How to Fix Discord Not Uploading Images or the "Upload Failed" Error?

How to Fix Discord Not Uploading Images or the “Upload Failed” Error?

Do you keep getting the “Upload Failed” error when sending media on Discord, or do you find that images, videos, or files aren’t uploading?

After relentless attempts at reuploading the file, you may still find yourself staring at that bright red alert as if it were taunting you. For many users, that is the infamous “Upload Failed” error message on Discord:

discord upload failed error message or not uploading images or media

 

In other instances, the image or media might get stuck while uploading to Discord, or worse it doesn’t send at all!

Does this sound all too familiar? Worry not, for we’ve got your back on this. 

Below are 8 fixes we’ve compiled for you to get rid of this pesky error once and for all.

If so, follow along!

 


Table of Contents

  1. Check the Discord Server Status
  2. Update the Discord Client
  3. Test Your Internet Connection
  4. Restart Your Device
  5. Try the Web Version of Discord
  6. Change the Server Region
  7. Check the Privacy Settings
  8. Contact Discord Support

 

1. Check the Discord Server Status

The problem may not lie on your side, but rather on Discord’s end — specifically, their servers. Server maintenance 🔧, attacks, and sudden outages 🔌 are just a few of the reasons why Discord may be experiencing backend issues.

Without the full and proper functionality of its servers, users may run into issues using Discord, primarily the inability to send messages or files.

Well, how do we determine if there are ongoing server-side issues?

Thankfully, there are easy ways to do so! A plethora of websites that track the status of various popular servers are just a Google search away 🔎, but we recommend using Downdetector.

check discord server status if "Upload Failed" or images or media aren't uploading

 

In addition to immediately informing you about the server’s status, it also provides data about the rough locations of those who reported it. Hence, you can find out specifically which region of Discord’s services are down. Plus, there’s an embedded Twitter feed to access Discord’s support account (Step 9) almost instantly. 

Having all this information at a glance will allow you to quickly determine if there’s an issue on their side and not yours.

Additionally, you could also use Discord’s official server status website here.

check discord server status if "Upload Failed" or images or media aren't uploading

 

While it doesn’t have the same type of information as Downdetector such as location tracking, it provides more technical information. Uptime percentages and API response times are just some of them and play an important role in determining server stability and speed.

These server-side issues usually get resolved in a day or two and functionality should be restored thereafter. However, it still doesn’t hurt to bring it up to Discord’s attention, by tweeting to them or contacting their help desk (Step 9).

 

 

2. Update the Discord Client

As with any software, bugs 👾 are inevitable and are a pain to deal with for both the users and the developers. In our case, it could mean that you are unable to send that file to your friend just because of a typo or a single line of bad code!

Luckily, the developers 👨‍💻 and teams at large companies like Discord quickly rectify these issues in the form of updates that you can download. In addition, these updates usually add new features as well!

Therefore, it’s a good idea to keep your Discord client updated to ensure you have the latest bug fixes and features.

 

update the Discord client to fix app bugs

 

For Discord, the download and update buttons are located at the top right of the client in the form of a green download arrow. After the client automatically restarts, you should be greeted with a new version of the client, hopefully resolving your issue sending the file!

update Discord client or app to fix "Upload Failed" error or images not uploading

 

 

3. Test Your Internet Connection

Moving on we suggest checking your device’s Internet connection. It’s important to know if your device has a stable connection since your device cannot interact with Discord’s services without an Internet connection.

While there are countless sites that can test your Internet connection, we recommend running Ookla’s speed test.

Check internet speed with Speedtest if Discord "Upload Failed" error or images not uploading

 

Once your results have been shown, check if the latency and speeds are up to par. Latencies of below 25ms as well as download and upload speeds of at least 10mbps are sufficient to use Discord’s services.

 

 

4. Restart Your Device

Computers and smartphones are very complicating devices, let alone the operating systems (OS) that run on them. For instance, Microsoft Windows 10 has approximately 50 million lines of code!

With that many potential points of failure, the OS may inadvertently load the wrong byte of data into the device’s random access memory (RAM), causing system errors. That may very well be the reason why your files and images aren’t uploading on Discord!

Fortunately, an easy fix is just a few clicks away. Restarting your device wipes the RAM and the system starts fresh, free from any potential errors. In fact, restarting your device is also recommended by Discord themselves.

With that said, the following are the steps to reboot depending on the type of device you’re using:

 

For Windows

Click the Windows icon at the bottom left corner, then from the Start menu, click on the Power button, and choose Restart.

restarting Windows 10 pc to fix Discord Upload Failed error or images not uploading

 

For macOS

The easiest way to prompt a restart is, click the Apple Menu, situated at the top left corner of the screen. Then, from the drop-down, select Restart. At the subsequent message asking “Are you sure you want to restart?”, click Restart.

