Instagram Stories Not Working? How to Fix It [2023 Guide]

Instagram is a photo and video-sharing social networking platform. It provides messaging features, allowing users to include multiple images or videos in a post, and a Stories feature, supporting users to post their content to a sequential feed, accessible to others for up to 24 hours for each post.

Similar to Snapchat, Instagram stories are composed of videos, photos, or texts, combined to form a slideshow gallery to tell a story. You can use some Instagram video editors to add videos and use Layout to make a collage.

Step 1. Tap the circle button to take photos, or tap and hold to record a video.

Step 2. Edit the photos or videos with text, or add a drawing.

Step 3. Tap Done to save your story.

In addition, you can also download Instagram videos or pictures to your devices. If you delete your posts, photos, or videos accidentally, here's a fix to recover deleted Instagram posts/photos/videos.

Part 2. Instagram Stories Not Working

Are Instagram stories not working? This is one of the Instagram issues that annoy many users. The story page does not load and just shows the refresh button and it doesn't work. That leaves many with no choice but to go to their profile to view the stories or refresh their Instagram apps. In that case, first, we need to explore why Instagram stories do not work. Then we learn how best to manage that problem.

Now let's see the reasons behind Instagram stories not working:

• Poor Internet connection.
• Operating system bugs.
• Instagram app bugs.
• Full storage of your device.

Part 3. Fix Instagram Stories Not Working with 9 Ways

If a spinning circle keeps running instead of story content on the Instagram stories screen, you need to fix your Instagram stories not working by following ways. Once we find out why Instagram stories do not work, let's develop appropriate solutions together!

Tip 1. Check the Network Connection

Check your Wi-Fi is stable and strong. A poor Internet connection could cause the page to fail to load the content. If your Wi-Fi signal is weak or unstable, you can change to another Wi-Fi to try again.

Tip 2. Close the Instagram App and Re-open It

Sometimes, if your Instagram is malfunctioning, it doesn't work suddenly, or it's frozen at the stories page, close it and reopen it to see if you can use the app normally.

Tip 3. Update Instagram to the Latest Version

An outdated version of Instagram is also supposed to be counted as a potential cause. Since Instagram may no longer maintain some outdated versions, some unknown bugs may occur on these versions. So it is recommended to update your Instagram app to the latest version.

Tip 4. Update iOS to the Latest Version

Similarly, outdated iOS versions can also reduce the running speed of your device and lower the loading speed of various applications. Follow the steps below to install the latest version of iOS. If you are an Android user, you can also update to the latest OS from your phone Settings.

Tip 5. Repair iOS System

A glitch or bug in the Instagram app itself may cause your Stories not to work, upload or display. But when there is a bug in the software, it will also lead to the same problem. If updating iOS cannot help you get rid of Instagram Stories not working, you can repair your iOS system using a professional third-party software - EaseUS MobiXpert, a professional expert in fixing operating system issues. It is powerful, enabling you to enter/exit recovery mode in one click and factory reset your iPhone without a passcode. Moreover, it allows you to update to the latest iOS without encountering an iOS update getting stuck.

Let's see how to repair your system issues with EaseUS:

Step 1. Launch EaseUS MobiXpert on your computer, choose "System Repair" from the Home page.

Step 2.  Then, choose "iOS/iPadOS System Repair" from the new screen.

Step 3. Connect your iPhone or iPad to the computer and choose "Standard Repair." If you want a thorough repair, you can choose "Deep Repair."

Step 4. Confirm your device model and click "Next" to move on. Then, EaseUS MobiXpert will download a firmware for you, which will take a while. If you have installed a firmware before using this software, you can directly click "Verify" to continue.

Step 5. Then, click "Repair Now" to start the repair process. After the repair completes, you can check your device and restart it for use. 

Tip 6. Check the Storage Space

If your storage space is full on your device, that may also lead to the problem of Instagram stories not working because there is no more space for Instagram to load content on the current page.

Step 1. Go to Settings > General.

Step 2. Tap on Storage to check available space.

Tip 7. Clear Instagram App Cache

The Instagram cache of data stored on your phone would have an impact on the speed of page loading. Clear your Instagram cache regularly to make the loading faster.

Step 1. Go to Settings and tap Apps.

Step 2. Scroll down to find Instagram and tap it.

Step 3. On the next screen, tap Storage > Clear Cache.

Tip 8. Restart Your Phone

Restarting your phone is quite effective for most non-fault problems. It's worth trying. Just tap and hold the side button until it prompts you to restart your phone on the screen, and then tap Restart.

Tip 9. Check the Date & Time

Do not underestimate the power of the time settings. It may also influence Instagram loading. So it's better to make sure that the time and date on your device are set correctly.

Step 1. Go to Settings > General > Date & Time.

Step 2. Select your time zone.

Step 3. Change to the correct date and time.

Conclusion

In this guide, we have covered three parts - how to create Instagram stories, the possible reasons why Instagram stories do not work, and how to fix Instagram stories not working. As for the last part, if you still cannot address the issue with the above eight methods, you can contact Instagram Help Center. If you are done with Instagram, or there's something wrong with your Instagram account, you can delete your Instagram account and sign up for another one.

FAQs on Instagram Stories Not Working

Any other questions? For more information about Instagram stories not working, check the frequently asked questions below one by one.

1. How to check your Instagram Story views?

• Tap your profile photo at the bottom right of the screen.
• Tap Insights.
• Choose the period you'd like Insights for.
• Scroll down to Content You Shared and tap on Stories.
• Choose your metric and period.

2. Why can't I post to Story on Instagram?

You can't share a post to your Story if the Add Post to the Story button does not appear. This feature is only available to public accounts. If you try to share a post from a private account, the share button won't be there, and you won't be able to post it to Story.

3. How do you keep an Instagram story longer than 24 hours?

• Go to your Profile.
• Tap on your profile photo.
• You will be able to add Instagram Stories.
• Once you have created the story, open it.
• You will find a Highlight option at the bottom. Add it as a highlight.