Why Instagram Posts Get Stuck & How To Fix It [Tips]

19 May, 2025

Ever felt the frustration of your meticulously crafted Instagram post hanging in limbo, eternally "preparing" or "uploading"? You're not alone, and there are definitive steps to break free from this digital purgatory.

The agony of a stalled post is a common ailment in the Instagram ecosystem. You've poured time and effort into capturing the perfect image, crafting a witty caption, and selecting the ideal hashtags, only to be met with the disheartening sight of a progress bar that refuses to budge. The reasons behind this digital standstill are varied, ranging from mundane connectivity issues to more complex app malfunctions. Before spiraling into despair and questioning your internet speed, consider the underlying causes and the actionable solutions available to get your content flowing again. Addressing these issues is paramount to maintaining an active and engaging presence on the platform, particularly for businesses and influencers who rely on consistent posting.

Topic	Instagram Post Upload Issues
Problem	Posts or Reels stuck on "preparing" or "uploading"
Common Causes	Connectivity issues Outdated app version Corrupted cache Video size limitations Server overload during peak hours Violation of Instagram's policies
Solutions	Check internet connection Update Instagram app Clear Instagram cache Reduce video file size Post during off-peak hours Review Instagram's policies and guidelines Restart your device Reinstall Instagram Contact Instagram Support
Additional Tips	Spread out posts to avoid server overload Use IGTV or Reels for longer videos Ensure video aspect ratio is compatible
Reference	Instagram Help Center

First, the obvious culprit: your internet connection. Instagram, despite its seemingly simple interface, is a data-hungry beast. A weak or unstable connection can cripple its ability to process and upload media. Before diving into more complex solutions, perform a basic connectivity check. Are other apps and websites loading correctly? Run a speed test to verify your upload speed. If your Wi-Fi is faltering, consider switching to mobile data (and vice versa) to see if that resolves the bottleneck. A surprisingly large number of upload issues stem from a simple, easily rectified connectivity problem. I get 145 mbps and 19ms ping, still instagram very slow while other apps work fantastically, sometimes i switch to mobile data instagram starts behaving normally.

Beyond connectivity, the age of your Instagram app can be a significant factor. Instagram regularly releases updates to enhance performance, squash bugs, and introduce new features. These updates aren't merely cosmetic; they often contain crucial fixes that address known upload issues. An outdated app is akin to driving a car with worn tires – it may function, but it's operating at a significant disadvantage. To ensure you're running the latest version, visit the Play Store (for Android users) or the App Store (for iOS users), search for Instagram, and tap the "Update" button if one is available. The second way to fix instagram post tuck on sending is to check whether the instagram application is due for an update. However, the previous versions of instagram stopped working after a few weeks of the release of a new version.

Sometimes, the problem isn't external but internal – specifically, within the app's cache. The cache is a temporary storage area where Instagram stores data to speed up future access. However, over time, this cache can become corrupted or bloated, leading to a variety of performance issues, including upload stalls. Clearing the cache is akin to giving your app a fresh start. On Android devices, this is a straightforward process: open the phone's Settings app, navigate to Apps > Instagram > Storage, and tap the "Clear Cache" option. Be careful not to tap "Clear Data" unless you want to reset the app to its factory settings, requiring you to log back in and potentially losing saved drafts. Of course, you can delete the instagram cache to fix the reel upload stuck issue. Clearing the cache is a common fix for many instagram issues and errors.

Video size limitations are another frequent stumbling block. Instagram, while accommodating of video content, imposes strict limits on file size and duration. Currently, the platform allows users to post videos up to 10 minutes long, provided they don't exceed 650 MB in size. Attempting to upload a video that surpasses these limits will almost certainly result in upload failures or indefinite "preparing" screens. To circumvent this issue, compress your video using a video editing app or online tool before attempting to upload it. Reducing the resolution or bitrate can significantly decrease file size without drastically compromising visual quality. One important restriction is the video size. As a social media manager, i am facing an issue uploading instagram reels videos through hubspot's cms, as it only accepts videos within a specific aspect ratio.

Instagram's servers, like any digital infrastructure, are susceptible to overload, particularly during peak usage hours. Think of it like rush hour on the internet – when millions of users are simultaneously uploading, posting, and engaging, the system can become congested, leading to delays and errors. To mitigate this, consider adjusting your posting schedule to avoid peak hours, typically between 8:00 AM and 5:00 PM EST. Experiment with posting during off-peak times, such as early mornings or late evenings, when server load is typically lower. Avoid posting during peak hours (usually 8:00 am to 5:00 pm est) to minimize the risk of delay.

Beyond technical glitches, it's crucial to ensure your content adheres to Instagram's community guidelines and policies. Violating these guidelines can result in posts being flagged, removed, or even account suspensions. Familiarize yourself with Instagram's rules regarding copyright infringement, hate speech, nudity, and other prohibited content. If you're unsure whether your content complies, err on the side of caution and avoid posting it. Review the policies and guidelines before instagram deactivates or bans your account. Instagram won’t post videos if you violate the laws and regulations.

Sometimes, the simplest solutions are the most effective. A basic restart of your phone can resolve a multitude of underlying software glitches that may be interfering with Instagram's upload process. A restart clears the device's memory, closes background apps, and resets network connections, potentially resolving conflicts that are hindering the upload. A simple restart will reset all apps on your phone and should fix the issue. Do this and then check your instagram story.

If a simple restart doesn't suffice, consider reinstalling the Instagram app altogether. This process completely removes the app from your device, along with all associated data and settings, and then reinstalls a fresh copy from the app store. Reinstalling the latest version of instagram can effectively eliminate corrupted files or configurations that may be causing upload issues. Before reinstalling, ensure you remember your login credentials, as you'll need them to access your account after the process is complete.

In particularly stubborn cases, contacting Instagram's support team may be the only recourse. While response times can vary, the support team can provide personalized assistance and investigate potential account-specific issues that are preventing uploads. Access the help center through the app's settings menu and search for relevant articles or submit a support request. Take help from the instagram support team. We would like to show you a description here but the site won’t allow us.

To avoid future upload woes, consider adopting proactive content management strategies. One such strategy is to diversify your content formats. Rather than relying solely on feed posts, explore features like IGTV, Instagram Live, and Reels. These formats often have different upload protocols and may be less susceptible to server congestion. Utilize features like igtv, ig live, and reels to diversify your content and reduce the load on your feed. Spread out your posts to avoid overwhelming the server.

For users experiencing persistent slowness even with a strong internet connection, Speedify emerges as a potential solution. Instagram is fun, easy and quick to use with speedify.

Consider the experience of one user who reported: "I have tried to upload an instagram post of a recent holiday. It is stuck saying preparing at the top. It’s been over 24 hours now since i tried to do the post and it is stuck there so i can’t even cancel it or anything. Closed and restarted the app. I’ve offloaded the app the clear the cache but still nothing!" This scenario underscores the frustration many users face and highlights the importance of systematically troubleshooting the potential causes.

If this issue with instagram not sending your posts has happened to you, keep reading. This article will explain why instagram posts get stuck on sending and how to fix the problem. We know it’s annoying when you take time to choose a good photo, write a caption, and try to post, only for it to get stuck.

Tips for reducing wait time are crucial for maintaining an engaging social media presence. Come join our great community of over 750,000 users!

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