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In the world of social media, Instagram Stories have gained immense popularity as a means of sharing engaging content. However, have you ever been captivated by a story’s thumbnail, only to be met with the disappointing message ‘This story is unavailable Instagram?’ This is one of the many problems with Instagram stories not working.
Have you ever wondered what causes the ‘this story is unavailable Instagram’ error? If you’re a frequent Instagram user, chances are you’ve encountered this issue more than once. Today, we aim to shed light on the meaning behind this “Instagram this story is unavailable” message and offer useful troubleshooting tips to ensure you can resume enjoying those exciting stories. So, let’s delve into it!
This Story Is Unavailable Instagram; What Does It Mean?
When you encounter the message “This story is unavailable Instagram”, it typically means an issue preventing you from viewing the user’s story. This problem can occur on the web version of Instagram and Android and iOS devices.
The primary reason for this issue is usually related to developer optimization, where internal code errors occasionally occur. These errors can lead to bugs with Instagram navigation, resulting in the inability to view them.
However, it’s important to note that other factors could also contribute to this problem. It is recommended to perform obligatory checks to rule out any potential causes before seeking further assistance.
Why Does It Say “This Story Is Unavailable Instagram”? 12 Reasons
When you encounter the “This story is unavailable Instagram” message, the platform has made the particular story inaccessible for various reasons. However, there is no need to be too discouraged as there can be several explanations for using Instagram stories and finding the solution, and not all are concerning.
1- This Story Is Unavailable Instagram; The Story Is Expired
According to Instagram’s community guidelines, a user’s story is only available 24 hours. After this time, the story is automatically deleted. Sometimes, our friends may share stories with us through direct messages (DMs). However, when we try to open these stories, we may see a message saying, “Instagram this story is unavailable.” In such cases, it can be assumed that the story has expired and is no longer accessible.
2- Instagram This Story Is Unavailable; Hidden From You
If an Instagram user enjoys the story feature, you may be familiar with the “This story is unavailable Instagram” message. This message appears when someone has used the close friends feature to restrict certain individuals from viewing their stories. To hide Instagram activities from you, the person must add you to their restricted list before uploading the story.
3- This Story Is Unavailable Instagram; Switch to the Private Account
If you come across the message “This story is unavailable Instagram”, it could mean the person whose story you’re trying to view has switched their account from public to private.
It is not uncommon for people to make this change. Only approved followers can see their posts and stories when someone converts their account from public to private. If the individual you want to view the story of has made their account private, you will need to follow them to view the private Instagram account.
4- Instagram.story Unavailable; Deleted the Story
The user may have deleted their Instagram story. After posting something, many people tend to overthink and may decide to delete their story. There can be various reasons for doing so, but regardless of the reason, if the individual has deleted their story, you will see a message saying, “Instagram this story is unavailable.”
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5- This Story Is Unavailable Instagram; User Blocked You
When someone blocks you on Instagram, not only will you be unable to see their story in your feed, but if someone else shares their story with you via direct message and you try to watch it, you will be shown a message saying, “Instagram this story is unavailable.”
It’s important to note that there is a slight difference between being blocked and having someone hide their story from you. You are likely blocked if you cannot view the user’s profile. However, if you can still view their profile but cannot see their story, they may have chosen to hide it from you.
6- Story Unavailable Instagram; Instagram Removed It
It is not uncommon for Instagram to remove stories that violate its guidelines. If a story contains content that goes against the platform’s rules, such as violence or nudity, Instagram’s AI will automatically take it down.
Additionally, if other users report a story violating the terms and conditions, it will be removed. Regardless of the specific reasons for the removal, once a story is taken down, no user can view it.
7- Instagram Story Unavailable; You’re Not Following the User
When viewing Instagram stories, there are a few factors to consider. If the account you’re trying to view the story from is public, it doesn’t matter whether you follow the person or not; you can still view their story. However, if the account is private, you can only see their story if you follow them.
Many individuals choose to keep their accounts private for various reasons, so if you want to view the activity of private accounts, it is necessary to follow them. By following private accounts, you can ensure that you have access to their stories and stay updated with their content.
