How to Fix Instagram Stories Not Uploading or Stuck on "Posting"
Is your Instagram story stuck on "Posting..." or failing to upload completely? This guide provides clear, step-by-step solutions to fix this frustrating issue on both Android and iOS.
When an Instagram story gets stuck, it's almost always a problem with your internet connection or a temporary glitch within the app. The upload process requires a stable connection to send the media file to Instagram's servers.
Common Causes:
- Poor Internet Connection: A weak or unstable Wi-Fi or cellular data signal is the number one cause.
- Large File Size: High-resolution videos or long stories take longer to upload and are more likely to fail on a weak connection.
- Instagram App Glitch: Temporary bugs or corrupted cache files within the app can interfere with uploads.
- Instagram Server Issues: Sometimes, the problem is on Instagram's end, and their servers are temporarily down or overloaded.
- Incorrect Date & Time Settings: Mismatched date and time on your phone can cause sync issues with Instagram's servers.
1. Check and Reset Your Connection
A stable connection is critical. Rule this out first.
- Switch from Wi-Fi to Cellular Data: If you're on a weak Wi-Fi network, turn it off and try uploading with a strong 4G or 5G signal.
- Switch from Cellular to Wi-Fi: Conversely, if your cellular signal is poor, connect to a reliable Wi-Fi network.
- Toggle Airplane Mode: Turn Airplane Mode on for 30 seconds, then turn it off. This resets all your phone's network connections.
2. Restart the Instagram App and Your Phone
This classic fix clears temporary glitches and memory issues.
- Force Close the App: Completely close the Instagram app from your recent apps list (swipe up from the bottom on newer iPhones/Androids).
- Re-open Instagram: Wait a few seconds, then open the app again. It may prompt you to "Try Again" on the failed story.
- Restart Your Phone: If closing the app doesn't work, a full phone restart is the next best step.
3. Clear Instagram's Cache
Corrupted temporary files can cause a variety of app problems.
- On Android: Go to Settings > Apps > Instagram > Storage & cache, then tap "Clear Cache".
- On iOS: The only way to clear the cache is to uninstall and then reinstall the app from the App Store. This won't delete your photos or DMs, but you will need to log back in.
4. Check if Instagram is Down
If you've tried everything else, the problem might not be on your end.
- Visit a website like Downdetector to see if other users are reporting issues.
- If there is a widespread outage, you can only wait for Instagram's engineers to fix it.
Do not repeatedly tap "Try Again" in rapid succession. This can sometimes worsen the issue or get your account temporarily flagged for spammy behavior. Give each fix a few minutes to work before moving to the next one.