A Comprehensive Guide to WhatsApp Cannot Send Video Error

This issue of being unable to send a video on WhatsApp is very common. There are many causes; sometimes, the cause has nothing to do with UI updates. However, fixing it might be more straightforward than you think. Read to the end to know "Why I cannot send video on WhatsApp" and what to do next.

Part 1. Why I Cannot Send Video on WhatsApp?

As mentioned, many possible reasons could be behind the "WhatsApp cannot send video" error. We can categorize these reasons into three broad categories:

• An issue with the file
• A technical problem with your phone's operating system
• WhatsApp itself has a problem

An Issue With the File

One of the following file-related reasons may be why you can't send a video on WhatsApp:

• File format issue
• Your video size is too large
• The file is corrupted
• A problem with your file’s location

A Technical Issue With Your Phone's Operating System

Two main system-related problems can interfere with how apps, including WhatsApp, perform on your device. They are as follows:

• A temporary system glitch
• The date and time are incorrect

WhatsApp Itself is to Blame

WhatsApp can also face software hitches that can affect its overall performance. Common issues include:

• The app is denied permission to use mobile data in the background
• Problematic cache files
• The app is outdated

Part 2. Fix "Cannot Send Video on WhatsApp" Due to System Hitches?

Below are easy fixes to common system hitches that may be the reason you cannot send videos on WhatsApp:

Fix 1. Restart the Phone to Fix a Temporary System Glitch

Restarting your phone can fix many issues, including the “WhatsApp can’t send this video” error. If a temporary bug or glitch in your system is the cause of the issue, a restart can really help.

After restarting, ensure you have a stable internet connection, then check whether you can send the video. If you still can't, something else is the problem.

Fix 2. Correct Your Device's Date and Time

When your phone's system date and time are incorrect, your applications can crash or not work properly.

Devices with incorrect dates and times can conflict with WhatsApp servers, leading to issues with the app's performance. So, ensure your phone is in sync with the right data and time.

On Android:

Step 1. Go to Settings and search "date & time" using the system's Search.

Step 2. Click Date & time on the search result to open the Date & time window.

Step 3: Turn on the switch next to "Network-provided time."

Step 4: Check your time zone and ensure it's set correctly to your country/region.

On iPhone:

Step 1. Go to Settings and tap General.

Step 2. Select Date & Time, then turn ON the "Set Automatically" switch.

Part 2. How to Fix WhatsApp Cannot Send Video Due to File-Related Issues?

Below, find various ways to fix the "Cannot send video on WhatsApp" error due to file-related issues:

Way 1. Send Video on WhatsApp Using the HD Option

Video format problems can trigger this problem. In fact, here's what a Reddit user had to say about this:

"It's been happening for the past week. I would record a video on the camera app and try to send it on WhatsApp, but it says 'Can't send this video. Choose a different video and try again'. Even recording on the Whatsapp camera says the same thing. So, I had to send them as documents instead as a workaround. But what I've just found out is that sending it with the HD option works just fine."

You can follow these steps to send a video on WhatsApp using the HD option:

Step 1. Go to the chat where you wish to send the video.

Step 2. Tap the plus (+) icon at the bottom-left corner of the chat window.

Step 3. Tap Photo & Video Library to select the video you want to share. That will redirect you to the phone’s photo gallery.

Step 4. Select the video to share from your photo library and tap on it.

Step 5. Tap the HD button on the menu at the top to share your video in high quality.

Note: Selecting the HD option before sharing a video doesn't change the settings for WhatsApp. The subsequent videos you send will remain in standard quality. You must tap HD each time you wish to share a high-quality video or photo.

Step 6. Upon tapping on HD, a popup will appear with the option to share the video in Standard or HD quality. Choose HD quality.

Step 7. Tap the Send button at the bottom right section of the screen to send the video.

Way 2. Send the Video As a File or Link

You can also check your video's file size. The default video size on WhatsApp is 100MB and 720p for users with fast internet connections. It's also set to 64MB and 480p resolution for those with a slower internet connection.

When you can send a video on WhatsApp due to size, try sending it as a file. That way, you can avoid the WhatsApp size limit, as file mode allows up to 2GB.

