Why Is Post Greyed Out On Reddit Reasons Troubleshooting

If you’ve ever tried to share a thought, link, or image on Reddit only to find the “Post” button greyed out and unresponsive, you’re not alone. This common frustration affects new users and seasoned Redditors alike. The issue can stem from account restrictions, subreddit rules, browser problems, or even temporary platform glitches. Understanding the root causes and knowing how to resolve them quickly ensures you stay engaged without unnecessary delays.

Common Reasons the Post Button Is Greyed Out

The inability to post on Reddit isn’t always due to one single factor. Multiple conditions can disable the post function, often silently. Here are the most frequent culprits:

• New account restrictions: Reddit limits posting for accounts under 30 days old or with low karma.
• Subreddit-specific rules: Some communities require minimum karma, post history, or membership duration before allowing submissions.
• Banned or shadowbanned status: If your account has been restricted, the post button may appear but remain inactive.
• Browser or app issues: Cache conflicts, outdated apps, or JavaScript errors can interfere with UI functionality.
• Network or connectivity problems: Unstable internet connections may prevent the page from loading fully, disabling interactive elements.
• Violation of content policies: Repeated rule-breaking in a subreddit can lead to temporary posting bans.

Tip: Always check your account’s standing in the specific subreddit by reviewing its sidebar rules or using tools like r/ShadowBan.

Step-by-Step Troubleshooting Guide

Follow this structured approach to identify and resolve the issue efficiently.

1. Verify your account age and karma: Navigate to your profile and check if your account is less than 30 days old or has minimal comment/post karma. Many subreddits block low-karma accounts from posting.
2. Review subreddit rules: Visit the community you're trying to post in. Look for requirements such as “Must have 10+ post karma” or “Account must be 7 days old.” These are often listed in the sidebar or pinned posts.
3. Check for bans: Go to the subreddit and look for a red banner indicating you've been banned. Alternatively, try posting in a neutral subreddit like r/test or r/freereddit to see if the button works there.
4. Clear browser cache or switch devices: Cached data can corrupt page scripts. Clear your browser cache or try accessing Reddit via incognito mode, a different browser, or the official app.
5. Test your connection: Ensure you have stable internet. Reload the page and confirm all elements load properly before attempting to post.
6. Disable browser extensions: Ad blockers, privacy tools, or script managers (like uBlock Origin or NoScript) can interfere with Reddit’s JavaScript, disabling buttons.
7. Log out and back in: Sometimes session tokens expire or become corrupted. Logging out and logging back in refreshes your session and may restore functionality.

Do’s and Don’ts When Facing Posting Issues

Action	Recommended?	Reason
Post in r/test to verify functionality	✅ Yes	Determines if the issue is account-wide or subreddit-specific
Use incognito mode to test	✅ Yes	Rules out cache or extension interference
Spam the post button repeatedly	❌ No	May trigger rate-limiting or temporary blocks
Create multiple accounts to bypass restrictions	❌ No	Violates Reddit’s TOS and risks permanent bans
Contact subreddit moderators politely	✅ Yes	They can clarify rules or lift unjust restrictions

Real Example: Recovering from a Shadowban-Like State

Jessica, a user with a three-week-old account, attempted to post in r/AskReddit about her travel experience. The post button remained greyed out despite filling in the title and text. Frustrated, she tried multiple browsers and devices with no success. After researching, she discovered that r/AskReddit requires at least 50 post karma and a 30-day-old account to submit. Her account had only 8 karma and was 21 days old.

Instead of giving up, Jessica shifted focus. She began commenting thoughtfully in smaller communities like r/travel and r/WritingPrompts. Within a week, her comment karma grew to over 120. On day 32, she returned to r/AskReddit—and the post button worked immediately. Her first submission gained 200 upvotes, validating the wait.

This case illustrates that patience and strategic engagement often resolve access issues more effectively than technical fixes.

Expert Insight on Account Health and Moderation

“New accounts need time to establish trust. Reddit’s systems automatically restrict behavior that resembles spam or bot activity—low karma, rapid posting, or controversial content. Building organic engagement is the best way to gain full access.” — Alex Turner, Community Platform Analyst

Automated moderation tools on Reddit prioritize platform integrity over immediate accessibility. While this can feel restrictive, it protects communities from manipulation and low-quality content. Understanding this balance helps users adapt their behavior rather than fight the system.

Checklist: Fix the Greyed-Out Post Button

Use this checklist to systematically troubleshoot and restore posting ability:

• ✅ Confirm your account is older than 30 days (if required by the subreddit)
• ✅ Check your post and comment karma meets the subreddit’s minimum
• ✅ Try posting in a low-restriction subreddit like r/test
• ✅ Clear browser cache or restart the Reddit app
• ✅ Disable ad blockers or script-blocking extensions temporarily
• ✅ Log out and log back into your Reddit account
• ✅ Review your ban status in the subreddit (look for banners or modmail)
• ✅ Contact moderators if you believe you were wrongly restricted

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I post immediately after creating a Reddit account?

Not always. While some subreddits allow immediate posting, many popular ones (e.g., r/technology, r/science) require accounts to be at least 7–30 days old and have accumulated a minimum of 10–50 karma. Start by engaging in smaller communities to build credibility.

Does being shadowbanned grey out the post button?

Not directly. A shadowban hides your content from public view but doesn’t disable the post button. However, if you’re shadowbanned, your posts won’t appear even if the button works. Use r/ShadowBan to check your status.

Why does the post button work in some subreddits but not others?

This usually indicates that the restricted subreddit has stricter entry requirements. Compare the rules of working versus non-working communities. Focus on meeting those criteria—increasing karma or waiting out age restrictions—before retrying.

Conclusion: Regain Control and Stay Active

The greyed-out post button on Reddit is rarely a permanent issue. More often, it’s a signal to assess your account health, respect community standards, or perform a quick technical reset. By understanding the underlying causes—whether policy-based, technical, or behavioral—you can take targeted steps to restore functionality. Reddit rewards thoughtful participation, so use temporary restrictions as an opportunity to engage more meaningfully.

💬 Have a unique fix that worked for you? Share your experience in the comments—your insight could help someone else get back to posting today.