Why Won’t Instagram Videos Play?

Instagram is a popular social networking platform that offers various features, including the ability to post and view videos and reels. There is a wide range of video content available on Instagram to cater to different interests.

However, encountering issues where Instagram fails to play videos can be frustrating if you don’t know how to resolve them.

In this article, we will explore the common reasons behind Instagram’s video playback problems and provide solutions to help you fix the issue. By following these steps, you can hopefully resume enjoying videos on Instagram without any interruptions. If you’re interested in learning more, continue reading.

Reasons Why Instagram Won’t Play Videos

Dealing with issues that prevent Instagram videos from playing can be frustrating, as it hinders your ability to enjoy the platform fully. However, you’re in luck because this article is here to assist you in understanding why Instagram videos may not play.

Reason #1: Internet Connection

For Instagram videos to load properly, a stable internet connection is crucial. If you’re experiencing difficulties playing videos on Instagram, it could be due to depleted cellular data, network connectivity issues with your Wi-Fi or router, or other factors affecting the loading of Instagram videos.

Reason #2: Instagram Cache

When the cache of your Instagram app becomes filled, it can impede the proper loading of videos. The cache serves as storage to facilitate the quick loading of the app, but when it becomes full, it can cause the app to slow down and disrupt its normal functioning.

Reason #3: Power Saving Mode

When power saving mode is enabled on your phone, it instructs the device to minimize battery consumption by apps. As a result, Instagram may not load videos properly when power saving mode is active. To resolve this issue, you need to disable power saving mode on your device.

Reason #4: Technical Glitch with Instagram App

Instagram might encounter minor technical glitches that disrupt its normal functioning. These issues could range from data loss to other problems that cause the app to freeze or malfunction. In such cases, it is often helpful to restart the app or consider reinstalling it to resolve the error and restore its proper functionality.

Reason #5: Outdated Instagram Version

If Instagram is not loading videos, it could be due to a bug in the older version of the app. Using outdated versions of Instagram may result in issues with video loading. Instagram regularly releases updates to address bugs and improve performance. Therefore, it is recommended to update to the latest version of Instagram to ensure smooth video playback and avoid any potential issues caused by using outdated versions.

How To Fix Instagram Videos Not Playing

Now that you have a clear understanding of the potential causes behind Instagram videos not playing, let’s explore some simple and effective solutions to resolve these errors and restore the normal functionality of Instagram.

Try the fixes below.

Method #1: Troubleshoot Your Network

Are you currently connected to a network? If you’re using cellular data, make sure your subscription is active, and you can verify your internet connection by opening a browser. Additionally, try toggling Airplane mode on and off to see if it resolves the issue.

If you’re connected to Wi-Fi, first ensure that your network is functioning properly by attempting to open a webpage or using another platform like YouTube. Also, double-check that your router is properly connected.

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Method #2: Update Instagram

If your Instagram videos are not loading, it could be due to a bug in your current version of Instagram. Updating the app to the latest version can often fix such issues, as updates typically include bug fixes.

For Android users, open the Play Store and search for Instagram using the search bar. Once you find the Instagram app, click on it and select the “Update” button to update the app.

For iOS users, open the App Store and go to the “Updates” section. Look for Instagram and check if there is an available update. If an update is available, download and install it.

Once you have updated the app, go back to Instagram and try playing your videos again. The updated version should resolve any bugs causing the videos not to load.

Method #3: Clear Your Cache

Every app relies on cache to enhance its performance. However, if the cache becomes corrupted or fills up, it can cause issues with Instagram, such as videos not loading.

If you suspect that the cache is the problem, you can resolve it by following these steps:

For Android:

1. Open the settings app on your Android device.
2. Click on “Apps” or “Applications” (depending on your device).
3. From the list of apps, find Instagram and click on it.
4. Under the “Storage” section, click the “Clear Data” option.
5. Finally, tap the “Clear Cache” button.

For iOS:

1. Open the settings app on your iOS device.
2. Click on “General”.
3. Locate the “iPhone Storage” (or “iPad Storage”) option and tap on it.
4. Scroll down and find Instagram in the app list.
5. Click the “Offload App” or “Delete App” option, and then reinstall Instagram from the App Store.

By clearing the cache, you should be able to resolve the issue with Instagram videos not loading. After completing these steps, your Instagram app should load videos properly again.

Method #4: Restart Instagram

Technical glitches with Instagram can often be resolved by simply restarting the app.

If you have Instagram open, exit the app completely and then reopen it from your home screen.

If the error persists, try logging out of your Instagram account and then signing back in again.

By following these steps, you can often fix technical issues and restore the normal functioning of Instagram.

Method #5: Disable Power Saving Mode

If your phone’s battery is running low, it’s possible that power-saving mode has been enabled automatically.

To resolve this, you need to access your device’s battery settings and disable power-saving mode.

Power-saving mode restricts the functionality of apps, and once you have turned it off, your Instagram app should function properly once again.

Method #6: Restart Your Phone

At times, our phones can experience freezing or performance issues that affect the functioning of apps. In such cases, it is recommended to restart your phone to reset all services.

After the phone restarts, open Instagram and try playing your videos again. This simple step can often resolve any temporary glitches or performance-related issues you may be encountering.

Conclusion

We hope that now you have a better understanding of the reasons behind Instagram videos not playing and have found a suitable solution for your issue.

We have discussed the possible causes of Instagram videos not playing and provided solutions to fix this error.