More Info: 11 Best Instagram Story Viewer Hacks to Get More Views
8- This Story Is Unavailable Instagram; Not Log in to Your Instagram Account
When attempting to view someone’s story on Instagram without logging into your account, you may encounter a message stating that this story is unavailable Instagram. In such cases, logging in to your Instagram account is advisable before viewing the story.
By doing so, you can ensure that you have the necessary permissions to access the content and avoid any restrictions that may be in place. Logging in before viewing the story will help ensure a seamless and uninterrupted experience on the platform.
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9- Stories Unavailable Instagram; Weak Internet Connection/ Server Down
This story is unavailable Instagram can occur due to various reasons, and one of them is a weak internet connection. Since Instagram heavily relies on the internet for its proper functioning, a slow internet speed can hinder the loading and display of stories.
When the internet connection weakens, the data required to retrieve and display the stories may not be transmitted efficiently, resulting in the error message “this story is unavailable.” Improving the internet connection or waiting for a stronger signal can help resolve the issue and make the stories accessible again.
10 This Story Is Unavailable Instagram; Instagram Glitches
Like any other app, Instagram can experience technical issues that can cause stories to be temporarily unavailable. These issues can include server hiccups, software bugs, or maintenance downtime. It’s important to note that seeing the “This story is unavailable Instagram” message doesn’t necessarily mean something dramatic like being blocked or the account being deactivated.
It could simply mean that the story has expired or been removed by the user. To better understand, try viewing other stories from the same account. If those are accessible, the story you wanted to see has likely been removed or expired.
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11- Instagram Stories Unavailable; Account Was Deactivated
The user may have deactivated their Instagram account, which would result in their stories being unavailable for you to view. When an account is deactivated, its content, including stories, becomes inaccessible to other users. This could be a temporary deactivation or a permanent decision made by the user. In either case, you cannot view their stories until the account is reactivated, if at all.
12- This Story Is Unavailable Instagram; You’ve Muted Someone on Instagram
If you have muted someone on Instagram, their updates, including their stories, will not be displayed on your home screen. This means you won’t see their stories when browsing your feed. Additionally, if you try to view their stories directly, you may encounter an error message stating that “This story is unavailable Instagram”. This is a normal behavior when you have muted someone on Instagram.
Now that you know the reasons for this story’s unavailable Instagram error, it is time to go through how you can fix this problem.
How To Fix This Story Is Unavailable Instagram?
If you come across the message “This story is unavailable Instagram” on Instagram, there are a few possible reasons for this issue. It could be due to the user deleting the story, setting their account to private, or blocking you from viewing their content.
However, it is important not to worry too much, as this issue is usually temporary and resolves over time. You can also fix it yourself in all the ways we tell you below.
#1- This Story Is Unavailable Instagram; Clear Instagram Cache
If you’re experiencing issues with Instagram and cannot view a particular story, you can try clearing the Instagram cache on your device. Here’s how you can do it:
- Long-press the Instagram icon on your device’s home screen.
- Select “App info” or “App settings” (the exact wording may vary depending on your device).
- Look for the “Storage” or “Storage & cache” in the app settings.
- Tap on “Clear cache” or “Clear data” (again, the wording may differ).
- Confirm your action when prompted.
Clearing the cache can help resolve temporary issues and allow you to access the story you could not view. However, please note that clearing the cache will also remove any temporary data stored by the app, such as login information or preferences.
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#2- Story Is Unavailable Instagram; Check Your Internet Connection
If you encounter the “This story is unavailable on Instagram” message and suspect that it may be due to slow internet speed, you can try a few things. If you’re using mobile data, you can attempt to put your device on airplane mode for a short period and then turn it off again.
Another option is to switch from mobile data to Wi-Fi if available. On the other hand, if you’re already using Wi-Fi, you could try switching to mobile data temporarily. These steps might help resolve the issue, but keep in mind that slow internet speed can sometimes limit your access to certain features on Instagram.
