Is Instagram Music suddenly unavailable on your account? Are you seeing frustrating error messages like “Instagram music isn’t available in your region” or “This song is currently unavailable”?  Don’t worry – you’re not alone, and we’ve got the complete technical breakdown to solve this problem once and for all! In 2025, Instagram Music will remain a vital feature for creating engaging Stories and Reels. Yet, many users still face unexpected restrictions based on region, account type, and technical issues. 

Why is Instagram Music not available for some accounts in 2025? The Instagram Music feature sometimes doesn’t work as expected and an error message may show up saying “Instagram Music not working”. If you have been experiencing this snag lately and wondering how to fix the Instagram music not working error, know that you are not alone and we are here to help!

Why Instagram Music Isn’t Available for Some Accounts in 2025

Before we jump into solutions, it’s important to understand why Instagram Music might not be working for you. The problem generally stems from four main sources:

1. Regional Restrictions: 

Instagram Music is officially available in only eight countries due to complex music licensing agreements with major labels like Sony, Warner, and Universal. These countries are the USA, UK, Canada, Germany, Australia, Sweden, New Zealand, and France.

2. Account Type Limitations: 

Business accounts face restricted music access to prevent unauthorized commercial use of copyrighted songs without proper licensing from organizations like ASCAP or BMI.

3. Technical Glitches: 

App cache corruption, outdated versions, or server-side issues can prevent the music feature from loading properly.

4. Network & Connectivity Issues: 

Unstable connections, ISP throttling, or DNS configuration problems can block access to Instagram’s music servers. Without a doubt, it’s tricky to fish out the exact culprit behind your ‘Instagram music not working.’ But, the truth is, one of these is your antagonist.

Now let’s dive into the solutions that work in 2025!

How to Fix Instagram Music Not Working 

Thankfully, there are plenty of ways to troubleshoot the “Instagram music not working” problem. 

1. Use a VPN

We’ll start with the fix that works 99% of the time and then cover some others. If you are seeing the “Instagram music isn’t available in your region” message, this is because Instagram hasn’t made the Instagram Music feature available in your region. For the time being, it is only available in eight countries, which are: the USA, UK, Canada, Germany, Australia, Sweden, Australia, and New Zealand. However, the good news for you is that you can still play the stories having Instagram Music and create your own, regardless of your current location.

How Instagram Detects Your Location: Instagram uses multiple methods to determine your location:

• IP address geolocation (primary method).
• GPS data (if location permissions are enabled).
• Account registration information.
• Network connection details.

For that purpose, you’d need to install a VPN for Instagram. 

So, how does a VPN help?

It masks your IP address, and conceals your GPS data as well as your network connection details. That means you can appear in any country online without physically being in that country.

Now which VPN is the best?

NordVPN!

Why? 

NordVPN is particularly effective for accessing Instagram Music because it offers:

• Dedicated streaming servers optimized for media content.
• Obfuscated servers that mask VPN traffic to bypass Instagram’s VPN detection algorithms.
• High-speed connections for smooth music playback.
• Wide server distribution in all countries where Instagram Music is available.

A VPN service such as NordVPN hides your real IP address, allowing you to access Instagram Music even if it is unavailable in your country. NordVPN even offers a free trial if you want to try it before buying. However, make sure to uninstall the Instagram app first and install it again. Uninstalling the app is crucial since Instagram gets to know your location the moment you open it for the first time.  Once you have uninstalled Instagram, you can carry on with the procedure.

Thankfully, there are plenty of VPN services available on the Google Play Store and iOS App Store, and as a cherry on the cake, most of them are free to use. You can choose any of them but don’t forget to check their ratings before installing. Once you have installed the VPN app, make sure to set a location where Instagram music is available. You can choose any of the aforementioned countries, and once the VPN for Instagram Music is up and running, you can enjoy the Instagram music feature. If you choose a location where Instagram music is available, try switching to another country. Switching between the countries on a VPN is an absolute cinch and free!

