If your uploads are taking a long time, stalling, or failing altogether, the issue is usually related to internet upload speed, unstable Wi-Fi, or very large file sizes.
This can be especially noticeable when uploading high-resolution image galleries or large media files. The good news is that there are a few simple ways to improve reliability and reduce failed uploads.
Why this happens
Uploads depend on your upload speed, not your download speed.
Many internet connections advertise fast download speeds, but upload speeds can be much lower. If your upload speed is limited, or your connection is unstable, large files may take a long time to upload or may time out before they finish.
Other common causes include:
Uploading over Wi-Fi instead of a hardwired connection
Very large image files
Network interruptions during upload
Slow internet speeds in rural or shared-workspace environments
How to troubleshoot slow or failed uploads
Here are the first things we recommend checking:
Test your upload speed
Go to speedtest.net
Run a test and pay close attention to the upload result
Your upload speed is the number that matters most for sending files to Show&Tour
Use a hardwired ethernet connection when possible
Wi-Fi can be less stable, even if it seems fast
A direct ethernet connection is usually more reliable for large uploads
This is especially helpful when uploading full-resolution photo galleries or larger project files
Try uploading fewer files at a time
If you are working with a very large batch, splitting it into smaller groups can help reduce timeouts or interruptions
Check for network interruptions
Pause any heavy internet use on the same network
Avoid uploading while cloud backups, video calls, or large downloads are running in the background
Recommended image file size
For the best upload reliability, we recommend keeping images at around 30 MB or less per image.
This is not a strict requirement, and we understand many photographers want to preserve the highest possible image quality. But in practice, keeping files near this range helps reduce upload failures, improves overall speed, and supports better server reliability.
Should I compress my images?
In many cases, yes.
Image compression can be a smart workflow step, especially if you have slower internet or regularly work with very large files. The goal is not to noticeably reduce quality. It is simply to make files easier and faster to upload while still delivering professional results.
A few things to keep in mind:
Compression is recommended, not required
High-quality compression can often reduce file size significantly with little to no visible difference for the client
Smaller files can help prevent failed uploads and save storage space over time
This is especially useful for photographers with slower upload speeds
Workarounds for very large file deliveries
If you regularly need to deliver very large, high-resolution files, using an external file delivery service can be a more reliable option.
We recommend using:
Google Drive
Dropbox
These integrations can be great workarounds for delivering especially large files without running into browser or connection timeout issues. If needed, you can use those services for the heavy file transfer portion of the project while continuing to use Show&Tour for your client experience and branded delivery workflow.
Best practices to avoid upload issues
To keep uploads running smoothly, we recommend:
Testing your upload speed regularly
Using ethernet instead of Wi-Fi whenever possible
Keeping images around 30 MB or less
Compressing files when it makes sense for your workflow
Using Google Drive or Dropbox for unusually large, high-resolution deliveries
These steps can make a big difference in both upload reliability and overall efficiency.
If you have questions or need further assistance, feel free to contact our support team at [email protected]
We’re here to help! 😃