If Instagram stories from someone suddenly disappear, the most likely reason is that they were muted by mistake. Many people search for How to unmute stories on Instagram when they can no longer see updates from a friend, creator, or family member. Unmuting stories is quick and only requires a few taps once you know where muted stories are located.
In this guide, you will learn why stories vanish, how to find muted stories on Instagram, and how to restore them on both iPhone and Android using the correct Instagram story settings. Managing story visibility also plays a role in engagement, especially if you want to boost Instagram followers while staying active with the right accounts.
Key takeaways:
- How to tell if an Instagram story muted setting is the real issue
- Exact steps to unmute Instagram stories from the feed, profile, and settings
- Where to look when you wonder why can’t I see someone’s Instagram stories
- Simple fixes if Instagram stories are not appearing even after unmuting
Let’s start by understanding the most common reason stories go missing in the first place.
Why Can’t I See Someone’s Instagram Stories?
If you can’t see someone’s Instagram stories, the reason is usually simple. In most cases, it’s because their stories are muted or there’s a temporary app issue, not because you’re blocked.
You May Have Muted Their Story
The most common reason stories disappear is accidental muting. A long press on a story and one tap on Mute is enough to hide someone’s stories. When this happens, their stories move to the end of your story bar and appear faded or greyed out.
If this sounds familiar, the fix is quick once you know where to look.
Other Reasons Stories Aren’t Showing
-
They haven’t posted recently
Instagram stories disappear after 24 hours, so there may simply be nothing to see. -
Close Friends stories
Stories shared only with Close Friends won’t appear unless you’re on that list. -
Temporary app issues
Glitches, outdated apps, or connection problems can cause stories not to show.
Now that you know the reasons, let’s go through how to unmute Instagram stories.
How to Unmute Stories on Instagram (Step-by-Step)
This section focuses on the main goal: How to unmute stories on Instagram using every method available. Instagram gives you more than one way to do it, so you can choose what feels easiest.
How to Unmute Someone’s Story on Instagram via the Stories Feed
This is the fastest method if you know where to look. Muted stories do not disappear completely. They move to the far right of your story bar.
Where muted stories appear
Muted stories sit at the end of the stories row on your home screen. They have a faded look compared to active stories, which makes them easy to miss if you are not paying attention.
How to unmute with a long-press
Once you spot the grayed-out story:
- Tap and hold the story icon
- Select “Unmute Story” from the menu
- The story immediately returns to your main story feed
This method works well if you only muted one or two accounts and want a quick muted stories Instagram fix without digging through settings.
How to Unmute Instagram Stories from a User’s Profile
If you are already browsing someone’s profile and realize you cannot see their stories, this method is ideal.
- Using the Following → Mute option
Go to the user’s profile and tap the “Following” button. From the menu that appears, select “Mute.” You will see toggles for posts and stories. - Turning Stories back on
If the Stories toggle is enabled, turn it off. This action will remove mute from Instagram stories for that account and restore their stories to your feed.
This approach is useful when you want to double-check what you muted and ensure only the right content is hidden.
How to Unmute Someone’s Story on Instagram Through Settings
If you muted multiple accounts over time, using settings is the most organized way to manage everything.
- Accessing Muted Accounts
Open your profile, tap the menu icon, go to Settings, then Privacy, and select Muted Accounts. This is where Instagram keeps a full list of muted profiles. - Managing multiple muted profiles
From here, you can tap any account and toggle stories back on. This method is perfect if you want to how to manage muted stories on Instagram in one place instead of searching manually.
Understanding Instagram mute settings gives you long-term control over your feed and helps prevent accidental muting in the future.
How to Find Muted Stories on Instagram?
Many users know how to unmute stories but still struggle with How to find muted stories on Instagram in the first place. Instagram does not label them clearly, so you need to know where to look.
Where Muted Stories Are Located in the Instagram App
Muted stories always appear at the far end of your story bar on the home screen. They are visually different, appearing slightly faded or grayed out. Instagram does this intentionally to keep muted content unobtrusive.
If you never scroll all the way to the end, you may never notice them. This is why many people think stories are gone entirely when they are actually still there.