Step-by-Step Guide to Use NordVPN for Instagram Music:

1. Uninstall Instagram First: This is crucial because Instagram caches your location data. Simply connecting to a VPN without reinstalling won’t reset location detection.

2. Install NordVPN:

• Visit NordVPN’s website and sign up for a plan (they offer a 30-day money-back guarantee if you just want to test it).
• Download and install the NordVPN app for your device (available on iOS, Android, Windows, and Mac).
• Launch the app and sign in with your credentials.

3. Configure NordVPN Correctly:

• Enable the “CyberSec” feature (Settings → CyberSec) to block ads and malicious sites.
• Go to Settings → Auto-Connect and set it to “Always” for maximum protection.
• Under Settings → Advanced, enable “Obfuscated Servers” (this is key for bypassing Instagram’s VPN detection).

4. Connect to a Server in a Country with Instagram Music:

• Open the NordVPN app and tap on the map or country list.
• Select a server in the US, UK, Canada, Australia, Germany, Sweden, France, or New Zealand.
• For best performance, choose a server with a low load (usually indicated by a lower percentage number).
• Wait for the “Connected” confirmation.

5. Disable GPS/Location Services:

• On Android: Settings → Location → App Permissions → Instagram → Deny.
• On iOS: Settings → Privacy → Location Services → Instagram → Never.

6. Reinstall Instagram:

• Download Instagram from your app store.
• Open the app and log in with your credentials.
• Instagram should now detect your “new location” and grant access to the Music feature.

7. Troubleshooting Tips:

• If one server doesn’t work, try connecting to a different server in another music-enabled country.
• Some US servers are more reliable than others; try East Coast servers like New York or Washington DC.
• Clear your browser cache and cookies if you’re using Instagram on a desktop.

Important Note: Free VPNs typically don’t work well with Instagram as they have limited server options and slower speeds. What’s more! Their IP addresses are often already flagged by Instagram. For reliable access, a premium VPN like NordVPN with dedicated streaming servers is your best shot.

2. Check If the Music Sticker Option is Available

For starters, see whether the music sticker option is available or not in the first place. To find out, open the Instagram app. You’ll see a “Plus” icon on your profile picture at the top left corner, click on this icon. This will take you to your recent photos and videos so you can choose the photo or video you want to post on your Instagram Story. Once you have decided which photo or video you want to post, click on it. At the top right corner of your screen, you’ll find a few icons. Click on the “Sticker” icon there and then click on the “Music” option in the second row. This is when Instagram will show you a playlist of plenty of songs to choose from for your story. If you don’t find this sticker, you may want to try some workarounds to fix it. 

Step-by-Step Guide to Find the Music Sticker:

1. Open your Instagram app and tap the “+” icon on your profile picture to create a new Story.
2. Take or select a photo/video for your Story.
3. Tap the sticker icon (square smiley face) at the top of the screen.
4. Look for the “Music” sticker in the collection of stickers (it should be in the second row).
5. If you don’t see it, try scrolling through all available stickers.
6. If the Music sticker is still missing, continue with the other solutions in this guide.

Pro Tip: If you don’t see the Music sticker but have access to Reels, you can create a Reel with music first, then share it with your Story. This backdoor method often works even when the direct Music sticker is unavailable.

3. Check to See If You Have Updated Version of Instagram

Updating to the latest version of Instagram is the first thing that you can do to fix the Instagram music problem. If you are using an older version, chances are that the older version may not support the Instagram Story Music feature, or there is some bug in that version that is causing problems. So, make sure that you are using the latest version of Instagram. It’s a good rule of thumb to turn on the automatic updates feature. That way, you won’t need to update the apps manually and the system will keep updating them as new updates arrive. In case you haven’t turned it on, you’d have to update the app manually. Thankfully, updating the Instagram app is an absolute cake. 

Technical Context: Instagram’s music feature uses API endpoints that change periodically. Older app versions might try to connect to deprecated endpoints, causing the music feature to fail silently.

