Why Is Your Instagram Story Not Uploading? (Easy Guide for You, Little Friend 💛)

Let’s sit down and fix this together.

Imagine you made a cute video or picture, you open Instagram… and boom. Instagram story not uploading. It just keeps loading, or gets stuck, or says upload failed. Annoying, right?

Don’t worry. I’m going to talk to you like a big friend helping a younger cousin. Step by step. No fancy tech words. Just simple English.

By the end of this guide, when your Instagram story not uploading issue comes again, you’ll know exactly what to do.

1. First, what does “Instagram story not uploading” actually mean?

When we say Instagram story not uploading, it can look like many things:

• Your story keeps spinning and never posts
• It says Instagram upload failed
• Instagram video not uploading to story
• Instagram story stuck at “Posting…”
• Instagram not posting stories at all
• Instagram won’t upload videos but photos work
• Instagram app not working or keeps closing
• Story becomes Instagram story blurry after upload
• Instagram story not saving to your phone

All of these are part of the same big problem: Instagram story not uploading correctly.

Good news? Most of the time, it’s not a big problem. We can fix it with small, easy steps.

2. Common reasons your Instagram story not uploading

Let’s talk about why your Instagram story not uploading might be happening.

2.1. Slow or weak internet

• Your Wi-Fi is too slow
• Data pack is almost finished
• Network is coming and going

When the internet is weak, you see Instagram not loading properly. Then your Instagram story not uploading is very common.

2.2. Instagram app glitch

Sometimes the Instagram app not working properly:

• App gets stuck
• Instagram keeps crashing
• Buttons don’t respond
• Story upload freezes

In this case, your Instagram story not uploading is because the app is acting weird, not because of you.

2.3. Old app version

If you don’t update Instagram for a long time, it can cause:

• Instagram story not uploading
• Instagram video not uploading
• Instagram not posting stories on time

New versions fix old bugs. Old versions behave like grumpy grandpas.

2.4. Phone storage full

If your phone storage is almost full:

• App doesn’t get space to save cache
• Instagram story not saving
• Instagram story not uploading smoothly

2.5. Video or photo too heavy

Very long videos, huge file size, or strange format can cause:

• Instagram upload failed
• Instagram won’t upload videos
• Story stuck at 0%

2.6. Instagram server issues

Sometimes, the problem is on Instagram’s side:

• Instagram not loading for many people
• Stories and reels not working
• Feeds not refreshing

In that case, your Instagram story not uploading is not your fault at all.

3. Step-by-step simple fixes (do these in order)

Now let’s fix your Instagram story not uploading step by step, like climbing small stairs.

Step 1: Check your internet

1. Open YouTube or Google.
2. If they load very slowly, your internet is weak.
3. Turn Wi-Fi off and on.
4. If using data, turn Airplane mode on for 5 seconds, then off.
5. Try uploading again.

If the internet is bad, Instagram story not uploading is normal. Fix internet first, then Instagram.

Step 2: Close and reopen Instagram

Sometimes the app just needs a small slap (a gentle one 😄).

1. Close the app fully (swipe it away from recent apps).
2. Wait 5–10 seconds.
3. Open it again.
4. Try posting your story.

This alone can fix many Instagram story not uploading problems.

Step 3: Log out and log back in

1. Go to your profile.
2. Tap the three lines (menu).
3. Go to Settings and privacy.
4. Scroll down and tap Log out.
5. Close the app.
6. Open Instagram again and log in.

Now try again. Many small bugs that cause Instagram story not uploading get fixed when you log out and in.

Step 4: Clear cache (Android) or offload app (iPhone)

If the app is full of old junk files, Instagram app not working properly is common.

On Android (clear cache):

1. Long press on the Instagram app icon.
2. Tap App info or the little i icon.
3. Tap Storage.
4. Tap Clear cache (not Clear data).

Now reopen the app and check if Instagram story not uploading is solved.

