Why a Guest Can't Upload Photos
Event Capsule shows a specific message when an upload is refused — a reached photo limit, a closed upload window, an inactive event, incomplete payment, or an expired guest session. Each one has a different fix.
Event Capsule Team · Updated
Read the message first
When joining or uploading is refused, Event Capsule shows a specific reason rather than a generic error. It also matters where the message appeared: the join screen (before a guest is in the event) and the upload screen (after they've joined) report different things. Match the message on screen to the right list below.
Messages on the join screen
These appear when a guest opens the link or QR code and tries to enter their name — they mean the guest was never let into the event.
“This event isn't active yet. Please ask the host to complete checkout.”
What it means: The event exists, but its plan has not been paid for yet, so it has not opened to guests.
What to do: Only the host can complete checkout. Let them know you're waiting, and try the link again once they confirm the event is live.
“This event is no longer active.”
What it means: The event is no longer in an active state.
What to do: Ask the host to check the event's status on their dashboard. Guests cannot activate an event themselves.
“This event has reached its guest limit for its plan.”
What it means: Every guest place included in the host's plan has already been used.
What to do: The host can add more places by upgrading the plan from their dashboard.
“Couldn't join. Please try again.”
What it means: Joining failed for another reason — often the event code in the link is wrong, or the connection dropped mid-request.
What to do: Check the code character by character, or ask the host to resend the guest link or QR code.
Messages on the upload screen
These appear after a guest has already joined and is trying to add a photo.
“You've reached your photo limit for this event.”
What it means: That guest has used their whole per-guest photo allowance.
What to do: The host can raise the allowance by upgrading the plan or adding Open Roll, which removes the standard per-guest photo limit subject to fair use and applicable event limits.
“Uploads are closed for this event.”
What it means: The upload window has ended, or the reveal time has already passed.
What to do: Uploads cannot be reopened for a capsule that has revealed. Photos still on the guest's phone can be shared with the host directly.
“This event isn't active.”
What it means: The guest joined earlier, but the event has since stopped being active — so new uploads are refused.
What to do: Ask the host to check the event's status on their dashboard. Photos already uploaded are not affected.
“The host hasn't completed payment yet.”
What it means: The event is on a paid plan whose checkout has not completed.
What to do: The host needs to finish checkout. Uploads open as soon as the payment is confirmed.
“We couldn't find this event.”
What it means: The event code in the link is wrong, or the event no longer exists.
What to do: Ask the host to resend the guest link or QR code, and check the event code character by character.
“Your session expired. Please rejoin the event.”
What it means: Guest access uses a time-limited session, and this one has run out — this is about the guest's own access, not the event itself.
What to do: Open the guest link again or rescan the QR code, re-enter a name, and continue. Photos already uploaded stay in the capsule.
If the message is something else
A storage or save failure ("we couldn't upload that photo", "we couldn't save that photo") is usually a connection problem. Move somewhere with a better signal and try that photo again — venue Wi-Fi is a common culprit. Uploads that already succeeded are unaffected.
What you should see
Once the underlying cause is resolved, the guest can continue uploading without rejoining — unless the message was about an expired session, in which case they simply open the guest link again.
Still stuck?
Send us the event code and the exact message from the contact page and we can look into it.