Step-by-Step Update Guide:

For Android:

1. Open the Google Play Store.
2. Tap on your profile icon at the top right.
3. Select “Manage apps & device”.
4. Look for Instagram in the list of apps with available updates.
5. If Instagram shows as “Update available,” tap “Update”.
6. Alternatively, search for Instagram in the Play Store and tap “Update” if available.

For iOS:

1. Open the App Store.
2. Tap on your profile icon at the top right.
3. Scroll down to see available updates.
4. Look for Instagram in the list and tap “Update” if available.
5. If you don’t see Instagram, it means you’re already running the latest version.

Enable Auto-Updates for Future Reliability:

On Android:

1. Open the Google Play Store.
2. Tap your profile icon → Settings.
3. Tap “Network Preferences”.
4. Select “Auto-update apps”.
5. Choose “Over Wi-Fi only” (recommended) or “Over any network”.

On iOS:

1. Go to Settings.
2. Scroll down and tap “App Store”.
3. Toggle ON “App Updates” under Automatic Downloads.

Key Insight: Some Instagram features roll out gradually in phases, not all at once for all users. If you are using the updated version and you still encounter the “Instagram music not working” problem, it’s recommended to wait for the next update as Instagram keeps updating its software week in, and week out. 

4. Switch Account Types (From Business to Personal or Creator)

As it turns out, Instagram doesn’t roll out an update across all accounts. Some accounts receive an update and others just don’t. If you are using your business account, switching to your account may just hit the nail on the head for you. If you haven’t added an account, go to settings and click on “Add Account”. If you own one account only, the good news for you is that creating an account on Instagram is as easy as pie. Once you have created a new account, log into it to see whether it has new features or not. Some Instagrammers faced the Instagram music not working issue when they logged into their business accounts.

This is because Instagram doesn’t allow business accounts to use songs while advertising their businesses. So, if you have been trying to add music to your Instagram Story on your business account, consider switching to your account to see whether it resolves the issue or not. Don’t worry, you can always switch back to your business account once you have confirmed. However, bear in mind that you may have to wait for some time to get the Instagram Story music feature. To switch to your account, click on your profile icon at the bottom right corner to open your profile.

On your profile page, you’ll see the “Three horizontal lines” icon at the top. Click on this icon and tap on “Settings” in the pop-up menu. Now, navigate to the “Account” option then scroll it down and tap on the “Switch to personal account” option. If switching to your account yields no result, switching to the creator account is another viable option. To switch to the creator account, follow the same procedure that you followed to switch to your account. The “Switch to creator account” option is right under the “Switch to personal account” option. Getting the problem fixed might take some days to work and the results are not guaranteed either.

Account Type Comparison for Music Access:

• Personal Accounts: Full access to Instagram Music.
• Creator Accounts: Partial access (can’t use some major label songs in promotions).
• Business Accounts: Most restricted (limited library, shorter clip durations).

How to Switch Account Types:

Option 1: Switch to Personal Account

1. Open Instagram and go to your profile.
2. Tap the three horizontal lines (hamburger menu) in the top right.
3. Tap “Settings”.
4. Select “Account”.
5. Scroll down and tap “Switch to personal account”.
6. Confirm your choice.

Option 2: Switch to Creator Account (Best for Influencers)

1. Follow steps 1-4 above.
2. Select “Switch to creator account” instead.
3. Choose a category that best describes your content.
4. Select whether to connect to a Facebook Page (optional).
5. Review your contact options and complete the setup.

Important Considerations Before Switching:

• Personal accounts lose access to Instagram Insights and promotion capabilities.
• You’ll need to manually switch back if you want to run ads later.
• Creator accounts maintain most business features while gaining better music access.

Pro Tip: If you manage a business but need music for your Stories, consider creating a separate personal account specifically for more engaging, music-backed Stories, then link to your main business account in the captions. 

