Reels are a fun new way to create and share short videos on Instagram. However, some users have found that when they try to share their Reels, they get an error message saying that sharing has been disabled. Here are some common reasons why you may not be able to share your Reels and what you can do about it.
Your Account is Private
If your Instagram account is set to private, you won’t be able to share your Reels publicly. Instagram automatically sets new accounts to private to protect user privacy. Here’s how to check if your account is private:
- Go to your profile and tap the three-dot menu in the top right
- Tap “Settings”
- Scroll down and look under “Account Privacy”
- If the toggle is switched on next to “Private Account,” your account is set to private
To share your Reels with the public, you’ll need to switch your account to public. Be aware that this means anyone will be able to view your profile and posts. If you’re comfortable with that, here’s how to make your account public:
- Go to your profile and tap the three-dot menu in the top right
- Tap “Settings”
- Scroll down and tap “Account Privacy”
- Toggle “Private Account” off
Once your account is public, you should be able to share your Reels normally.
Your Reel Contains Copyrighted Content
Instagram detects copyrighted music, audio, or video clips in Reels and may prevent you from sharing them publicly. This is to protect the intellectual property rights of creators.
If your Reel contains copyrighted material you don’t have licensing rights for, Instagram blocks sharing as a precaution. Even short snippets of songs or audio can trigger this. The best way to avoid this issue is to only use original audio and content you have the rights to use.
You can also use music from Instagram’s built-in music library when making your Reels. This music is pre-approved for use in Reels. Here’s how to find it:
- When creating a Reel, tap the music icon on the top left
- Browse the music selections and select a track marked “Original Audio”
Using Instagram’s original music is a foolproof way to avoid copyright issues.
Your Account Violated Community Guidelines
If your Instagram account has been flagged for violating community guidelines, the platform may restrict your ability to share posts or Reels. This could happen if:
- Your content was reported and found to violate Instagram’s rules
- You’ve posted banned or regulated goods for sale
- You’ve been identified as a fake or spam account
If you think your sharing abilities were limited by mistake, you can appeal the restriction:
- Go to your profile and tap the three-dot menu in the top right
- Tap “Settings”
- Tap “Account”
- Tap “Account Restriction” to submit an appeal
However, if Instagram disabled sharing because your account repeatedly violated guidelines, the restriction may be permanent.
There’s a Technical Issue
In some cases, technical glitches on Instagram’s end could prevent sharing your Reels even if you did everything right. The app may have a bug temporarily disabling the feature, or be experiencing an outage.
If you can’t share Reels but haven’t violated any rules, try these troubleshooting steps:
- Force quit and relaunch the Instagram app
- Update the app to the latest version
- Check Instagram’s status page for any known issues at instagram.com/status
- Try sharing again later or from another device
Technical issues preventing Reel sharing are usually resolved within a few hours. If the problem persists over multiple days, you may need to contact Instagram support.
You Have Restricted Sharing
Instagram lets you restrict sharing of posts and Reels to a smaller group of followers, rather than all your followers or publicly. You may have turned this on without realizing it.
To check if you have sharing restrictions enabled:
- Go to your profile and tap the three-dot menu in the top right
- Tap “Settings”
- Tap “Account”
- Tap “Restrict Your Account”
This will show you any sharing restrictions currently enabled. To share Reels publicly, turn off any toggles limiting your audience.
Your Reel Was Shadowbanned
In rare cases, your Reel may have been “shadowbanned” by Instagram. This means it has been hidden from public view without you being notified.
Shadowbanning typically happens when Instagram’s algorithms deem your content inappropriate or spammy, even if it doesn’t clearly violate guidelines. For example, aggressive follow/unfollow behavior or using too many banned hashtags can trigger a shadowban.
Unfortunately the process is opaque, and Instagram does not directly tell you if your account has been shadowbanned. Here are some signs to watch out for:
- Sudden drop in engagement and reach for no clear reason
- Followers reporting they can’t see your posts
- Hashtags not working properly for you
Appealing a shadowban is difficult, since Instagram won’t confirm if they shadowbanned you. Avoid behaviors that could be seen as manipulative and focus on creating high-quality content to get your account back in good standing.
You Recently Changed Your Username
If you recently changed your Instagram username, sharing capabilities may be temporarily limited on your account. This is to prevent abuse from accounts rapidly changing names.
Typically, you’ll regain full posting and sharing access within a couple days after altering your username. The limits are automatically lifted once Instagram’s systems confirm the change is legitimate.
Be patient and avoid further username changes, as that could increase the restrictions. You can still post Reels normally during this time, but sharing publicly will be blocked.
You’re Using a Third-Party App
Some third-party apps that interact with Instagram have issues sharing Reels properly. For example, scheduling tools or reposting apps may default to sharing Reels as normal posts.
To troubleshoot, try creating and sharing a Reel directly on Instagram’s iOS or Android app. If sharing works normally, the issue lies with the third-party service.
Check the app’s documentation for help. You may need to adjust settings or permissions to enable full Reel sharing capabilities.
Conclusion
If your Reels aren’t sharing, the cause typically falls into one of these categories: account privacy settings, copyright issues, community guideline violations, technical problems, sharing restrictions, shadowbanning, recent username change, or problems with third-party apps.
Carefully check your account status and settings to identify and resolve the underlying issue. In most cases, you should be able to restore normal Reel sharing capabilities. If problems persist, reach out to Instagram support for help troubleshooting and regaining access.
| Reason | Solution |
|---|---|
| Private account | Switch to a public account |
| Copyrighted content | Only use original audio and images |
| Guideline violations | Appeal account restrictions |
| Technical issues | Try troubleshooting steps and wait for fix |
| Sharing restrictions | Remove audience limitations |
| Shadowbanned account | Improve content quality and appeal |
| Recent username change | Wait a couple days for limits to lift |
| Third-party app issues | Check app settings and documentation |
Preventing Reel Sharing Problems
Here are some tips to avoid common issues that block sharing:
- Double check your account is public, not private
- Only use original content you hold rights to
- Stay far away from any guideline violations
- Don’t change your username repeatedly
- Be wary of third-party apps that may cause issues
Following best practices for creating content and managing your account will ensure your Reels can be shared smoothly!