Guide 3 of 4 in Level 3: Post it

If a post didn't go out: failed, needs checking, send again

When a post does not go out in Blackbox (blackbox.plus), it shows Needs a look in the brand’s Library, and its status reads Failed or Needs checking on the post. Open the post and go to step 3, Post. Failed means nothing was posted: the page shows the reason, such as a read-only Instagram connection, a video that is not H.264 or slides not drawn yet. Fix it, then press Publish or Schedule again. If some accounts got the post and others did not, click Send again to the ones that failed; only the accounts that missed it can be picked, so nothing goes up twice. Needs checking means Blackbox lost contact with the platform partway through and cannot tell whether the post is live, so there is no send button. Open the account and look, then click It's there — mark it published, or It's not there — back to drafts. Either choice changes only what Blackbox records, never the post itself.

You'll need
  • A post that went wrong — It shows **Needs a look** in the brand’s **Library**, and Failed or Needs checking on the post.
  • Access to the account — The Instagram or TikTok app, to look at what actually went out.
Time
About 3 minutes 6 steps Updated
You'll end with
The post live on every account it missed, with nothing posted twice
Do it in Blackbox Open Plan, after you sign in
Example
Where a post went, account by account

What to do in Blackbox if a post didn't go out

  1. Step 1:Find the post

    In Plan, click Library above the calendar. Posts that need a look come first, so click the post.

    You'll see: The post, with its Caption, Check and Post steps.

    Open this in Blackbox

  2. Step 2:Read what happened

    Click step 3, Post.

    You'll see: This didn’t go out with the reason, or Needs checking.

  3. Step 3:If it failed, fix it and send again

    Sort out what the reason says, then click Publish or Schedule again.

    You'll see: Posting it now, or the new time next to Going out.

  4. Step 4:If only some accounts missed it

    Click Send again to the ones that failed, then Send again.

    You'll see: Only the accounts that missed it picked — the others can’t be.

  5. Step 5:If it needs checking, look first

    Click Open and the account’s name, and look for the post there.

    You'll see: Your Instagram or TikTok account, in a new tab.

  6. Step 6:Tell Blackbox what you found

    Click It’s there — mark it published or It’s not there — back to drafts.

    You'll see: The status updated in Blackbox — the post itself is untouched.

Good to know

  • Failed means nothing was posted, so sending again is safe.
  • Needs checking means Blackbox lost contact with the platform partway through. There is no send button, because posting again could put it up twice.
  • The Library puts posts that need a look first, with the reason in plain words, and Plan’s calendar shows them at the time they were due.
  • Common reasons a post fails: the Instagram connection is read-only, a TikTok visibility the account does not allow, a video that is not H.264, slides not drawn yet, or a picture Instagram will not take (outside 4:5 to 1.91:1).
  • Send again is not offered while any account is still posting or needs checking.
  • The reason is in the platform’s words where it gave one. If it does not make sense, click Report to send it to us.
  • The moment a post fails, a Needs you card also opens first under Suggestions for now in Plan, with the reason and Open and send again (or Reconnect, when the account was signed out). It closes by itself once the post is out everywhere.

Official docs

If something doesn't work

The Instagram account shows as read-only

Reconnect it: on the Data page, reconnect Instagram and leave posting allowed when Facebook asks. Everything you have set up stays, and your reporting keeps working the whole time.

There’s no send button on a post that needs checking

The post may already be live, and sending again could put it up twice. Open the account, look, and tell Blackbox what you found.

I’m worried Mark published will change my post

It won’t. It only tells Blackbox what happened, so the Library, Calendar and results show the right thing.

I can’t pick one of my accounts when sending again

That account already has the post. It is locked on purpose, so nothing goes up twice.

It says the time has already passed

A scheduled time has to be at least 2 minutes from now and within 180 days. Pick a later time, or press Publish to send it now.

Stuck at any step? Send us a message and we'll do it with you on a call. All of Level 3: Post it