Instagram Sound Not Working? Best Quick Solutions!

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Karen Lin

Instagram 101 | Apr 27, 2023

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Instagram is a popular social media platform with millions of daily photo and video posts and 2 billion monthly active users. One of the users’ most frustrating issues is when Instagram videos lack sound. Whether it’s a funny cat video or a concert, the absence of sound disappoints the creator and the viewer.

Sound is essential for a great user experience on Instagram. It can enhance a video, evoke emotions in viewers, and keep their attention. Videos become less effective without audio, and the message may not come across well. As Instagram adds new features like Reels and IGTV, it becomes more evident how essential audio is. Although these changes allow creators to showcase their skills with longer videos, the absence of sound can put them at a disadvantage.

Fortunately, resolving the issue of Instagram sound not working is simple. In this article, we’ll talk about what could be wrong with the sound in Instagram videos and how to fix it. One thing is sure: you can enjoy a complete Instagram audio experience by following the steps outlined here!

A woman looks at her phone, disappointed because she's having a hard time with Instagram sound not working issues.

Reasons Why Your Instagram Sound Is Not Working

Sometimes, you may find a video file on Instagram that doesn’t have any sound. No need to panic; it’s not necessarily your app or device. To be sure, you can play another video using Instagram or any other app that supports sound. If you’re still having trouble, there could be several reasons why the sound on your Instagram videos isn’t working. Here are some common ones:

  1. The device volume is too low or muted. If the volume on the device is either too low or muted, then the Instagram video might not play with any sound. When the sound volume is too low to hear clearly, try increasing it or switching off the device’s mute feature.
  2. The device app is outdated or glitchy. If your Instagram app, particularly the sound, isn’t working right due to bugs, it may need an update. Check the app store for updates, then download and install the most recent version.
  3. The device’s operating system is outdated or incompatible. An incompatible or outdated device’s operating system may cause Instagram sound not working errors. Make sure to check for updates in the device settings and install the latest version.
  4. The web browser is incompatible or has extensions blocking the sound. If you access Instagram through a web browser, ensure it’s compatible with the app and that no extensions are blocking sound from playing. If you’re still experiencing the Instagram sound not working issue, try switching browsers or disabling add-ons.

Knowing these causes helps users fix Instagram sound not working on their iPhone, Android, or browser.

Instagram Sound Not Working On Your Phone: A Total Headache for IG Users

Don’t worry if you’re experiencing sound issues on Instagram on your mobile device. You can fix the problem by following these simple steps.

Easy Fixes When Instagram Sound Is Not Working On iPhone or Android Devices

Silence is golden, but not until you realize you want to share some life lessons, music talent, etc., through IG reels, and you need to make sure your Instagram app sound is working smoothly.

  1. Be sure to clear your Instagram cache and data. Clear Instagram’s cache and data to remove any corrupted files that cause Instagram sound not working errors. Open the settings app on your device, navigate to “Apps” or “Application Manager,” find Instagram, and then select “Clear cache” and “Clear data.” Regularly clearing your app’s cache and data can optimize performance and prevent glitches.
  2. Check for Instagram app and device updates. Check for updates to your Instagram app to ensure new Instagram updates will work with them. Go to the App Store or Google Play Store on your device and search for the most recent version of Instagram to update. Keep your app and device updated to fix Instagram sound bugs on iPhone and Android.
  3. Uninstall and reinstall the Instagram app. If all else fails, uninstall and reinstall the Instagram app to get rid of any bugs or problems that are still causing sound problems. Go to your device’s settings, find “Apps” or “Application Manager,” find Instagram, and then click “Uninstall.” After you remove the app, you can reinstall it from the App Store or Google Play Store.

Check Devices When Instagram Sound Is Not Working

When you know that your Instagram app is updated but your Instagram sound is not working, then it’s high time to check the mobile device itself.

  1. Check Bluetooth headphones and earbuds to ensure they are working. Ensure that your Bluetooth headphones or earbuds work properly. Sometimes, sound problems on your wireless device are due to connectivity issues. Make sure your Bluetooth is on and paired with your headphones or earbuds.
  2. Restart your device. Restarting your device can fix Instagram sound issues by clearing out any bugs or glitches affecting your device’s sound. Hold down the power button on your device and choose “Restart.”
  3. Check the device’s sound setting. Check your device’s sound settings to ensure that Silent Mode and Do Not Disturb are off and your volume is up. You can also experiment with sound balance and equalizer settings to see if that helps.
  4. Check for device updates. Update your device’s software to make sure new Instagram fixes or improvements will work with them.
Uninstalling and reinstalling the Instagram app - Someone's hand is holding a phone with an Instagram icon showing the delete option.

