Top 9 Solutions to Fix Instagram Direct Message Video Not Playing

Instagram has become much more than just a platform for sharing photos and videos. With the addition of direct messaging, users can now send videos, photos, and even Reels to their followers. But what do you do when the videos you receive in your Instagram DMs fail to play? Don't worry, we've got you covered! In this article, we will explore the possible reasons behind this issue and provide you with troubleshooting tips to fix the Instagram direct message video not playing error.

1. The Video Belongs to a Private Instagram Account

If someone shares an Instagram video from a private account and you are not following that account, you won't be able to see the video in your DMs. Instead, Instagram will display an “unavailable” message. To fix this, simply send a follow request to the private Instagram account. Once the person accepts your request, you will be able to view the videos or Reels they have sent you in Direct Messages.

2. The Video Has Been Deleted

Sometimes, the original owner of the video might delete it, resulting in the “unavailable” error message in your DMs. Unfortunately, there's nothing you can do in this situation except ask the person to resend the video or Reels.

3. The Video Is Unavailable in Your Region

Licensing for sports events, movies, and TV shows can be quite complicated. It's possible that some videos you receive in your DMs are not available to view in your region. For example, if your friend from the US shares a video clip from the ESPN Instagram account, you may not be able to view it if another media company has the streaming rights for that content in your region. In such cases, you can temporarily use a VPN (Virtual Private Network) to connect to a server in the relevant region and play the videos in your Instagram direct messages.

4. The Video Format Is Not Supported on Your Phone

Apart from Instagram video posts and Reels, you can also receive videos from your device's gallery. However, if the video you receive is in a format that is not supported on your phone, you may encounter playback issues. Unfortunately, there's not much you can do about this except ask the person to send the video in a different format or try playing it on a device that supports the format.

5. Check Network Connectivity

If you're trying to download and play received Instagram videos on a slow internet connection, it's possible that Instagram is unable to play the videos on your phone. To fix this, make sure you're connected to a high-speed Wi-Fi network or use your cellular data to stream the videos in your Instagram DMs.

6. Clear Instagram Cache

Having too much cache data can cause various issues in the Instagram app, including problems with direct messages and videos not playing in DMs. To resolve this, you can clear the Instagram cache on your phone. Simply long tap on the Instagram app icon, select the “i” button, go to “Storage,” and tap on “Clear Cache.” After clearing the cache, open Instagram and try playing the videos in your personal conversations again.

7. Log out and log in

Sometimes, an authentication error can prevent you from playing received videos in your conversations. To fix this, sign out from your Instagram account and then log back in. Open the Instagram app, go to your profile, select the hamburger menu in the top right corner, open “Settings,” and then log out from your account. After logging in again, head to your Instagram DMs and try playing the videos.

8. Update Instagram App

Instagram regularly releases updates with new features and bug fixes. If you're running an older version of the app, it's possible that it's causing the video playback issue. To fix this, simply open the Google Play Store (on Android) or the App Store (on iPhone) and install any pending updates for Instagram.

9. Check Instagram Servers

When someone sends you a video in a DM, the media file gets saved on Instagram servers. If the servers are experiencing an outage, your phone won't be able to connect with them to download and play the video. To check if this is the issue, you can visit Downdetector and see if Instagram is experiencing any problems. If there is an issue with the servers, you will need to wait for Instagram to resolve it before you can try playing the video again.

With these troubleshooting tips, you should be able to fix the Instagram direct message video not playing error and enjoy uninterrupted conversations on the platform. So, go ahead and try these solutions. And remember, if all else fails, you can always ask the person to send the video again. Happy messaging!