What does “This Story Is Unavailable” on Instagram mean & How to fix it? – 2023

Have you ever encountered a blank screen with the message “This Instagram is no longer available” when trying to view someone’s Instagram story? Well you must have experience this, but Why does this this happen and what is the reason behind it, can it be fixed? Let’s find out everything in few steps

What does “This story is unavailable” on Instagram mean?

The message “This story is unavailable” on Instagram means that the story you are trying to view is not accessible, It could be due to various reasons such as:

#1 The user might have deleted their story: 

Instagram allows users to delete their stories at any time. If a user decides to remove their story, it will no longer be available for anyone to view. So, if you check the stories without refreshing or if your friend has shared a story with you that has been deleted, then it’ll show as “This Story is Unavailable.”

#2 The user have changed set their account to private

If you used to watch someone’s Instagram story without following them, but now you see a ring around their story and but when you tap to view, it shows “This story is unavailable,” it likely means that the person has changed their account from public to private

#3 Instagram has Removed The story: 

In some cases, Instagram might remove certain stories due to community guidelines violations or other policy infringements. If a story is deemed inappropriate or against Instagram’s terms of service, it can be taken down.

#4 User blocked you or restricted your access to their stories.

If a user decides to block or hide their story from you on Instagram, you won’t be able to view their stories or any other content on their profile. In this case, the message “This story is unavailable” indicates that you have been blocked or user has chosen to hide their story from you.

#5 Instagram bug/technical glitch: 

Like any other app, Instagram is not immune to technical glitches or bugs. Sometimes, due to these issues, certain stories may become temporarily unavailable. In such cases, the Instagram team usually resolves the problem within a short period.

#6 The story Might have expired: 

Instagram stories are active for up to 24 hours. After that, it disappears from the user’s profile. Therefore, if somebody has sent you that story and you try to view a story that has already expired, you will see the message “This story is unavailable.”

#7 You might not be on the close friends list: 

Instagram provides a feature called “Close Friends,” allowing users to share stories with a selected group. If you are not on the user’s close friends list, you won’t be able to view their stories if somebody else has sent them to you (the person who is in their close friend’s list

#8 The account might have been deactivated: 

If the user deactivates or deletes their Instagram account, all their stories will be unavailable. This can happen if the user takes a break from social media or permanently deletes their account.

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How to fix “This story is unavailable” on Instagram?

Unfortunately, as a user, you have limited control over fixing the “This story is unavailable” message on Instagram since it typically indicates that the story is inaccessible or removed by the user or platform. However, here are some general steps you can take:

#1 Refresh the feed: 

Sometimes, the issue might be temporary. Try refreshing your Instagram feed by swiping down on the Instagram home page to see if the story becomes available.

#2 Ensure good internet connectivity: 

A poor internet connection can lead to difficulties in loading stories. Ensure you have a stable internet connection before viewing the story.

#3 Log Out & log In: 

Logging out of your Instagram account and logging back in can help resolve various issues. Try logging out, closing the app, reopening it, and logging in again to see if the story becomes accessible.

#4 Restart your device: 

Sometimes, simply restarting can fix temporary glitches. Turn off your device, wait for a few seconds, and then turn it back on before accessing Instagram again.

#5 Clear cache: 

Clearing the cache can help resolve issues related to the data being stored. To do this, open to Settings application on your Android device. Then, go to Apps>Manage apps>Instagram>Clear data and cache. Finally, click on OK.

#6 Remove and Force stop the Instagram app: 

You can force-stop the Instagram app to fix certain problems on Android devices. Follow these steps to do so:

1. Open the Settings app.
2. Go to Apps and then Manage Apps. (depending on your device).
3. Find Instagram in the list and tap on it.
4. Tap on “Force Stop” and then click on OK.

#7 Update or reinstall the app: 

Outdated versions of the Instagram app may have compatibility issues. Check for updates in your device’s play store and install the latest version. If the problem persists, you can try uninstalling the app and then reinstalling it.

#8 Check from another account: 

If you can access another Instagram account, try viewing the story from that account. If the story is available from a different account, it suggests that the issue might be specific to your account.

#9 Try to view from another device: 

Try accessing Instagram and the particular story from a different device if possible. This will help you determine if the problem is with your device or the account.

#10 Report the issue to Instagram: 

If none of the above solutions work, Report the issue to Instagram. Follow these steps to report the problem:

1. Open Instagram.
2. Shake the device.
3. Select “Report a problem.”
4. Choose “Include and continue” to include your logs (activities) and diagnostics. This helps Instagram find the issue faster.
5. Explain the issue in detail and click on “Send.”

#11 Use a third-party app: 

You can also try using third-party apps specifically designed to view Instagram stories. These apps may provide an alternative way to access the unavailable story through the official Instagram app. However, exercise caution and ensure your chosen app is reputable and trustworthy.

Conclusion:

The message stating “This story is unavailable” on Instagram can be frustrating, but it usually has a logical explanation. It could be due to technical glitches, story expiration, privacy settings, user actions, or account-related issues. Following the suggested solutions mentioned above can increase your chances of resolving the problem and accessing the desired Instagram story. Remember to respect other users’ privacy and adhere to Instagram’s guidelines while using the platform.

FAQs:

Why does Instagram say, “This story is unavailable?” 

Answer: Instagram may display this message for various reasons, such as technical glitches, expired stories, privacy settings, account deactivation, removal by Instagram, or blocking by the user.

Does “This story is unavailable” on Instagram mean I am blocked? 

Answer: While it could indicate that the user has blocked you, there are other reasons for the message to appear, such as expired stories, privacy settings, or account deactivation.

How do you know if someone blocked you from their Instagram stories?

Answer: If you cannot view someone’s stories or posts, it could be a sign that you have been blocked. However, it’s essential to consider other factors like expired stories, privacy settings, or technical issues before concluding that you have been blocked.

Why can’t I see someone’s story on Instagram but not blocked? 

Answer: There are several reasons why you may not be able to see someone’s story, including expired stories, privacy settings, account deactivation, removal by Instagram, or being hidden from you. Being blocked is one possible reason, but it’s not the only one.