Instagram Stories Not Working Correctly? – The Story on Common Story Problems

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Karen Lin

Instagram Tips | Aug 17, 2023

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When friends laugh about a story you haven’t seen, and you find your Instagram stories not working, you feel excluded. However, staying left out need not be your new normal. Fortunately, whether the problem lies with your phone, wireless internet, permissions or a needed update, someone has experienced your issue. Since Instagram has a relatively simple interface, even non-techy users can troubleshoot common hiccups. Many resolutions are quick. Article-based support can go a long way. Instagram fixes may solve other app or phone problems at the same time.

A main attraction of Instagram is that compared to other social media apps, the main feed is less overwhelming. Simplicity is part of the attraction. For that reason, having a problem with “simple” Instagram tends to cause discomfort. Deeper angst results when relying on Instagram for your content marketing strategy or other business purposes. This guide to resolving story problems can get you back in the loop faster. You’ll be one step closer to being an Instagram guru—or at least always stay in the conversation. Those little video and photo circle stories can stack up if you don’t resolve issues soon. Don’t miss out with your instagram stories not working, read on to figure it all out.

College students puzzled over Instagram stories not working.

Overview of Instagram Story Issues

It’s a bummer when you hope to take an Instagram break but can’t access stories or their features. Instead of getting a laugh or an update on your friends’ day, you’re left wondering: why won’t Instagram stories work? A spinning circle, silent video or camera hurdle sinks an Instagram user’s experience. These are common issues. Meanwhile, rarer problems with the “add yours” sticker and popular story effects are frustrating aspects of Instagram stories not working. When your funny or compelling story idea can’t become a reality because of an unknown glitch, don’t throw away your phone. People commonly find they have run into internet connection problems through Instagram. It could be a lot worse.


The need to update the operating system of your phone can be another struggle, which we’ll get into later. It’s not difficult to do, but sometimes people hesitate to update for various reasons. Nevertheless, security breaches sometimes make updating your phone an urgent priority. According to Apple, it’s more secure to update every so often for iOS. Not only that, but periodic updates to apps like Instagram can give you the latest features. Trying new filters, stickers and surveys is half the fun!

Instagram Stories Not Working Correctly – When the Circle Is Spinning

Sometimes you want to check out your favorite influencer or best friend’s weekend but get a spinning wheel. Luckily, instances of Instagram stories not working correctly don’t always indicate a big problem. You may not know what to do if Instagram stories aren’t loading. There are several reasons why the wheel may spin. This indicates the loading screen, which should only last two blinks. Many users keep waiting or retry soon, and discover their connection caught up.

Woman stressed when Instagram stories not working

Although you might be sitting next to your router, a story hiccup may indicate a connection problem. Search for something in a regular internet browser if you find Instagram stories failing. Perhaps it’s not just an Instagram issue. Some folks, especially the young, can poke around their device to locate a problem. Others need help to determine the source of the problem.


With a quick process-of-elimination-style series of troubleshooting steps, many people can reconnect to their all-you-can-view story buffet. If you need to see what an account is up to, try any or all of these actions to restore access to stories:

  • Switch to just a mobile data connection
  • Switch from data to Wi-Fi
  • If you were just relying on data, you could always restart your phone as well
  • Tapping the airplane mode button on and off may be a quicker fix

While connection problems disappoint temporarily, this is a better scenario than other issues that could plague a device. Hopefully, if you find your ig story not loading, you can resolve it through a reconnection or with connection-strengthening tactics. These are quicker fixes than many multi-step or techy solutions for other apps.

Instagram Stories Not Working Correctly – Instagram Story Music Not Working

Instagram introduced the music sticker in 2018. This sticker sparked envy for creative users who didn’t know how to use it yet. That’s because music can add humor, drama, energy or just evoke a feeling congruent with the picture or video. However, if you discover the music on your Instagram stories not working, this article has you covered. When Instagram story music is not working properly, remedies exist.

The Instagram music sticker may show malfunction by saying “no results found” for a common song. Other times, it may not show the full list of songs. The music may also not take to the picture or story. When you find your ig stories not working properly, several remedies exist. Users wanting to access Instagram music can usually resolve the issues with one of these solutions. They are ordered in terms of simplicity or ease of completion:

  • Sign in and out of Instagram – Sign out of Instagram via the three-line menu, then the settings button
  • Update the Instagram app – Update via the Google Play Store on Android or the App Store on iOS
  • Reinstall the Instagram app – Complete delete the app then reinstall it
  • Check for widespread IG problems – Waiting out an IG outage is a solution

Beware that professional accounts can interfere with Instagram music. Other issues may require more involved, technical fixes. If all else fails, Instagram does have a support team. However, users often solve the problem of Instagram story music not working sooner through the above steps. With over a billion users, the steps above and even more in-depth solutions are usually faster paths. That may be the case even if less techy users need help from a friend to resolve issues.

Instagram Stories Not Working Correctly – Instagram Story Camera Not Working

When the story camera won’t let you capture a sunset or deliver a funny cat video, annoyance and disappointment result. In the situation of Instagram stories not working correctly for the camera, these are the first steps. Check for outages and permission issues. Then check for updates.


One relieving reason you may find your Instagram story camera is not working is the app has a new version. You simply need to update the app. Depending on your device’s operating system, there are different updating steps. For Android-powered devices, you can do that in Google Play. Meanwhile, for Apple, venturing into the App Store, with the blue app icon, can get you a newer version. Some people enable automatic updates. On either operating system, the updates won’t affect the information you have stored on Instagram.

