Instagram Stories have become an integral part of the Instagram experience, allowing users to share brief photos and videos that disappear after 24 hours. However, you may have encountered the frustrating “This Story is Unavailable” error when trying to view someone’s Story.
So, I will explain what this error means, why you may see it, and how to troubleshoot the issue.
Contents
When you tap on someone’s story circle icon at the top of the Instagram feed and instead see the message “This Story is Unavailable”, it means the content of that Story cannot be accessed or viewed.
There are several potential reasons why you may encounter this error message:
The Story Has Been Deleted
The most common reason for the “unavailable” error is that the user has deleted that particular Story. If the Story had been posted recently before being deleted, you may still see the colorful story ring around their profile picture, even though the content is now gone.
The Account Has Been Deactivated
If the account that posted the Story has been deactivated or deleted by the user, any of their previous Stories will also become inaccessible to viewers. Trying to view the Story will surface the “unavailable” message.
You Have Been Blocked
If the account has blocked you, you will be unable to view any of their current or previous Stories, prompting the error message when you try to view their content.
The Account Is Private
If you try to view the Story of a private account that you don’t follow, you’ll encounter the “unavailable” screen. Instagram automatically makes Stories from private accounts only viewable to approved followers.
Technical Issues
Less commonly, technical glitches on Instagram’s servers could also be the reason behind the “unavailable” error message.
Now that you understand what the “unavailable” error means, let’s explore the main reasons why you may be seeing it when trying to view someone’s, Instagram Story.
The Story is More Than 24 Hours Old
Instagram Stories are only available for 24 hours from the time they are posted. If you try to view an expired Story, you will see the “unavailable” message. Instagram deletes Stories automatically after 24 hours unless the creator adds it to their Highlights.
The Story Has Been Hidden From You
Instagram allows users to hide their Stories from specific people. If someone chooses to hide their Story from you, you’ll get the “unavailable” error when trying to view it.
You Violated Community Guidelines
On rare occasions, Instagram itself removes Stories that violate its community guidelines and terms of service. Attempting to view such deleted Stories will show the “unavailable” error.
Internet Connectivity Issues
Unstable internet connections can also end up displaying the “unavailable” message on Instagram Stories intermittently. Slow/disconnected WiFi or cellular data prevents Stories from loading properly.
If you encounter the “This Story is Unavailable” message on Instagram, try these troubleshooting tips before assuming you’ve been blocked or the account deactivated:
Check If Instagram is Down
See if Instagram is experiencing an outage by visiting Instagram’s status page or checking other social media platforms. Global outages can cause Stories to show unavailable errors.
Restart the Instagram App
Close and relaunch the Instagram app to clear any cached data or refresh connectivity. This can resolve temporary glitches causing the error.
Update the Instagram App
An outdated version of the app may be the reason behind Stories showing unavailable. Updating to the latest version can fix bugs.
Check Your Internet Connection
Make sure your Wi-Fi or cellular data connection is strong enough to use Instagram properly. Slow/disconnected internet prevents Stories from loading.
See If Other Stories Load
Try viewing the Stories of other accounts you follow to check if the problem is isolated or widespread. Account deactivations will prevent all of their Stories from loading.
Switch Instagram Accounts
Attempt accessing the unavailable Story using a different Instagram account you have to see if the error persists. Narrow down if it’s an account-specific or general error.
Contact the Account Owner
If you still see the error after troubleshooting, reach out to the Story poster directly via DM to check if your access was intentionally blocked or confirm their account status.
In some cases, an unavailable Instagram Story can become viewable again if the underlying cause is fixed:
- If the Story or account was temporarily deactivated but restored later, the Stories may load upon reactivation.
- If Instagram experienced a widespread outage, Stories impacted during the downtime may load normally after issues are resolved.
- If connectivity problems were preventing Stories from loading, they would load when internet access is restored on your device.
However, if the account owner intentionally deleted the Story or their account, or specifically hid the Story from you, it will likely remain permanently unavailable to you.
Final Thoughts
The “This Story is Unavailable” error message on Instagram can certainly be confusing and disappointing if you are eager to view someone’s Story. However, in many cases, the issue is temporary and can be fixed by troubleshooting connectivity problems or app glitches.
Only when the Story has been permanently deleted or your access intentionally blocked would the content remain unavailable indefinitely.