Restart macOS device to fix Discord Upload Failed error or images not uploading

 

For Android

Press and hold the power button 📴 for a few seconds, then choose Restart when prompted.

restart android to fix Discord Upload Failed error or images not uploading

 

For iPhone/iPad

Press and hold the power button, slide the power off switch 📴. Then, wait a few seconds before turning it on again.

restart iphone to fix Discord Upload Failed error or images not uploading

 

So try uploading that file and now it may just work! 😉

 

 

5. Try the Web Version of Discord

In the past, there have been reports of users being unable to upload images on the Discord client – the version of Discord that is installed onto your device. However, the people having issues with the Discord client are able to upload the very same file using Discord’s web browser version.

The web browser version can be accessed here after logging in with your account credentials.

use discord through web browser to fix Upload Failed error or images not uploading

 

This rather peculiar circumstance can be attributed to a possible bug in the client version of Discord that has yet to be fixed. Conversely, it might be absent in the web browser version. That’s one possible reason why you only see the “Upload Failed” error on the Discord app.

So, if you find success with the web version of Discord, you can use it temporarily.

 

 

6. Change the Server Region

Note: As of 18/04/21, Discord is rolling out a Voice Regions update which automatically determines the best server region. Your server may not have the option to change server location anymore.

If you are only having issues chatting on certain servers and don’t have any problems with direct messages, the obstacle might be the guild’s server location. If you have never set up a guild before, the server’s location can be configured to best suit the needs of those who frequently use the server.

Of course, to change the guild’s server location you must either be an admin or a moderator with guild rights.

Here are the steps to change the server location:

  1. First, click on the server drop-down at the top left.
  2. Then, choose Server Settings.

access discord server settings to change server region to fix Upload Failed error or images not uploading

 

  1. After that, select Overview at the top left.
  2. Use the drop-down to change server location under Server Region.

change discord server region to fix "Upload Failed" error or images not uploading

 

Changing the server location to one that is geographically closer to you will lower the latency and improve the stability of your connection. This improves your messaging experience and potentially allows you to now send that file or fix the Discord Upload Failed error!

 

 

7. Check the Privacy Settings

A plethora of privacy settings are available when looking through Discord’s settings menu, and for good reason. They are all in place to protect you from receiving malicious files which may contain various malware or viruses that may cost you your precious files or even hard-earned money!

Therefore, it is a good idea to keep these safety nets in place when using Discord for added protection. However, in this case, it may actually prevent you from sending that file to your friend.

Here is a list of privacy settings on either party’s side that may prevent you from sending that file:

  • You don’t share a server with the recipient and you’re not friends on Discord.
  • Direct messages to strangers are disabled on the shared server.
  • The recipient only accepts direct messages from friends.
  • The recipient has blocked you.

 

Steps to allow direct messages from server members

For a specific server:

  1. First, click on the server drop-down in the top left.
  2. After that, select Privacy Settings.

access discord server privacy settings to fix "Upload Failed" error or images not uploading

 

  1. Then, click on the toggle for Allow direct messages from server members, and ensure it has a green tick.

check discord privacy settings to fix discord upload failed error or images not uploading

 

For any new servers you’re joining in the future:

  1. First, click on the User Settings icon ⚙️ beside your username at the bottom left.

checking User Settings of Discord client on Windows and macOS

 

  1. After that, select Privacy & Safety under User Settings at the top left.
  2. Next, click on the toggle for Allow direct messages from server members, and ensure it has a green tick.

check discord privacy settings to fix discord upload failed error or images not uploading

 

 

8. Contact Discord Support

Tried all the fixes above and the file still doesn’t seem to upload? At this point, the issue may very well lie out of reach for an individual to fix themselves.

There are a wide variety of reasons as to why the problem is on Discord’s end. This includes discreet bugs 👾 pertaining to very specific cases, user account problems, or even issues with file and message transmission on Discord’s servers. 

Seeing as these are things out of our control, we suggest contacting Discord Support so that they may assist you.

Contact Discord support to fix Discord Upload Failed error or not uploading images

 

Be sure to explain and elaborate your issue to the best of your ability. Doing this will help them replicate your bug to find the root cause of the issue.

 

 

Conclusion

To sum up, those are 8 fixes we recommend to try whenever you’re encountering the “Upload Failed” error or facing upload issues with files, images, or videos on Discord.

After trying each step, it’s good practice to reupload the same file again to determine what was causing the error.

With that being said, hopefully, you’re now able to upload that file again!

Have any other suggestions to fix this issue? Sound off in the comments below!

Feel free to share this post with your Discord lads, who’s getting the “Upload Failed” error.

Written by Pierre Cesario

Pierre Corazo Cesario is a highly skilled Backend Software and DevOps Engineer, with a Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science from Lancaster University, UK. With a passion for technology and programming, Pierre is also an experienced tech writer, creating insightful and informative content for readers seeking to expand their knowledge in the field. In his free time, he answer's technology and coding-related queries on online forums and support websites, such as on StackOverflow, Reddit, etc. With his expertise and commitment to quality, Pierre is a valuable member of the Pletaura.com team.

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