Problem: Can’t Upload Files, Photos to Internet, FTP 0 Byte Upload Errors

The best way to troubleshoot problems is to check step by step, if any recent settings might be causing this problem.

# Step 1 : How to know if you Really Can’t Upload  Files, Photos etc Online

Well, this is easy to know. Any upload based online web applications stop working. This mean you can’t upload photos on facebook, can’t upload files on online file managers etc.

Another way I checked was at speedtest.net. It is flash based tool to estimate your download upload speed of you internet connection. When I tried, the download estimation worked fine, but while calculating the upload performance the tool stopped responding. This clearly indicate that something is wrong with file upload system in my PC.

# Step 2 : Check Exactly How Serious the "Can’t Upload Files" Problem Is

What I mean is, sometimes there might be a simple corrupted  addon, plugin in your browser which creates problem uploading files to internet.

Try Switching Browsers, check with different types of browsers, in most cases the browser is the problem maker. For eg: I remember after I installed a plugin (download manager for faster downloads in Firefox), I was facing some sort of errors while uploading and downloading files. I removed it and every thing was fine.

If Possible, Try the same Broadband Connection with a different PC, as this will let you know if there are any local problem with your ISP (Internet Service Provider). I use a BSNL connection, and they are renowned for their service downtime issues. Manage a Laptop and connect to internet from that laptop in the same way as in your pc, which will solve your file upload problem in most cases. If you still can’t upload anything there might be an error with your modem or router settings (see below)

# Step 3 : Does Your PC have a Problem

I know you have heard these everywhere. But they really work. Try the following steps :

System Restore : This is a life saver. I have been rescued from so many other problemswith this option. It basically restores the Windows Registry (the core of your os) to any recent backup made during a critical system settings change. Go to Start > Accessories > System Tools > System Restore and restore it to few days earlier to the file upload problem. Work most of the times…

Anti-Virus + Firewall : Sometimes this combo overreacts to your internet actions and disables suspicious internet activity from your PC. But, it fails horribly sometimes disables access to many http and ftp protocols in your windows network services which is why you can’t upload files, and sometimes cant access websites. Simply, disable the Firewall, stop the antivirus and try uploading files.

Re-Install Windows : I know this is painful since it formats the drive, like I mentioned in Step2, try from a different computer, but if you don’t have a laptop or a 2nd PC. This is the only way to troubleshoot. This is because this is the best way to start from scratch when you don’t know why you can’t upload files and other similar network problems.

Still, can’t upload anything ? Then Step 4 is the only hope.

# Step 4 : Check Modem, Router’s Internet Settings

None of the above steps worked for me, so this was my only hope. But this step did…

Why Couldn’t I Upload Files ? Recently, I reset my router to access the admin settings page to enable wireless (wi-fi) in my home. Now the "can’t upload files" problem started after that, and this is why…

After resetting my router all the Internet Settings in the router becomes default. Well this is good but not always. After a lot of searching online I found that there is a option calledTCP MTU (details) (Maximum Transmission Unit of a single data unit (e.g., a frame). MTU sizes are measured in bytes), set to 1500 bytes by default in your router’s internet settings. This means you can’t upload files more than 1500 bytes (LOL). Simply set it to 0 to remove this restriction. (See below).

Set TCP MTU Settings in Router (eg : UTstarcom, BSNL)

• Go to http://192.168.1.1/ (your router’s setting page)
• Go to Interface Setup and Click Internet
• Look for the TCP MTU option.
• Generally 1500 bytes is set. Set it to 0.
• Click Save.
• Go to Maintenance (tab) > SysRestart > System Restart with : Current Settings
• Click Restart and wait for the 2nd Message "System Rebooted"

OR, Set the MTU Size for the Network Interface (Router) Manually from Registry (Not Recommended)

Note : Follow this step only if you can’t access your router settings page as above. If you set the MTU size for a network interface manually, this setting overrides the default MTU for the network interface. To set the MTU size Router, follow these steps:

1. Click Start, click Run, type regedit, and then click OK.
2. Locate the following key in the registry: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\Tcpip\Parameters\Interfaces\<ID for network interface>
3. On the Edit menu, point to New, and then click DWORD Value.
4. Type MTU, and then press ENTER.
5. On the Edit menu, click Modify.
6. In the Value data box, type the value of the MTU size, and then click OK.
7. Quit Registry Editor, and then restart the computer.

After this simple setting, my file upload problem vanished… So if you can’t upload files, please follow these steps and let me know in comments if it helped you.

Suggestions are Welcome…

Also See : Enhance, Boost Internet Connection Speed