9 Ways to Fix Blurry Videos on Instagram

Instagram is a popular platform that allows users to share photos and videos, and engage with their followers. Video content, in particular, has been proven to generate higher levels of engagement.

However, it's crucial to maintain high quality in your videos, as poor quality can negatively impact user experience and engagement. The content must be of high quality to ensure that it can be properly enjoyed by the audience.

Unfortunately, some users experience an issue where their high-quality videos become blurry or pixelated once uploaded to Instagram. If you've encountered this problem, don't worry - we're here to help!

In this article, we'll discuss about the potential causes of this issue and provide tips on how to upload videos to Instagram without losing quality.

How to Fix Broken Videos on Instagram

To ensure that your video editing efforts are not wasted and the quality of your videos is maintained upon uploading, consider implementing the following methods:

1. Disabling Data Saver and Enabling High-Quality Uploads

Source: businessinsider.com

Instagram, as a popular social media platform, has implemented a feature called Data Saver to help users conserve their mobile data usage. This feature can be accessed through the settings menu within the Instagram app.

When Data Saver is active, Instagram compresses the content you upload to a greater extent, which can result in reduced video quality. To prevent this, it's advisable to disable Data Saver and enable the "Upload at Highest Quality" mode. Follow the steps below to make these adjustments:

• Open the Instagram app and tap on your profile picture, which is located at the bottom right corner of the screen.

• Tap the three stacked lines symbol (hamburger menu) in the top right corner.

• Select the "Settings" menu.

• Choose "Preferences."

• Select the "Cellular Data Use" menu.

• Tap on the "Data Saver" toggle until it's grayed out, indicating that the feature is disabled.
• Enable the "Upload at Highest Quality" mode by toggling it on.

By deactivating Data Saver, you've made the initial move towards enhancing your Instagram video quality. To manage your mobile data consumption effectively, consider connecting to an unlimited WiFi network when uploading videos.

Remember, simply turning off Data Saver might not be enough to achieve the best video quality. So, don't hesitate to look into other techniques that could further optimize your Instagram video uploads.

2. Upload Using a PC

Videos uploaded via mobile devices are often more compressed than those uploaded using a PC. This is due to the fact that mobile apps focus on efficiency and speed. To upload videos through a PC, follow these steps:

• Open the Instagram website on a browser such as Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge, or Firefox.
• Log in to your account.
• Select Create and choose the video you want to upload.

Alternatively, you can upload videos on a PC using a mobile display. Here are the step. 

• Open the Instagram website on a browser such as Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge, or Firefox.
• Ensure that your account is connected, then right-click on the page and select Inspect, or use the shortcut Ctrl + Shift + I.

• Click the icon shown in the image below to change the view to a mobile view. If the symbol is blue, the mobile version has been activated.
• Refresh the Instagram page, and the upload button will appear.

The Instagram interface on Google Chrome will now resemble the smartphone application, allowing you to upload videos as usual.

3. Check Internet Network Quality

Instagram relies on an internet connection to function properly. If your network connection is slow, the platform will compress and reduce the quality of the content you view and upload.

To address this issue, check your internet speed and ensure that it is stable to reduce the likelihood of Instagram degrading your video quality. Use speed test sites like Speedtest.net or Fast.com and aim for an internet speed of at least 10 Mbps for smoother video uploads to Instagram.

4. Use Lossless File Transfer Methods

If you're unable or prefer not to upload videos via your PC, transferring video files to your smartphone becomes necessary. Keep in mind that certain transfer techniques can compromise video quality. For example, forwarding a video from your PC to your phone via WhatsApp or LINE typically involves compressing the video for swift transfer, which may degrade the quality.

For quality-preserving file transfers, USB File Transfer stands out as a simple method to move data from your PC to your Android device without any compression.

For transfers from a MacBook to an iOS device, consider using AirDrop as an alternative. If your computer fails to detect your data cable, cloud services like Google Drive and OneDrive can serve as reliable alternatives. These platforms enable sync with mobile devices and ensure the integrity of uploaded files.

5. Use 4K Resolution or at least 1080p 60 fps

Instagram will always compress videos, but you can reduce this impact by uploading videos at 4K resolution. Even though the end resolution won't be 4K once uploaded, a video with higher resolution will maintain a higher bitrate.

