Instagram Stories Aren’t Loading, And The Circle Is Spinning | Reasons With Fixes!!

Instagram Stories is a great Instagram feature through which users can show a sneak peek of their life. However, if you find that Instagram Stories are blurry then it can be quite irritating. If Instagram Stories aren’t loading, and the circle is spinning, then you quickly need to try out a few ways to fix the issue!

Instagram Stories seems to be one of the best Instagram features. With Instagram Stories Highlights, users can easily view someone’s old Stories. Well, the best part is you can even save your favorite Instagram Stories in the app or your Camera Roll! However, if you try a few tricks for viewing Instagram Stories without an account and they don’t load, the feeling is quite frustrating. 

Verified Answer By Expert

To fix Instagram Stories aren’t loading, and the circle is spinning,
1. Restart the Instagram app
2. Check if Instagram is down
3. Close the app and relaunch it
4. Uninstall and reinstall the app
5. Check your internet connection
6. Enable mobile data
7. Disable data saver mode
8. Check the Instagram servers
9. Authenticate your account
10. Contact Instagram support

Many users are more interested in watching others’ Instagram Stories. So, it is better that if you are facing any issues with your Instagram Stories, then immediately look for the reasons why your Instagram Stories aren’t loading and what you need to do to solve the issue.

Why Won’t Instagram Stories Work?

Over 500 million users from around the world use the Instagram Stories feature by Instagram. It is quite normal if your Instagram Stories aren’t loading and the circle is spinning. Here are the common reasons why your Instagram Stories aren’t working properly.

1. Your Internet connection is weak and unstable.
2. Your Instagram app is not updated.
3. The Instagram app is down.
4. There is some glitch or bug with the app.
5. You have turned on data saver mode on your device.
6. The Instagram app’s cache is causing the issue.
7. The issue lies with your Instagram account.
8. Your device’s data and time settings are not correct. 

What To Do If Instagram Stories Aren’t Loading?

Usually, Instagram Stories load within seconds. However, if your Instagram Stories aren’t loading, then the first and the most important thing that you need to do is to find the common reasons for the issue of Instagram Stories aren’t loading and the circle spinning. Once you get to know the causes, then you need to try out different ways to fix the problem so that you can again access your Instagram Stories feature on the app. 

How To Fix Instagram Stories Aren’t Loading, And The Circle Is Spinning Issue?

To fix Instagram Stories aren’t loading and the circle is spinning several ways, such as restarting the app, checking if Instagram is down, uninstalling and reinstalling the app, checking your network connection, turning off data saver, and other things can be tried out.

Fix 1: Restart Instagram

One of the most effective ways to fix Instagram Stories that aren’t loading and the circle is spinning is to restart the Instagram app. You can restart the app as well as restart your device as minor glitches with the app or your device will easily get resolved by trying this way.

Fix 2: Check If Instagram Is Down

The most important thing that you need to do before you try out different ways to fix Instagram Stories aren’t loading and the circle spinning is to check if the Instagram app is down or not. You can use websites like DownDetector or the Twitter app to confirm if Instagram is down. In case it is down, then wait for some time for the concerned authorities to fix the issue.

Fix 3: Close The App And Relaunch It

If the app is not down, then you can force close your Instagram app and then relaunch the app. There can be a little bug that can cause several problems because of which your Instagram Stories aren’t loading, and the circle is spinning. So, simply force close the Instagram app and relaunch it. Here are the steps to be followed for that on an iPhone and Android device.

On iPhone X and Later

1. Swipe up from the bottom of your screen.
2. Hold your finger for a few seconds on the app.
3. Swipe up on the app to close it.

On Older iPhone 

1. Double-tap the Home screen.
2. Find the Instagram app.
3. Swipe up the app to close it

On Android Device

1. Navigate to the Settings.
2. Next, tap on the Apps.
3. Look for the Instagram app on the list of apps.
4. Tap on the Instagram app.
5. Next, tap on the Force stop button.

Alternatively On Android Devices

1. On the Home Screen, tap and hold the Instagram app.
2. You will reach the App info screen.
3. Tap on Force Stop.

Once you force close the app, again restart the app and access Instagram Stories as the error would have gone by now!

Fix 4: Uninstall And Reinstall Instagram

One of the most convenient and effective ways that can easily fix Instagram Stories aren’t loading, and the circle is spinning issue is to uninstall the Instagram app from your device. It is possible that the issue lies with your Instagram app. So, you can uninstall it and reinstall Instagram again on your device and resolve the issue. 

Fix 5: Log Out And Log In Back Into Instagram

If the issue is not related to your Instagram app and uninstalling and reinstalling the app does not work to fix Instagram Stories aren’t loading, and the circle is spinning, then you can log out of your Instagram account. Then again, log in to your account. Many times, due to several glitches such issues are caused, and by just logging out and logging back, the issue gets resolved.

Fix 6: Check Network Connection

Checking your network connection is one of the most important things you can do to fix Instagram Stories aren’t loading, and the circle is spinning. If you find that you have an unstable and weak network connection, then immediately change your network connection to a fast and stable network and then access Instagram Stories. This can easily solve the problem, and you won’t have the Instagram Stories not loading issue.

Fix 7: Enable Mobile Data For Instagram(iPhone)  

Sometimes, it is possible that the WiFi connection you are using is not supporting Instagram well. So, it is better that you enable mobile data for using Instagram on your iPhone. Turn off the WiFi network that you are connected to and access Instagram via your mobile data. This will work to fix Instagram Stories that aren’t loading, and the circle is spinning.

