Uploading a video to sites like YouTube, Facebook, or Vimeo can be frustrating when the status gets stuck on “processing” for a long time. There are several potential reasons why your video may not finish processing right away.
Common Causes of Slow Video Processing
Here are some of the most common culprits that can lead to delays in video processing:
Large File Size
The larger your video file, the longer it will take to process. Most video sites have recommended file size limits that will process faster. For example:
| Site | Recommended File Size |
|---|---|
| YouTube | 128GB or smaller |
| 4GB or smaller | |
| Vimeo | 5GB or smaller |
Uploading a video that exceeds the recommended size can lead to much longer processing times. Try to reduce your video file size before uploading.
Length of Video
In addition to file size, a very long video will also take longer to process. Most platforms recommend keeping videos under 15 minutes for faster processing. Anything over 30 minutes will dramatically increase processing time.
High Resolution Video
The higher the resolution of your video, the longer the processing time. For example, a 4K video will take much longer than a 720p video. If possible, try lowering the resolution before uploading to speed up processing.
Peak Traffic Times
Popular video sites tend to get high volumes of uploads during certain peak times. This can slow down their processing speeds. Try uploading during off-peak hours like early morning or late night for faster processing.
Optimizing Your Video for Faster Processing
Here are some tips to optimize your video for faster processing:
- Use video editing software to compress your file size before uploading. This will reduce resolution and bitrate which speeds up processing.
- Trim any unnecessary footage from the beginning or end of your video to shorten the length.
- Lower the resolution if uploading in 4K is not essential. 720p or 1080p will process much faster.
- Use a video converter to change the container format to MP4 or MOV, which process quicker than formats like AVI or MKV.
- Upload when site traffic is lower, like early mornings on weekdays.
- Allow plenty of time for processing. Very large or long videos can take many hours to complete.
Troubleshooting Stuck Processing Issues
If you’ve optimized your video but it still gets stuck processing, here are some troubleshooting steps to try:
Verify Your Internet Connection
Any interruption to your internet connection during upload or processing can cause issues. Make sure you have a stable, high-speed connection when uploading video files.
Check Site Status Pages
There could be a system-wide issue delaying processing if many users are reporting problems. Check the video site’s status page for any notifications.
Contact Customer Support
If re-uploading does not resolve the issue, you may need to contact the video site’s customer support for assistance with stuck processing.
Try a Different Browser or Device
Browser incompatibilities can sometimes lead to upload problems. Try uploading from a different browser or device if possible.
Update Your Software
Using outdated software can cause glitches. Make sure to keep your operating system, browser, video editing applications, etc. up to date.
Check Video Codecs
Issues with incompatible codecs or corrupted codec data in your video file could prevent processing. Re-encode the video with updated software.
Clear Cookies and Cache
Built-up browser data can sometimes interfere with uploading and processing. Try clearing your cookies and cache to see if that helps.
Preventing Future Processing Issues
Once you resolve your stuck processing issue, you can take steps to avoid potential problems on future uploads:
- Adhere to the recommended file size and length limits.
- Use optimal encoding settings when exporting your video.
- Upload when site traffic is lowest for fastest processing.
- Double check that your video plays back properly before uploading.
- Test uploads with small sample videos first.
- Use the latest software and browser versions.
Understanding Processing Stages
When you upload a video, it will go through several phases as it gets processed:
Uploading
This is when the video file transfers from your device to the platform’s servers. Upload speed depends on your internet connection and the video site’s traffic levels.
Transcoding
The raw video file gets encoded into formats compatible for streaming and playback. This involves compressing and converting the file type.
Thumbnail Extraction
The video site will select an image from your video to use as the thumbnail preview that viewers see.
Metadata Processing
Any metadata like titles, descriptions, tags, captions, etc. gets processed and associated with your video in this stage.
Publishing
Finally, once all processing is complete, the video gets published to your account and is viewable to others.
Conclusion
Getting stuck on processing can be a headache, but in most cases you can resolve the issue by optimizing your video and troubleshooting potential problems. The most common fixes include lowering resolution, shortening length, compressing file size, re-encoding, adjusting upload timing, and checking for platform issues. With the right encoding settings and upload practices, you can avoid protracted processing delays and quickly share videos with your audience.