Can’t Upload Photos to Facebook? Size Limits, Formats and Fixes

It’s worth ruling out the basics first. These are Meta’s own steps for sharing photos in a post.

In Facebook Lite, tap Photo, then Camera or pick from your camera roll, then Next and Post. In a mobile browser, tap Photo, then Photos or Albums.

Meta’s advice for photos: keep them under 15 MB, use a common format, and upload the original if an edited version fails.

1. Check the file size. Meta recommends uploading photos under 15 MB.
2. Use a common format: in its tips for computers, Meta recommends JPEG, BMP, PNG, GIF or TIFF.
3. For PNG files, Meta’s computer tips say it’s best to stay under 1 MB: larger PNGs may appear pixelated. Saving the photo as a JPEG instead is a common workaround.
4. Try the original photo. Meta says editing a photo before uploading (for example in a photo editor) may cause the upload to fail.

Trying to post a 3D photo? Meta says that if you edited a photo taken in Portrait Mode, Lens Blur or Live Focus, you might not be able to post it in 3D, and the 3D option won’t appear if you add more than one photo to the post.

Meta’s mobile tips start with a strong connection and the latest app, then a restart of the app and the phone.

Using Facebook Lite or a mobile browser? Meta gives the same core tips: a strong connection, the original photo, and photos under 15 MB. Photo looks blurry after posting? Meta says photos are optimized for the best quality, including HD, but quality depends on your network: for the best result, upload on Wi-Fi or with a strong cell signal. Photos look blurry when you view them? See photos not loading.

Meta says you can only share photos from your device if you’ve given Facebook access to your camera roll. On iPhone you can allow all photos or selected ones; on Android 14 or later too, while earlier Android versions only allow all.

1. Allow Facebook to access your photos in your phone’s settings. On Android, Google’s path is Settings > Apps > See all apps > Facebook > Permissions > Photos and videos.
2. If you only allowed selected photos, check the one you want is included.
3. Full steps for both phones are in Facebook stories not working.

Meta’s computer tips are to manage ad-blocking software and keep your browser up to date.

Computer (browser)

1. If you use an ad blocker, turn it off for Facebook, or add Facebook as an exception (Meta’s tip).
2. Update your browser to the latest version.
3. Try the upload again, or try a different browser.
4. Don’t download Adobe Flash, even though Meta’s help page still mentions it: see the warning at the top of this page.

Still stuck? Clearing Facebook’s data in your browser can help: see clear Facebook’s cache.

Meta says that if you’ve been warned for posting abusive content, you may be temporarily blocked from uploading photos.

1. Open your Support Inbox (facebook.com/settings?tab=support (external site, opens in a new tab)) and look for a warning or block.
2. Check Profile status for a restriction and its end date (where to find it).
3. Wait for the block to end. Retrying again and again is unlikely to help.
4. If you think the decision was wrong, request a review where it’s offered: see Facebook removed your post.

Meta has a page on being blocked from using a feature (external site, opens in a new tab). For how restrictions grow with strikes, see Facebook jail.

Meta’s last step for every device is to report the problem if none of the tips work.

1. Report it from inside Facebook. On a computer: your profile picture (top right) > Help & support > Report a problem.
2. Describe what happens, which device and app version you use, and the photo’s size and format.

Meta’s page on reporting a problem (external site, opens in a new tab) has the steps for every device.