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How to Deal with Not Being Able to Send Videos on Facebook Messenger
There are times when you try to send a video to a friend on Facebook Messenger, but you encounter issues such as "can't send," "can't upload," or "can't select video."
If you can't send videos on Messenger, first check the following in order.
- Check if the video file size is too large
- Check the video format
- Try sending another video
- Switch between the mobile version and PC version
- If you can't send via Messenger, upload the video and share the link
Especially if only a specific video can't be sent, the size or format of that video is likely the cause.
Instead of sticking to sending directly via Messenger, there's also the option to upload the video to a file uploader and send the URL to the recipient. This will be discussed in detail later.
Main Reasons for Not Being Able to Send Videos on Messenger
There are several possible reasons why you can't send videos via Messenger.
Video File Size is Too Large
The first thing to check is the video file size.
Messenger has file size limits for video sending, and some external services specify that video sizes can be up to 20MB. There are also services that state a limit of 25MB.
Therefore, if you try to send large videos directly from Messenger, there is a possibility that it may fail to send.
For example, high-definition videos shot on a smartphone can easily result in large file sizes, even if the video is short, so be cautious.
Video Format is Not Suitable for Messenger
The file format of the video is also one of the causes.
Supported formats mentioned in Messenger specifications include MP4, MPEG, QuickTime formats, among others.
On the other hand, videos created by video editing software or screen recording software may use formats or codecs that are not handled correctly by Messenger.
In cases like "It's MP4 but it can't be sent," it may not only be the container format that affects it but also the codecs for video and audio that might be a factor.
Different Behaviors Between PC and Mobile Versions
Even with the same video, there are cases where sending from a PC browser works, but sending from the Messenger app on a smartphone does not.
In fact, there are reports from Messenger users that a video that could not be sent from PC was successfully sent from a smartphone.
Therefore, if sending fails on PC, try sending from a smartphone, and if it fails on a smartphone, try sending from a PC as an option.
Basic Method for Sending Videos on Messenger
Sending Video from Smartphone
When sending from the Messenger app on a smartphone, the basic flow is as follows.
- Open the Messenger app
- Open the chat with the person you want to send the video to
- Tap the button to select pictures/videos
- Select the video you want to send
- Tap the send button
If you can’t send at the point of selecting the video or if the upload doesn’t progress after pressing the send button, check the video size and format.
Sending Video from PC
If using Messenger from a PC, you can also select the video file from the chat screen and send it.
This is convenient because you do not need to transfer the video to a smartphone if the video is saved on the PC.
However, if a specific video can't be sent on the PC version, trying the same video from a smartphone may result in successful sending.
If the Video Size is Too Large and Can't Be Sent
If the video size is too large, there are methods to compress the video.
For example, using video editing software to lower the resolution or reduce the bitrate can result in smaller video file sizes.
Simply changing a video shot in 1080p to 720p can also help in reducing the file size.
However, compressing may lower the quality of the video. If you want the person to see the video in high quality as it was shot, there is no need to force compression.
If you want to maintain the quality, it’s convenient to upload the video instead of attaching it to Messenger and share the URL.
How to Share Videos That Can't Be Sent on Messenger via URL
If you cannot send videos due to file size or video format issues on Messenger, you can use a file uploader.
By uploading the video and sending the downloadable URL through Messenger, there's no need to attach the video file itself.
For instance, you can use a free file uploader like UploadF.
UploadF supports both PCs and smartphones, allowing you to upload videos via a browser. It also supports drag-and-drop for PCs, enabling you to upload simply by dragging the video file onto the screen.
Once the upload is completed, you can paste the issued URL in the Messenger chat to share the video, even if you can't send video files directly via Messenger.
Steps to Share Videos Using UploadF
- Open UploadF
- Select the video you want to send
- Wait for the video upload to complete
- Copy the displayed share URL
- Open the chat with the recipient in Messenger
- Paste the copied URL and send
With this method, even if sending the video file fails, you can still send the URL as a message.
UploadF also allows you to set a retention period for the files and share them with a password. This method is easy to use if you want to temporarily share a video with someone.
Checklist for When You Can't Send Videos on Messenger
- [ ] Confirmed the video file size
- [ ] Verified it is in a compatible format like MP4
- [ ] Tried sending another video
- [ ] Tested both PC and mobile versions
- [ ] Compressed the video and tried again
- [ ] Tried sharing using a file uploader
If only a specific video can't be sent, checking the size and format is key. If multiple videos can't be sent, consider that there might be temporary issues on the Messenger side.
If You Don't Want to Compress the Video, Uploaders are Convenient
Just because you can't send videos on Messenger doesn't mean that you have to lower the video's quality.
Especially for videos taken during trips or events, there are often cases where you would want to share them with the quality maintained for later viewing.
In such cases, uploading the video to a file uploader like UploadF and sending the URL via Messenger is recommended.
UploadF is free to use and allows you to upload multiple files at once. It's useful for sharing not only videos but also photos, PDFs, and other file types.
If you upload images, you can also use features like online image editing, OCR, or color code extraction, making it convenient to edit and share photos as well.
Conclusion: Sharing Videos That Can't Be Sent on Messenger via URL is Also Recommended
If you are unable to send videos on Facebook Messenger, the first step is to check the size and format of the video.
Especially for large videos or videos in unusual formats, sending directly through Messenger may not be possible. Changing your environment, such as trying from a smartphone if sending fails from a PC, can also be effective.
If it's still not sending, or if you don't want to compress the video and lower the quality, using a file uploader to share via URL is recommended.
With UploadF, you can upload videos from either a PC or smartphone and send the URL of the uploaded file via Messenger to the recipient.
If you find yourself saying, "I can't send a video via Messenger but need to share it immediately," try uploading the video and sharing the URL.
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