How to Fix Instagram Videos Not Playing [6 Free & Safe Ways]

Why Are Instagram Videos Not Playing?

The potential factors causing the Instagram videos not playing issue can encompass a wide spectrum. These factors may derive from software issues, such as glitches within the Instagram application, or manifest as hardware problems, for example, as a consequence of a physical drop or mishandling of the device. The common triggers for this quandary, however, encompass the subsequent aspects:

1. The strength of your Wi-Fi or cellular connection is inadequate to facilitate the seamless playback of Instagram videos.
2. Data corruption within your Instagram application or utilization of an outdated version of the app could also be culpable for this predicament.
3. Equally conceivable is the scenario where the video you are attempting to view has been eradicated by the user who originally posted it.

Top 6 Ways to Fix Instagram Videos Not Playing

If you’re encountering difficulties with Instagram videos not playing or loading, there are several effective remedies to explore. Consider implementing the following solutions sequentially until you find the one that resolves the issue.

Method 1. Verify Your Internet Connection

If you’re currently relying on a cellular connection, consider switching to a Wi-Fi network. In case Wi-Fi isn’t performing as expected, it’s advisable to troubleshoot your router. A simple test to check if your device is online involves opening a webpage in a web browser. A successful page load indicates that the internet isn’t the issue. If the page doesn’t load as expected, you might want to consider rebooting the router or examining the router cables.

Method 2. Restart Your Modem and Router

Why are Instagram videos not playing? On occasion, problems can arise due to issues with your router or internet connection. To address this, locate the Power button on your router and power it down. In cases where the router lacks a dedicated Power button, simply unplug the power source and then restart it. If you’ve powered off the router using the button, wait for a brief interval, then power it back on using the same button.

Method 3. Reset Network Settings

As network connectivity issues cause Instagram videos not playing on iPhone, it’s prudent to consider resetting your network settings to potentially fix device-related problems. To initiate this process, navigate to your device’s Settings > General > Reset, and within the options, select the Reset Network Settings option and confirm the action by entering your device’s passcode.

Method 4. Update or Reinstall Instagram App

Once you have established that the internet connection isn’t the source of your concerns, direct your attention to the Instagram application. Commence by pressing and holding the Instagram app until it begins to wiggle slightly. Subsequently, tap the X icon that emerges to uninstall the app. Now, access the App Store and proceed to reinstall the Instagram application.

Method 5. Disable Autoplay Feature on Instagram

The Autoplay feature can sometimes disrupt video loading and playback on Instagram. Certain users have noted that disabling this function resolved video playback issues. However, it’s important to note that the Disable Autoplay feature is not available when using Wi-Fi. Nonetheless, there’s a method to disable Autoplay while utilizing cellular data. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to fix Instagram videos not playing by disabling Autoplay:

Step 1: Launch the Instagram app on your device > Access your profile and choose the hamburger icon on the top right.

Step 2: Locate and choose Settings and privacy > Tap Data usage and media quality and enable the Use less cellular data option.

Method 6. Clear Instagram Cache on iPhone

As previously mentioned, problematic Instagram data could be at the root of the “Instagram videos not loading” issue. In such cases, the most effective solution is to clear the Instagram cache. For iPhones running iOS 17 or iOS 16, the recommended method involves offloading the app and then reinstalling it. This procedure frees up storage used by the app while retaining its documents and data. Here’s how to do it:

Step 1: On your iPhone, navigate to Settings > General > iPhone Storage.

Step 2: Locate and tap the Instagram app, and select Offload App on the subsequent page.

Bonus: Backup iPhone Before Fixing Instagram Videos Not Playing

iPhones often have issues such as Safari not working after iOS update, Instagram videos not playing, and more. In such cases, if you need to perform some fixes on your iPhone, you’d better back up your iPhone in advance to avoid any data loss. So, how do you make a safe and fast iPhone backup? Please keep reading!

If you are looking for a safe and quick way to back up your iPhone data, FoneTool is an excellent option for you. It is a free, safe, and professional iOS data backup and transfer tool that can help you make a full or selective backup of your iPhone easily.

Highlights of Using FoneTool to Your Backup iPhone:
Comprehensive Backup: FoneTool offers various backup options, allowing you to choose between full device backups or selective backups for specific data like contacts, photos, messages, and more.
One-Click Restore: In case of data loss or a device upgrade, FoneTool enables you to easily restore your data with a single click, saving you time and effort.
Compatibility with Different iOS Versions: FoneTool is frequently updated to support the latest iOS versions (iOS supported), ensuring that you can use it with the most recent iPhone models and software.
User-Friendly Interface: The user-friendly interface ensures that both beginners and tech-savvy users can easily navigate through the backup process.

Now, you can click the download button to get and install FoneTool on your PC and connect your iPhone to the PC. Then, follow the simple steps below to back up your iPhone using FoneTool.

Step 1: Launch FoneTool > Navigate to the Phone Backup option > Choose Full Backup (or Selective Backup) and then click Get Started.

★Tip:

If you choose Selective Backup, you need to handpick the specific files you’d like to back up.

Step 2: You can enable backup encryption to encrypt backup for iPhone. Then, you need to choose a destination for storage and click Start Backup to initiate the backup process.

The Bottom Line

After reading this post, you know how to fix the issue of “Instagram videos not playing”. One of the methods in this post should be able to fix the problem and allow you to continue using Instagram as you had. But before performing these methods, it’s highly recommended to use FoneTool to backup iPhone to iPad or other device. In addition, you can also use this backup and transfer tool to transfer your videos between iOS devices and PCs easily and quickly. Try it out!