Have you ever tapped on a friend’s Instagram Story, only to be met with the puzzling message, “This story is unavailable”? If so, you're not alone. Countless users encounter this frustrating notification without a clear explanation. Whether you're catching up on someone’s updates or trying to view a trending Story, running into this roadblock can be disappointing. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore why does it say this story is unavailable on Instagram, uncover all the potential causes, and offer actionable solutions to help you fix or understand this issue.
From privacy changes to expired content and app glitches, we’ll walk you through every possibility. You’ll also learn how to improve your experience on the platform and avoid running into the same issue in the future.
What Does ‘This Story Is Unavailable’ Mean on Instagram?
When Instagram displays the message "This story is unavailable", it simply means you’re unable to view the Story you attempted to open. It might seem like a technical issue at first, but the root cause could stem from a wide range of reasons, both technical and user-related.
This notification often pops up when the Instagram story is not loading, or has already disappeared. Other times, it’s a result of a restricted story access, account deactivation, or app-specific bugs. Understanding the actual cause requires analyzing different scenarios that trigger this message.
Sometimes, the message also appears if you are not following this user, and their privacy settings block you from viewing their Stories. In many instances, the Instagram story privacy settings are the main barrier keeping users from accessing particular content.
If you're aiming for better reach and interaction despite occasional Story issues, working on your Instagram growth can help you build a stronger and more engaged audience.
Most Common Reasons Instagram Stories Become Unavailable
Instagram Stories are designed to be temporary, fleeting glimpses into someone’s day. However, they come with a complex set of rules and backend systems that determine who gets to see what. Several common reasons explain why Stories vanish or become unavailable:
- The user deleted the Story manually.
- The Story expired after 24 hours.
- You’ve been blocked on Instagram or removed from the viewer list.
- The Instagram account is private or deactivated.
- The Story is hidden from you using custom privacy settings.
- There’s a bug or glitch in the Instagram app.
Each of these situations results in the same generic “Story unavailable” message, which doesn’t help identify the cause. For users frequently seeing this error, it's often a result of an Instagram story glitch or a change in the user's Instagram permissions.
You might also face this issue if the Instagram app update is pending, or if your cache is overloaded. This is where app troubleshooting becomes essential. Luckily, we break down every possible explanation in the sections below.
The Story Was Deleted by the User
One of the most common causes behind the “Story is unavailable” message is simply that the story was deleted by user. This could be a result of the user removing the Story themselves before its 24-hour lifespan ended.
Instagram allows users to delete Stories at any time, and once it's gone, it’s permanently removed from view. If you were trying to view a Story that was taken down moments before you tapped it, you’ll receive the error.
This situation also applies if the Story was removed due to a violation of Instagram’s community guidelines. In such cases, Instagram may remove the Story automatically without notifying viewers.
Also, bear in mind that when a Story is deleted, its cached version might still show up on your feed or DMs. However, when tapped, Instagram updates its status, resulting in the “unavailable” error. You may even encounter this if you're mid-conversation about a Story that’s just disappeared.
For creators looking to avoid visibility issues, it's worth focusing on strategies that bring in more Instagram likes, making content stand out.
You Were Removed From the Viewer List or Blocked
Another personal and privacy-based reason for a missing Story is that you’ve been blocked on Instagram, or removed from the viewer list. Instagram allows users to customize who can see their Stories using the “Hide Story From” feature.
If someone manually removes you, you won’t be notified. You’ll simply see the Instagram says story is unavailable message when trying to access their Story. Blocking works similarly. Once blocked, you're cut off from viewing any Stories or profile-related content.
Additionally, even if the person hasn’t blocked you, they might have used the Instagram story muted or restricted settings. These settings allow for limiting Story visibility without unfollowing or blocking someone.
This behavior is common when people want to limit their audience for personal or professional reasons. The result is always the same: can’t view Instagram story message, even if you saw their Stories before.
The Story Expired After 24 Hours
Instagram Stories have a lifespan of only 24 hours. After that, they disappear from public view unless added to a Highlight. If a Story has simply passed its expiration time, Instagram will show the story expired on Instagram message through the “unavailable” notice.
This expiration is a standard function and not considered an error. However, Instagram sometimes delays the update, making it look like a Story is still available, when in fact it's already gone.
Stories in group chats or shared through DMs might appear clickable even after expiration, leading to confusion. When clicked, they result in the story expired after 24 hours message.
To avoid such errors, be sure to check Stories in real-time, and not rely on shared links or saved conversations. This way, you reduce the chances of encountering expired content.
In the meantime, focus on increasing Instagram views so your Stories make an impact before they expire.
