How to Upload a Video on Facebook Longer Than 30 Seconds

You've edited the perfect video, a masterpiece that clocks in at a minute and a half, only to find Facebook stopping you in your tracks during the upload. It feels like hitting an invisible wall, leaving you wondering if there's a secret 30-second rule nobody told you about. This guide will walk you through exactly why this happens and give you the step-by-step methods to upload longer videos to Facebook without the frustration.

First, Let's Bust the 30-Second Myth: Facebook's Real Video Limits

Before we get into troubleshooting, let's clear up a major misconception. Facebook does not have a 30-second limit for standard video uploads. In fact, its limits are quite generous. The roadblock you're hitting is almost always caused by where you're trying to post the video or how you're uploading it. Different video placements have different rules.

Here are the official video length limits across Facebook as of today:

• Facebook Feed Videos: Up to 240 minutes (4 hours). Yes, you read that right. Your standard, scrollable feed post can host a very long video, which is ideal for interviews, tutorials, documentary-style content, and more. The file size limit is up to 10GB.
• Facebook Reels: Up to 90 seconds. Reels are Facebook’s answer to TikTok and are designed for short, attention-grabbing content. If your video is 91 seconds or longer, it won’t work as a Reel.
• Facebook Stories: Video clips are limited to 60 seconds per Story card. If you upload a longer video, Facebook’s app will automatically chop it into 60-second segments. While you can upload a multi-minute video this way, the viewing experience can be disjointed. Stories are designed for quick, ephemeral updates, not long-form content.
• Facebook Live: Up to 8 hours. If you're streaming live, you have an enormous amount of time to engage with your audience.
• Facebook In-Stream Video Ads: These typically range from 5 seconds to 10 minutes, although Facebook recommends keeping them much shorter (around 15 seconds) for the best performance.

So, the “30-second limit” is a myth. The problem you’re facing is likely related to one of the common issues below.

Why Your Video Fails: Common Roadblocks and Simple Fixes

Now that you know the official rules, let’s identify what’s likely causing your upload issue. It usually comes down to one of four things.

1. You're Uploading to the Wrong Place

This is the most common reason creators run into trouble. You have a three-minute video that you want to share, but you hit the “Create Reel” or “Create Story” button by mistake.

• The Problem: The user interface for creating a Reel, a Story, and a regular Feed post can look similar, especially on the mobile app. It's easy to tap the wrong button and get an error message because your two-minute behind-the-scenes video is too long for the 90-second Reel format.
• The Fix: Double-check where you're posting. For any video longer than 90 seconds, make sure you are creating a standard Feed post. On the mobile app, this usually starts with the "What's on your mind?" field at the top of your screen, then selecting "Photo/Video." This directs the video to your main feed, where the 240-minute limit applies.

2. Your Internet Connection Is Working Against You

Video files are big. A five-minute, high-definition video can easily be hundreds of megabytes, if not a gigabyte or more. Uploading a large file requires a stable and strong internet connection.

• The Problem: A spotty Wi-Fi connection or weak cellular data can cause the upload to time out halfway through. The app doesn’t always give you a clear error message like "Connection Failed." Instead, it might just perpetually spin, get stuck at 99%, or fail silently, making you think the problem is with the video itself.
• The Fix: Before uploading a large video file, connect to a reliable Wi-Fi network. If possible, move closer to your router to get the strongest signal. Avoid uploading large files over cellular data unless you have a very strong 5G connection. You can also run a quick speed test (just Google "internet speed test") to see what your upload speed is. Anything below 5 Mbps might struggle with larger video files.

3. Your File Isn't Speaking Facebook's Language

Just like people, computers have different languages and formats they prefer. While Facebook supports a wide range of video formats, some are more optimized and reliable than others.

• The Problem: Your video might be in a less common format, like .AVI, .WMV, or a professional codec that Facebook’s processors struggle to handle. This can lead to upload failures or processing errors where the video looks distorted after it's uploaded.
• The Fix: Stick to the universally accepted formats. Facebook’s recommended video settings are:
  • Container: MP4 or MOV. MP4 is generally the most compatible and reliable format for the web.
  • Codec: H.264 video codec and AAC audio codec. Most modern cameras, phones, and editing software use this as the default, but it's always good to check your export settings.
  • Resolution: 1080p (1920x1080 pixels) or lower is perfectly fine. While you can upload 4K, it creates a much larger file and isn’t always necessary for mobile viewing.
  If your video isn't in this format, you can use a free video converter tool like HandBrake to change it to an optimized MP4 before you try uploading again.