Visiting app store to update after Instagram stories not working

Another problem causing the camera hold-up could be the permissions. You may have dismissed the prompts to give Instagram access to the camera. In order to rectify the blocked camera, you’ll need to adjust the Instagram app settings. These usually lie in your main app control center. You may feel blocked out, but luckily most devices have multiple pathways for granting permission to use a camera.


An unlikelier problem than permissions is that data from Instagram may have stacked up. When that happens, it can interrupt the camera’s functioning. Clear your cache to fix it. An online help guide for your operating system can help. Finally, Instagram could be down altogether. Check online for an outage. Luckily, people report outages quickly. In that case, patience is key. It could be worse, and involve more work than just waiting.

Stories Not Working Correctly – Instagram Story Effects Not Working

While previously mentioned cases of Instagram stories not working seem more detrimental, issues with story effects still frustrate users. Enhancing a story is half the fun. First, we’ll detail the easier, faster fixes. Then the more complicated solutions to the inconveniences of Instagram story effects not working appear. It’s annoying when you can’t change the background color or add effects to your emojis.
Logging out and back into Instagram is a logical step. If that doesn’t work, ask yourself when the last time you restarted your device was. Is it finally time to turn it all the way off? Although a bit more involved, updating to a new version of the Instagram app is a higher-order solution. Beyond that, as mentioned earlier, clearing your cache may recuperate your story effects.

Instagram User Captures Forest View

A little-known fact is some story effects vary by geographic location. So when you find your Instagram story effects not working, think about your location. Did you leave the country? Are you climbing a remote mountain? Being out of range impacts your Instagram effect game. Turning your location permission to the opposite setting may help. Finally, although it’s tricky, clearing phone space gives Instagram room to breathe. No one envies the decisions clearing might entail. For that reason, this solution appears last!

Instagram Stories Not Working Correctly – Add Yours on Instagram Story Not Working

Creating a collection of stories by way of the “add yours” sticker is a thrill. It showcases the power of social media to create good times and maximize, well, digital sociability. Nevertheless, sometimes you envision a story chain, but the feature of “add yours” on Instagram story is not working properly. You are not the first. Issues with the “add yours” sticker arise, and there’s nothing worse than Instagram stories not working well!

Having recently upgraded to a professional account is one potential problem. However, it shouldn’t affect your personal account. You should still be able to use the “add yours” sticker on your personal side. Log out and back into Instagram to try to revive this sticker. Another fix is to update IG. Visit your iPhone’s iOS App store or Android’s Google Play icon to get the latest version of Instagram. You could also delete Instagram and then reinstall it. Although this may not apply for long, joining Instagram Beta can obtain the “add yours” sticker. Users need not think of this as a last resort! If you love IG enough or are feature-obsessed enough to need the “add yours” sticker, why not? You’ll get access to cool new features before most people. Amaze people by using the latest effects first

Bonus Spotlight – What to Do When the “Who Are You in Love With” Instagram Story Is Not Working

There’s no reason to dwell on cases of Instagram stories not working…let’s talk about Insta-possibilities! To celebrate the fact that Instagram users seldom experience problems, a bonus spotlight quick-fix for an add-yours-related feature is in order. As a bonus for Instagram lovers, highlighting the “Who are you in love with” sticker lets everyone celebrate love. Or is it potential romance? When the “who are you in love with” Instagram story is not working, it can feel like heartbreak. Troubleshooting with the remedies mentioned earlier can get you back to revealing your crush. 

Nevertheless, it isn’t just a romantic, crush-revealing opportunity. With a little creativity, it can be quite a hilarious posting too. Want to confess your love for a celebrity chef or just their lobster macaroni masterpiece? Add a picture of culinary delight. Less hilarious but still entertaining is posting a video of Steph Curry sinking a three-pointer. You know best what will tickle your followers’ funny bones.

In order to join the “Who Are You in Love with,” trend, go to the creator’s profile. Click the “add yours” sticker highlight. This is the pathway to that highlight. You can add your post to the sticker. The possibilities for this are endless. Is your love a pet? Your bf who isn’t expecting to see public love declarations outside of a holiday or anniversary? Some people carry out a true crush revelation. Others post a green-eggs-and-ham dish or liver and onions to gross out their followers. Whether you’re planning on a post featuring a favorite celebrity, valentine or just your dessert, it’s a fun sticker. It can also be romantic too, of course.

Don’t Focus On Instagram Stories Not Working, Imagine the Possibilities!

Tech business owner retakes picture after Instagram stories not working.

Despite the emphasis of this article, cases of Instagram stories not working correctly are rare. People choose Instagram as a main platform for gaining a following precisely because it’s streamlined and seldom disrupted. Best of all, it’s easy to start using Instagram. Users can quickly resolve most problems. Instagram also isn’t constantly testing trial versions that may change soon like Facebook’s ever-changing past. 

With a leverageable hashtag system and a focus on visual simplicity, Instagram is the perfect choice for purpose-driven people. Creators, artists, thought curators, business owners and influencers choose Instagram. Also, we have our fingers crossed it will stay as lighthearted as it’s been. Some people prefer Instagram. Others only use Instagram! Some users have continued success after taking over an account that was launched for them. Instagram is likely the best platform for an assisted start or continually managed growth.

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