#3- Story Unavailable on Instagram; Refresh Instagram Feed
To refresh your Instagram feed and potentially fix the issue of a story being unavailable, you can pull down the feed from the top. This action will trigger a reload, and you should see the latest posts and stories appear.
Unfortunately, there is no specific option within the Instagram app to refresh the feed manually. However, pulling down on the feed quickly and effectively refreshes it and potentially resolves any issues with unavailable stories.
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#4- This Story Is Unavailable Instagram; Update Your Instagram
If you’re seeing a message that says “This Story Is Unavailable,” it could mean that the story has expired or the user has removed it. However, if you’re prompted to update your Instagram app, you can follow these steps:
- Open the Google Play Store (Android) or App Store (iOS) on your device.
- Search for “Instagram” in the search bar.
- You will see an “Update” button next to the Instagram app if an update is available.
- Tap on the “Update” button to download and install the latest version of Instagram.
Once the update is complete, you can try accessing the story again. If the issue persists, it may be helpful to restart your device or contact Instagram support for further assistance.
#5- The Story Is Unavailable Instagram; Relogin Your Instagram Account
If you’re experiencing issues accessing a story on Instagram, you can try the following steps:
Log out Instagram Account
I apologize, but as an AI language model, I can’t perform actions on your device or provide a visual interface. However, I can guide you through the general steps to log out of a typical application or website:
- Look for a profile icon or button in the screen’s top right or left corner.
- Tap on the profile icon/button.
- Look for three horizontal lines or a gear/settings icon in the profile menu.
- Tap on the three horizontal lines or gear/settings icon.
- Look for an option related to “Settings” or “Privacy.”
- Tap on the “Settings and Privacy” option.
- In the settings or privacy menu, look for an option to “Log out” or “Sign out.”
- Tap on the “Log out” or “Sign out” option.
- You may be asked to confirm your decision to log out. If prompted, tap on the “Log out” or “Sign out” option again to confirm.
Log in to Your Account
To log in to your Instagram account, follow these steps:
- Open the Instagram app on your device.
- On the login screen, you will see two fields: one for your email, phone number, or username, and another for your password.
- Enter your Instagram account credentials in the respective fields. This can be your registered email address, phone number, or username.
- Next, enter your account password in the password field. Make sure to enter it correctly.
- Once you have entered your credentials, tap on the “Log in” option or press the login button.
- If the entered information is correct, you will be logged in to your Instagram account.
Please note that the steps may vary slightly depending on the version of the Instagram app you are using.
#6- This Story Is Unavailable Instagram; Check the Story Expiration
If you encounter the message “This Story Is Unavailable” on Instagram, it means that the story has expired or been deleted. To gain access to it, you have a few options.
Firstly, you can contact a mutual friend or the account owner and ask them for details about the story. Alternatively, if the user uploads the story again, you can view it. In such cases, you can navigate to the person’s profile and check if they have added the story to their highlights.
Sometimes, people save stories to highlight so that friends and family can view them later. However, if the story hasn’t been added to the highlight section, you won’t be able to view it again.
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#7- This Story Is Unavailable; Make Sure They Do Not Block You
If you come across the message “This Story Is Unavailable” on Instagram, it could be because the person who posted the story has blocked you or hidden it from you. In such cases, you have a couple of options. Firstly, if someone has blocked you, you can reach out to them and ask them to unblock you.
Secondly, if the story is hidden from you, you can ask the person to change their story settings so that you can view their future stories. However, for the current story you cannot access, your only option is to ask the person who posted it or someone else who may have seen it for details about what was being posted.
#8- This Story Is No Longer Available; Check if You Follow Them
If you encounter the message “This Story Is No Longer Available” on Instagram, it could be because you don’t follow the user whose story you want to view. In this situation, the first solution is to follow the user. By following them, you may gain access to their future stories.
Another option is to ask someone who follows the user to share the story with you. They can either send you a direct message or repost the story for you to view. These are the two possible solutions to viewing a story that is no longer available on Instagram.
