Why do I fail to upload some large files in my cloudinary media library (either via the Upload button or the API)?

When uploading large files to your Cloudinary media library via the upload button or API, several factors can prevent the upload from succeeding. Understanding these can help troubleshoot and resolve the issue effectively.

1. File Size Limitations

• Account Plan Limits: Different Cloudinary plans have varying file size limits. Free and lower-tier plans have stricter size restrictions compared to higher-tier plans.

  • Free Plan: Maximum upload size is typically around 10MB to 20MB.
  • Higher Plans: Allow larger files, up to several gigabytes.

• Upload Settings: Cloudinary allows customization of upload limits within the constraints of your plan. Ensure that your account settings are configured to permit the upload of larger files. The standard upload size depends on the plan you are subscribed to. The comparison between pricing and the various file size limits can be seen here: https://cloudinary.com/pricing/compare-plans

2. Network and Bandwidth Issues

• Network Stability: Unstable internet connections can lead to timeouts or interrupted uploads, especially for large files.
• Bandwidth Limits: Uploading large files requires significant bandwidth. Limited upload speed can result in long upload times, increasing the chance of failure.

3. API

• Chunked Uploads: For very large files, Cloudinary supports chunked uploads, which break the file into smaller parts for upload. This method is more reliable but must be correctly implemented in your API calls.
  Please note that uploads of files larger than 100 MB must use chunked uploading and you will receive an error if you attempt to upload larger files without using chunked uploads. Chunked uploading is performed by default using the Media Library and Upload Widget, so this special circumstance applies to uploading via the API.

4. Error Handling and Logging

• Error:  If you try to upload or create files larger than your account's limits, an error will be returned and shown in the Media Library, or in the response we send to your API call.
• Incomplete Uploads: Large file uploads are prone to interruptions. Implement error handling to catch and retry failed uploads.
• Logging: Enable and review logs to identify specific issues or errors occurring during the upload process. Cloudinary provides detailed logs for upload attempts. 

5. Rate Limits and Quotas

• API Rate Limits: Cloudinary has rate limits on API usage which, if exceeded, can prevent uploads. Ensure your upload process respects these limits.
• Storage Quotas: Exceeding your Cloudinary account’s storage quota can block new uploads. Check your account usage and upgrade if necessary.

Troubleshooting Tips

1. Upgrade Plan: Verify if upgrading your plan increases the maximum upload size limit.
2. Check Network: Use a stable and fast internet connection.
3. Use Chunked Upload: Implement chunked uploads for large files.
4. Review Logs: Look at Cloudinary and server logs to diagnose issues.
5. Test Different Methods: Try uploading the file using different methods (UI, API) to isolate the issue.
6. Additional Support: If you find that you're unexpectedly reaching your account's limits when working with your files, please contact us for assistance.

Conclusion

Uploading large files to Cloudinary can be challenging due to various factors like account limits, network stability, and API configurations. By understanding and addressing these potential issues, you can improve your upload process and ensure successful large file uploads to your Cloudinary media library.