On iPhone (offload app):

1. Open Settings.
2. Go to General > iPhone Storage.
3. Find Instagram.
4. Tap Offload App.
5. Then tap Reinstall App.

This keeps your account data but cleans up junk that may cause Instagram story not uploading problems.

Step 5: Update the Instagram app

An old app can be the reason your Instagram story not uploading again and again.

1. Go to App Store (iPhone) or Play Store (Android).
2. Search Instagram.
3. If you see Update, tap it.
4. After update, open Instagram and try again.

New updates often fix Instagram upload issues quietly in the background.

Step 6: Try a smaller or shorter video

If your Instagram video not uploading, try this:

1. Trim the video to under 15–30 seconds.
2. Save it again in your gallery.
3. Then open Instagram and upload that shorter clip.

If that works, your Instagram story not uploading before was because the file was too big or format was weird.

Step 7: Try saving, then posting again

Sometimes Instagram story not saving or posting directly can fail.

1. Record the story.
2. Tap Download or Save icon.
3. Close the camera.
4. Now upload the saved video/photo from gallery.

This can help when Instagram upload failed again and again.

4. Extra tips so your Instagram story not uploading doesn’t come back

Here are some small habits to avoid Instagram story not uploading in future:

• Don’t keep too many apps open at once
• Restart your phone once every few days
• Keep at least 2–3 GB free storage
• Try not to use Instagram on very low battery
• Keep your app updated
• Avoid using VPN if Instagram not loading properly

These are like small vitamins for your phone – they keep things smooth so Instagram story not uploading doesn’t disturb you all the time.

5. Device-wise fixes (Android vs iPhone)

Sometimes the fix is slightly different for Android and iPhone, even if Instagram story not uploading looks the same.

5.1. On Android

If you use Android and your Instagram story not uploading, try this extra stuff:

1. Check app permissions
   • Long press Instagram icon
   • Tap App info
   • Tap Permissions
   • Make sure Camera, Photos/Media, and Microphone are allowed
2. Clear cache (we already did above, but you can repeat sometimes)
   This helps when Instagram keeps crashing or Instagram app not working smoothly.
3. Turn off battery saver
   • Battery saver sometimes blocks background uploads
   • Turn it off and try uploading again

Android phones can be strict with apps in background, so this can cause Instagram story not uploading sometimes.

5.2. On iPhone

If you use iPhone and Instagram story not uploading, do this:

1. Check Screen Time / App Limits
   • Go to Settings > Screen Time
   • Check if Instagram has any time limits
   • If yes, remove them for now
2. Check Background App Refresh
   • Go to Settings > General > Background App Refresh
   • Make sure it’s allowed for Instagram
3. Check Photos permission
   • Go to Settings > Instagram > Photos
   • Set it to All Photos

When permissions are blocked, you may see Instagram story not uploading or Instagram story not saving properly.

6. Slow internet fixes (very important!)

Honestly, in 50% cases, Instagram story not uploading is just bad internet being dramatic.

Try these to fix slow internet:

1. Move closer to the Wi-Fi router.
2. If many people are using the same Wi-Fi, try mobile data instead.
3. Turn Airplane mode on and off.
4. Restart Wi-Fi router (if it’s yours).
5. Avoid uploading during network rush time (evening peak).

If other apps also show Instagram not loading type problems (like videos buffering), then your network is the main villain.

7. Final check methods (before you panic)

If your Instagram story not uploading even after all this, don’t panic. Do these final checks:

1. Check if Instagram is down globally
   • Search “Is Instagram down” on Google or X
   • If many people are crying about Instagram not posting stories or Instagram not loading, it’s their problem, not yours
2. Try another account
   • If you have a second account, log in and try posting a story
   • If it works there, maybe there’s a temporary issue with your main account
3. Try another phone
   • Log in on someone else’s phone
   • If stories upload fine there, the issue is your phone, not your account

If you do these checks, you’ll know if the Instagram story not uploading issue is your phone, your account, or Instagram itself.

8. When to restart your phone

Restarting is like giving your phone a small nap.

