Instagram Stories are a real hit. They are glimpses into the lives of different people around the world and are simple to access, easy to digest, and there are millions of them. All that information, and when it doesn't load, it's incredibly frustrating. Stories are the best thing to happen to Instagram in a long time, and you can't get to them?! Here are some things you can do if Instagram Stories aren't loading and the circle is spinning.
The rotating circle is the loading screen. When Instagram or your phone is working properly, you should never see this screen or see it for less than a second. Sometimes stories can take a little while to load, and in that case you will see the circle longer.
Instagram stories
Instagram stories have become one of the most popular. They're basically little bits of social media that you can spend a few minutes looking at and then move on to. Sometimes a story stays with you in an emotional sense, but after 24 hours it's gone and you move on to the next one. Stories allow us to enjoy snapshots of people's lives and then quickly move on to the next step.
These snippets performed incredibly well on Snapchat and perform just as well on Instagram. If networks continue to evolve like this, social networks will be with us for a while!
What to do if Instagram Stories are not loading
Usually, Instagram stories load immediately. You select it from the bar at the top of the app and it loads. No drama and no waiting. There can sometimes be delays at peak times, either on the Instagram side or your network, but fortunately this is rare. When this happens, you will need to troubleshoot and implement solutions to get back to normal.
Let's go through everything you can do to fix your Instagram stories.
Check your network
One of the most common causes of Instagram Stories issues is poor internet connection. This could be due to a weakened wifi signal, something happening with your device, or the network area. Let's see if we can narrow this down as the root cause.
First, close Instagram and open another app on your phone. Whether it's Facebook, YouTube, or another app, try playing a video or scrolling through your News Feed. If you're having trouble loading content, chances are the problem is with your device and not just Instagram. Checking other apps is the fastest way to check for internet connectivity issues.
Then you can use the SpeedTest app by Ookla to test your internet speeds too. Open the app to see your internet connection speed. Running a speed test is a bit more accurate than checking other apps because you can watch the speedometer. If your internet problems are intermittent, the SpeedTest app will show you.
If any of these methods indicate a connection problem, there are a few things you can do to fix it quickly. First, if you're using cellular data, try switching to WiFi (and vice versa). Then, reload Instagram and tap on the story you're trying to enjoy.
If WiFi is not available, try turning off your phone and turning it back on. When you turn your phone off and then back on, it is forced to disconnect and reconnect to the internet.
Finally, you may need to reset your network connection. Instructions vary depending on whether you are using an Android or iOS device.
Notes: It will not erase any important information on your phone.
How to reset network settings on Android
To reset network settings on an Android device, follow these steps:
- Open Settings on your Android device and tap Connections.
- Scroll down this menu and tap More connection settings.
- Press Reset network settings.
After performing these steps, your device will restart. You can now reopen Instagram and see if the spinning circle is gone.
How to Reset Network Settings on iOS
iOS users can follow these steps to reset your network settings:
- Open the Parameters on your iPhone and tap General.
- Scroll down and press reset.
- Press Reset network settings.
You will need to enter your screen unlock code. Then the phone will reboot. After resetting your network settings, launch Instagram and see if your stories are working.
Restart the application
Assuming you have no connection issues, it's time to focus on the Instagram app. The first logical step is to restart the application. This goes beyond switching to another app, as you will have to completely close the app for all processes to stop running.
Depending on the operating system you are using, you will need to follow a different set of instructions.
- Open Parameters et applications on your phone.
- Select Instagram et Force close if the option is available.
If the app crashes and crashes while loading the story, the Force Quit option may not be available. It will be grayed out if so. If not, Force close, confirm command and restart Instagram and try again.
On iOS, go to your home screen and swipe Instagram up to close it. The application will be completely closed. Just open it again from your app drawer and retest.
Restart your phone
Instagram Stories not loading shouldn't be your phone's fault, but since it only takes a few seconds, it's worth a try. Perform a full restart of your phone then retest the story. If there was a random problem with your phone, it should now be fixed.
Clear the application cache
Again, clearing the Instagram app cache should make no difference in loading Stories; It's non-destructive testing, so it's worth a try. The iPhone doesn't have a "Clear Cache" option, but it does have the "Offload App" feature which clears all unnecessary data from the app. Here's how to do it on each model:
On Android:
- Open Settings and Apps
- Select Instagram on your device.
- Select Storage.
- Select Clear data and Clear cache.
On iPhone
- Open Settings and tap on “General” and “iPhone Storage”
- Locate and tap on “Instagram”
- Tap "Offload Application"
Update or reinstall Instagram
It's also unlikely that an outdated version of the app is preventing stories from loading, but it's worth checking. Try updating the app in the Play Store or Apple Store. If that doesn't work, you can always uninstall and reinstall the app.
On Android:
- Open Settings and Apps
- Select Instagram on your device.
- Select Uninstall.
- Open Google Play and install a fresh copy of Instagram.
On iPhone:
- Open Settings and General.
- Select iPhone Storage and select Instagram.
- Select Delete Application and confirm your choice.
- Load the App Store, download and install a fresh copy.
Check your phone's date and time
It might sound a bit strange, but it might actually be the reason why you're having a lot of trouble. Your date and time should update automatically, but sometimes we change it or a system issue causes the feature to display the wrong time.
Whether you are using an iPhone or an Android device, check your date and time settings to resolve the issue.
On Android:
- Open Settings and tap on “General Management” – These instructions may vary depending on the manufacturer. So you can use the search icon and type in "Date and time" to go directly to the setting.
- Tap "Date & Time," then reset to Automatic or update your time zone.
On iPhone:
- Open Settings and tap "General".
- Tap "Date & Time".
- Set to Automatic or update a time zone you prefer.
These are the only viable ways I know of to fix issues when Instagram stories are not loading and the circle is spinning. Do you know any other methods to fix it? Tell us below if you do!
