10 Easy Solutions For Instagram Voice Message Not Playing or Working

10 Fixes For Instagram Voice Messages Not Playing Issue

Having trouble fixing this pesky glitch despite your best efforts? Don’t worry, you’re not alone!

I’m here to help with 10 simple fixes that could solve this issue. Just follow these steps one by one, and you’ll hopefully be enjoying your voice messages without any trouble.

Let’s jump into the best ways to get your Instagram voice messages playing again:

1. Check If Instagram Server Is Down!

Key Points:

• Use online website to check if Instagram server is down.
• Visit Instagram’s support community to confirm if server is down.
• Wait to see if more people come to social media with same problem.

Sometimes, the problem might not be on your end, but with Instagram itself. The server that runs Instagram could be having some issues, which is why you’re having trouble.

If that’s the case, it’s not just you who’s affected. All Instagram users might be facing the same problem. Even though most parts of Instagram might be working fine, features like sending direct messages and voice messages might not work like they should.

But how can you know if Instagram’s servers are having problems right now?

You can use these places to check:

1. Down Detector
2. Down For Everyone Or Just Me
3. Is It Down Right Now

If you click on any link, you’ll be taken to a page that shows if Instagram is currently working or not:

If the reason behind the problem is Instagram’s server having issues, then you’ll need to be patient and wait until Instagram fixes it. Unfortunately, there’s no quick way around this.

Once Instagram gets their server working properly again, you can enjoy using the voice message feature as before.

But, here’s the thing: If the server problem is solved and your voice messages are still not working, then you should move on to the next solutions provided.

2. Check Microphone Access For Instagram

Key Points:

• The Instagram voice messaging feature requires a working microphone.
• Make sure you have given the Instagram app permission to access your microphone.
• If the microphone access is turned off, you can enable it by adjusting your mobile settings.

Many times, people face problems with voice messaging because they forget to let Instagram use their microphone. This might be the reason why you’re having trouble with voice messages.

If you don’t allow Instagram to access your microphone, you won’t be able to use the voice messaging feature or record Instagram stories.

Tip: If your phone’s microphone isn’t working well, you can try using an external microphone.

Don’t worry, Instagram will only use your microphone when it’s needed.

Enable Microphone on Android:

For Android users, here’s how you can let Instagram use your microphone:

Go to Android Settings ⚙️

Then, Apps > find Instagram > tap Permissions:

Select Microphone 🎙️> tap Allow only while using the app:

You also have the option to touch and hold the Instagram app icon and then select “App info” to directly access the settings for Instagram.

Alternately:

Go to Settings ⚙️ > Privacy 🔏> Permission Manager:

Select Microphone > select Instagram :

Then, select Allow only while using the app.

Note:

The Microphone settings could appear differently based on your device model or the version of Android you’re using.

Next, reopen the Instagram app after closing it from the background. At this point, you should be able to send and play Instagram voice messages without any issues.

For iPhone:

For iOS users encountering voice message playback issues on an iPhone, it’s essential to confirm that Microphone access has been granted. If you haven’t done so already, follow these simple steps to enable Microphone access for Instagram:

1. Open your Settings ⚙️.
2. Scroll down and find Instagram.
3. Tap on Instagram, then enable the microphone settings.

Once completed, proceed to send a direct voice message to someone as a way to verify functionality.

If you’ve successfully enabled microphone access and are still encountering problems with Instagram voice messages not playing, feel free to explore the next solution provided.

3. Log Out & Log In Again

Key Points:

• Log into your Instagram account again after logging out.
• After that, attempt to send a direct message to a friend to confirm.

At times, signing back into your Instagram account can be a useful step to fix this issue.

Another option is to log in with the same account on a different Android device. This will help you determine if the issue is specific to your device.

To log out of the Instagram app, follow these steps:

Tap on your profile > Tap the three horizontal lines ☰.

Then, Settings ⚙️> Scroll down to the end and tap Log out:

Now, Sign in again and check if the Instagram’s audio messages are playing or not.

4. Update Instagram App

Key Points:

• Updating the Instagram app method works for most of the cases.
• Also, it’s great to enable Auto Update apps.

Making sure your apps are up-to-date is important because it gives you access to cool new features. You should always use the latest version of the apps you have.

It’s possible that the problem you’re having with Instagram might have been fixed in a newer version of the app, but you’re still using an older one.

If that’s the case, don’t worry. You just need to update the app. Or, if you prefer, you can first uninstall Instagram and then put it back on your device.

For Android devices, go to the Play Store and get the latest version of the Instagram app. If you’re using an iPhone, go to the App Store to do the same.

Once you’re done updating or reinstalling, try sending a test voice message to someone to check if the problem is gone.

5. Clear Instagram Cache & Data

Key Points:

• Instagram stores temporary data (cache) on your mobile device to help it run faster.
• On Android devices, you can improve things by removing the old Instagram cache from your device’s settings to get new, updated files.
• For iPhone users, one way to clear the cache is to uninstall the app and then install it again.

Instagram, similar to many other apps, keeps temporary files to make the app run faster and better.

Sometimes, these stored files can become outdated or damaged. This can cause various issues, like voice messages not playing or problems with viewing stories.

This might be why your Instagram voice messages aren’t working. If that’s the case, all you need to do is clear the cache of the Instagram app.