Restart your phone if:

• Apps are slow
• Instagram keeps crashing
• Instagram app not working smoothly
• Touch is laggy
• You have not restarted your phone in many days

After restart, open Instagram and check if Instagram story not uploading is gone. Many times, yes, it magically works.

9. When to reinstall the app

Reinstalling is like cleaning your room fully and starting fresh.

Uninstall and reinstall Instagram if:

• You tried all basic steps
• Instagram upload failed again and again
• Instagram not loading anything properly
• Instagram story not uploading on any network
• App is very slow or buggy even after update

How to reinstall:

1. Long press the Instagram app
2. Tap Uninstall (or Remove App on iPhone)
3. Go to App Store / Play Store
4. Search Instagram
5. Download and install again
6. Log in and try posting a story

This heavy step often fixes deep problems that cause Instagram story not uploading and Instagram video not uploading issues.

10. FAQs – quick questions your little brain might ask 😄

Q1. Why is my Instagram story stuck on posting?

This is classic Instagram story not uploading behavior.
Most common reasons:

• Slow internet
• App glitch
• Old app version

Follow the steps above: check internet, clear cache, update app, restart phone.

Q2. Why is my Instagram story blurry?

Sometimes Instagram story blurry happens when:

• Internet is weak, so Instagram compresses the video
• Your camera quality is low
• You zoom too much
• You upload from a low-quality WhatsApp or screenshot copy

Try recording directly from Instagram camera or using a high-quality original file. Good internet also stops Instagram story not uploading and keeps quality better.

Q3. Why won’t Instagram upload my videos to story?

This is part of the Instagram story not uploading problem.
Reasons:

• Video is too long or too big
• Format is not friendly
• App is buggy

Trim the video, save again, and upload. Make sure internet is stable and app is updated to fix Instagram upload issues.

Q4. Why is Instagram not posting stories but feed posts work?

Sometimes Instagram not posting stories while feed posts are okay. That means:

• Story feature is glitching
• Your story file is heavy
• Instagram is testing something on stories

Try a simple photo story. If it posts but videos don’t, then the Instagram story not uploading problem is video-related.

Q5. Is my account shadow banned if my Instagram story not uploading?

Most of the time, no.
Usually it’s just app, file, or internet issue.
So don’t stress. Just follow the steps and check if others are also having Instagram not loading or story issues.

11. Simple conclusion (like a big hug at the end 🤗)

So, my little friend, when your Instagram story not uploading makes you angry, remember:

• First, stay calm. It happens to everyone.
• Check your internet.
• Restart the app.
• Clear cache / offload app.
• Update Instagram.
• Restart your phone.
• If needed, reinstall the app.

Most of the time, one of these steps will fix your Instagram story not uploading problem. And if Instagram itself is down, then just relax, listen to some music, and try again after some time.

You’re not dumb. You’re just learning. And now, you actually know more than many people about why their Instagram story not uploading and how to fix Instagram upload issues like a pro.

If you want, you can save this guide so next time your Instagram story not uploading, you won’t panic — you’ll just smile and fix it. 💛

About The Author

Fasil Dar

Hi! I’m Fasil, the founder of WellnReviewed.com — a site born from my curiosity, passion for research, and desire to help others shop smarter.

I’ve always been the kind of person who digs deep before buying anything online — comparing products, reading countless reviews, and figuring out what’s actually worth the money. Eventually, I thought, “Why not turn this habit into something helpful for others?” That’s how WellnReviewed.com came to life.

Here, I focus on writing honest, in-depth, and easy-to-read product reviews across various categories — from health and wellness to tech, lifestyle, and everyday essentials. My goal is to save you time, money, and frustration by offering trustworthy insights before you click ‘Buy Now.’

When I’m not working on the site, I love walking, listening to music, and spending time with the people who matter most. I also have big dreams of growing this platform into a go-to resource for everyday consumers looking for clarity in a noisy online world.

Thanks for stopping by and being a part of this journey!

— Fasil
Founder, WellnReviewed.com

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