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Instagram “Unable to upload this item” Error? Easy Fixes That Work

by Lokesh Naik
October 11, 2025

Instagram has become a big part of our daily life, especially among the youth. We open the app just to scroll through a few reels, reply to messages, or upload a quick story, but end up spending much more time than we planned. I also use Instagram quite often to share moments and updates on my story.

But recently, when I tried to upload one, an error popped up saying “Unable to upload this item.” It was strange because it had never happened before. I tried again and again, but it just wouldn’t upload. After a few hours of trying different things, I finally managed to fix it. So if you’re facing this same error, I’ll be sharing the method that worked for me, along with a few other ways that might help you too.

Screenshot showing Instagram app error message “Unable to upload this item”

  • How to Fix Instagram “Unable to upload this item” Error Easily
    • Update the Instagram App
    • Check the Image or Video File
    • Check Your Internet Connection
    • Check if Instagram Servers Are Down
    • Log Out and Log In Again
    • Check If Your Account Has Any Restrictions
    • Clear Cache
    • Reinstall the App
    • Contact Instagram Support

How to Fix Instagram “Unable to upload this item” Error Easily

Update the Instagram App

I’ll start with the method that fixed the issue instantly for me – updating the app.

If you’re using an older version of the Instagram app that has a bug or issue, it could be the reason why you’re getting this error while trying to upload a story. The easiest fix is to update the app from the Play Store on Android or the App Store on iPhone.

If you’ve already checked and there’s no update available, try joining the beta program to install the beta version after a few hours.

For Android users, you can also download the latest stable or beta version of Instagram from a trusted third-party website. Just search for it on your preferred search engine and install the most recent version available.

Check the Image or Video File

In some cases, the problem might be with the file you’re trying to upload as a story on Instagram. A corrupted image, video format issue, or unsupported file type can cause this error to appear.

So, check the file details and make sure it’s in a supported format. If it’s not, try converting it to a common format that Instagram supports. You can also resize or crop the image slightly and see if it uploads.

For videos, try trimming them a little or converting them to another format before uploading again.

Check Your Internet Connection

Before thinking it’s the app or your phone’s fault, it’s worth checking your internet first. If your connection is slow or network quality is low, Instagram might struggle to upload your story, especially if the photo or video is large or high quality. That’s when this error often pops up.

Try opening a few other apps or websites to see if they load normally. If they take time or don’t open, your internet might be the reason. You can also turn on airplane mode for a few seconds and then turn it off again to reset the connection. Once that’s done, try uploading your story again and see if it goes through.

Check if Instagram Servers Are Down

Most of the time, this error comes from our side, but once in a while, it could be due to a server issue from Instagram itself. When that happens, many people face the same problem at the same time, and stories simply fail to upload.

To be sure, you can ask a few friends or family members if they’re also facing the same issue or if their stories are uploading fine. You can also try checking if other parts of the app are loading, like reels or posts. If nothing is loading or feels slow, it might be a temporary issue from Instagram’s end.

Another quick way to find out is by visiting server status monitoring platforms like DownDetector, where users report such problems, or by checking recent posts on X or Facebook. If a lot of people are talking about it, you’ll know Instagram is probably facing a temporary glitch.

Log Out and Log In Again

This is another thing you can try if nothing else is working. You won’t lose anything by doing this, but just make sure you have your login details ready, as you’ll need them to sign in again. If your account is already saved on your device or linked with Google, you might not even need to enter your details manually.

To log out of your account on the app, open Open Instagram > Profile icon > Three lines > Settings > Log Out > Confirm.Instagram log out option

Check If Your Account Has Any Restrictions

In rare cases, even without realizing it, we might do something that goes against Instagram’s rules. This can lead to certain features being restricted, which could cause the “Unable to upload this item” error.

To check, open Instagram > Tap your profile > Tap the three lines at the top right > Settings > Account > Account Status.

Here you can see if any features are limited. If something is restricted, it will show up in this section. Instagram Account Status screen displaying any restricted features in the account

Clear Cache

If you are an Android Instagram user, you can try clearing the cache from your device. Go to Settings > Apps > Instagram > Storage > Clear Cache. This will not delete any of your data or account information.Clear cache on Android

If you are on an iPhone, you cannot clear the cache directly because of the way iOS handles app data, and Instagram does not have a built-in option like some other apps. You can either offload the app or reinstall it using the method below to remove temporary files.

Reinstall the App

While it is not a method that everyone likes, reinstalling Instagram can work if the issue is caused by something else in the app. Just long-press the Instagram icon, select Uninstall or Delete App, and then install it again from the App Store or Play Store. 

But you need to have your login details ready. If your account is saved on the device or in Google saved passwords, you might not need to enter them.

Contact Instagram Support

While not everyone tries this, contacting Instagram is your last resort if none of the other fixes worked. By now, your issue should be fixed, but if it is still happening, you will need to reach out to them. The easiest way is through the app: go to Settings > Help.Instagram Help section

Another quicker method is when the error appears while uploading a story, just shake your phone, and a Report a Problem pop-up will appear. Submit the report from there, as it will help Instagram identify the issue more easily. Keep in mind, they receive millions of reports every day, so do not expect a quick reply.

Instagram app reporting problem

RELATED GUIDES: 

  • How to Fix Instagram Story Not Uploading (8 Ways)
  • How to Fix Instagram Stories Not Loading [12 Ways]
  • How to Fix the Instagram Stories Repeating Issue

Hope this guide helped you fix the “Unable to upload this item” error on Instagram. If Instagram is giving you trouble uploading stories, these methods should help. If one of them worked for you, let us know which one. And if you found another way to fix it, share it in the comments!

Tags: Instagram
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Lokesh Naik

Lokesh Naik

Lokesh Naik is an avid blogger and internet freak who is behind this blog. A tech enthusiast and fan of smartphones who keeps track of every little happening in the smartphone world. When not writing, he loves watching cricket.

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