Is the file upload feature not working on Slack?
One of the best features of Slack is file sharing. Since the platform is mainly used for remote work, sharing files with your workmates makes it easier for you to collaborate to accomplish projects faster.
Sadly, this feature is not always working, and you may experience occasional problems while using it.
If you’re here, it’s safe to assume that the file upload feature is not working on Slack.
This can be a problem, especially if you need to submit a report to your team leader, hand over a project to another division, or simply share images with your team.
Most of the time, server-related problems are the common reason why the upload feature is not working on Slack. You could also be using an outdated version of the app, or your network is running slow.
Whichever the case is, we’re here to help.
Today, we will show you how to fix the file upload feature if it’s not working on Slack.
Let’s get started!
1. Check Slack Servers.
The first thing that you should always do when experiencing problems with Slack is to check the status of its services. Fortunately, Slack has a system status page, where they give updates about the platform’s current situation.
If there’s a problem with Slack, the only thing you can do for now is waiting for their team to address the situation.
On the other hand, you can proceed to the next method below to fix the issue on your end if Slack’s servers are up and running.
2. Restart Your Device.
Your device or system may have run into an unexpected error that caused applications like Slack not to function correctly. If this is the case, we suggest restarting your device to reload its resources.
For Windows users, follow the steps below to restart your computer:
- Access the Start Menu by clicking the Windows icon on the Taskbar.
- Next, go to the Power tab.
- Finally, click the Restart option.
On macOS, you can restart your system by doing the following:
- First, click on the Apple logo at the top left portion of your display.
- After that, choose the Restart option.
- Lastly, click Restart again to proceed.
If you are using an Android device, see the steps below to restart your system:
- Locate the Power button on your Android device.
- Next, press and hold it until the selection screen shows up.
- Finally, tap on Restart.
On iOS devices, here’s what you need to do to restart it:
- Open the Assistive Touch on your screen and go to Device.
- Now, tap on More.
- Finally, choose the Restart option to reboot your system.
After restarting your device, go back to Slack and see if you can now upload files.
3. Check Your Network Connection.
Since you’re uploading files to Slack’s servers, a stable internet connection is needed to avoid issues. If the file upload feature is not working on Slack, it may indicate that your network is unstable or slow.
Run a test using Fast.com to confirm if your network is the problem. This will measure your connection’s upload and download speed.
If the result shows that your network is the culprit, power cycle your modem or router to re-establish the connection with your service provider. Unplug your router from the power source and wait for 5 to 10 seconds before plugging it back in.
Once done, perform another speed test on your network to confirm if you’re now getting the correct speeds indicated on your monthly subscription. Contact your internet provider if the issue persists and ask them to fix their service.
4. Upload Fewer Files.
When sharing files on Slack, you need to remember that it should not exceed 1GB. If you need to share a large file or folder with your team, we suggest doing it in batches to avoid issues. Be sure to name the folders in order so that your team won’t have a hard time joining the files back after uploading them.
You can also try compressing it on a .ZIP file and see if you can reduce the file size to less than 1GB.
If you cannot send images on Slack, please visit our dedicated guide regarding this matter to help you out.
5. Update the Slack App.
You can also try updating the Slack app if you cannot upload files. It’s possible that you are using an old version of Slack, or it has an underlying issue related to uploading files.
For the dedicated desktop app, follow the guide below to update it:
- First, launch the desktop app on your Mac or Windows computer.
- After that, click on the Menu button.
- Lastly, hover your mouse to the Help tab and click on Check for Updates.
On iOS devices, you can update Slack by doing the following:
- On your home screen, tap on the App Store to launch it.
- Next, go to your Profile and look for Slack on the list of applications with an available update.
- Finally, tap the Update button beside Slack to install the latest version.
If you are using an Android device, see the steps below to update Slack:
- Launch the Google Play Store on your device and tap on your Profile.
- Now, go to Manage Apps and Device.
- After that, tap on Updates Available.
- Finally, locate Slack from the list and hit the Update button.
After updating Slack, try uploading a file to check if the problem is solved.
6. Clear Your Browsing Data.
For browser users, we suggest clearing your browsing data if the file upload feature is not working on Slack. Your browser’s caches may have accumulated already or have become corrupted due to unexpected errors.
Follow the steps below to clear your browser’s cache and data:
- First, open your preferred browser and access its Settings.
- After that, find the Privacy and Security tab.
- Now, click on Clear Browsing Data and change the Time Range to All Time.
- Lastly, include caches and cookies in the process, then hit the Clear Data button to start.
After clearing your browsing data, go back to Slack to check if the problem is solved.
7. Clear Slack’s Cache.
If you are using the dedicated desktop app, we recommend clearing your app cache and data if Slack’s file upload feature is not working. This will remove any corrupted files from Slack and should fix the file upload issue.
Here’s how you can do this process:
- Launch the Slack app on your computer and access the Menu tab.
- Next, point your cursor to the Help tab and select Troubleshooting.
- Finally, hit the Clear Cache and Restart button to start the process.
After clearing your app cache, try uploading a file to check if the problem is solved.
If the file upload feature is still not working on Slack, go back to Menu > Help > Troubleshooting and click the Reset App Data option.
8. Turn Off VPN.
VPNs or virtual private networks are third-party programs that protect your data online. They also bypass restrictions set by your ISP and help you access applications that are not available for your region.
To do this, they assign a different IP address to your network and filter the data going in and out of your device.
Unfortunately, this process can interfere with the quality of your connection and cause problems to online applications such as Slack.
If you are uploading a file on the platform, disable your VPN first to avoid issues.
On the other hand, you can switch to a much more reliable provider such as PureVPN if you don’t want to disable your VPN while browsing online. Compared to other VPNs, PureVPN keeps your network stable for uninterrupted browsing and file uploads.
9. Reinstall Slack.
If the file upload feature is still not working on Slack, we suggest that you just reinstall the app on your device. This way, you can ensure that you have the latest working copy of Slack installed on your system.
For Windows computers, check out the steps below to delete Slack:
- On your computer, access the Control Panel and click on Uninstall a Program.
- After that, locate the Slack app from the list of programs on your system.
- Finally, right-click on Slack and select Uninstall.
If you are using a macOS device, see the steps below to remove Slack from your system:
- First, open the Finder app on your Mac.
- Next, find the Slack app from the list.
- Lastly, drag Slack to the Trash to delete it from your computer.
On iOS and Android, follow the guide below to uninstall Slack:
- On your home screen, find the Slack app.
- Now, press and hold its app icon until you see the options menu.
- Finally, tap the Remove App or Uninstall option to delete Slack.
After removing Slack, go to their official website to download the installer again. If you are using a mobile device, access the Play Store or App Store and reinstall Slack from there.
Try uploading a file afterward to check if the problem is solved.
10. Contact Slack Support.
If none of the solutions above worked to fix the file upload issue on Slack, we recommend contacting their team.
Visit Slack’s Help Center, where you can browse their guides and find possible solutions for your problem. On the other hand, you can also contact their customer support to ask for assistance if you can’t find any answers.
This ends our guide for fixing the file upload feature if it is not working on Slack. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to let us know in the comment section below, and we’ll be glad to help you out.
If this guide helped you, please share it. 🙂
