9 Proven Ways to Fix Instagram Reels Not Working

Are you wondering why your Instagram Reels aren't working and how to fix it? Instagram Reels is an amazing feature that offers endless entertainment and creativity. However, many people have encountered issues when trying to access Reels - some find Instagram Reels appear while others can’t load videos in Instagram Reels properly. The issue can stem from a variety of reasons, ranging from technical glitches to connectivity problems. In this post, we'll explore the common reasons why Instagram videos might not play and provide simple steps to help you fix the problem.

Why Instagram Reels Not Working – Possible reasons

Here are some of the most prevalent reasons why Instagram Reels not working.

Unstable or slow internet connection: One of the primary reasons for the Instagram Reels not working issues on Instagram is a poor internet connection. If your internet speed is slow or the connection is unstable, the Instagram Reels can struggle to load or play video smoothly.

Outdated Instagram app or device: Using an older version of the Instagram app or an incompatible device can lead to Instagram Reels fail to work properly. Instagram regularly updates its app to address bugs and improve performance, so running an outdated version may cause compatibility issues.

Excessive cache and data usage: Over time, the cache and data accumulated by the Instagram app can become corrupted or excessive, leading to various technical difficulties, including IG reels not working.

Platform-specific glitches: Occasionally, the issue may lie with the Instagram platform itself. Temporary server problems, software bugs, or platform-wide updates can sometimes disrupt the normal functioning of Instagram Reels.

Account-related complications: In rare cases, issues with your Instagram account, such as login problems or content restrictions, may contribute to the inability to play Instrgam reels.

Regional restrictions: Instagram Reels may be unavailable or have limited functionality in certain regions due to local regulations or rules. Government regulations, local laws, and censorship can restrict social media platforms, including Instagram. For instance, Iran restricts its use. In India, although Instagram Reels is available, it may face scrutiny and potential restrictions.

How to Fix Instagram Reels Not Working

Now that we've identified the common reasons behind why your Instagram Reels not working, it's time to explore the solutions. We recommend starting with the simpler troubleshooting steps and progressing through the more complex ones, as outlined below.

1. Check Your Internet Connection

Ensure you have a stable and fast internet connection. Try connecting to a different network or Wi-Fi to see if the issue persists. If your connection is slow, try pausing the reels video and allowing it to buffer for a few moments before attempting to play it again. If you're using a VPN or proxy service, try disabling it and see if the video playback issue is resolved.

2. Force Close the Instagram App

Sometimes, a simple force close of the Instagram app can help resolve issues, because it resets the app's processes and clears out any temporary glitches or bugs that may be causing the issue. Close the app completely and then reopen it to see if the problem is resolved.

To force close Instagram, simply touch the screen on the Instagram app and swipe upward.

3. Turn Off the Power Saving Mode

Power saving mode on Android or iPhone may also render your Instagram Reels not working. To fix that, make sure the power saving mode on your mobile device is turned off. You can do so from the Battery option in the Settings of your phone.

To turn off the power saving mode on Android devices:

Step 1. Go to the Settings app and tap Battery and Device Care.

Step 2. Choose Battery > Power Saving Mode, and make sure all toggles are off.

To turn off the power saving mode on iOS devices:

Step 1. Go to Settings and select Battery.

Step 2. Toggle off the Low Power Mode switch.

4. Check for Platform-Wide Issues

Visit the official Instagram support website or social media channels to see if there are any reported platform-wide issues that may be causing the Instagram Reels not working problem.

If there are known issues, wait for Instagram to address them before attempting to play the IG reels again. If the problem persists on your current device, try uploading the video from a different device to see if the issue is specific to your device.

5. Update the Instagram App

Check if you're using the latest version of the Instagram app. Go to your device's app store and update the app if a newer version is available. If you're using an older device, consider upgrading to a more recent model that is compatible with the latest Instagram app version.

To update the Instagram app on Android devices:

Step 1. Open Google Player Store and tap the profile icon.

Step 2. Go to rhe Manage app & devices section to find the Instagram app.

Step 3. Choose the Instagram app and update it.

To update the Instagram app on iOS devices:

Step 1. Come over to the AppStore and tap the profile icon.

Step 2. Sweep down to find Instagram. If there is an update, tap Update to update Instagram.

6. Clear the Instagram App Cache and Data

Clearing the Instagram app cache is a straightforward yet effective way to address issues stemming from corrupted or excessive app data. This process can help improve the app's performance and potentially resolve the error where Instagram Reels fail to function properly.

To clear Instagram cache and data on Android devices:

Step 1. Press Settings to open the Settings app and tap on Storage.

Step 2. Select Other Apps, and choose Instagram on the shown-up application list.

Step 3. On the new page, press Clear Cache.

To clear Instagram cache and data on iOS devices:

Note: iOS does not provide a direct option to clear cache from Instagram within the Settings app, but yon uninstall and then reinstall the Instagram app to achieve the same result.

Step 1. Find the Settings button and press it to open the Settings app.

Step 2. Scroll down to find and tap General. iPhone storage.

Step 3. Choose iPhone storage. Find and choose Instagram.

Step 4. Tap Delete App. Go to the AppStore to download and install Instagram.

7. Close Other Apps in the Background

Instagram may not load Reels videos or show error when too many applications are opened in the background. Running multiple apps can slow your mobile device as this consumes more memory. So try to play Instagram Reels after closing other applications on your Android, iPhone, or computer.

To close background apps on Android devices:

Step 1. Swipe up from the bottom of the screen and holding to open the recent apps.

Step 2. In the Recent Apps overview, you'll see thumbnail previews of all the apps that are currently running.

Step 3. Tap on the Close All button or option to close all apps running in the background. You can also close apps individually by swiping away each app preview card from the Recent Apps overview.

To close background apps on iOS devices:

Step 1. Double-press the Home button (on devices with a Home button) or swipe up from the bottom of the screen and pause in the middle (on devices with no Home button like iPhone 15 and iPhone 16) to bring up the App Switcher.

Step 2. You will see the apps that are currently running in the background. Swipe left or right to navigate through the app preview cards.

Step 3. To close an app, swipe up on its preview card to dismiss it from the App Switcher. Repeat step 3 for any other apps you want to close.

8. Restart Your Device

Sometimes, a simple device restart can help resolve various app-related issues, including Reels not showing or won't play on Instagram.

9. Contact Instagram Support for Help

If Instagram doesn't responds to the above troubleshooting, you can also report the problem to the developer. Follow the below steps to report your Instagram Reels not working problem:

Step 1. Click on the profile photo to open the profile settings of Instagram.

Step 2. Click on Settings > Help, and choose Report a problem.

Step 3. Follow the on-screen instructions to report the Instagram Reels not working issue.