked in the main article.

7. What's the role of data limits in Instagram?

Instagram allows users to set maximum data usage over a specific time frame. If you exceed this limit, you might be restricted from uploading or viewing content. You can adjust these limits in the app's settings.

8. My internet connection is fine. What else could be the issue?

Apart from a faulty internet connection, reasons could include server downtime, cache issues, or policy violations. It's recommended to walk through the fixes mentioned in the article step-by-step.

9. Is there a way to check if Instagram is down for everyone or just me?

Yes. You can use websites like "DownDetector" or check Instagram's official Twitter or other social media profiles for any service disruption announcements.

10. Can I contact Instagram for help?

Yes, you can. Instagram offers a 'Help Center' where users can report issues and seek guidance. You can navigate to the app settings and use the 'Report a Problem' feature to send feedback or report technical issues.