WhatsApp Not Sending Videos on iPhone or Android

If WhatsApp will not send a video on an iPhone or Android phone, check your internet connection, the video’s size and format, available storage, and WhatsApp’s photo or media permissions first. Then try sending the clip again after restarting the app; these steps resolve many upload failures without deleting your chats.

Why WhatsApp video uploads fail

Sending a video involves more than tapping the send button: WhatsApp must read the file, prepare it for sharing, and upload it over a working connection. A failure can therefore come from the phone, the file, the app, or the network. A stalled progress indicator often points to a connection or upload problem, while an error affecting just one clip may indicate a file-specific issue.

Large videos take longer to upload and may be subject to WhatsApp’s current file-sharing limits. Limits and supported formats can change, so check WhatsApp’s in-app guidance or current help information if an unusually large file is involved. Do not assume every video that plays in your gallery is in a format WhatsApp can process successfully.

Start with connection and app checks

Confirm the connection. Open a webpage or another app that uses the internet. If it also fails, reconnect to Wi-Fi or mobile data. Move closer to the router if needed, or switch between Wi-Fi and mobile data to see whether one connection works better.
Check whether WhatsApp is working. If messages and other media also fail to send, the problem may be broader than the video. Wait and retry if the service or your connection appears temporarily unavailable.
Close and reopen WhatsApp. Exit the app, reopen it, and try once more. If the upload remains stuck, restart the phone; this can clear a temporary app or network hang.
Update WhatsApp. Install an available update from the App Store or Google Play. An outdated app may have bugs or compatibility problems. Update the phone’s operating system through its normal settings when an update is available and appropriate.

A VPN, data-saving feature, or restrictive network can sometimes interfere with uploads. If you use one, temporarily test on a different trusted connection or with the feature paused, then restore your usual settings. On a work, school, or public network, restrictions may be outside your control.

Check video size, format, and file access

Try sending a short video recorded moments ago. If that works but an older or longer clip does not, focus on the original file rather than repeatedly reinstalling the app. A video can be too large to send conveniently, incomplete, damaged, or stored somewhere the app cannot currently access.

Trim the video in your phone’s built-in Photos or gallery editor and send a shorter section. Keep the original if you may need the full recording.
If the clip is in cloud storage, download it to the phone first and confirm it plays completely offline. A thumbnail alone does not prove the whole file is available locally.
Try exporting or saving a copy in a widely supported video format using a reputable, built-in editor or conversion tool. Avoid unknown conversion apps that request unnecessary access.
Check the file’s size and WhatsApp’s current sharing limit. If it is too large, shorten or compress it, or share it through a trusted cloud link when appropriate.

Sending as a document can preserve the original file more closely than sending it as a video, but it does not remove file-size limits or guarantee that the recipient can play it. The recipient’s device and available apps still matter.

Allow media access on iPhone and Android

WhatsApp needs permission to access the video. Menu wording varies by operating-system version, but the relevant controls are in the phone’s Settings app.

iPhone: Open Settings, find WhatsApp, and review its access to Photos. If access is limited to selected photos, add the video or choose broader access if that suits your privacy preferences. You can also check Settings > Privacy & Security for photo access.
Android: Open Settings > Apps > WhatsApp > Permissions and allow the relevant photos, videos, or media access. The exact permission label depends on the Android version and device manufacturer.

After changing access, return to WhatsApp and select the video again. Grant only the access you are comfortable with; limited photo access is often enough if you select the specific clip WhatsApp needs.

Free storage and check data settings

Low free space can prevent a phone from preparing media or saving temporary upload data. Check storage in the phone’s settings and make room by removing files you no longer need or moving personal media to storage you trust. Do not delete WhatsApp data or folders at random: doing so may remove files or affect chat recovery.

Also check whether data-saving settings are restricting the app. On iPhone, review Settings > Cellular to confirm WhatsApp can use mobile data, and check Low Data Mode for the active network if uploads behave differently on cellular and Wi-Fi. On Android, look under Settings > Network & internet for Data Saver or the app’s mobile-data settings; names differ by device. A phone’s battery-saving mode can also limit background activity, so keep WhatsApp open while testing.

When to clear cache or reinstall

On Android, clearing WhatsApp’s cache may help if the app repeatedly misbehaves. Look under Settings > Apps > WhatsApp > Storage & cache, then choose Clear cache if available. Avoid Clear storage or Clear data as a casual troubleshooting step: those options can reset the app and remove locally stored information.

iPhone does not provide the same general app-cache control. If the other checks fail, first verify that your chats are backed up in WhatsApp’s chat-backup settings and that you can access the account and any required cloud account. Reinstalling may remove locally stored app data, so do not proceed unless you understand the recovery implications. Reinstall only from the official app store.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is WhatsApp stuck on preparing or sending a video?
Usually the app is still processing or uploading the file, or the connection is unreliable. Keep WhatsApp open, test a stable network, check free storage, and try a shorter clip.

Why can I send photos but not videos?
Video files are generally larger and require more processing and upload time. Check the video’s size, whether the complete file is downloaded, available storage, and whether the format causes trouble.

Will compressing a video fix the problem?
It can help if the file is too large or takes too long to upload, but it may reduce image quality. Compression will not fix missing permissions, a broken connection, or an unavailable source file.

Can I send a video as a document instead?
Often, yes: choose the document or file option in WhatsApp and select the video if it is available. This may avoid some media-processing behavior, but current file limits and recipient compatibility still apply.

Will reinstalling WhatsApp delete my chats?
It can remove local app data, and restoring chats depends on a usable backup and access to the associated account. Check WhatsApp’s backup status before uninstalling; do not assume a backup exists.

General steps for current mainstream versions; menus can differ by device and version. See the disclaimer or report an error.

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