Do Instagram Stories from your friends or favorite creators keep freezing on you? You’re not alone—this common issue can really mess up your smooth scrolling experience. In this article, I’ll walk you through some effective methods to fix the Instagram Stories freezing problem, whether it happens when you tap or click on the screen or try to move to the next story.
Lately, a growing number of Android, iPhone, and Google Pixel users have reported problems like videos or images getting stuck, not loading, or freezing while watching Instagram stories. According to some Reddit posts and user comments, a bug or glitch in the latest Instagram update might be behind this issue
How To Fix Instagram Stories Freezing?
1. Restart the Instagram App
If Instagram Stories are freezing due to a temporary glitch, a simple restart of the app might do the trick. To fix this, minimize the Instagram app on your phone, navigate to the Recent Apps section, and clear all running apps. Then, reopen Instagram and check if the issue is resolved.
2. Clear Cache on Android Devices
When Instagram Stories freeze or get stuck while tapping, clicking, or trying to view the next story, corrupted cache data could be the cause. Clearing the cache on your Android phone can often resolve this issue.
- Open Settings on your phone.
- Navigate to Apps > All Apps or Manage Apps.
- Find Instagram in the app list and select Storage and Cache.
- Tap on Clear Cache to remove the corrupted data.
3. Offload Instagram on iOS/iPadOS
Unlike Android, iOS devices don’t offer a direct option to clear an app’s cache. However, you can remove outdated Instagram data by offloading the app, which essentially deletes the app while keeping its documents and data intact.
- Go to Settings > iPhone Storage.
- Locate and select the Instagram app.
- Tap Offload App, then confirm by selecting Offload App again.
- Finally, Reinstall the app from the App Store.
4. Use the ‘Send Message’ Trick and Exit
If Instagram Stories are still freezing even after clearing the cache, you can try this quick workaround. By using the ‘Send Message’ option on the problematic story, you can often bypass the freeze.
- Watch the Instagram Story until it freezes.
- Tap on the “Send message” field at the bottom of the screen.
- Then, tap on any blank space to exit the “Send message” field.
That’s it! You should now be able to scroll through and view stories without interruptions.
5. Update Your Instagram App
If you recently updated Instagram and started experiencing story freezes, it could be due to bugs or glitches in that version. Updating the app to the latest version is a good fix, as new updates often include bug fixes and performance improvements.
Make sure to check for updates in the Google Play Store (for Android) or the App Store (for iOS) and install the latest version of Instagram to ensure a smoother experience.
6. Report the Problem to Instagram
If none of the previous methods have resolved the Instagram Stories freezing issue, you can report the problem directly to Instagram. The platform offers a built-in feature for reporting bugs and glitches.
- Open Instagram and navigate to your Profile.
- Tap on the Three Lines (≡) icon at the top right corner.
- Scroll down and select Help.
- Choose Report a Problem > Don’t Include and Continue.
- In the message box, enter the following:
Dear Instagram Team,
Instagram Stories keep freezing when I tap/click on the screen or try to move to the next story. Please resolve this issue as soon as possible.
Thank you!
- Tap Send to submit your report.
By reporting the problem, you not only increase the chances of getting it fixed but also help Instagram improve the app for all users.
Wrapping up
Dealing with Instagram Stories freezing can be frustrating, especially when you’re trying to keep up with your favorite creators or friends. Thankfully, there are several effective methods to resolve this issue, whether you’re using an Android, iPhone, or iPad.
If all else fails, don’t hesitate to report the problem to Instagram directly—your feedback could lead to a faster fix in future updates.
By following the steps outlined in this article, you can enjoy Instagram Stories without interruptions and make the most of your social media experience. If you found these tips helpful, feel free to share them with others who might be facing the same issue.