How to See Your Full Muted Stories List
The most reliable way to see every muted account is through Settings. Inside the Muted Accounts section, you will find everyone whose posts or stories you muted. This list answers the question where are muted stories on Instagram without guesswork.
Taking a few minutes to review this list can instantly restore stories you forgot you muted months ago.
How to Unmute Instagram Stories on iPhone and Android?
The process is nearly identical across devices, but small interface differences can confuse users. Here is how it works on each platform.
Unmuting Instagram Stories on iPhone
On iPhone, the Instagram app places settings in the same locations described above. You can unmute stories from the story feed, profile, or settings without limitation. The long-press gesture on story icons works smoothly on iOS and is often the quickest option.
If you rely heavily on stories for engagement or business, keeping stories visible can help increase Instagram account visibility through consistent interaction.
Unmuting Instagram Stories on Android
Android users follow the same steps, but may notice slight menu layout differences depending on the device. The Muted Accounts section still lives under Privacy, and long-pressing a story works the same way.
If stories do not update right away on Android, clearing cache can help. We will cover that shortly.
Read more: What Happens When You Mute Someone on Instagram?
Instagram Stories Still Not Showing After Unmuting? Try These Fixes
Sometimes stories still fail to appear even after you unmute them. When that happens, the issue is usually technical.
Refresh the App and Restart Instagram
Closing the app completely and reopening it forces Instagram to refresh your feed. This often resolves minor display bugs related to Instagram story not appearing.
Update the Instagram App
Running an outdated version of Instagram can cause story glitches. Visit the App Store or Google Play Store and install the latest update.
Log Out and Log Back In
Logging out clears temporary session data. After logging back in, Instagram reloads your story feed and settings from scratch.
Clear Instagram Cache (Android Only)
Android users can clear the Instagram cache through device settings. This step removes stored data that may interfere with story loading and is a proven muted stories Instagram fix for stubborn issues.
If none of these steps work, the problem is likely on Instagram’s side and usually resolves within a short time.
Final Verdict
Instagram stories are one of the most personal and engaging parts of the platform. They show real-time moments, behind-the-scenes updates, and quick interactions that posts often miss. Knowing how to unmute stories on Instagram ensures you never miss content that matters to you.
If you are also focused on growing your presence, staying active with stories helps you connect authentically and can even help you get more Instagram likes through stronger engagement. And if you ever want a deeper understanding of muting behavior overall, you can explore what happens when you mute someone on Instagram to see how it affects posts, stories, and interactions long term.
Once you master story management, Instagram becomes less frustrating and far more enjoyable. Take a moment to check your muted accounts today. You might be surprised by what you have been missing.
FAQ
How do you unmute a friend’s story on Instagram?
You can unmute a friend’s story by scrolling to the end of your story bar, long-pressing their faded story icon, and selecting “Unmute Story.” You can also unmute them from their profile or from the Muted Accounts section in settings.
How can I unmute someone’s Instagram story quickly?
The fastest way is through the stories feed. Find the grayed-out story, long-press it, and tap unmute. This is the quickest way to unmute someone’s story on Instagram without navigating menus.
How do I find my muted stories list on Instagram?
Go to your profile, open Settings, tap Privacy, then select Muted Accounts. This list shows all muted profiles and lets you manage story visibility easily.
Why do muted stories still appear grayed out?
Muted stories appear grayed out to visually distinguish them from active stories. Once you unmute them, the color returns to normal and stories move back to the front of your feed.
Can you unmute Instagram stories without following someone?
No. You must be following an account to see and unmute their stories. If you unfollowed them, their stories will not appear at all.
How do I unmute someone’s Instagram story?
Scroll to the end of the stories bar, tap and hold the grayed-out story, and select Unmute Story. You can also unmute stories from the person’s profile or through Muted Accounts in Instagram settings.
Why can’t I unmute someone on Instagram?
This usually happens if the app needs refreshing or updating, or if the person hasn’t posted a new story yet. Restart the app or check for updates to fix the issue.
How do I unmute things on Instagram?
Go to Settings, tap Privacy, open Muted Accounts, and turn off the mute for stories or posts.