5. Logout of Instagram and Log In Again

If the aforementioned methods don’t work, another workaround is to log out and then log in again later on. Some users reported that logging out has helped them get back the Instagram Music feature on their stories. So, log out of your Instagram account and chances are that when you come back, the Instagram Music sticker feature will be restored and you won’t see the error message. If you don’t know how to log out of Instagram, tap on the profile icon at the bottom right corner of the screen. This will take you to your profile page, where you’ll see the “Three horizontal lines” right at the top. A click on this icon will open a pop-up menu, where you can navigate to the “Logout” option. Click on this option to log out of Instagram. Now, use your password to log in again. 

6. Switch to Different Internet Connection

If you have tried all the possible workarounds without any luck, have a look at your internet connection. Sometimes, your poor internet connection may also stop you from enjoying Instagram music. Let alone the Instagram music feature, a poor internet connection can put your whole social media experience down in flames. With an unstable internet connection, you won’t be able to upload stories, photos, or even add comments on others’ posts.

So, try switching to mobile data in case you are using Wi-Fi, and vice versa. If it fixes the problem and Instagram music starts working, consult with your internet provider. Having low bars on Wi-Fi signals is an indication that your internet connection is poor. You can turn the internet on and off several times and see if it fixes the problem. It is also seen that staying closer to your Wi-Fi device strengthens the signals. 

Advanced Troubleshooting Steps:

Check Your Connection Speed:

• Visit fast.com or speedtest.net to test your connection.
• Instagram Music requires at least 5 Mbps for reliable performance.
• If your speed is below 5 Mbps, try moving closer to your Wi-Fi router or switching to mobile data.

Switch Between Wi-Fi and Mobile Data:

• Turn off Wi-Fi and switch to mobile data (or vice versa).
• Force close Instagram (swipe it away from recent apps).
• Reopen Instagram and check if Music now works.

1. Fix DNS Resolution (Advanced):

Change to faster, more reliable DNS servers:

On Android:

• Go to Settings → Network & Internet → Wi-Fi.
• Long-press your connected network → Modify the network.
• Change “IP settings” to “Static”.
• Enter Google DNS (8.8.8.8, 8.8.4.4) or Cloudflare DNS (1.1.1.1, 1.0.0.1).

On iOS:

• Download the 1.1.1.1 app from the App Store.
• Follow the instructions to enable the Cloudflare DNS.

2. Bypass ISP Throttling: Some ISPs specifically throttle media streaming services. If you suspect this is happening:

• Connect to NordVPN using the steps outlined earlier.
• Enable NordVPN’s obfuscated servers feature.
• This encrypted connection prevents your ISP from identifying and throttling Instagram traffic.

3. Reset Network Settings (Last Resort):

On Android:

• Go to Settings → System → Reset options.
• Select “Reset Wi-Fi, mobile & Bluetooth”.
• Confirm and restart your phone.

On iOS:

• Go to Settings → General → Reset.
• Tap “Reset Network Settings”.
• Enter your passcode and confirm.

7. Check If There is a Service Outage

Another reason why Instagram music may not work is that Instagram is down sometimes. It’s no secret that all social media platforms face outages, which makes some services temporarily unavailable. This interruption could be because of technical errors, and there’s nothing you can do about it. It’s not a reason to worry since it often happens. So, check if the service outage is the reason why Instagram music is not working. If that’s the case, you’d have to wait for a few hours before things get back on track. To find out if Instagram is down, you can use a down detector. When the outrage is rectified, log out of your Instagram account and then log in again to see if Instagram music has been restored. 

8. Delete the Instagram App and Install It Again

App cache corruption is a common cause of features like Music not working properly. Clearing the cache forces Instagram to reload fresh resources from the server. Instagram stores music-related data (like available tracks, album art, and even snippets) in local cache files. If these become corrupted or outdated, the Music feature may fail to load properly. Reinstalling Instagram is your last resort. This way, you won’t have to update Instagram as it will automatically update the app in case it hasn’t been updated. So, exit the Instagram app and go to the “Homepage” of your phone and uninstall the app. Now, go to the Google Play Store or iOS App Store of your phone, and reinstall the app to see if the issue is resolved. You’d have to log in again with your credentials. If you have forgotten the password, make sure that you have access to the email account associated with your Instagram account. If you log into your account and the issue persists, perhaps, it’s time to contact the support team on Instagram.

