👷 Troubleshooting Instagram posting errors

We understand that troubleshooting Instagram posting errors can be frustrating. It's important to note that Instagram's API, on which our tool relies, may occasionally generate errors beyond our control.

In this article, we'll help you navigate common Instagram posting errors and provide step-by-step troubleshooting solutions within our application's capabilities.

You can find more detailed information about the common errors from the Instagram API in the Instagram documentation: https://developers.facebook.com/docs/instagram-api/reference/error-codes/

Before you begin

Make sure you’ve correctly added your social accounts to Creasquare in the Connections tab. To learn more, see Social media connections to Creasquare. Then, make sure you are uploading content that answers each platforms’ requirements in terms of format, size and community guidelines.

"The post contains too many hashtags. Instagram accepts a maximum of 30 hashtags."

You tried to post more than 30 hashtags in your publication. Either in the captions or in the first comment. Instagram allows a maximum of 30 hashtags per publication. Try reducing the number of hashtags and re-post your content.

To learn more about Instagram limitations, check out Instagram's help center: https://help.instagram.com/351460621611097

"Unsupported video format."

This error indicates that the video format you are trying to publish on Instagram is not supported. Instagram has specific requirements for video formats:

• Container: MOV or MP4 (MPEG-4 Part 14), no edit lists, moov atom at the front of the file.

• Audio codec: AAC, 48khz sample rate maximum, 1 or 2 channels (mono or stereo).

• Video codec: HEVC or H264, progressive scan, closed GOP, 4:2:0 chroma subsampling.

• Frame rate: 23-60 FPS.

• Picture size:

  • Maximum columns (horizontal pixels): 1920

  • Required aspect ratio is between 0.01:1 and 10:1 but we recommend 9:16 to avoid cropping or blank space.

• Video bitrate: VBR, 25Mbps maximum

• Audio bitrate: 128kbps

• Duration: 15 mins maximum, 3 seconds minimum

• File size: 1GB maximum

To resolve this error, you'll need to ensure that your video is in a supported format and meets the required specifications.

Note: Instagram allows MOV videos, but it doesn't work consistently. This is why we only allow MP4 videos.

More information on Instagram's documentation here: https://developers.facebook.com/docs/instagram-api/reference/ig-user/media#video-specifications

"The Instagram account is inactive, checkpointed, or restricted. Please sign in to the Instagram app and complete any actions the app requires to re-enable the account."

This error message suggests that there is an issue with the Instagram account associated with your Creasquare application.

It could be inactive, flagged for security reasons, or restricted. To resolve this error, you need to sign in to the Instagram app directly and follow any instructions or complete any required actions to reactivate your account.

"The session has been invalidated because you have changed your password, or Facebook has changed the session for security reasons"

This error indicates that the session between Creasquare and Instagram has been invalidated.

It can occur when you change your Instagram password or if Facebook, which owns Instagram, has made changes for security purposes. To resolve this error, you'll need to sign in again to Creasquare, reauthorize your Instagram account, and ensure that the session remains valid.

Note: Please make sure that the connection between your Facebook page and Instagram account is still active before coming back to Creasquare.

"You did not provide Creasquare with the right permissions."

This error occurs when Creasquare does not have the necessary permissions to perform the requested action on your Instagram account.

To resolve this error, you need to review and grant the required permissions to Creasquare in order to publish content on your behalf. This can typically be done by adjusting the settings in your Instagram account's connected apps, or by following the authorization process within Creasquare.

"Instagram server error. Please try again."

This error suggests that there was an issue on Instagram's server while processing your request to publish content.

It is a temporary server-side error, and retrying the operation after some time might resolve the issue. If the error persists, it is recommended to reach out to Instagram's support for further assistance.

"The uploaded image is too large. It needs to be a maximum of 8 MB for Instagram."

This error occurs when the image you are trying to publish on Instagram exceeds the maximum file size limit allowed by the platform, which is 8 MB.

To resolve this error, you'll need to resize or compress the image to reduce its file size while maintaining acceptable quality before attempting to publish it on Instagram.

You can do this with Creasquare's integrated creative studio. Learn more here: https://helpcenter.creasquare.io/en/creative-studio/how-to-use-creative-studio

Still having issues?

Re-authorize the Facebook API

If everything looks good but you are still having issues, try to re-authorize the Facebook API with Creasquare. You will need to connect to the Facebook business integrations.

Please follow the end of page tutorial available here: https://helpcenter.creasquare.io/en/social-profile-connections/troubleshooting-facebook-connection

Important: If you see a "Review Account Connection" notice on your Facebook Page, you have to review the connection. Otherwise, Creasquare will not be able to detect your Instagram Page.

That's it!