Why Can’t I Hear Instagram Stories? Here’s a Fix

Instagram Stories appear at the top of the screen once you open the app, and your favorites are organically arranged first for your convenience too. Instagram (IG) Stories can be a lot of fun, and you don’t even need to go through the posts in the feed most of the time. However, what if you open your favorite celebrity’s Story and you can’t hear a thing? Why does that happen? Here are some common causes of no sound in IG Stories.

iOS 15 Update Issue Causes No Sound in Instagram Stories

In September 2021, Apple released its latest major version of the iOS operating system, known as iOS 15. Users have been complaining about not hearing audio in Instagram Stories. This situation is understandably quite annoying. You’ve gone through the lengthy process of iOS updates to make your phone work better, not worse. Now there’s no sound on your Instagram Stories. What can you do about it?

Solve iOS 15 No Audio in Instagram Stories Problem by Troubleshooting in the App

There are a few other things you can try to fix your missing audio in IG Stories on iOS 15.

Check for an Instagram Update

The best course of action is to try checking for an Instagram update. Instagram delivers regular updates, and they often bring solutions to minor glitches. All you have to do is:

1. Head to the Apple Store if you have an iPhone or the Google Play Store if you’re using an Android phone.
   
   
   
2. Search Instagram and check to make sure you have the most current update installed.
   
   
   

Check Permissions

1. Close the app and go to your “Settings.”
   
   
   
2. Scroll down and select “Instagram” under applications
   
   
   
3. Make sure all the permissions are turned on.
   
   

Reinstall Instagram

If the above solution didn’t’ work, you might as well bite the bullet and delete Instagram. Temporarily, mind you!

1. Uninstall the App
   
   
   
2. Reinstall the app and check if you can hear the sound in Instagram Stories.
   
   

The chances are that this step will fix that and any other issues you were having with Instagram.

Solve the iOS 15 No Audio in Instagram Stories Problem by Reporting It

Before you decide it’s time to downgrade to the previous iOS version, try a different option. Instagram tends to be receptive to the complaints of its users. That’s especially true if the issue keeps popping up in all corners of the world.

A simple first step can be to report the issue directly to Instagram and see if the problem gets addressed immediately. Even though not everyone experiences problems with sound on Instagram Stories after the latest iOS update, many people have. Here’s what to do.

1. Go your Instagram profile and select “Settings.”
   
   
   
2. Then proceed to select “Help.”
   
   
   
3. Select “Report a Problem.”
   
   
   
4. From a pop-up screen, select “Report a Problem” again.
   
   
   
5. You’ll then be able to write about the problem you’re experiencing.
   
   
   
6. After you’re finished writing, select “Submit.”
   
   
   

Regional Protections Cause No Sound in Instagram Stories

If you can’t hear specific Instagram Stories yet can listen to others, something else is the problem. For example, you can listen to a rant from your best friend about the season finale of your favorite show but can’t hear your favorite celebrity’s Story. You then notice it says, “Instagram Music Is Not Available in Your Region.”

That means you’re in one of the many countries that can’t yet enjoy the audio contents of the Story because of your location and the content’s license limits. Another reason for audio restrictions is that someone you follow lives in one of the countries with the most Instagram users, so Instagram paid for the copyrights of the music they can use in that country or location. If you’ve seen the notification, you’ll have to wait some more.

If you’re not too keen on waiting, you can always try to install a VPN and bypass the problem. It seems like an unnecessary complication, but if you don’t want to miss out on the Instagram Music feature, that’s certainly an option.

If your are living in the US, France, Germany, or even Australia, and you still see this message in your Instagram Stories, you’re dealing with a glitch and reporting it as described above would be the best course of action

Wrapping Up

In closing, much of what makes Instagram great is visual, including all the lovely arranged posts and perfectly captured moments. However, Stories are great too, and they leave a lot of room for creativity. Music and sound is often the essential component of any Instagram Story. Watching your friends lip-sync to the latest hit song without hearing it doesn’t cut it.