Fix 8: Disable Data Saver Mode On Instagram 

Chances are there that you have enabled the Data saver mode on the Instagram app. It can also cause the Instagram Stories not to load and the circle to spin issue. So, you need to quickly turn off the Data Saver mode on the app. Here’s how to do that.

1. Open the Instagram app.
2. Tap on the Profile icon at the bottom right corner.
3. Next, tap on the Hamburger icon.
4. Then, tap on the Settings option.
5. Next, scroll a little and tap on the Account option.
6. Now, scroll down and tap on the Data Usage option.
7. Finally, toggle off the Use Less Mobile Data option.

Now, access the Instagram app, and your Instagram Stories issue will get resolved by doing so.

Fix 9: Check Instagram Servers

Sometimes, Instagram servers are down, and due to this, users have to face several issues, such as for many users, the Instagram app does not work properly or some of its popular features like Instagram Stories do not load properly. So, to fix Instagram Stories aren’t loading, and the circle is spinning, you can check if Instagram servers have an issue. If yes, then wait for a few hours for the issue to get resolved and then access the app.

Fix 10: Clear Instagram App Cache

Clearing your Instagram app’s cache can also be a great way to fix Instagram Stories aren’t loading, and the circle is spinning. Doing so will easily remove any temporarily stored data on your device that can be the reason for this issue. Here are the steps to be followed on your iOS and Android devices.

On iOS Devices

1. Open the Settings.
2. Next, tap on the General option.
3. Now, tap on the iPhone Storage.
4. Then, scroll down and find the Instagram app and tap on it.
5. Next, tap on the Offload app button.

On Android Devices

1. Navigate to the Settings.
2. Next, tap on the Apps option.
3. The list of apps will open up. So, tap on Instagram once you find the app.
4. Next, tap on Storage.
5. Now, tap on Clear cache.

Once you clear the Instagram app’s cache, restart the app and check if Instagram Stories have started working effectively now.

Fix 11: Authenticate Your Account Again

If you are still unable to fix Instagram Stories aren’t loading, and the circle is spinning, then try authenticating your account again on the app. Here are the steps to be followed for that.

1. Tap on the Profile icon at the bottom right corner.
2. Next, tap on the Hamburger menu at the top right corner.
3. Now, tap on the Settings option.
4. Then, tap on the Password and Security option.
5. Tap on the Two-factor authentication.
6. Get started and follow the instructions on the screen to complete the process.

There can be some issues with your account that can be resolved with two-factor authentication. So, try it and then access your Instagram account. This will fix the issue.  

Fix 12: Turn Off Your Phone’s Data Saver Mode 

If you are still not able to fix Instagram Stories aren’t loading, and the circle is spinning, then you need to check if your phone’s Data Saver mode is turned on or not. If it is turned on, then sometimes, most of your app’s features will not work. So, here are the steps to turn it off and then access the app again.

1. Navigate to the Settings.
2. Next, tap on Connections.
3. Then, tap on the Data Usage option.
4. Finally, toggle off the Data Saver option if it is turned on.

You can now restart your phone and then access Instagram.

Fix 13: Update Instagram

If the problem persists and you are not able to fix Instagram Stories aren’t loading, and the circle is spinning, then it seems that you are using an outdated version of the Instagram app. So, it is recommended that you immediately update the Instagram application to the latest version from your App Store on Apple devices or Play Store on your Android devices and get rid of the problem with your Instagram Stories.  

Fix 14: Fix Your Device’s Date And Time

Another thing that is recommended to fix Instagram Stories isn’t loading and the circle is spinning is to fix your device’s date and time. This fix will look a little odd, but this can actually help to fix the Instagram Stories that aren’t loading, and the circle is spinning issue. Due to some system glitch, the wrong time and date can be displayed and cause errors with your apps. Here is how to fix it on your iPhone and Android device.

On iPhone

1. Open Settings.
2. Next, tap on General.
3. Then, tap on Date and Time.
4. Now, either set to Automatic or update the Timezone as per your preference.

On Android Device

1. Open Settings.
2. Next, tap on General Management.
3. Tap on the search bar and type the date and time.
4. Then, tap on Date and Time and then either set to Automatic or update the Timezone as per your preference.

Once you set the date and time on your device, restart the Instagram app and check if the error has gone!

Fix 15: Contact Instagram Support

If you have tried all the ways that have been mentioned above to fix Instagram Stories aren’t loading, and the circle is spinning and are still unable to solve the problem, then the last option is to contact Instagram Support. Here are the steps to contact Instagram Support for some assistance regarding the issue.

1. Open the Instagram app.
2. Next, tap on the profile icon.
3. Now, tap on the Hamburger icon.
4. Next, tap on the Settings option.
5. Tap on Help.
6. Then, tap on the Report a problem option.

Here, you can explain the issue that your Instagram Stories aren’t loading and the circle is spinning, along with attaching screenshots of the problem. The Instagram Support team will help you to troubleshoot the issue.

Wrapping Up

Instagram is among the most popular social media platforms that has engaged many users from all over the world. With Instagram Stories, many of us can share our daily routines with our friends and followers. But if Instagram Stories aren’t loading, and the circle is spinning, then it becomes quite difficult for most of us as users are in love with the Instagram Stories feature. So, the next time you face any such issue, try out the ways to fix Instagram Stories aren’t loading, and the circle is spinning that are mentioned above and use the app hassle-free! 

Frequently Asked Questions