Why Does Instagram Say “This Story is Unavailable” – What Does It Mean?

Instagram is a very popular and widely used social media all over the world. Its features are well-loved and it has become a platform where users are able to share and view small sized content. One feature that is intriguing and interesting to check out is the story thumbnails. However and unfortunately, there are times when you tap on a thumbnail, you could get a message that says, “this story is unavailable”. This error, unfortunately commonly occurs. Do not worry as we understand how you feel which is why through this article, we shall provide you useful information which could help you understand the mentioned error and how you could fix it.

What Does “This Story Is Unavailable” Mean on Instagram?

When you encounter, “this story is unavailable” on Instagram, this means that Instagram has closed a particular story for viewing. Do not worry as there are several reasons why this is happening.

Could the Story Have Been Deleted?

One reason as to why you get the message, this story is unavailable on Instagram is due to the user has deleted the story that they have shared.

Have You Been Blocked?

Another reason could be that you have been blocked and you would not be able to access any of the content of the user that has blocked you.

Is the Account Private?

If you are not part of the VIP list of the user that has posted a story and his account have been set to private, then, you would not be able to view any content of the user that you would like to access.

Has the Story Expired?

Stories expire after 24 hours. This means, if the story has been posted 24 hours before, then, the story would disappear and you would not be able to view it anymore.

Was the Account Deactivated?

The user could have deactivated his account which means his story would be unavailable as well.

Are Technical Glitches to Blame?

One of the main reasons as to why you encounter, “this story is unavailable” is due to technical glitches such as software bugs or maintenance downtime and the like.

How Can You Fix ” This Story Is Unavailable” Error?

Now that we know some of the reasons as to why you encounter, this story is unavailable, the next step is to fix the mentioned error. Here are some tips as to how troubleshoot this Instagram error.

How Reliable Is Your Internet Connection?

Internet connection is very important for you to be able to access content on Instagram. If your internet is shaky and not stable, this could be a reason as to why you are encountering an error. For you to be able to check you have a stable internet connection, you will have to restart your router or modem.

Have You Considered a Quick Restart?

Just like any technical problems, one quick solution is to restart your device. All you need to do is to close the app and then re-open the app.

Is Your Cache Overflowing?

There are times when your device gets cluttered which means you would need to clear your cache. To do this, go to the settings of your device, search for Instagram and select clear cache.

Are You Dealing with a Private Account?

Check the account’s privacy setting by going to the profile page and if it mention it is private, you would need to follow the account and wait for the user to approve the content.

Could the Account be Inactive?

The user could be on an Instagram break or the account could have been deactivated. To check, all you have to do is to search for the username.

Could the Story Have Simply Vanished?

Stories expire after 24 hours. This means if the story has been posted for more than 24 hours, then you would no longer be able to view this story.

SSS

What does Story Unavailable mean on Instagram?

Story Unavailable means that you cannot access a particular story. There are numerous reasons as to why you are encountering this error. One of them is that the account could be private or deleted or you were blocked.

What happens when my access to a story is restricted?

This happens when the user has hid the story from you. This means the content is limited to certain people only.

How can I tell if someone has muted my story?

Unfortunately, Instagram does not notify its users if someone has muted a story.

Why would someone mute my story?

There are several reasons why someone could mute your story. This could be personal preference or even content relevance.

Can an Instagram story be unavailable due to technical problems?

Yes, this is possible.