If you are an avid Instagram user, you might have encountered a message saying “This Story Is Unavailable” when you try to view someone’s story.
This message means that you cannot access the story for some reason, and it can be frustrating if you want to see what the person has posted. But what causes this message to appear, and how can you fix it?
In this article, we will explain the possible reasons behind the unavailability of Instagram stories and the solutions you can try to resolve the issue.
Understanding the “This Story Is Unavailable” Message on Instagram
Instagram stories provide brief videos or photographs to followers or friends for 24 hours.
They let you share your everyday thoughts, emotions, and activities without cluttering your main feed.
However, occasionally you may encounter “This Story Is Unavailable” instead of someone’s narrative. This may happen for several reasons:
Expired Stories
One of the most common reasons why a story is unavailable is that it has expired. Instagram stories automatically disappear after 24 hours from the time of posting. If you try to view a story that has been up for more than 24 hours, you will get the error message. However, if the person has added their story to their highlight, you can still view it from their profile page.
Deleted Stories
Another reason why a story is unavailable is that the user has deleted it. Users can delete their stories at any time before they expire, and once they do, no one can see them anymore. If you try to view a deleted story, you will see a black screen with the error message. However, if the user has another story that is still active, you can view it by tapping right.
Blocked Accounts
A more serious reason why a story is unavailable is that the user has blocked you from viewing their stories. Users can block specific accounts from seeing their stories, either by hiding their stories from them or by blocking them entirely. If you are blocked by someone, you will not be able to see their story icon on your feed at all. However, if you search for their profile, you might still see their story icon with a lock symbol on it. If you tap on it, you will get an error message.
Private Accounts
Another reason why a story is unavailable is that the user has a private account. Users can set their accounts to private, which means that only their approved followers can see their posts and stories. If you are not following a private account, or if they have not accepted your follow request, you will not be able to see their stories. If you try to view their story from their profile page, you will get an error message.
Muted Users
A less obvious reason why a story is unavailable is that you have muted the user’s stories. Users can mute specific accounts’ stories if they don’t want to see them on their feeds. If you mute someone’s stories, you will not see their story icon on your feed unless you scroll all the way to the end. If you try to view their story from there, you will get an error message.
Hidden Stories
A rare reason why a story is unavailable is that the user has hidden their story from everyone except themselves. Users can hide their stories from everyone by selecting “Only Me” as their audience when they post a story. If someone hides their story from every one, no one can see it except themselves. If you try to view their hidden story from their profile page, you will get an error message.
Deactivated Accounts
Another rare reason why a story is unavailable is that the user has deactivated their account. Users can deactivate their accounts temporarily if they want to take a break from Instagram. If someone deactivates their account, all their posts and stories will be hidden until they reactivate it. If you try to view their story from their profile page, you will get an error message.
Removed Stories
A very rare reason why a story is unavailable is that Instagram has removed it for violating its guidelines. Instagram has some rules and policies that users have to follow when they post content on the platform. If someone posts something that goes against these rules, such as nudity, violence, hate speech, or spam, Instagram might remove it without warning. If Instagram removes someone’s story, no one can see it anymore. If you try to view their removed story from their profile page, you will get the error message.
Technical Glitches or Unstable Internet Connection
A final reason why a story is unavailable is that there is a technical glitch or an unstable internet connection on your end or Instagram’s end. Sometimes, there might be some bugs or errors in the app or the server that prevent stories from loading properly. Alternatively, there might be some issues with your internet connection that affect your ability to access stories online. If there is a technical glitch or an unstable internet connection, you might get an error message when you try to view any story.
How to Fix the “This Story Is Unavailable” Error on Instagram?
Now that you know the possible causes of the unavailability of Instagram stories, you might wonder how to fix the error and view the stories you want. Depending on the reason behind the error, there are different solutions you can try, such as:
1. Refreshing the Feed
The simplest solution you can try is to refresh your feed by swiping down on the screen. This might help if the error is caused by a temporary glitch or a slow internet connection. Refreshing your feed might reload the stories and make them available again.
2. Force Quitting the App
Another simple solution you can try is to force quit the app and reopen it. This might help if the error is caused by a bug or a cache issue in the app. Force quitting the app might clear the app’s memory and fix the error.
3. Logging Out and Logging In
A slightly more complex solution you can try is to log out of your account and log back in. This might help if the error is caused by a problem with your account or your session. Logging out and logging in might reset your account and resolve the error.
4. Updating the Instagram App
Another slightly more complex solution you can try is to update the Instagram app to the latest version. This might help if the error is caused by an outdated or incompatible version of the app. Updating the app might introduce new features and bug fixes that might solve the error.
5. Clearing the App Cache
A more advanced solution you can try is to clear the app cache on your device. The app cache is a temporary storage of data that helps the app run faster and smoother. However, sometimes the app cache might get corrupted or overloaded, which might cause errors in the app. Clearing the app cache might delete unwanted data and improve the app’s performance.
6. Checking from an Alternate Account
A more indirect solution you can try is to check from an alternate account if you have one. This might help if the error is caused by a block, a privacy setting, or a deactivation on the user’s end. Checking from an alternate account might let you see if their story is actually unavailable or not.
7. Reinstalling the App
A more drastic solution you can try is to reinstall the app on your device. This might help if none of the other solutions work, and if there is a serious problem with the app itself. Reinstalling the app might remove any corrupted files or settings that might cause errors in the app.
8. Reporting the Issue to Instagram
A final solution you can try is to report the issue to Instagram if nothing else works, and if you think there is a problem with Instagram itself. You can report the issue by going to Settings > Help > Report a Problem > Something Isn’t Working on your Instagram app. You can describe your issue and attach a screenshot of it if possible. Instagram might look into your issue and fix it in future updates.