Before we talk about fixing Instagram sound problems in web browsers, here are some extra hot tips and tricks for dealing with other common Instagram sound issues, like having no Instagram stories and notification sounds.

What To Do When Instagram Notification Sound Is Not Working On Android and iPhone Devices

Have you been missing out on important updates on your friends, followers, or fave celebrities because your Instagram notification sound is not working on Android and iPhone? Don’t worry; we’ve got you covered. In this article, we’ll provide some tips on how to fix the issue of Instagram notification sounds not working on Android and iOS.

  1. Check notification volume. First, make sure your device’s notification volume is up. You can adjust the default app notification volume on Android and iPhone to ensure you don’t miss any new Instagram alerts.
  2. Disable mute. On an Android or an iPhone, if your phone is set to vibrate or mute, you will not hear the Instagram notification sound. To enable ringer mode on an iPhone, use the mute switch on the side of the device. Android users can access the volume menu from the side by pressing any volume key. Also, tap the notification icon and then the ringer profile to enable calls and the notification sound.

Easy App Fixes When IG Notification Sound Is Not Working

  1. Check sound settings for Instagram. Make sure the sound settings for Instagram on your device are on. If they aren’t, you may have problems with Instagram sound not working. Or if you’ve turned off notifications entirely, you won’t be able to hear alerts on your phone.
  2. Unmute conversations. If you’ve muted any Instagram conversations, you won’t receive any notifications or sound from the app. You’ll only see the messages if you go to the app’s DM (direct messages) menu. Make sure to unmute any important Instagram conversations.
  3. Remove Instagram for scheduled summary (iPhone only). Scheduled Summary is a new feature introduced with iOS 15 that allows you to schedule notifications for irrelevant apps. If you’ve added Instagram to your Scheduled Summary, you’ll get notifications at set times without sound. You’ll need to take Instagram off your iPhone’s Scheduled Summary.
  4. Update Instagram. A recent bug in the Instagram app could have made your phone’s notifications go silent. Head to the Google Play Store or App Store to install the latest Instagram update.
 Instagram notification sound not working - Phone with several unread notifications from Instagram, Facebook, and other social media sites.

What To Do When Instagram Story Sound Is Not Working

Instagram Stories aren’t the same without music, so it’s frustrating when the IG music feature isn’t working. Sometimes, your followers spend hours looking for the perfect music to accompany the stories. But none of that matters if you can’t have the same experience in the app. Let’s put an end to the Instagram story sound not working issue once and for all!

Bonus: Instagram Story Sound Not Working Due to Regional Restrictions

If you can’t hear some Instagram stories, it might be because of where you live. Some countries don’t let people listen to the audio because of rules about music copyrights. You are in one of those countries if you see a message that says, “Instagram Music Is Not Available in Your Region.” But relax; you can still try using a VPN to solve the problem.

And if you live in a country where you shouldn’t be facing Instagram sound not working scenarios, it could be a technical issue. In that case, you should report the problem to Instagram.

Quick Android Fixes When IG Story Sound Is Not Working

  1. Turn off Silent Mode. To quickly check whether you can hear Instagram stories in silent mode without sound, we suggest changing the setting.

    For Android: Just simply press the Volume Up button to exit silent mode.

  2. Re-enable the mic and camera permission. The Instagram app denying access to necessary phone resources could be another cause of the Stories audio issue. As a result, consider disabling all permissions and re-enabling them when you’re ready to use Instagram again.

    So, here are some ways to get into the Instagram app permissions on your Android:
    • Select Instagram from the available apps in Android’s Settings > Apps & Notifications.
    • Then, go to the Instagram app page and select “Storage,” followed by “Clear Cache.” Then you can select “Clear Data/Clear Storage.”

