Did you check out your friend’s Instagram story and find it said “This Story Is Unavailable”?
Sure, it might seem odd. People often wonder: “Did they hide their story from me or is it a mistake?” Well, it could be either!
Today, we’ll explain this situation, why it occurs, and how to solve it. Let’s find out why this message appeared and what steps we should take!
Deleted Story
This notice might say the person who shared the story removed it before you saw it.
At times, this occurs when Instagram detects something new in the stories, but that particular story is permanently removed and even the person who shared it can’t see it anymore.
Expired Story
Likewise, “This Story is Unavailable” appears when the story ends after 24 hours. Instagram allows stories to stay for 24 hours, then they vanish.
Every now and then, this error appears when the stories vanish after expiring.
Hidden Story
If someone posts a story and then hides it from you, you might see a “Not Available” error.
Instagram lets its users set their privacy settings to allow only specific people to view their stories.
If you’re not part of the chosen group, you’ll get a message saying “This Story Is Unavailable” when you try to see it.
To check, look at the user’s profile. If the story highlights you usually see are gone, they hid their content from you. If not, the error is from something else.
Switched to Private Account
If you see the “This Story Is Unavailable” message, it might be because the person who shared it switched their Instagram account to “Private.”
When an account is private, only people they approve can see their stories. If you’re not approved, you’ll get the “This Story Is Unavailable” message when you try to see it.
Blocked by the User
If someone stops you from seeing their story, you’ll get a message saying “This Story Is Unavailable.” Being stopped means the person has limited your access to their profile, including their stories. It’s a way for users to stop certain people from seeing their content.
Story Deleted by Instagram
Instagram might delete a story if it breaks the rules. If this occurs, people can’t see it anymore and get a message saying “This Story Is Unavailable.” Instagram does this to keep its platform safe and respectful.
Disrupted Connection
Sometimes, if your internet is not working well, you might see a message saying “This Story Is Unavailable” on Instagram. It happens when your internet is slow or keeps stopping. To fix it, you need to make your internet connection better.
App Glitch
Sometimes Instagram has problems with its app, just like any other app. These problems can mess up different parts of the app, like showing stories.
If you get a message saying “This Story Is Unavailable” and think it’s because of a problem, it’s best to wait and try again later. Instagram usually fixes these issues quickly with updates or fixes.
If you see the “This Story Is Unavailable” error on Instagram, there are things you can do to fix it.
Clear Cache
As time goes by, Instagram gathers information that might cause problems. Deleting the app’s cache can make it work better and maybe fix the issue. Here’s what you can do:
Android:
- Open your phone’s “Settings.”
- Scroll and choose “Apps” or “Applications.”
- Look for and click on “Instagram.”
- Choose “Storage.”
- Tap on “Clear Cache.”
IPhone:
- Go to the “Settings” app.
- Scroll down and select “Instagram.”
- Choose “Clear Cache.”
Log back into your Instagram account
Sometimes, a simple fix for Instagram issues is logging out and then logging in again. This often solves the problem. Let’s learn how to do it!
- To start, open Instagram. Next, click on the profile icon located at the bottom right corner to access your profile.
- Tap the three lines on the top right, then tap “Settings.”
- Go to settings. Look for “Log Out”. Tap it and confirm logging out.
- Once you’ve logged out, sign in again using your details. Has this fixed the issue? Give it a try now!
Update the App
Instagram often has problems if it’s not up-to-date. If you keep seeing the same error, first, check if you have the latest version of the app.
To do this, go to the Google Play Store (for Android) or the App Store (for iPhone). Search for “Instagram”.
If you already have the latest version, you won’t see the “update” option. But if there’s an update available, you can tap on “update” to get it.
After updating and installing, check if the error still happens. Usually, updating Instagram fixes the problem!
Feed Refresh
Here’s a quick and easy fix for the problem. First, go to the top of your Instagram feed and swipe down to refresh it. Then, try opening the user’s story again. Is it still not showing up?