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#9- Instagram This Story Is Unavailable; Instagram Removed It
If you come across the message “This Story Is Unavailable” on Instagram and suspect that Instagram has removed the story. Unfortunately, there is no direct solution to access it. When Instagram removes a story, it is typically due to a violation of their community guidelines or content policies.
In such cases, you can contact the account owner or someone else who may have viewed the story to inquire about its content. They might be able to provide you with details or insights regarding what was in the story. However, it’s important to respect the privacy and decisions made by Instagram and its users regarding content removal.
#10- This Story Is Unavailable Instagram; Reinstall Your Instagram App
If you are facing the issue of “This Story Is Unavailable” on Instagram, one solution you can try is to reinstall the Instagram app. Here’s how you can do it:
- Go to the Google Play Store on your device.
- Search for “Instagram” in the search bar.
- Tap on the Instagram app from the search results.
- Click on the “Install” button.
- Confirm the installation by following the prompts.
- Once the app is installed, please open it and log in to your Instagram account.
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#11- Instagram Stories Glitch; Force Quit the App From the Background
To resolve a glitch with Instagram Stories, you can force quit the Instagram app on iPhone and Android. Here’s how you can do it:
- Go to your device’s Settings.
- Scroll down and tap on “Apps” or “Applications” (the name may vary depending on your device).
- Find and tap on “Instagram” from the list of installed apps.
- On the Instagram app info page, tap “Force Stop” or “Stop” to force quit the app.
- Wait for a few seconds, then reopen the Instagram app and see if the glitch with Stories is resolved.
Force quitting the app can help clear any temporary issues or glitches affecting Instagram Stories. If the problem persists, consider updating the Instagram app to the latest version or restarting your device.
#12- This Story Is Unavailable Instagram; Check From an Alternate Account
If you encounter the message “This Story Is Unavailable” on Instagram, one workaround you can try is checking from an alternate account. If you have a spam or backup account, log in to that account and see if you can view the unavailable story. Sometimes, certain errors or glitches are specific to certain accounts, and using an alternate account can help bypass the issue temporarily.
Additionally, you can also ask a mutual friend if they can see the unavailable story. They might be able to view it from their account and provide you with details or insights about the story. While these workarounds may not always be ideal, they can be helpful until the issue is resolved.
A solution to Instagram Glitches: Instagram Notification Won’t Go Away? 6 Best Ways To Fix It
#13- Instagram Stories Glitch; Report the Issue to Instagram
If none of the previous solutions have resolved the “This Story Is Unavailable” error on Instagram, you can report the issue to Instagram for further assistance. Here’s how you can do it:
Step 1: Open the Instagram app on your device.
Step 2: Shake your device until a small window appears on the screen.
Step 3: Tap “Report a problem” from the options presented.
Step 4: You will choose to include logs and diagnostics. You can choose “Include and continue” if you wish.
Step 5: Briefly explain your issue, providing as much detail as possible, and then tap “Send”.
Tip: If you have a screenshot of the error, tap “Upload” to include it in your report for better understanding.
By reporting the problem to Instagram, they will be made aware of the issue and may take quick action to address it. Remember to provide clear and concise information about the error you are experiencing to help them understand the problem better.
#14- This Story Is Unavailable Instagram; Use Third-Party Apps
When considering the use of third-party apps to view Instagram stories that are unavailable, it is crucial to exercise caution and prioritize the security of your Instagram account. While these unofficial apps may offer the functionality you desire, some may require you to provide your account details, which can put your account at risk of being hacked or compromised.
To mitigate these risks, it is advisable to thoroughly research and choose apps with high download numbers and positive ratings. This can help ensure that you are selecting a reputable app that is less likely to threaten your Instagram account’s security.
How To Know if Someone Hide Their Story From You on Instagram
To determine if someone has hidden their story from you on Instagram, you can follow these steps:
- Open the Instagram app on your device and log in to your account.
- Go to the Instagram homepage by tapping the house-shaped icon at the bottom left corner.
- Look for the profile of the person you suspect has hidden their story from you. You can do this by searching for their username in the search bar at the top of the screen or by scrolling through your feed until you find their posts.