  3. Restart Instagram app. There are times when the app doesn’t launch properly, causing some delays or Instagram sounds not working. This is what you should do:
    • Close the app, open your recently-opened apps, and swipe on Instagram to clear it.
    • Afterward, relaunch Instagram and try viewing a Story from your feed. If the Story is a video, make sure to turn up the volume to check if it’s muted or not

  4. Disable “Power Save Mode” on Android by going to Settings > Battery > Power Saver Mode to toggle it off.

Quick Ios Fixes When IG Story Sound Is Not Working

  1. Disable Silent Mode. For iPhone and iPad: The iPhone’s mute switch is on the left side. To activate it, gently press the button against the screen until it clicks. Your phone is silent if you can no longer see the orange line.
  2. Restart the IG app. On both iOS and Android devices, the methods for closing and restarting Instagram are the same:
    • Close the app, open your recently-opened apps, and swipe on Instagram to clear it.
    • After that, relaunch Instagram and try viewing a Story from your feed, and don’t forget to turn up the volume so you’ll know if you addressed the Instagram sound not working errors accurately.
  3. Turn off power saving on iPhone. Here are the steps to take:
    • Click on “Settings.”
    • Scroll down and tap “Battery.”
    • If Low Power Mode is on, slide it to the left to turn it off.
  4. Turn off Focus Mode on iPhone. The new Focus Mode in iOS 15 reduces or eliminates distracting noises on your iPhone. It can also turn off the audio on Instagram Stories for iOS devices. Therefore, if Focus Mode is active on your iPhone, disable it, and afterward, try to play a video Story on your IG again.
  5. Fix iOS 15 Instagram Stories with no audio by reporting it. Try something else before you decide it’s time to return to an older version of iOS. Instagram usually listens to its users’ complaints. This is especially true if the same problem keeps coming up everywhere.

    After the latest iOS update, many users have reported sound issues with Instagram Stories. Notifying Instagram of the issue may be the first step to fixing it.

How To Fix Instagram Sound Not Working on Web Browsers

Are you having trouble hearing sound on Instagram videos in your web browser? Follow these steps to fix the issue:

A person using Google Chrome on a laptop with a mobile device and other gadgets on a table

  1. Ensure browser compatibility and update. Make sure you’re using a compatible and updated web browser. Instagram works well with popular web browsers like Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, and Microsoft Edge. Check that you have the latest version of your browser installed.
  2. Disable sound-blocking browser extensions. Disable any browser extensions that may interfere with the sound of Instagram videos. You can do this by accessing the extensions or settings page and disabling any extensions that may be causing the issue.
  3. Clear browser cache and cookies. Clear your browser’s cache and cookies regularly to prevent glitches and improve performance. To do this, go to your browser’s preferences or history page and clear your cache and cookies.
  4. Check the browser’s sound settings. Check to see if the sound settings in your browser are right. Check to see if your browser’s or device’s volume settings are too low or not set to mute.
  5. Try another browser. If you’ve tried all other steps, consider accessing Instagram from another web browser. Switching to another browser can help fix Instagram sound not working problems caused by the browser itself.

These steps should resolve sound issues with Instagram videos in your web browsers. But if the issue persists, contact Instagram’s support team for further assistance.

Again, update your browser and Instagram app, clear your browser’s cache and cookies, and check your device’s sound settings to avoid headaches from any Instagram sound not working problem.

Prevent Instagram Sound From Not Working in the Future

As frustrating as Instagram sound issues can be, you can take steps to prevent them from occurring. Here are some tips to keep in mind:

  1. Check the video’s sound before posting. Before you post a video on Instagram, preview it and check that the sound is working properly. This allows you to catch any issues before the video goes live and potentially causes problems for your followers.
  2. Check device and app updates regularly. It is critical to keep your device and the Instagram app updated to access the most recent features and bug fixes. This can help prevent sound problems caused by outdated software.
  3. Avoid browser extensions that may interfere with the sound. f you prefer Instagram in your web browser, be cautious of the extensions you install. Some extensions, such as ad blockers or privacy tools, may interfere with the sound of Instagram videos. Disable these extensions or use a different browser to access Instagram.
  4. Use compatible devices and software. If you frequently experience sound issues on Instagram, ensure your device and software are compatible with the app. Instagram recommends using the most recent app version on a computer running the latest operating system.
  5. Report bugs and issues to Instagram support. If you continue to have sound problems on Instagram after troubleshooting, consider contacting Instagram support. Reporting can help the app’s developers identify and fix any bugs causing sound problems.

If you want to make sure your Instagram followers enjoy your content without any Instagram sound not working troubles, follow the steps above.

Final Thoughts: Let No Instagram Sound Not Working Issues Stop You!

When Instagram sound is not working right, it is frustrating for users. So, if you can’t hear sound in IG videos or have other audio-related problems, fix them ASAP by taking the steps we listed above. Remember that different factors can cause Instagram sound issues and may necessitate various troubleshooting methods.

We hope this article has given you all the information you need to regain your IG experience.

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