Level 1

22 points

Files will not upload to iCloud via iCloud.com

I have been trying to upload several files into my iCloud folder using iCloud.com and each time I get an error message saying "(File Name) couldn't be uploaded. Try uploading the file again later."

I have 1.88 TB (out of 2 TB) of storage space left in my account, so space is not the issue. I have tried uploading in multiple ways...drag-and-drop and using the actual Upload button/tool. Neither works; the error message is the same.

I have never encountered this problem before. Does anyone know why it's happening or how to fix it?

Posted on Nov 3, 2021 3:16 PM

Top-ranking reply

visudo

Level 1

8 points

Posted on Jan 18, 2022 10:06 PM

Hi everybody! this is my first post. I've also been living with this issue for the last couple of months and finally decided to have a look into the problem.

In my case, in addition to not being able to upload files to iCloud Drive via a web browser, I am also unable to save changes in my iCloud Notes from a web browser.

As far as I can tell, this is a simple DNS issue which could easily be solved by Apple. You can work around the issue by creating a local hosts file entry so that your web browser can find the IP of an application server which Apple mysteriously removed DNS entries for.

Step 1) Determine which domain name is failing in your case

Log in to iCloud in a web browser, open dev tools (press f12 to open dev tools in Chrome)
Navigate to the "Network" tab in dev tools
Attempt to upload a file to iCloud
Click on one of the "singleFileUpload" items in the network log
Take note of the domain name in the Request URL. In my case the domain name is "p30-contentws.icloud.com" yours will probably be the same name but with a different number at the beginning.

Step 2) Find a suitable IP address to use

open a command prompt/terminal window and run the following command:
- nslookup contentws.icloud.com
Take note of any IP address in the list of addresses returned for "contentws.icloud.com"

Step 3) Create a local host file entry for the missing domain name

Run notepad.exe as administrator then open "c:\windows\system32\drivers\etc\hosts"
add the following entry to the bottom of the file:
17.178.100.27 p30-contentws.icloud.com
- replace "p30-contentws.icloud.com" with the domain name you found in Step 1
- replace "17.178.100.27" with the IP address you chose in Step 2
Save the hosts file.

Refresh icloud.com.
upload files successfully.

Various Notes

These instructions are written using Chrome on Windows 10 but the same can be achieved with any browser/OS if you know how to operate your computer.
I'm not a mac user, but I know your hosts file is located at "/etc/hosts". Google "how to edit hosts file on mac" for more details.
It looks like Apple uses Akamai GTM for DNS load balancing, every time you do an nslookup you get a different list of IPs. Apple probably relies on this technology to update their applications without downtime so it's possible that at some point in time the IP you choose will be offline.
credit to Hanadark0 for recognizing there was a DNS problem on 12/14/21 (35 days ago). Seriously Apple. Please fix this.

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66 replies

Jan 23, 2022 1:43 PM in response to Community User

Hi. I continue to get the "(File Name) couldn't be uploaded. Try uploading the file again later." I spent an hour or so on the phone with Apple support last week trying multiple browsers and multiple computers and provided the requested error logging information. Apple support called me back a few days later with a request to provide more logging information, but could offer no solution.

Given that this issue is effecting many people for more than 2 months, I declined to spend more time on the phone with Apple or provide additional logging information that was requested. I assume there is nothing special about my computer.

Has anyone actually solved the problem (Apple apparently can't)?

Nov 21, 2021 3:18 PM in response to KidKerouac

I have been on the phone with Apple for over 30 minutes with Apple, and this is a known issue. I have to have a 'call back' with them. This is such a waste of time.

KidKerouac Author

Level 1

22 points

Nov 15, 2021 1:53 PM in response to babh

Yes, that's the same problem I am having. I have tried multiple browsers...Safari, Firefox, Chrome. The problem occurs with all of them.

It's not as much of an issue on my personal MacBook Pro, because my account is linked and I can move files into iCloud in other ways. But non my work computer - a MacBook Air - I rely on the web interface because I don't want to link my personal account to my work machine.

It really does seem like a problem with the web interface and I'm surprised that it hasn't been addressed yet. It's still happening; I tried again today.

Nov 16, 2021 7:43 AM in response to KidKerouac

I also am having the exact same issue. I work from my home computer (with a different iCloud account at home), so I need to access my company computer through the internet. Tried Safari, Firefox, Chrome and can download files via the website but can't upload anything. Had no problems until recently. Running Monterey system at home, Big Sur at work.

Nov 16, 2021 1:18 PM in response to KidKerouac

I am also experiencing this problem, as others have commented, for 1-2 weeks.

New documents which are on my Macbook still appear on iCloud.com, and I can download them to other machines. But I am unable to upload anything via iCloud.com, using browsers on other devices.

Nov 17, 2021 9:18 AM in response to tygb

I appreciate the help. This is actually a clean Mac. My old motherboard fried so Apple replaced it 2 weeks back. I have not installed third-party apps, VPN, anti-virus yet.

Looking around the internet this seems to be an issue that many are having. Perhaps, it has to do with a recent software update. I am not able to save from my iPhone either.

Nov 19, 2021 8:31 AM in response to dirtwulf

Am having the very same problem for over a week, on both a 16" MacBook Pro running Monterey and a 27" iMac running Mojave. Tried other browsers and tried Hotspot on iPhone 13 Pro Max . . . same problem!

Nov 21, 2021 6:27 PM in response to Community User

I have a 45 min to an hour appt on Tues the 23rd to provide details of my issue to someone else at Apple. Again, a waste of time but I will do it. The individual I was speaking with today began to imply that it was my Windows that was causing the issue. I stopped her right there, and let her know this is what always happens, they try to blame me/us and something on our side, when in reality it is purely an Apple-needs-to-fix-this issue.

Dec 10, 2021 12:34 PM in response to KidKerouac

Just adding my voice to this thread - same problem as described. I've tried multiple browsers, etc - unable to upload files no matter which way I try. Hoping for a fix - kind of important when we're paying Apple for storage!!!

Dec 14, 2021 12:38 PM in response to KidKerouac

Totally out of the blue, after waiting for weeks for this issue to be resolved, yesterday I thought I would just go ahead and try to upload a couple files (tiffs) via Firefox by drag and drop to a folder in my iCloud account. SUCCESS!! Then, an hour later, tried to upload two more tiffs and got the usual message "(File Name) couldn't be uploaded. Try uploading..."

Dec 25, 2021 4:30 AM in response to KidKerouac

Incredibly frustrated to say the least. Why am I paying $10 a month for icloud storage when I can't even use it?

Everyone who is having this same issue please reach out to apple and complain. This is ridiculous.

Jan 15, 2022 8:51 PM in response to vendorwizard

Yes, vendorwizard, you're correct. I tried to pin it down and found that the filename was not the issue. But somehow manipulating the file was, at least in my case. Something changed, but I don't know what. Unfortunately I don't see any way to edit or delete my previous post.

Just glad I was able to get my stuff uploaded. Maybe this will help someone at least, if not you.

Nov 16, 2021 7:25 PM in response to happyfox1

I am also experiencing the same issue. I am trying to upload from a PC to iCloud.com. I tried Chrome and Microsoft Edge. I also tried different files to confirm it is not a file issue.

Nov 17, 2021 8:15 AM in response to tygb

Thank you. This was very helpful. I tried these steps including the test file. Unfortunately, I still have the same error.

duegowop

Level 1

12 points

Nov 18, 2021 6:29 AM in response to Nicholas_B2

This doesn't work. This has to be an issue caused by Apple and needs to be fixed now!!!!!!!!!

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Files will not upload to iCloud via iCloud.com