Is music not working on Instagram? Try a different song in a new Story or Reel. This will show you whether the issue is with one song or whether music is not working at all. Then check your sound, connection and app. Is only one particular song missing? This could be due to music rights, your region or your account type. Reinstalling the app will not necessarily solve this.
Follow the steps below that match what you see or hear on your screen.
What is going wrong with Instagram music?
Can’t choose any music, or can’t hear the music you chose? That difference determines where you should start. If you can see songs but there is no sound, check your audio. If only your favourite song is missing, the issue probably does not affect the entire app.
| What do you notice? | What should you test first? | What can you conclude from that? |
|---|---|---|
| One song is missing or shows an error message. | Search by title and artist. Then try another song. | If that works, the problem appears to be with that one song. |
| You do not see an option to add music anywhere. | Compare a new Story with a new Reel. | This shows whether music is missing from one type of post. |
| You can see music, but hear nothing. | Play another video with sound. | If that is also silent, check your volume and where the sound is being played. |
| Music keeps loading and other features are also working poorly. | Try a different internet connection. | Your connection or an outage could be a factor. |
Change one thing at a time and test again. If you switch accounts and networks at the same time and also delete the app, you will not know afterwards which step helped.
No music sticker in Instagram Stories? Test a new photo
Start a new Story with an ordinary photo. Open the stickers and see whether you can choose music. Is there a search field among the stickers? Search for ‘music’.
Is the music sticker still missing? Check whether you can add music to a new Reel. If that works, focus your next tests on Stories. You can find more information in what you can do if Instagram music is not working in your Story.
Also pay attention to which sticker you are looking for. In 2024, Meta introduced the Add Yours Music sticker for sharing a song from the music library. That announcement does not mean that every music sticker is now visible on your account.
No music in Instagram Reels or posts? Check the sound
First test a new, simple post before editing an existing video. For example, use a short clip of your pet. Choose the song you want to use and then try another song. You do not have to publish the test.
Hear nothing? Check these points:
- Turn up the volume for music and videos while the video is playing.
- Check whether the sound is going to wireless earbuds or another speaker.
- Check whether the video’s own sound is turned off.
- Play a video in another app and listen to see whether it has sound.
Does a new video work while an old post does not? Note the message shown for that old post. A message about missing audio is different from a video that is silent only on your phone.
Do not delete the old post as your first test. First check whether you still have the original file. Also check whether Instagram offers an option to adjust the sound for that post.
Why a business Instagram account may have less music
According to Meta’s explanation of music the music library is for personal, non commercial use. Some business accounts and post types have limited access.
Can you see songs but are many well known tracks missing? Check which account type you use before reinstalling the app.
Do not immediately switch to a personal account for one song. This does not guarantee that all music will return. Another account type also does not automatically give you permission to use a song in an advertisement.
For example, are you creating a Reel to sell something? Check whether you are allowed to use the music for that purpose. Being able to find and choose it is not enough.
An Instagram song is unavailable in your region
Does the message say that a song is unavailable in your region? Then this is a restriction for that location. Music rights may play a role. Adjusting your volume will not resolve this message.
Try another song that you can choose on Instagram. Can a friend in another country see the desired song? That does not mean your app is broken.
Do not use a VPN to bypass the restriction. A VPN routes your internet traffic through another connection, but it does not give you permission to use music. It is not a reliable or safe solution to this problem.
Do not download the song elsewhere either to add it under your video without permission. That does not solve the music rights problem.
Instagram music keeps freezing? Check the app
Does music freeze in multiple posts? Try these steps in order. After each step, test the same short draft, meaning your unpublished post, with the same song.
- Switch connections. Try Wi Fi instead of mobile data, or vice versa. When using mobile data, keep your data allowance in mind.
- Close Instagram completely. Then reopen the app and test the music.
- Check whether an update is available. In your phone’s official app store, check whether you can update Instagram.
- Restart your phone. Test again before changing other settings.
- Check the temporary files. Some phones offer an option to clear only the cache. These are temporary app files. Do not simply choose to clear all app data.
Menus differ by phone. Do you not see a separate option to clear the cache? Skip that step. Do not use an unknown cleaning app or website that asks for your Instagram password.
Do you want to log out or reinstall the app? First save your original photos and videos, because drafts may be lost. Also check that you know your password and have access to your additional login security.
Are several Instagram features working poorly, even through another connection? There may be an outage. Try again later before changing more settings.
When should you report a music problem to Instagram?
Does the problem persist after you have updated the app and tested several songs? Search the help section within Instagram for the option to report a problem.
Describe what is happening and mention:
- Whether it concerns a Story, Reel or photo post.
- Whether the music option is missing, the music does not load or you cannot hear any sound.
- The exact error message, possibly with a screenshot without private information.
- Which songs you tested.
- Your phone model, app version and account type.
- Which steps you have already tried.
A fictional example of such a report: ‘In a new Reel, two different songs keep loading. The same thing happens over Wi Fi and mobile data. Other videos play with sound. I updated the app and restarted my phone.’
With those details, it is clearer what is going wrong than with just ‘music is not working’.
What other music can you use in your Story or Reel?
Can you not use the desired song? Choose another available song, record spoken explanations or post your video without music. For a cooking video, the ordinary kitchen sounds may already be enough.
Meta also mentions Sound Collection as an alternative. Check the conditions for the chosen song and make sure you are allowed to use it for your post. Music that you can download for free may not automatically be used everywhere.
Are you using music you made yourself? Check whether it contains recordings or pieces of music by others. You may still need permission for those. Once your account is working as intended, you can explore our Instagram services to compare packages for followers and likes for your public profile or content.
