4 Ways to Fix Instagram Not Loading Stories

Basic Fixes:

• Restart the Instagram app: It’s a good idea to completely close Instagram on your phone and reopen it to load stories. This can help fix most temporary app glitches.
• Enable and disable Airplane mode: If your phone’s mobile internet connection is unstable, Instagram may have issues loading stories on your Android device or iPhone. You can temporarily enable and disable Airplane mode to reset the network connection.
• Check Instagram servers: If Instagram servers are down, the app won’t load user stories. You can’t refresh the feed, send direct messages, or share new posts. Visit Downdetector and check. If there’s a problem, wait for Instagram to solve issues from its end.
• Disable data saver: Both Android and iOS offer an option to apply some brakes to cellular data usage. It can be the major culprit behind stories not loading issues on Instagram. So, disable the data saver on your phone.
• Check for Instagram app updates: Instagram frequently releases updates with new features and bug fixes. The app not loading stories issue can be due to an outdated app build. You must update Instagram to the latest version from the Google Play Store or App Store.

Fix 1: Enable Mobile Data for Instagram (iPhone)

If you have disabled mobile data access for Instagram, the app will fail to fetch new stories and posts on your mobile data connection. Instagram will use cache to load the home page, but the stories won’t open when you tap on them. To fix this, enable mobile data access for Instagram. Here’s how.

Step 1: Open Settings and tap on Instagram. Enable the Mobile Data toggle.

Fix 2: Disable Data Saver Mode on Instagram

When you turn on the default data saver mode in Instagram, the app takes longer to load photos, videos, and stories. Follow the steps below to disable it.

Step 1: Open Instagram and tap the profile icon. Tap the hamburger menu and open Settings.

Step 2: Go to Account and select Data usage. Disable the Use less mobile data toggle.

Fix 3: Clear Instagram App Cache (Android)

Instagram collects cache files to load the home feed on your phone quickly. When the app collects corrupt or overmounts of cache, you may face issues like stories not loading on your phone. It’s time to clear the cache for Instagram and try again. Here’s how.

Tip: iPhone users can offload the Instagram app because there are no native options to clear the app cache.

Step 1: Long-press on the Instagram app and tap the i button.

Step 2: Select Storage and cache and tap on Clear cache.

Fix 4: Authenticate Your Account Again

Did you recently change your Instagram password? The app won’t load stories due to outdated account credentials. You must log out from your account and sign back in using the latest login info. Here’s what you need to do.

Step 1: Open Instagram and tap the profile icon. Tap the hamburger menu.

Step 2: Tap on Settings. Scroll down and tap on Log out. Confirm when prompted.

Once done, log back in using the correct account credentials. Once Instagram is set up, play Stories again to check if the issue is fixed.