If you’ve recently updated Instagram and noticed your Reels feed is suddenly empty, don’t panic. There are a few potential reasons why your Reels may not be showing after an update, and some easy troubleshooting steps you can take to fix it.
Check Your Connectivity and Restart Instagram
The most common reason Reels disappear from your feed is a temporary glitch or connection issue. First, make sure you have a stable internet connection on your device. Close out of the Instagram app entirely, restart your phone, then launch Instagram again. This simple reboot is often all you need to restore your Reels feed.
Your Feed is Stuck in a Loop
Instagram’s algorithm curates your feed based on your interests and activity. But sometimes your feed can get stuck showing the same posts repeatedly in a loop. Try tapping on the Instagram logo at the top of your profile page to refresh your feed. You can also tap the three line menu in the top right and select “Following” to only see the latest posts from people you follow.
Check Your Notification Settings
Make sure notifications are enabled for Instagram on your device. Open your phone’s Settings app, select Notifications, choose Instagram, and toggle on “Allow Notifications.” This ensures you get notified and can view new Reels that are posted.
Toggle Reels On and Off in the Instagram App
Open up your Instagram profile and tap the three line menu. Select “Settings”, then “Account”, and make sure “Reels” is toggled on. This makes sure Reels aren’t disabled in your account settings. Toggle it off and then on again if needed to refresh your Reels feed.
Your Account Could Be Shadowbanned
In rare cases, if your account has been posting content that goes against Instagram’s community guidelines, your account can be “shadowbanned.” This means your posts and Reels will have extremely limited visibility as a penalty. Appeal the ban if you think it was a mistake, and avoid posting any suspicious content moving forward.
Update or Reinstall the Instagram App
If Reels are still not appearing, the Instagram app itself may be experiencing a glitch or bug – especially if a recent update was installed. Go to your device’s app store, check for any Instagram app updates, and install the latest version. Or uninstall and reinstall Instagram to start fresh with a clean slate.
Your Account is Private
With a private Instagram account, your Reels will only be visible to your approved followers. Switch your account to public in your Instagram settings to make your Reels visible to everyone and increase their reach.
Use Instagram’s Troubleshooting Tools
Instagram provides a couple built-in tools to troubleshoot issues like missing Reels. In the app, go to Settings > Help > Report a Problem to submit a bug report. Or access Instagram’s Help Center at https://help.instagram.com for FAQs, troubleshooting tips, and to contact support if the issue persists.
Check If Reels Are Restricted in Your Region
Reels may be restricted or entirely unavailable in some countries and regions where Instagram doesn’t have licensing agreements for music. Use a VPN app to change your virtual location to see if Reels start appearing when accessing Instagram from another country.
Log Out and Back In
As a last resort, fully log out of your Instagram account from both the mobile app and any connected social media management tools. Close the apps entirely. Then restart your device and log back into Instagram to force a full refresh.
Be Patient
Keep in mind that it can take some time for Reels to appear in your feed after posting, especially if you are a newer user. Give it a few hours before troubleshooting to allow the Reels algorithm time to work. Restarting the app can help trigger it to show your latest Reels faster.
Adjust Your Interests in Settings
Make sure your interests are properly configured in Instagram’s Settings so relevant Reels are shown to you. Go to Menu > Settings > Account > Interests and select topics that appeal to you.
Engage With Reels More
Proactively engaging with more Reels – through likes, comments, shares, etc – can train the algorithm to show you more Reels tailored to your tastes. Search relevant hashtags and engage with Reels from creators you admire.
Check If Your Account is Restricted
If your account views or posts inappropriate content, Instagram can impose restrictions like limiting the reach of your posts and Reels. Tread carefully if your account was restricted before, and appeal it if you think the restriction was a mistake.
Confirm Your Age Settings
Users under 18 have certain restrictions in Instagram that may limit Reels visibility. Ensure your age is set properly in your profile settings. Consider switching to a business account too.
Try an Instagram Reels Scheduling App
Scheduling Reels uploads in advance using a third-party app like Planoly can help ensure your content gets posted consistently if you are having visibility issues. Try scheduling Reels for optimal times as well.
Post at Strategic Times
Posting Reels during peak hours when more users are actively scrolling Instagram can increase the chances of your reels being seen. Try posting between 11 AM – 1 PM or 5 PM – 6 PM.
Use Trending Audio and Effects
Leverage trending sounds, music, hashtags, effects and viral challenges that are already getting engagement. This gives your Reels a better chance of being discovered.
Collaborate with Other Creators
Team up with others creators and influencers in your niche to post collaborative Reels. Cross-promote each other to reach new audiences and increase engagement.
Consider Paid Promotion
Run some paid Instagram ads targeting your audience to give your Reels an extra boost in visibility. Instagram Reels ads can help spur organic growth too.
Analyze Your Instagram Analytics
Dive into your Instagram Insights to see when your followers are most active and what types of posts they engage with most. Tailor your Reels strategy based on what performs best.
Use Relevant and Eye-Catching Captions
Write clear, compelling captions using strategic hashtags and keywords relevant to each reel. This helps the content be more discoverable and searchable to viewers interested in your niche.
Check Your Hashtag Usage
Hashtags are critical for discovery, but take care not to overuse banned hashtags or too many in each caption. Research the best hashtags to reach your target audience without getting flagged.
Post High-Quality Vertical Video
Visually appealing Reels with steady camerawork, crisp editing, and engaging content tend to perform better in the algorithm. Invest in quality video equipment and editing tools.
Remix Popular Reels
Use Instagram’s Remix feature to put your own spin on viral Reels and trends. This taps into existing engagement while highlighting your unique style.
Interact With Your Audience
Reply to comments, answer questions, and survey your audience to spur engagement. A responsive community will keep returning to your Reels long-term.
Check Your Content for Restrictions
Scan your Reels to ensure there is no nudity, copyrighted content, illegal activity, or other violations of Instagram’s policy that could get your posts suppressed.
Contact Instagram Support
If all else fails, reach out to Instagram’s official support channels via email, chat, or phone for personalized troubleshooting. They can investigate issues affecting your specific account.
With consistent testing and optimization, your Instagram Reels presence will thrive. Be patient, engage your audience, and leverage Instagram’s own tools to diagnose and fix any issues with posts not showing up.