In the digital age and the era of social networks, Instagram has firmly taken a leading position as a platform for sharing photo and video content. Millions of users share bright moments of their lives, creative videos, stories, and live streams daily. However, sometimes glitches occur that prevent users from fully enjoying all the features of their favorite app. One of the most common issues is an error when uploading videos to Instagram. Instead of the expected publication, the user sees an unpleasant message from Instagram: “There was an error importing your video.” This can happen both on the phone and when trying to upload a video from a computer. In today’s article, we will thoroughly discuss the main reasons why Instagram might display an error when importing videos and provide clear instructions on how to fix them. You will learn how to deal with this problem on iOS and Android phones, and find useful tips for those who prefer to work with Instagram on a computer. To give a brief overview, the most universal recommendations are to regularly update the app and the operating system of the device, check the internet connection, and use supported video formats. But let’s take it one step at a time. Let’s delve in!
Why does Instagram show an error when uploading a video
There are several reasons why Instagram might show an error when uploading a video:
- Outdated smartphone model that does not support modern video formats and new app versions;
- Out-of-date versions of the operating system or the Instagram app itself. Always update your OS and apps in a timely manner;
- Unstable internet connection. Even momentary disruptions can interrupt the upload. Check your internet speed;
- Incorrect video file format. Instagram only works with the mp4 format. Other formats need to be converted;
- Uploading directly from the standard smartphone gallery. Try alternative galleries or file managers;
- Interference from other apps. Try reinstalling Instagram.
How to solve the problem
The solution to the problem with importing videos on Instagram depends on its cause:
- Restart your smartphone. This can eliminate minor bugs;
- Update Instagram and your phone’s operating system to the latest versions;
- Replace the standard gallery with an alternative, such as QuickPic, or use a file manager like Google Files;
- Convert videos to mp4 format using online services or apps (Video Splitter, YouCut, CutStory, etc.);
- Check your internet speed. If the signal is weak, it is better to use Wi-Fi;
- Reinstall the Instagram app;
- In extreme cases, perform a hard reset of your smartphone settings, making sure to back up your data beforehand.
On the phone
Most Instagram users prefer to use the app on their smartphones – it’s convenient, fast, and always at hand. However, it is often when uploading videos from the phone that various errors and glitches occur. Let’s figure out how to deal with them depending on the operating system of your gadget.
On iPhone
- Update iOS and the Instagram app;
- Restart the phone;
- Check the internet connection;
- Convert videos to mp4 using apps like CutStory or online services;
- Reinstall Instagram by holding down the icon until a cross appears;
- In extreme cases, perform a reset of the iPhone settings.
On Android
- Update Android and the app to the latest versions;
- Restart your smartphone;
- Check the quality of the internet;
- Reconvert the video to mp4 through apps like Video Splitter, YouCut, or online;
- Replace the standard gallery with QuickPic or another. Or use a file manager;
- Delete and reinstall Instagram;
- If necessary, reset the device settings.
Remember that timely updates, attention to platform requirements, and knowledge of effective ways to solve the most common errors are the key to trouble-free operation with Instagram and any other apps.
On the computer
Instagram is a mobile social network that does not have a full-fledged web version. Therefore, it is not possible to publish videos directly from a computer. However, there are several workarounds:
- Upload the video to cloud storage (Google Drive, Dropbox, iCloud) and import it from there through the mobile app;
- Use an Android emulator (BlueStacks, Nox) on your computer. Install Instagram in it and upload videos as on a smartphone;
- Connect the phone to the computer in storage mode. Copy the video to the device’s memory and publish it via the mobile Instagram;
- Convert the video to mp4 through online services, ensuring that the resolution and duration meet Instagram’s requirements.
Conclusion
In this article, we have thoroughly examined the problem that many Instagram users face – an error when importing videos. We identified the main causes of its occurrence, which include outdated software, unstable internet, unsupported video formats, and app glitches. For each of these causes, specific solutions applicable on iOS and Android phones were proposed, along with recommendations for alternative ways to upload videos from a computer. All steps were detailed and accompanied by examples, which will help each reader to cope with the issues encountered. The main conclusion is that most problems with Instagram can be resolved by fairly simple methods. Regular updates of the app and operating system, using a stable internet connection, converting videos to a supported format are universal tips that will be useful to all users. In particularly difficult cases, when none of the suggested methods helps, it is worth resorting to more radical measures – a complete reinstallation of the app or even a reset of the phone settings. However, approach this with caution and always make backups of important data. We hope that our article will be helpful to all who have encountered errors when uploading videos to Instagram. Following the provided recommendations, you can solve the problem and return to full use of your favorite social network – sharing bright moments of your life, creative videos, and stories with friends and followers.
