Instagram Sound Not Working on Android or iPhone? 7 Fixes
A reel plays but you hear nothing. The cause is usually a setting, not a broken phone. Work down this list from the quickest fix to the more involved ones.
1. Tap the sound icon
Reels may start muted. Tap the speaker icon at the top of the reel, or tap the video once, to turn sound on.
2. Check the volume and silent mode
- iPhone: flip the side Ring/Silent switch and raise the volume with the side buttons while a reel plays.
- Android: press the volume key, then open the arrow to check the Media volume, which is separate from ringer volume.
3. Disconnect Bluetooth
Sound may be playing through earbuds, a speaker or a car you are no longer using. Turn Bluetooth off briefly to test.
4. Turn off Do Not Disturb or Focus
Some modes mute media. Disable them and try again.
5. Update Instagram and your phone
Open the App Store or Google Play and install any Instagram update. Update iOS or Android too.
6. Clear the cache or reinstall
- Android: Settings > Apps > Instagram > Storage > Clear cache.
- iPhone: delete and reinstall Instagram. Log back in afterward.
7. Test with another source
If other apps have sound but one reel does not, the reel may be muted or restricted. Some audio is removed when it conflicts with licensing, so the sound can disappear from a reel entirely.
Need the sound in a file?
If a reel plays for others but not for you, saving the audio with AudioFromReels can help you check whether the sound exists in the reel. Only public reels can be read.
FAQ
Why does a reel say audio unavailable?
The track may have been removed for licensing reasons, or the audio is not available in your region.
Sound works in other apps but not Instagram. Why?
Update or reinstall Instagram, and clear its cache.