3 Ways to Fix “This Story Is Unavailable” on Instagram

What Does Story Unavailable Mean on Instagram?

The Instagram story unavailable message can result from any of the below-mentioned reasons:

• Stable Internet connection: Have you checked your internet connection? Instagram consumes too much data. So, if your connection fluctuates, you might see an error message.
• User deleted the story: Although the story has been removed, it may still be shown as viewable, only for you to see the error message.
• You are blocked: Sorry to be the news bearer, but you might have been blocked, preventing you from viewing their stories.
• Account is private: You have to follow an account to view stories if it’s a private account.
• Story has expired: An Instagram story can be viewed for 24 hours. Afterward, it will be moved to the archive and can only be accessed by the user.
• Account deactivated: The user might have deactivated their Instagram account, preventing you from viewing their stories.
• If Instagram is down: Sometimes, it is not you or the user. If the Instagram server is down, you might see the “This story is unavailable” message.
• Story is in Close Friends: Instead of letting every follower see their story, users can limit the viewers to close friends. If you are not in this group, you can’t view it.
• Story is hidden from you: Besides close friends, users can also hide stories from specific people. This time, you might have been included in it.
• The user is on mute: If you have muted anyone on Instagram, their updates won’t display on your home screen including the stories. And if you try to view them, you might see the story unavailable error.
• Instagram removed the Story: This isn’t something that happens often, but if a story or post violates Instagram guidelines, it will be removed from the platform.

Basic Fixes:

• Refresh the feed: To load the feed faster, Instagram shows you a feed from your previous session, which might also include stories that are no longer available. So, it’s good to refresh the feed before opening any story.
• Ensure you’re not blocked: You can’t see the other user’s Instagram story if they have blocked you. So, before troubleshooting the issue, ensure you’re not blocked on Instagram.
• Force quit and restart Instagram: You can also force quit the Instagram app from your iPhone and Android device to solve the issue. This can help eliminate any temporary app glitches.
• Update Instagram: Software glitches can also cause errors, such as Instagram stories showing unavailable. So, it’s a good idea to update Instagram to the latest version.
• Reinstall Instagram: If the issue persists, you can also uninstall the Instagram app. Then, install a fresh copy of the app, sign in, and try opening the relevant story again on Instagram.

Fix 1: Log Out and Log In

When you log out of your Instagram account, the app might delete some cache files, including the ones causing this error. Upon a new login, Instagram will start a new session, and hence, you will have an error-free feed. Here’s how to do it.

Step 1: Open Instagram and tap your profile icon at the bottom right corner.

Step 2: Tap the hamburger menu and choose Settings.

Step 3: Scroll down and tap Log out. Tap on Log out again to confirm.

Now, re-enter the correct account details to log back in. Once done, try opening the Instagram story again to check.

Also Read: How to fix Instagram story sound not working

Fix 2: Clear the Instagram App Cache

Cache helps apps load faster by saving some settings and other data in your device’s local storage. However, over time, these cache files accumulate and can do more harm than good. So, if you’re experiencing issues viewing stories, clear the Instagram cache on your phone to fix it.

Fix 3: Check From an Alternate Account

If you have a spam/backup ID, check if you can see the unavailable story on Instagram. This can help if the error is specific to your Instagram account. Follow the below steps to switch accounts on Instagram.

Step 1: Open Instagram → tap the profile icon → choose the account to switch.

Now, try viewing the story again. If you don’t have a second account, you can also use the Instagram Lite or web app to try viewing the relevant story via your Instagram account.

FAQs