4. You're Using the Wrong Tool for the Job (Mobile App vs. Desktop)

While the Facebook mobile app is convenient for quick updates, it's not the most robust tool for handling large video files. The desktop experience consistently offers more stability and control.

• The Problem: The mobile app is designed for "on-the-go" use, and its uploader can be less tolerant of large files and shaky connections. The app might compress your video more aggressively, sometimes leading to quality loss, or simply fail the upload entirely with little explanation.
• The Fix: For any video over a minute or two, switch to your computer. Uploading through a web browser on a desktop or laptop with a stable internet connection is the single most effective way to solve upload problems. This method uses a more powerful uploader and gives you access to a suite of professional tools.

The Gold Standard: Your Step-by-Step Guide to Uploading Long Videos on a Computer

Ready to wave goodbye to upload errors for good? Uploading from your computer via Meta Business Suite is the most professional and reliable method. It gives you far more options for optimizing and scheduling your post.

Step 1: Navigate to Meta Business Suite

Go to business.facebook.com. If you manage a Facebook Page for a brand, business, or creator, you already have access to this. It’s a centralized hub for managing your Facebook and Instagram presence.

Step 2: Create a New Post

Once you're in the Business Suite, look for the big blue button that says “Create post.” Click on it. This will open a detailed posting window that gives you more control than the mobile app.

Step 3: Upload Your Video

In the post creation window, make sure your Page is selected. Then, find the button that says “Add video.” You’ll have the option to “Upload from desktop.” Select your video file and let the upload begin. You'll see a clear progress bar that shows both the upload and processing stages.

Step 4: Optimize Your Video Details

This is where the desktop method really starts to shine. While the video is processing, you can fill out several fields to make your video more discoverable and engaging:

• Video Title: Give your video a clear, descriptive title. This is important for search and helps people know what they're about to watch.
• Description: Write your caption in the main text box. Add context, ask questions to encourage comments, and include relevant links.
• Thumbnail: Don't leave your thumbnail to chance! You can select a frame from the video, or better yet, upload a custom-designed thumbnail image. A compelling thumbnail dramatically increases your click-through rate.
• Tags: Add relevant keywords so Facebook's algorithm can better understand your video's topic and show it to people who might be interested.

Step 5: Publish or Schedule Your Post

Once your video has finished processing and you’ve filled out all the details, you have a few options at the bottom of the window:

• Publish Now: Post the video to your Page immediately.
• Schedule: Choose a specific date and time in the future for your video to go live. This is perfect for planning content ahead of time and posting when your audience is most active.
• Save as Draft: If you're not ready to publish, you can save your progress and come back to it later.

By following this process, you not only bypass the common upload errors but also give your video the best possible chance to succeed.

Your Go-To Checklist for Perfect Video Uploads

Feeling overwhelmed? Keep this simple checklist handy for the next time you post a video.

• Check the Destination: Is your video longer than 90 seconds? Make sure you're creating a Feed Post, not a Reel or Story.
• Use Strong Wi-Fi: Don’t rely on a weak mobile connection for large files.
• Format Correctly: Export your film as an MP4 file with H.264 video and AAC audio.
• Prioritize Desktop: For videos longer than a minute, a computer is your best friend.
• Upload via Business Suite: Use Facebook's professional tools for the most stability and features.
• Be Patient: Large videos take time to upload and process. Let it finish before closing the window.

Final Thoughts

That frustrating 30-second "limit" you've been running into has nothing to do with Facebook hating long videos. It's almost always a symptom of using the wrong tool for the job, having an unstable connection, or uploading to a format with shorter time limits like Reels. By switching to a desktop browser and using Meta Business Suite, you’ll not only solve the problem but also unlock professional tools to make your content perform better.

Dealing with individual upload glitches is one thing, but managing a whole calendar of video content is another challenge entirely. Since modern social media is so focused on short-form video, we built Postbase from the ground up to make that process easier. Our platform is designed to handle video formats like Reels and Shorts seamlessly, so you can schedule content across all your accounts without wrestling with annoying format issues or worrying about failed posts. Our goal is to take the technical headache out of consistently showing up with great content, letting you focus on creating instead of troubleshooting.