How to fix a video that will not upload
An upload rejection almost always comes down to either the file format not being accepted, or the file being larger than the platform's limit.
Step 1 — check the format
If your file is MOV, MKV, AVI or WebM and the platform expects MP4, convert first using the matching tool for your format.
Step 2 — check the size
Note the platform's stated limit, then compress with Video Compressor. Lowering the resolution (1080p to 720p) usually gives the biggest reduction with the least visible quality loss.
Step 3 — try again
Re-check the converted, compressed file's size and format before re-uploading. If it still fails, the platform may have a duration limit as well as a size limit — check both.
Checking both limits, not just one
Some platforms enforce a duration limit in addition to a file size limit — a short but high-resolution clip might pass the size check but fail on length, or vice versa. Check the platform's stated limits for both before assuming compression alone will fix an upload failure.
A reliable fallback
If repeated attempts to compress and convert still fail to satisfy a platform's requirements, uploading to a general file-sharing service and sharing the link avoids the platform's constraints entirely for cases where direct upload genuinely is not working.
When the platform gives a specific error code
If the platform shows a specific error code or message rather than a generic failure, searching for that exact code alongside the platform's name often reveals whether it is a known, documented limit rather than something specific to your file.
Related help articles
Keeping a mental checklist of format, then size, then duration — in that order — for any upload failure saves time compared to randomly trying different fixes, since these three checks cover the overwhelming majority of upload rejections across most platforms.
