There are a few common reasons why you may not be able to create a Facebook Story:
- Your Facebook app is out of date – Make sure you have the latest version of the Facebook app installed on your device.
- Stories are not available in your region – Facebook Stories are not yet available globally, so they may not have rolled out in your country yet.
- Your device is not supported – Stories are only available on iOS and Android devices currently.
- Your account is restricted – If your account has been disabled or restricted, you may lose access to certain Facebook features like Stories.
- You don’t have enough followers – In order to post Stories, you need at least 30 followers.
If you are still having trouble creating Stories after addressing the issues above, here are some more things to try:
Update the Facebook App
The Facebook app is constantly being updated with new features and bug fixes. If your app is out of date, you may not have access to the latest Facebook Stories feature.
To update your Facebook app:
- On your iOS device, open the App Store and tap Updates. Pull to refresh and install any available updates.
- On your Android, open the Play Store and tap Menu > My Apps & Games. If the Facebook app has an Update button, tap it to install the latest version.
Once you have updated, close and relaunch the Facebook app to ensure you have the newest version running. Try creating a Story again.
Check Story Availability in Your Region
Facebook has rolled out Stories gradually over time. While Stories are now available globally in most countries, there are still a few places where the feature has not launched yet.
To see if Stories are available where you live:
- Go to the Facebook app settings
- Tap Account Settings & Privacy > Settings
- Under Audience and tagging, check if Show Facebook Stories is enabled
If the Stories setting is disabled, it means the feature has likely not reached your country yet. Keep checking back for updates on when it may become available in your region.
Use a Supported Device
Facebook Stories are designed to work seamlessly on mobile. Right now, you can only create and view stories using:
- The Facebook mobile app for iOS
- The Facebook mobile app for Android
Stories are not accessible on the desktop Facebook website. So if you are trying to use Stories on your computer, it won’t work.
Make sure you are using the Facebook app on a compatible iPhone or Android phone to create stories. Tablets are not supported either at this time.
Check for Account Restrictions
If your Facebook account has been disabled or placed under restrictions, you may lose access to certain features like being able to post stories.
Some reasons your account access could be limited include:
- Violating Facebook’s terms of service or community standards
- Suspicious account activity detected
- An excessive number of blocks or reports filed against your account
To see if your account has restrictions:
- Go to your Facebook profile
- Click in the top right and select Settings & Privacy > Settings
- On the left sidebar, click Account Ownership and Control
- Check if any account restrictions are listed and resolve them if possible
Getting your account back to Good Standing status should restore your ability to use Facebook Stories.
Increase Your Follower Count
In order to access Facebook Stories, you need a minimum number of followers. The current threshold is 30 followers.
If you have less than 30 followers, you will not see the Stories option when you try to create a post.
To increase your follower count:
- Share interesting posts and engage with your current followers
- Use relevant hashtags that help you reach a broader audience
- Connect with friends of friends by browsing Facebook profiles and sending requests
- Create a Facebook page for a business or interest to attract more followers
Gaining 30+ followers can take some time if you are starting from zero. But consistently interacting and sharing on Facebook should get you there eventually.
Other Troubleshooting Tips
If you still can’t create stories after addressing the common issues above, here are some other troubleshooting steps to try:
- Force close and restart the Facebook app
- Log out of Facebook and log back in
- Clear the Facebook app cache and data
- Uninstall and reinstall the Facebook app
- Restart your phone
- Update your phone software to the latest OS version
Resetting the app and your device can help clear out any corrupted files or glitches preventing Stories from working properly.
You can also try accessing Facebook Stories from a different device, on another network connection. This helps determine if the issue is isolated to one device or network.
If nothing works, contact Facebook support directly about the problem for further help.
Workarounds for Creating Stories
If fixing the issue is taking time, there are some temporary workarounds that let you create Facebook Stories:
- Use Instagram Stories – Your Instagram Stories will sync automatically to Facebook too. So you can create Stories on Instagram while troubleshooting Facebook.
- Ask a friend to create one – Have a friend who can access Stories post one on your behalf featuring you.
- Use Facebook Live video – Go live instead to share video content with your followers in the interim.
- Post regular feed videos – Upload short videos to your timeline rather than Stories.
While not the same experience, these alternatives let you share video content until you resolve your Facebook Stories problem.
Why Facebook Stories Matter
Stories have become a popular way for people and brands to share quick, casual content with their followers. Here are some key reasons why Facebook Stories are worth the troubleshooting effort:
- Reach wider audiences – Stories appear higher in News Feed so more people see them.
- Drive engagement – Followers can react and respond to Stories directly.
- Appear approachable – Stories feel more authentic and human vs perfectly polished posts.
- Share in the moment – You can capture life as it happens rather than waiting to create edited content.
- Express creativity – Stories allow doodling, stickers, effects and more for self-expression.
The ephemeral nature of Stories also appeals to many people. Content disappears in 24 hours, creating a sense of urgency for viewers.
With over 150 million daily viewers on Facebook Stories alone, this format has become integral to social media marketing. Troubleshooting access issues is worth the effort to tap into the unique benefits of Stories.
Conclusion
Facebook Stories provide an engaging way to share daily moments and connect with your followers. If you can’t create stories, common fixes include updating your Facebook app, checking for availability in your country, using a mobile device, resolving account restrictions, and gaining more followers. Additional troubleshooting like resetting the app or device can also help. With the right resolution steps, you should be able to access Facebook Stories and start expressing yourself in new creative ways.
| Troubleshooting Step | Details |
|---|---|
| Update Facebook App | Install latest version on iOS or Android |
| Check Story Availability | See if enabled in your country under Facebook app settings |
| Use Supported Device | iOS or Android mobile app, not desktop |
| Resolve Account Restrictions | Regain Good Standing status by addressing violations |
| Increase Followers | Gain 30+ followers to meet threshold |
| Reset App/Device | Force close, reinstall app, restart device |
| Contact Facebook Support | Get further help directly from Facebook |
Workaround Options
| Workaround | Details |
|---|---|
| Post on Instagram Stories | Syncs automatically to Facebook too |
| Have friend post for you | Ask follower who can access Stories to post on your behalf |
| Use Facebook Live | Post real-time live video to followers |
| Upload videos to feed | Post short videos to main timeline |
Benefits of Facebook Stories
| Benefit | Description |
|---|---|
| Reach More People | Appear higher in News Feed |
| Drive Engagement | Get direct reactions and responses |
| Be Relatable | Share casual, authentic content |
| Capture Moments | Share life as it happens instantly |
| Get Creative | Use stickers, effects, doodles |