The Account Is Now Private or Deactivated
If the user whose Story you’re trying to view has made their Instagram account private, and you don’t follow them, you’ll be locked out of their Stories. Instagram enforces Instagram story privacy settings strictly, meaning only approved followers can view content.
In some cases, you might have followed them earlier but were removed from their followers list. If their profile is private and you’re no longer following, the “story unavailable” error will appear.
Similarly, if the account is deactivated, either temporarily or permanently, the content becomes inaccessible. You’ll often see Instagram account deactivated as the root cause of missing Stories.
Deactivation immediately removes the user's presence from your feed, including Stories. Whether intentional or due to policy violations, deactivation leads to a full content blackout, including any active Stories.
In short, if the Instagram user removed story access via deactivation or privacy adjustments, you won't be able to view their Stories, even if links to them remain in your chat or feed.
There’s a Glitch or Bug in the App
Not all Story errors are user-driven. Sometimes, technical issues on Instagram’s end can trigger the Instagram story error. These glitches may be due to outdated app versions, corrupted cache, or even server-related problems.
Common signs of a bug include:
- Story not loading despite being posted.
- “Unavailable” messages for all accounts.
- Random errors after tapping notifications.
- Stories briefly loading, then crashing.
In such scenarios, it’s usually best to update Instagram app, restart your phone, or even clear Instagram cache to reset the interface. If that fails, try to reinstall Instagram or check Instagram server status to see if the issue is platform-wide.
These app-specific bugs are often temporary and get resolved with updates. Still, staying current with updates and monitoring Instagram help center advisories will reduce these errors.
How to Troubleshoot and Fix the ‘Story Unavailable’ Message
Fixing the “This Story is Unavailable” issue involves both proactive and reactive steps. Here's a breakdown of what you can do:
- Check the User’s Profile: ensure they haven’t gone private, blocked you, or removed their Story.
- Confirm Your Network Connection: an unstable internet connection issue can prevent Stories from loading.
- Log Out and Back In: refresh your session to clear minor bugs.
- Clear Cache and Cookies: this clears corrupted data interfering with Story loads.
- Update or Reinstall the App: a new version might fix an Instagram story glitch.
- Try a Different Device: narrow down whether it’s your phone or account causing the problem.
- Contact Instagram Support: if all else fails, reach out via the Instagram help center.
In many cases, minor fixes like clearing cache, restarting your phone, or reinstalling the app resolve the issue. However, if the problem lies with the user’s settings or if the story was hidden from you, no technical fix will override those limitations.
Can You Still View a Story Once It’s Marked Unavailable?
Unfortunately, once a Story is flagged as “unavailable,” your chances of viewing it again are slim to none. If the story expired after 24 hours, was deleted, or hidden, it’s gone for good from your perspective.
You can’t view Instagram story of one person unless their privacy settings permit you. If you’re removed, blocked, or no longer following a private profile, there’s no workaround.
That said, if the error is due to technical issues rather than privacy ones, you might still retrieve the Story after refreshing the app or fixing the bug.
Instagram does not offer access to deleted Stories unless the user has added them to a Highlight. In that case, you might still see it under their profile.
Otherwise, your best bet is to focus on boosting your own Story interactions, making sure your content doesn’t vanish into obscurity and stays impactful while it’s live.
Final Thoughts
In summary, the message “Why does it say this story is unavailable on Instagram” can stem from various causes. Whether it's a Story being deleted, a change in privacy settings, or a temporary app glitch, the root lies in either content expiration or restricted access.
Key takeaways include:
- Stories expire after 24 hours, unless saved.
- Users can block or restrict Story acces, leading to this error.
- Technical issues are common and usually temporary.
- Privacy settings on Instagram play a major role in what you can and cannot see.
- You may need to update, reinstall, or clear cache to fix app-based bugs.
Understanding these factors helps you navigate the platform more confidently, whether you're troubleshooting issues or just staying informed. It also highlights the importance of keeping your own Stories visible and engaging before they vanish.
FAQ
Why can’t I see someone’s story on Instagram?
This could be due to being blocked, removed from their viewer list, or the user having a private account.
What does “story not available” mean?
It means the Story is either expired, deleted, or you no longer have permission to view it.
How to fix story unavailable error?
Try clearing cache, updating or reinstalling the app, checking your network, and confirming if the user restricted you.
Can I view an expired Instagram Story?
No, unless it’s saved to the user’s Highlights, expired Stories are permanently gone.
Does reinstalling Instagram fix story loading issues?
Yes, reinstalling can resolve app bugs that prevent Stories from loading correctly.