How to Fix Instagram Videos Not Playing [2024]

Picture this: you're scrolling through Instagram, eager to watch a friend's latest story or that trending reel everyone's talking about. But instead of the video loading, you're left staring at a black screen or endlessly spinning circle. Frustrating, right? You're not alone. The issue of Instagram videos not playing could be due to several factors, from poor internet connectivity to app glitches. But the good news is that most solutions are simpler than you think. In this blog, we'll walk you through the common causes of Instagram videos not playing error and provide effective troubleshooting steps to get your videos running smoothly again.

Why Instagram Videos Not Playing

When Instagram videos refuse to play, it can disrupt your experience, whether you're trying to watch stories, reels, or IGTV. This issue can occur for several reasons:

• Poor Internet Connection: Slow or unstable internet is one of the primary causes. If your Wi-Fi or mobile data signal is weak, videos may fail to load or buffer continuously.
• Outdated App: Running an outdated version of Instagram can lead to performance issues, including videos not playing. Make sure your app is up to date for optimal functionality.
• Cache Overload: Accumulated cache files can slow down your app's performance, causing video playback errors. Clearing the app cache can resolve this issue.
• Device Problems: Incompatible software, low storage, or outdated system updates on your phone may also prevent videos from playing.
• App Bugs: Sometimes, glitches within Instagram itself may cause videos to freeze or fail to load. These can usually be fixed with an app restart or reinstall.

Below we will guide you through 9 easy yet effective troubleshooting steps when Instagram videos not playing on iPhone, Android, and PC.

How to Fix Instagram Videos Not Playing

1. Restart Instagram

If an Instagram video remains stuck on a black screen, endlessly buffers, or fails to load after multiple attempts, restarting the app can help. This simple step refreshes the app's processes, clears out minor glitches, and restores a stable connection to Instagram's servers, often resolving the issue and allowing videos to play smoothly again.

2. Update Instagram

When Instagram videos won't play, another effective solution is to update the app. Updates typically include bug fixes, performance improvements, and compatibility enhancements that resolve known issues. An outdated app may be running on older software that lacks the necessary optimizations, leading to problems like IG videos failing to load or endlessly buffering. Updating to the latest version ensures that Instagram is fully compatible with your device's operating system, allowing it to run more smoothly and efficiently. This often resolves video not playing problems and improves the overall app experience.

3. Check Internet Connection

If your Wi-Fi or mobile data is weak or unstable, videos may fail to load and play on Instagram. Ensuring a strong, reliable connection is crucial for seamless video streaming. By switching to a more stable network or resetting your connection, you can often resolve video playback issues and allow videos to load properly on Instagram without interruption.

4. Clear App Data & Cache

As you use Instagram, cache files can accumulate and sometimes become corrupted, causing errors like videos failing to load or play. Clearing the app's cache helps by removing these temporary files and outdated data that may be causing conflicts. Additionally, clearing app data can resolve issues related to any corrupted or old information stored within the app, which might also be affecting video playback. This process essentially resets the app's performance and often resolves video playback issues effectively.

To clear IG app data and cache:

For Android:

• Settings > Apps > Instagram.
• Storage > Cache: Tap "Clear Cache" to remove temporary files. Tap "Clear Data" to reset the app (logs you out).

For iPhone:

• Go to Settings > General > iPhone Storage > Instagram.
• Offload App: Frees up space without deleting data.
• Delete App: Removes all data and settings; reinstall from the App Store.

5. Disable Power Saving Mode

Power-saving features typically reduce background data usage, lower processing power, and restrict app activity, which can affect how videos load and play on Instagram. When power-saving mode is enabled, the app may not have sufficient resources to stream videos smoothly, leading to issues like IG videos not playing properly. By turning off power-saving mode, you allow your phone to operate at full capacity, ensuring that Instagram has the necessary power and data to load and play videos properly.

6. Disable Data Saver Mode

Data saver mode restricts the amount of data apps can use in the background to conserve bandwidth, which can prevent Instagram from efficiently preloading and streaming videos. As a result, IG videos may fail to play or buffer slowly. When data saver mode is enabled, Instagram may not receive sufficient data for smooth video playback. Disabling data saver mode allows the app unrestricted access to mobile data, enabling videos to load and play without interruptions.

To disable data saver mode:

• Open Instagram > Go to Profile.
• Tap the three horizontal lines in the top right and select "Settings."
• Tap "Account" then "Cellular Data Use."
• Toggle off "Data Saver."

7. Uninstall and Reinstall Instagram

Another effective step to fix Instagram videos not playing is to uninstall and reinstall the app. Uninstalling clears all stored data, including any bugs, glitches, or errors that could be causing playback issues. Reinstalling provides a clean version of Instagram with the latest updates and optimized settings, ensuring that any problems related to outdated software or corrupted files are fully resolved.

8. Upload Instagram supported video format

If your video is in an unsupported format, Instagram may have difficulty processing and playing it, resulting in issues such as videos not loading or failing to play. To prevent these playback problems, ensure your video meets the following specifications before posting:

• Video Format: MP4 or MOV with H.264 codec
• Aspect Ratio: Between 1.91:1 and 9:16
• Frame Rate: Minimum of 30 FPS
• Resolution: At least 720 pixels
• Audio Codecs: AAC or Vorbis

If your video format does not meet the required specifications, use a video converter like VideoProc Converter AI to adjust the format and settings accordingly.

With over 370 input codecs and 420 output codecs built-in, VideoProc Converter AI allows you to easily convert video to IG supported formats and customize the video properties for resolution, bit rate, frame rate, and more to tailor the output file required by Instagram. Besides, it features a comprehensive suite of AI tools that allow you to enhance resolution and overall video quality before uploading.

9. Contact Instagram Support

If none of the solutions suggested above resolve the issue of videos not playing on Instagram, it may be time to contact Instagram support for additional help. Their support team can provide further guidance and troubleshoot specific issues related to your account or the app.

To get in touch, you can use the in-app support feature or visit Instagram's help center online. They can assist with more complex problems that might not be addressed through general troubleshooting steps.

Conclusion

You can refer to this blog whenever you have problems playing videos on Instagram. Also for those seeking a flexible IG toolkit, check out VideoProc Converter AI, an all-in-one AI-powered tool that provides comprehensive video conversion and enhancement features, ensuring your content is optimized and Instagram-ready.