You opened Instagram. You want to see your friend’s story. But you see “This Story Is Unavailable.” Why? Sometimes it’s a glitch. Or maybe they hide it? I saw this message before. It happens when a story is gone. Maybe they delete it. You see the message. It’s confusing.
What to do? First, don’t ask your friend right away. Maybe try some techniques. Maybe the story was just old. Or they take it off. Try closing and opening the app again. Or check your internet. Usually, it’s just a small problem, not something big.
Why Do You See “This Story Is Unavailable” On Instagram?
The Story Has Been Deleted
When you see the message “Story Is Unavailable” on Instagram, it usually means the user has deleted the story. Maybe you had a chance to see it, maybe not. This happens a lot. A user posts a story, then deletes it. So, you can’t access it anymore. On Instagram, stories are not permanent. They are added, then they might go away. This is true for all stories, even specific ones.
The Story Is Expired
Similarly, when “This Story is Unavailable” shows up on Instagram, it’s often because the story expires. Instagram lets stories stay only for 24 hours. After that, they disappear. This is not an error; it’s how Instagram works. The message pops up when you try to view a story after its time is up.
The Story Is Hidden From You
Well, yeah, sometimes a user hides their story. They upload it, but not for everyone. On Instagram, users can set privacy settings. They choose specific people who can view their stories. If you’re not included in their selected group, you’ll receive “This Story Is Unavailable” message when trying to view it. To make sure this is the case, open their profile. If their story highlights have vanished or you’re receiving this message often, it’s one of the reasons you can’t see their hidden content.
The User Has Switched To A Private Account
Another reason for seeing the “This Story Is Unavailable” message is if the user who posted the story has changed their Instagram account privacy settings to “Private.” Once an account goes private, only approved followers can view their stories. If you’re not one of them and attempting to view the content, you’ll encounter this message.
You’re Blocked By Them
If you’re blocked by a user, and you’re trying to access their story, you’ll see the “This Story Is Unavailable” message. When blocked, your access to their profile and stories is restricted. They use this to prevent specific individuals from viewing their content.
Instagram Has Deleted The Story
Sometimes, Instagram may remove a story due to violations of its community guidelines or content policies. When this happens, users who attempt to view the deleted story are met with the “This Story Is Unavailable” message. Instagram takes these actions to maintain a safe and respectful environment.
Poor Internet Connection
Occasionally, technical issues like a poor internet connection can cause the “This Story Is Unavailable” message. If your connection is slow or unstable, you might be experiencing disruptions that prevent Instagram from loading or displaying stories properly. Resolving these issues often fixes the problem.
Instagram Glitches
Instagram, like any app, can encounter technical glitches from time to time. These can affect how features display, especially stories. When you see the “This Story Is Unavailable” message, it might be a glitch. Best to wait and try again later. Instagram usually addresses these issues swiftly with updates and fixes on their end.
The App May Need An Update
Sometimes, an update for the Instagram app is needed. Whether on the App Store for iOS or the Google Play Store for Android, always check for updates. If available, install them. Then, force-close the app and reopen it to apply the changes.
How Can You Fix The “This Story Is Unavailable” Error?
If you’ve encountered the “This Story Is Unavailable” error on Instagram, there are steps to resolve it. Clear your Cache, which accumulates data and can cause glitches. A refresh can potentially fix it. For Android Users, go to your phone’s Settings, Scroll down, select Apps or Applications, Find Instagram, tap on it, then go to Storage. For iPhone Users, Open the Settings app and find the similar options to clear cache.
Relogin Your Instagram Account
If you see a strange message and need to fix it, try to log out of your Instagram account and then log back in. In many cases, this works. Here’s what to do: Open Instagram and tap the profile icon at the bottom right. Go to your profile by tapping the three horizontal lines at the top right. Find the Settings option. Tap it and scroll down in the settings to find the Log Out option. Confirm you’re logging out. Then, enter your credentials to log back in. This can solve the problem. Check if it works.
Update The Instagram App
If Instagram crashes or shows an error, it might be out of date. Check for the app’s latest version. Download it from the Google Play Store for Android or the App Store for iPhone. Search for Instagram and look for the latest version. There should be an update option. Ensure all your apps are updated by tapping on update. After the installation is complete, check if the error is still there. In many cases, using an old Instagram version causes issues. This method often solves the problem.
How Reliable Is Your Internet Connection?
A stable internet connection is the bridge between your device and Instagram’s servers. If it’s shaky, you might encounter access issues with Instagram. Try restarting your router or modem and check the performance of other apps. If they’re running smoothly, your connection is likely not the issue.
Have You Considered A Quick Restart?
In doubt, a simple restart can resolve issues. It’s a surprisingly effective troubleshooting method that often works for Instagram. Just close and reopen the app. A minor glitch can be remedied with a quick refresh.
Refresh Feed Of Your Instagram App
The easiest way to refresh your feed is to pull down from the top to reload the latest posts and stories. This option of refreshing the Instagram app can often fix the ‘story unavailable’ issue.
Deleted The Story, Or The Story Is Expired
If you can’t view a story, it might be because the user deleted the story or it expired. You could ask a mutual friend or the account owner for details. If the user uploads the story again, you can see it. In the latter situation, move to the person’s profile and check their highlights. People often add their stories to a highlight so friends and family can view later. If it’s added to the highlight section, you can view it again.
If Instagram Removed It
If Instagram has taken down a story, the best solution is to ask the account owner. Maybe someone who viewed it knows what was in it.
Conclusion
Seeing “This Story Is Unavailable” can be devastating when curious to watch a story. This guide can teach you to fix this error. The disappearance can happen if a user deletes their story on Instagram, indicated by the red circle on their profile. It could also mean the story expires. Sometimes, you might need to wait to figure out if you’re blocked from viewing it. A notification to view a story can lead to this message if the user changed their settings to private. Glitches? Try logging out and back in, or refreshing your feed. Always update to the latest version to avoid the ‘Not Available’ error. Understanding the meaning helps navigate the platform without hesitations while surfing.
FAQ’s:
What Does It Mean When Instagram Says This Story Is Unavailable?
When Instagram says a Story is unavailable, it usually means it’s no longer available. Instagram Stories are only available for 24 hours. After that, they disappear. Sometimes, friends share a Story in DMs. You click to see it, but if it’s after 24 hours, it will be unavailable.
How Can You Tell If Someone Blocked You From Seeing Their Instagram Stories?
Your best bet in this situation is to contact a friend who follows the same account in question. Ask them if they get an alert when the user posts a story. If they’re alerted and you’re not, then head to Instagram. Check if their coloured story ring is visible to you. This could be your answer.
How To Know If Someone Is Hiding Their Story From You On Instagram?
If you suspect someone has hidden their story from you, check with a mutual friend. They can directly see it. If yes, ask the account owner for clarification. There’s no specific option on Instagram to know, so asking others if they can see the story is a good approach.
Why Can’t I See Someone’s Instagram Story But I’m Not Blocked?
Originally Answered, you can’t see your friend’s Instagram story but you’re not blocked. It’s possible the account hid their story from you specifically. They didn’t block you but took away your access to their stories.