When you try to view a story on Instagram and you see the error message Story Unavailable on Instagram, it means that you are unable to access that particular story for one of several reasons.
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5 Possible Reasons Why “This Story Is Unavailable” on Instagram
Here are some of the most common reasons why you might see this error:
1. The story has been deleted
The most common reason for seeing the error “Story Unavailable” on Instagram is that the story has been deleted by the account owner. Stories are only available for 24 hours after they are posted, and after that time, they are automatically deleted.
If you see the “Story Unavailable” error for a story that was posted recently, it’s likely that the account owner has deleted it.
2. The account is private
If you are trying to view a story from a private Instagram account, you will see the “Story Unavailable” error if you are not following the account.
Private accounts only allow their followers to view their stories, so if you are not following the account, you will not be able to see their stories.
3. You have been blocked by the account owner
If the account owner has blocked you, you will see the Story Unavailable on Instagram, even if you are following them.
If you see the “Story Unavailable” error for an account that you are following, it’s possible that you have been blocked by the account owner.
4. The story is in Close Friends
In addition to making their accounts private, users can also choose to share their stories with a select group of people called Close Friends.
If you are not on the Close Friends list for an account, you will not be able to see their stories, even if you are following them.
5. There is a technical issue
In rare cases, you may see the “Story Unavailable” error due to a technical issue on Instagram’s servers. If you have tried all of the other solutions and you are still seeing the error, it’s possible that there is a technical issue.
In this case, you can try refreshing the app, logging out and back in, or waiting a few hours and trying again.
How Can I Fix the “This Story Is Unavailable” Error on Instagram?
If you are seeing the Story Unavailable on the Instagram error and you are not sure why, you can try the following troubleshooting steps:
1. Check the time
Make sure that the story you are trying to view is still within the 24-hour window after it was posted. If the story on Instagram is older than 24 hours, it will have expired and will no longer be available.
2. Check the account privacy settings.
If the account is private, you will not be able to see their stories unless you are following them.
3. Check your block list.
If you have been blocked by the account owner, you will not be able to see their stories.
4. Check for technical issues.
If you have tried all of the other solutions and you are still seeing the error, it’s possible that there is a technical issue on Instagram’s servers. In this case, you can try refreshing the app, logging out and back in, or waiting a few hours and trying again.
If you have tried all of the troubleshooting steps and you are still seeing the “Story Unavailable” error on Instagram, you can contact Instagram support for help.
Here are some additional tips to fix the “Story Unavailable” on Instagram:
- Make sure that you are using the latest version of the Instagram app. Instagram is constantly releasing new updates that fix bugs and improve performance. If you are using an older version of the app, you may be more likely to experience problems, including the “Story Unavailable” error.
- Check your internet connection. If you have a poor internet connection, you may not be able to load stories properly. Try connecting to a different Wi-Fi network or using your cellular data.
- Close any other apps that you are not using. If you have a lot of apps running in the background, it can slow down your phone and make it more difficult to load stories. Close any apps that you are not using to free up memory and improve performance.
- Restart your phone. Sometimes, a simple restart can fix minor technical issues. If you are still seeing the “Story Unavailable” error after trying all of the other solutions, try restarting your phone.
Conclusion
The message “Story Unavailable” on Instagram can be caused by a variety of reasons. In most cases, the error can be fixed by following the troubleshooting steps outlined above. However, if you have tried all of the above steps and you are still seeing the error, you can contact Instagram support for help.
Muhammad Irshad is the founder of activemarketingfunnel.com, with 8+ years of experience in Social Media Management and Marketing. He is a professional content writer, focusing on technology and Social Media Marketing. He researched, tested, and wrote thousands of articles about everything from messaging apps to social media platforms. He graduated with a B.S. from the University of North Florida in 2018. When he’s not working, you will find him interested in sports or sci-fi movies.