Step 1. Open a WhatsApp chat and click the Attach icon.

Step 2. Select Document and go to the location where the video is saved.

Step 3. Choose your video and tap Send.

Alternatively, you can upload your video to a cloud storage service like Google Drive and share it on WhatsApp as a link.

Step 1. Open the Google Drive app on your phone and ensure you're signed in to your Google account.

Step 2. Tap the + New button, choose Upload, and follow the prompts to upload your target.

Step 3. Once your video is uploaded, hit the three-dot buttons and choose Share.

Step 4. Click the button under Manage Access. Under General access, set who can view your document.

Step 5. After setting up access, click the Copy link icon at the top corner. This will copy the link to the clipboard.

Step 6. Go to WhatsApp, select the contact or group chat where you want to share the video, and paste the link.

Way 3. Repair the Corruption File First

Sometimes, the file you want to send may be corrupted due to, for example, an earlier download error. Files saved in your device's external storage space, such as an SD card, are more at risk of corruption.

However, even if your file is in the phone's internal memory, it's still worth checking its status. Try to open it using another device, such as a computer. If you can't open the file, it's probably damaged.

Using Repairit Video Repair, you can repair the file in a few easy steps. This is one of the most reliable video repair tools in the industry. It helps users repair all types of corruption in a few clicks and supports most video formats and codecs.

Its batch repair feature lets you repair multiple videos simultaneously, saving you lots of time. Repairit also boasts advanced algorithms that guarantee the highest repair success rate. You can almost count on this tool to restore your videos!

Repair your corrupt video file with Repairit in three simple steps, as follows:

Step 1. Add the corrupted video(s) you would like to repair.

Step 2. Click the Repair button to repair the broken video.

Step 3. Preview your repaired videos and access their quality of repair. Then, save the files to your desired location.

Way 4. Change Your File Location

Your file's directory path could cause certain issues with WhatsApp. To rectify this problem, you can change the file's location on your phone.

To change the location of a file in Android, use the File Manager app as follows:

Step 1. Open File Manager and go to your file's location.

Step 2. Select the file and choose the Move button.

Step 3. Choose the folder in which you want to store the file and click Move here.

Your file has now changed to a new directory location.

Part 4. Fix "WhatsApp Cannot Send Video" Due to A Hitch With the App

Apply the suggested solutions below to fix WhatsApp-related problems and be able to send a video:

Solution 1. Allow WhatsApp to Use Mobile Date in the Background

You may have denied WhatsApp permission to use mobile data in the background. If so, the phone may suspend the uploading process after minimizing the app. Check and allow.

On Android

Step 1. On the home screen, long-press WhatsApp and choose App info from the popup menu.

Step 2. Head to Mobile Data & Wi-Fi.

Step 3. Turn the switches next to Background data and Unrestricted data usage.

On iPhone:

Step 1. Go to Settings and find WhatsApp from the list of apps.

Step 2. Turn on the toggles next to Wi-Fi & Cellular Data and Background App Refresh.

Solution 2. Clear WhatsApp Cached Data

Damaged cache files can also prevent WhatsApp from working properly. So, if you still can’t send this video on WhatsApp, you can clear the app cache to solve the issue.

On Android:

Step 1. Open the Settings app and go to App Management > App List.

Step 2. Find WhatsApp from the list of apps and tap it.

Step 3. Choose Storage usage, then tap Clear cache.

On iPhone:

There is no specific way to erase the WhatsApp cache on iOS. However, you can still remove it by offloading and then reinstalling the app.

Step 1. Go to Settings app and go to General > iPhone Storage.

Step 2. Select WhatsApp, then tap Offload App.

Step 3. Go to the App Store and then reinstall it to reset the app and fix the WhatsApp

Solution 3. Update the WhatsApp App

Updating WhatsApp can help fix technical bugs that may be causing performance issues. To update your WhatsApp on iPhone:

Step 1. Go to the App Store and search WhatsApp.

Step 2. Tap Update to install available updates.

Conclusion

The above guide has informed you about why you can't send a video on WhatsApp. Most importantly, it has discussed ways to fix the problem. Try the methods, depending on your particular scenario, and fix the error to share that video.