- Once you’re on their profile, check if there is a colorful ring around their profile picture. If there is a colorful ring, it means they have an active story that you can view. If there is no ring or a grayed-out ring, it indicates that they either don’t have a story or have hidden it from you.
- To confirm if they have hidden their story from you, you can send them a direct message (DM) asking if they have posted any recent stories. If they respond positively, but you still can’t see their story, they likely have hidden it from you.
Remember, Instagram’s privacy settings allow users to control who can view their stories. If someone has chosen to hide their story from you, respecting their decision and not trying to access it without their permission is important.
What Is the Best Third-Party App To Grow Your Page?
While several third-party apps claim to help grow your brand on Instagram, it’s important to approach them with caution. One such app is AiGrow, which offers manual growth and a dedicated account manager. AiGrow provides services like following and unfollowing accounts, liking posts, and engaging with users to help boost your page’s growth.
Their dedicated account manager can assist you in growing your followers organically and provide personalized guidance. AiGrow is an exceptional platform offering a comprehensive social media management solution.
With AiGrow, you gain access to a dedicated account manager who creates engaging posts tailored to your brand and benefits from their expertise in managing your Instagram DM marketing. This personalized approach ensures that your social media presence is consistently captivating, allowing you to focus on other aspects of your business while AiGrow takes care of your online marketing needs.
This Story Is Unavailable Instagram; Conclusion
In conclusion, encountering the error message “This Story Is Unavailable” on Instagram can be frustrating. Several possible reasons for this error include the story being removed, the account being blocked or made private, the story expiring, the account being deactivated, or technical difficulties with Instagram’s systems.
You can try the following steps to resolve the issue and view the story. However, if the problem persists, it may be best to wait for Instagram to resolve any technical issues. If you’re unable to view other stories from that account as well, it could indicate that the account has been deactivated or blocked, and there may not be much you can do about it.
FAQs
Q1. What Does This Story Is Unavailable Mean on Instagram
When you encounter the message “this story is unavailable on Instagram,” it indicates that the story you are attempting to view is no longer accessible or has been deleted by the user who posted it.
Q2. Why Does It Say Story Unavailable on Instagram?
The message “Story unavailable” on Instagram usually appears when the story you are trying to view is no longer accessible. This can occur for various reasons, including the story expiring after 24 hours, the user adjusting privacy settings to restrict certain viewers, the user’s account being deactivated or suspended, or temporary technical issues on Instagram’s end.
Q3. Can Restricted Instagram Accounts See Stories?
Restricted Instagram accounts can still see the stories of the accounts that have restricted them. When you restrict someone on Instagram, they can still view your stories, but their interactions with your account will be limited. They won’t be able to see when you’re active or when you’ve read their direct messages.
Q4. Why Can’t I See Someone’s Instagram Story When I’m Not Blocked?
There are several reasons why you may not be able to see someone’s Instagram story, even if you are not blocked. Firstly, the person may have set their account to private, restricting story views to approved followers only. Additionally, they might have excluded you from their story’s audience using the “Close Friends” feature, sharing stories with a select group. Another possibility is that the person has restricted your account, limiting your access to their content without fully blocking you.
Q5. How To Know If Someone Blocked You on Instagram Story?
To check if someone has blocked you on Instagram Stories, observe if their stories no longer appear in your feed and if you can’t access their profile or see their posts. The inability to send direct messages or comment on their posts is another indicator. However, these signs are not conclusive proof, and to confirm, ask a mutual friend to check if they can view the person’s stories or access their profile.
Q6. What Happens When Someone Hides Their Story From You on Instagram?
When someone hides their story from you on Instagram, it means they’ve opted to exclude you from viewing their story content, possibly for privacy reasons or to limit their audience. As a result, you won’t see their story updates in your Instagram feed. However, you can still view their regular posts and engage with them in other ways on the platform.
Q7. How To See Unavailable Story on Instagram?
There is no official way to view an unavailable story on Instagram unless the person who posted it unblocks you or you follow them. Instagram has privacy settings in place to protect the content shared by its users, so if someone has restricted their story from certain viewers, it is not possible to view it unless they grant you access.
