Why Instagram Reels Not Showing After Update and How to Fix

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Credit: pexels.com, Hand holding a smartphone with Instagram icon on screen. IPhone with a social media app logo.

If you've recently updated your Instagram app and your Reels are nowhere to be found, you're not alone. This issue can be frustrating, especially if you're used to sharing your favorite moments with your followers.

The problem often lies in the app's update, which may have caused a glitch or a change in settings that's preventing your Reels from showing up. In some cases, the issue can be as simple as a server-side problem that's affecting all users.

To troubleshoot the issue, you can try restarting your app and see if that resolves the problem. According to our article, "Instagram Reels not showing after update can be caused by a server-side problem or a glitch in the app's algorithm."

Troubleshooting Steps

If you're still having trouble with Reels not showing on your Instagram after the update, don't worry, we've got some steps to help you fix the issue.

First, make sure your device is running the latest version of the Instagram app. If it's outdated, update it to the latest version.

Vibrant water droplets on a colorful background reflecting Instagram logos, showcasing abstract digital creativity.
Credit: pexels.com, Vibrant water droplets on a colorful background reflecting Instagram logos, showcasing abstract digital creativity.

Check your account settings to see if you accidentally disabled the Reels feature. You can enable it again in your profile settings.

If your account is set to "private", your Reels won't show up on your profile for people who aren't following you. Change your Reels settings to "public" to fix this issue.

A slow or unstable internet connection can prevent Reels from loading properly. Try switching to a stable and fast internet connection to resolve this problem.

Clearing your app cache can also resolve issues with Reels not loading. This will delete your Instagram drafts, so save any drafts you want to complete before doing this.

If none of the above steps work, try reinstalling the Instagram app to fix any app glitches or bugs.

If you're still experiencing issues, try these additional tips:

Clear App Cache

Clearing the app cache is a simple yet effective solution to resolve issues where Reels aren't showing up after an update. The cache serves as a temporary storage area for app data, but it can cause problems if it becomes full or corrupted.

Instagram on a smartphone with the instagram app open
Credit: pexels.com, Instagram on a smartphone with the instagram app open

If the cached app data gets corrupted, you'll experience problems with Instagram, like the Reels feature not working. This is because the corrupted cache can lead to various issues with the app.

To clear the cache, go to your device's app settings, select Instagram, and then click "clear cache." This will remove all temporary files and data that may be causing the problem.

By clearing the cache, you can resolve issues related to the Reels feature not appearing or working optimally.

Here are the steps to clear the cache:

  1. Go to your device's app settings.
  2. Select Instagram.
  3. Click "clear cache."

Clearing the cache is a straightforward process that can help resolve issues with the Reels feature.

Restarting and Reinstalling

If the Reels feature is still not showing after updating Instagram, don't worry, there are a few things you can try.

You can try restarting the Instagram app or refreshing the Instagram session on your browser. This can resolve the issue if the app wasn't initiated correctly.

Close-up of a hand holding a smartphone displaying the Instagram app screen.
Credit: pexels.com, Close-up of a hand holding a smartphone displaying the Instagram app screen.

To restart the Instagram app, follow these steps:

  1. Tap on your profile picture in the bottom right corner.
  2. Then, tap the hamburger menu on the top right corner.
  3. Next, the Settings option.

If restarting the app doesn't work, you can try reinstalling the Instagram app. This will remove all data files on the device and install a fresh copy, which can help eliminate corrupted files that may be hindering the Reels videos from showing correctly.

To reinstall the Instagram app, follow these steps:

  1. Long-press for the selection menu or head over to Settings to uninstall Instagram.
  2. Then, select Uninstall or Remove app.

Clearing the app's cached data can also resolve the issue if the cached data gets corrupted.

4. Check for Platform Issues

Before you start troubleshooting, check if there are any reported platform-wide issues that might be causing the problem. You can visit the official Instagram support website or social media channels to see if there are any known issues.

If there are known issues, wait for Instagram to address them before trying to play the Reels again. This is a good idea because it ensures you're not wasting your time troubleshooting a problem that's already being fixed.

Try uploading the video from a different device to see if the issue is specific to your device. This can help you isolate the problem and determine if it's a device-specific issue or a platform-wide problem.

Report the Problem

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Credit: pexels.com, A tablet displaying popular apps like Facebook and Instagram in a dimly lit setting.

If none of the previous steps have worked for you, it's time to report the Reels problem to the Instagram Help Center.

The backend developers may take quicker notice of the issue as more users report the case, which can contribute to the fix.

To report the problem, you can follow these steps:

  1. Briefly describe the Instagram Reels problem you're encountering.
  2. Hit the Submit button on the top right corner.

When describing the issue, be specific to give the technical team a better picture, and consider attaching a screenshot of the error for better clarity.

Tanya Hodkiewicz

Junior Assigning Editor

Tanya Hodkiewicz is a seasoned Assigning Editor with a keen eye for compelling content. With a proven track record of commissioning articles that captivate and inform, Tanya has established herself as a trusted voice in the industry. Her expertise spans a range of categories, including "Important" pieces that tackle complex, timely topics and "Decade in Review" features that offer insightful retrospectives on significant events.

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