Uploading a 4K video initially means that any downgrade will still result in a better-quality video than if the original resolution was 1080p. Higher options like 4K 60 fps or 8K are also beneficial. However, a 1080p 60 fps video resolution is still acceptable, particularly for front-camera video recordings.

Unfortunately, not all phones, particularly entry-level models, are equipped with 4K or 1080p 60 fps video recording capabilities. However, several mid-range and high-end phones typically feature these options for both front and rear cameras.

To modify the recording resolution, navigate to the camera settings on your phone. Since different phone models have different interfaces, you may need to experiment with various settings to enhance video quality.

6. Update the App

At times, poor video quality may be a result of outdated apps. To address this issue, ensure that your Instagram app is up-to-date. Updated applications often bring numerous enhancements, such as bug fixes, which could potentially resolve issues related to poor video quality if they are caused by an app glitch.

The process of updating Instagram is super easy. Simply launch the Google Play Store, look for the Instagram app, and if an update is available, you'll see an option to update the application. Tap on the update button and patiently wait for the process to finish. Once updated, launch the Instagram app and attempt to upload your video once more.

7. Adhere to Instagram Video Format Restrictions

It is essential not to overlook Instagram video format restrictions when uploading content. These restrictions vary depending on the type of video you wish to upload. For instance, an Instagram Story can only be uploaded if the video is less than 1 minute in length.

Additionally, the file size for Stories and Instagram feed videos must not exceed 4 GB, as larger files will be compressed by the server, resulting in poorer quality.

For IGTV videos, those under 10 minutes in length should not exceed 650 MB in size. If the video is under 60 minutes long, it must remain under 3.6 GB.

Instagram Reels videos have specific requirements as well. To upload Reels, ensure that the video has an aspect ratio of 9:16. The maximum resolution for Instagram Reels is 1080 x 1920 pixels, while the minimum is 600 x 1067 pixels.

In general, Instagram only recognizes MP4 video formats, so ensure that your video is in this format before uploading. Additionally, to achieve maximum video quality, it is recommended to follow these guidelines:

• Use the H.264 video codec
• Use appropriate aspect ratios (1:1 for feed, 9:16 for Story and Reels)
• Keep the frame rate below 30 FPS

If your video does not meet these requirements, Instagram may over-compress the file, resulting in poor quality. You can convert and edit your video using any video editing app you are comfortable with.

8. Utilize the App's Built-in Camera

Using Instagram's built-in camera to take photos or record videos can often yield clearer and better results than using your phone's default camera. Therefore, it's worth trying to capture content directly through Instagram's camera, especially after updating the app.

9. Utilize Third-Party Applications

If a video surpasses Instagram's requirements, the platform may excessively compress it, resulting in a significant drop in quality. To avoid this, you can convert and edit your video using any preferred video editing app or opt for Instagram story maker applications. Here are a couple of noteworthy recommendations:

• StoryLab

StoryLab is a reliable app that allows you to edit your videos according to Instagram's recommended format. It offers aspect ratio options created for Instagram Stories, Reels, Feeds, and IGTV videos, such as 9:16, 4:5, and 1:1.

Moreover, StoryLab is equipped with features for creating animated videos and filters. For animated videos, there is a vast selection of templates to choose from, and you can add animations manually or automatically via the timeline option.

Please note that not all animation templates are available for free, as some are part of the premium features. Download the StoryLab app for Android on the Google Play Store and StoryLab for iPhone/iPad on the App Store.

• VLLO

VLLO is a video editing app designed for social media platforms. The app offers an array of features, including an easy-to-use editing timeline, music, sound effects, filters, stickers, and more.

With VLLO, you can remove video backgrounds using the chromakey feature and add animations or motion effects. The app also provides Instagram-specific video aspect ratio options to choose from.

In terms of features, VLLO earns high marks, and its user interface is very user-friendly. Even beginners can easily use this app. However, not all features can be accessed for free; for instance, only a limited selection of music is available without a subscription.

Download VLLO for Android on the Google Play Store and VLLO for iPhone/iPad on the App Store.

Implementing these strategies can help maintain the quality of your videos when uploading them to Instagram, ensuring they don't become distorted. Instagram presents numerous opportunities for businesses and corporations, as it can expand reach and elevate brand awareness.

Consequently, it's crucial not to present a poorly formatted video, as it can lead to audience alienation and have a detrimental impact on the brand's overall reputation. Which of these methods have you tried? Or do you have additional tips and tricks not mentioned here? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments section!