Step-by-Step Guide:

For Android:

• Go to Settings → Apps → Instagram.
• Tap “Storage & cache”.
• Tap “Clear cache” (this preserves your login info).
• If problems persist, tap “Clear storage” (you’ll need to log in again).
• Restart your phone for good measure.
• Open Instagram and check if the Music works.

For iOS: iOS doesn’t allow direct cache clearing, but you can:

• Go to Settings → General → iPhone Storage.
• Find and tap on Instagram.
• Select “Offload App” (preserves your data but removes the app).
• Reinstall Instagram from the App Store.
• Log back in and check if the Music works.

Alternative iOS Method:

• Delete the Instagram app by long-pressing its icon and selecting “Remove App”.
• Restart your iPhone.
• Reinstall Instagram from the App Store.
• Log back in.

Pro Tip: If you’re on Android, you can use the “App Manager” feature in NordVPN to automatically clear app cache on a schedule, preventing these types of issues from recurring.

9. Contact Instagram’s Support Team

If you keep facing the Instagram music not working problem and none of the aforementioned workarounds proved to be helpful, consider reaching out to Instagram’s support team. Although Instagram has quite an efficient support team, it may take them a few days to restore Instagram music. To seek assistance from Instagram’s support team, click on your profile icon at the bottom of your screen, and then tap on the “Three horizontal lines” icon at the top. A pop-up menu will appear with the “Settings” option on top. Click on it and scroll down to “Help”. Now, tap on “Report a Problem” and then choose “Something isn’t working”.

Explain the problem as clearly as you can, and hopefully, your issue will be resolved. As an alternative, you can also contact Instagram’s support team via phone number. As mentioned earlier, the Instagram support team might take a few days to fix your problem. So, consider visiting Instagram’s “Help Centre”, where you can find FAQs to troubleshoot common problems. Go through the frequently asked questions and see if they have the answer to your problem.

Sample Template to Send:

Subject: Instagram Music Feature Not Available

Hi Instagram Support,

I’m experiencing issues accessing the Instagram Music feature on my account. I’ve tried the following troubleshooting steps without success:

– Updated to the latest app version (v[your version])

– Cleared cache and reinstalled the app

– Switched between Wi-Fi and mobile data

– Tried on multiple devices

My account details:

– Username: @[your username]

– Account Type: [Personal/Creator/Business]

– Country: [Your country]

– Device: [iPhone/Android model]

Could you please check if there are any restrictions on my account or if there are known issues with Instagram Music in my region?

Thank you for your assistance.

Direct Messaging Instagram on Twitter:

1. Visit @InstagramComms or @Instagram on Twitter.
2. Send them a Direct Message explaining your issue.
3. Include screenshots of any error messages you’re seeing.

Email Support (Less Reliable): Send an email to [email protected] with the same information as above.

What If You See This Song Is Currently Unavailable? 

If you are viewing someone else’s story and a message appears saying “This song is currently unavailable”, it is because some songs may not be available in your region. Not all songs are available in all regions, which is why this error message is quite common. All you can do is wait till Instagram makes it available for your region too. Another reason why you may see the “This song is currently unavailable” message is that the artist of that song deleted it and Instagram hasn’t deleted it from its database. If you’re able to access Instagram Music but specific songs show as “unavailable,” there are several technical reasons and solutions.

Root Causes for Unavailable Songs:

1. Regional licensing restrictions for specific tracks.
2. Expired licensing agreements between Instagram and music publishers.
3. Artists or labels opted out of Instagram platform distribution.
4. Recent upload that hasn’t propagated to all Instagram servers yet.

How to Find Available Alternatives:

1. Search for Alternate Versions:

Open the Music sticker search, and try searching for:

• Live versions of the song.
• Remixes or covers.
• The song with alternate spellings.
• Just the artist’s name to browse their available catalog.

