Uploading media on LinkedIn such as images, videos, and documents is a great way to make your profile and posts more engaging. However, sometimes media uploads can fail due to various reasons. In this comprehensive guide, we will explore the main reasons why media upload fails on LinkedIn and provide troubleshooting tips to fix the issues.
LinkedIn Media Upload Size And Format Limitations
One of the most common reasons for failed media uploads is that the file size or format doesn’t meet LinkedIn’s requirements. LinkedIn has the following size and format limitations for media uploads:
- Image files: JPG, PNG or GIF formats. Less than 10MB in size.
- Video files: MP4 or MOV formats. Less than 250MB in size.
- Document files: PDF, DOC, DOCX, PPT, PPTX formats. Less than 100MB in size.
If your media file exceeds any of these size or format limits, the upload will fail. To fix this, optimize your media by reducing file size and converting to supported formats before uploading.
Poor Internet Connection
Uploading media files requires a stable internet connection. Uploads are more likely to fail or timeout if you have a slow, unstable or intermittent connection. Issues like low bandwidth, high latency, frequent disconnections etc. can disrupt the upload process.
To troubleshoot connectivity issues:
- Check your internet speed using a speed test site.
- Connect your device directly to your router via Ethernet if possible.
- Switch to a different network or try using your phone’s cellular data.
- Restart your modem and router.
- Contact your ISP if you consistently have connectivity problems.
Uploading when you have a strong, high-speed connection minimizes upload failures.
Browser Problems
Issues with your web browser can also lead to failed media uploads on LinkedIn. Things like outdated browsers, full cache, too many tabs open, browser bugs and crashes can interrupt and fail uploads.
Try the following browser troubleshooting steps:
- Update your browser to the latest version.
- Clear your browser cache and cookies.
- Close all other open tabs and programs to free up resources.
- Try a different mainstream browser like Chrome or Firefox.
- Reset browser settings to defaults if issues persist.
- Check for any reported browser bugs and install patches/fixes.
LinkedIn Server Issues
Like any website, LinkedIn’s servers can sometimes have downtime issues that affect media uploads. Server outages, maintenance, bugs and other backend problems can cause uploads to fail intermittently.
If uploads are failing consistently, it may indicate problems on LinkedIn’s side. Check their status page and down detector to see if others are reporting problems too. Usually the failures are temporary as their engineers work to fix any server issues.
LinkedIn Account Restrictions
In some cases, there may be restrictions on your LinkedIn account that block media uploads. For example:
- Uploads may be blocked if your account is suspended or restricted for compliance violations.
- Free LinkedIn accounts have limits on how many media files can be uploaded per month.
- Upgraded Business or Sales Navigator accounts allow more media uploads.
Check your account status under settings and consider upgrading to remove any limits if applicable.
Corrupt Or Problem Media Files
Sometimes the media file itself is corrupted or malformed in a way that LinkedIn can’t process it. Things like:
- Unsupported embedded characters or formats
- Invalid video codec used
- Corrupted image data
- Media not properly encoded
- Format issues like incorrect extension
Carefully check your media files before uploading. Re-export or regenerate them using proper settings compatible with LinkedIn’s requirements. Test them first by uploading to another site.
Unauthorized Media Use
LinkedIn scans all uploaded media and may block unauthorized files. This includes things like copyrighted material, trademarks, private information etc. Ensure you have rights to use the media files you are uploading.
How To Avoid LinkedIn Media Upload Failure
Follow these tips to help avoid failed media uploads on LinkedIn:
- Optimize media files to meet the recommended size and format limits
- Use a reliable high-speed internet connection
- Update your browser and clear cache before uploading
- Check for any account restrictions and upgrade if needed
- Test files first and fix any errors before uploading
- Only upload media you have rights to use
- Avoid uploading during any LinkedIn server issues
What To Do When LinkedIn Media Upload Fails
If a media file fails to upload, try the following:
- Check the failure message for clues on what went wrong
- Optimize the file size, format or fix any corruption issues
- Try again with a stronger internet connection
- Restart your browser and clear cache before retrying
- Test uploading to another site to isolate browser issues
- If problems persist, contact LinkedIn support for assistance
Conclusion
Uploading media is a key part of engaging your audience on LinkedIn. By understanding the potential points of failure and troubleshooting appropriately, you can minimize frustrations when your uploads don’t work. With optimized media assets, a strong internet connection, updated software, and retry capabilities, you can consistently add compelling images, videos and documents to your LinkedIn presence.