For this, tap and hold the Instagram icon and tap App info:

Then, select Storage usage > Clear cache:

If the problem still persists, try out clearing the data as well.

Note: Clearing the data will also log you out from your instagram account.

6. Disable Data Server Feature In Instagram App

In order to help you save your internet data, Instagram added a data saver feature. If you’ve activated this feature, some of Instagram’s functions might not work fully because it uses less data.

So, it’s a good idea to turn off this feature and check if your voice messages start working again.

To disable the data saver feature, Go to your profile > 3 Lines icon (☰)

Go to Settings ⚙️> Account:

Then, Cellular data use 🌏> Disable Data Saver:

7. Check Network Issues

Key Points:

• Verify the strength of your connected WiFi signal.
• Reboot your WiFi router or modem.
• Attempt to connect to a high-speed internet network.
• Toggle on airplane mode briefly and then turn it off again.

It’s worth investigating network-related issues, as your internet connection might be the cause of the problem.

Having a fast and stable internet connection enhances your Instagram experience. You can gauge your internet connection’s speed using tools like Speedtest by Ookla available online.

Additionally, you might consider using a friend’s WiFi to see if the problem persists.

Conduct a speed test to ensure a reliable connection. If the issue remains unresolved, switch to a different WiFi network to check if voice messages work there.

If you have a stable connection, toggle on airplane mode briefly, then turn it off. This can sometimes fix the issue.

Furthermore, it’s advisable to attempt resetting your mobile network settings. This can be done by accessing your device’s Settings app and searching for the “reset network” option. After resetting, remember to restart your smartphone. Test the issue by sending an Instagram direct audio message.

Should you possess a modem or router, consider rebooting it. Moreover, experimenting with connecting to a higher GHz WiFi might help troubleshoot the voice message problem.

8. Restart Your Smartphone

Key Points:

• Restarting your mobile device can serve as an effective solution for resolving this bug.
• Furthermore, this action can enhance the performance of your smartphone by terminating unnecessary background processes.

Have you ever considered restarting 🔄 your device? When faced with an issue, performing a device restart can often offer a straightforward and effective solution.

During a device restart, the background applications and processes that are currently active will be halted. This can be likened to a reset button, which not only aids in problem resolution but can also contribute to an enhancement in your device’s speed.

Here’s what you need to do:

1. Hold down the power button 🔴 (that’s the one you use to turn your device on and off).
2. Look for the option that says “Restart 🔄” on your screen.
3. Slide your finger on the screen to the “Restart” option and let go.

Alternatively, you can opt to power off 📴 your device and then power it on again. It’s advisable, however, not to keep your device powered off for an extended period, as this might lead others to assume that your device is malfunctioning.

In case your device is experiencing difficulties, remember the option of restarting. 

9. Try Instagram Web Or Instagram Lite App

Key Points:

10. Contact Instagram Support

Key Points:

• Contact Instagram’s support team.
• Clearly explain the issue with voice messages.
• Await a response from the Instagram team.

Lastly, reaching out to the Instagram Support team and explaining your situation is the final step.

If you’ve exhausted all the solutions mentioned earlier and you’re still facing issues with playing voice messages on Instagram, follow these steps to contact support:

Open Instagram app and go to your profile.

Go to Settings > click Help:

Then Select Report a Problem > tap Report a problem:

Note: If Instagram asks you to shake your phone then, tap on Report problem without shaking.

In your explanation, describe your problem as “Unable to Play or Use Instagram Voice Messages” or a similar phrase.

Additionally, you can include a screenshot to provide further clarity.

Types Of Instagram Voice Messages Error

Sometimes, when you’re sending or getting audio messages, different kinds of errors might pop up.

Out of all the issues, the microphone 🎙️ related ones are the most common. It’s like the microphone doesn’t want to cooperate as expected. Let’s take a look at some of the usual problems.

Imagine this: you send a voice message to a friend, but when you try to listen to it again, there’s no sound at all. It’s like your message turned into a silent movie. If this is happening, it probably means you didn’t let Instagram use your microphone. For a quick fix, hop over to solution #2.

Some users complained that they can’t hear the voice messages their friends send them on Instagram. It’s like your phone’s speaker decided to take a break, or maybe your friend’s message didn’t record properly. That’s why you can’t hear anything.

Also, there’s another thing bothering some users – they can’t send voice messages to others on Instagram. It’s like they can’t find the microphone 🎙️ icon. But don’t worry, there’s an easy fix. Just update your Instagram app to the newest version. This will make the problem go away and you’ll be able to send voice messages again.

After you’ve tried the solutions we talked about, your Instagram voice messages should work smoothly. Hopefully, your voice will be back in action, recording messages like a champ.

Frequently Asked Questions

Conclusion:

The voice messaging feature is perfect, especially for those who’d rather not type and want a break for their fingers. They can just record and send voice messages with ease.

However, it’s frustrating when Instagram voice messages are not playing. But don’t worry, by trying out the solutions above, you should be able to fix it up.

Feel free to drop a comment letting everyone know which solution did the trick for you. It could really help others who are facing the same issue and want to enjoy the voice messaging feature too.

I hope this guide has been super helpful 😍. If it has, share it with others so they can also make the most out of it.