2. Use Genre Exploration:

• Instead of searching for a specific song, tap on “Browse” in the Music panel.
• Select a genre similar to your desired song.
• Browse through trending tracks in that genre.

3. Check for Song Availability Through Reels:

Sometimes songs are available in Reels but not Stories:

1. Start creating a Reel instead of a Story.
2. Tap the music icon to access the Reels music library.
3. Search for your desired song.
4. If you find it, create the Reel with the music.
5. After saving the Reel, share it with your Story.

Pro Tip: Songs with higher licensing fees or recently released tracks are often more restricted. Try selecting older songs or tracks from independent artists for higher availability.

How Do Instagram Stories Work?

People use Instagram to post their photos and videos. Instagram rolled out this feature in 2017 to help Instagrammers share their day-to-day moments temporarily. Stories appear at the top of Instagram’s feed and are often the first thing that your followers see when they visit your Instagram profile. An Instagram story stays around for 24 hours before it disappears automatically. As of now, over 500 million users use Instagram stories every day.

Instagram music was introduced back in 2018, which enables users to add their favorite pieces of songs to their stories. It certainly brings more life to stories and has helped Instagrammers garner a lot of followers. From celebrities to businessmen, everyone uses this feature to add a touch of excitement to their otherwise bland stories. 

How to Add Music to Instagram Stories?

If you are lucky enough to breathe in a region where Instagram music is available, you can add music to make your Instagram Stories interesting and appealing.

Fortunately, it’s a quite simple process.

• If you are using an older version, update to the latest version of the Instagram app.
• Launch the Instagram app and log in to your account.
• Once you have logged in, click on the “Plus” icon right next to your user name.
• If you want to capture photos or videos before posting them as your stories, tap the “Camera” icon, otherwise, you can choose the photo or video of your choice from the album.
• When you have chosen a picture or video, tap the “Smiley Square” icon at the top of the screen and find the “Music” sticker.
• This will take you to Instagram’s music library where you’ll have dozens of songs to choose from. 
• If you are looking for some other song, you can use the “Search” box to find it. 
• Now you can choose a certain portion of your choice. This portion could be up to 15 seconds long.
• Confirm that the music portion is in the right place. 
• If everything is in the right place, go ahead and post the story.

Why Different Account Types Have Different Music Access

Understanding the technical and legal reasons behind Instagram’s account-based restrictions can help you make informed decisions about which solutions to try.

Personal Accounts

Personal accounts have the most comprehensive access to Instagram Music because they fall under standard “personal use” copyright exceptions in most jurisdictions. Users with personal accounts can access the full music library for non-commercial sharing.

Creator Accounts

Creator accounts receive a middle-ground music access level. While they can use most songs, they face some restrictions when using music in sponsored content. Instagram analyzes caption text and visual elements to detect promotional content and may limit music options accordingly.

Business Accounts

Business accounts face the strictest limitations because using copyrighted music for commercial purposes requires specific licensing agreements. Instagram restricts music access to avoid potential copyright infringement claims against businesses.

Technical Implementation: Instagram uses machine learning algorithms to analyze account activity patterns, post content, and engagement metrics to enforce appropriate music usage policies for each account type.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

Instagram Music not working can be frustrating, but with the technical approaches outlined in this guide, you should be able to diagnose and fix the issue regardless of the cause. Remember that regional restrictions are the most common cause, making NordVPN the most reliable solution for most users facing Instagram Music problems. By changing your virtual location to a supported country like the US or UK, you can bypass these geographical limitations entirely.

If you continue experiencing issues after trying all these solutions, keep an eye on Instagram’s official channels for announcements about service disruptions or feature rollouts. If still none of these tips to fix the Instagram music not working error work, you should get in touch with the Instagram customer support team. Instagram occasionally restricts features during updates or to comply with new regulations. Have you tried any of these solutions? Let us know which one worked for you in the comments below!