Instagram Reels Not Showing? The Ultimate Troubleshooting Guide for 2024

If you‘re an avid Instagram user, you‘ve probably noticed the platform‘s massive push towards Reels in recent years. These short-form videos, which can be up to 60 seconds long and set to music or other audio, have become a central part of the Instagram experience since their launch in 2020.

However, some users have encountered a frustrating issue – the Reels feature is simply not showing up in their version of the Instagram app. The Reels icon, which should appear in the bottom navigation bar between the Search and Shop tabs, is nowhere to be found. For these users, creating and watching Reels is impossible.

So what‘s the deal with this glitch, and how can you fix it? In this comprehensive guide, we‘ll dive into the reasons why Instagram Reels may not be appearing for some users in 2024. More importantly, we‘ll walk you through step-by-step troubleshooting instructions to help you get Reels working on your device.

But first, let‘s take a closer look at the meteoric rise of Reels and how this format has transformed the social media landscape in just a few short years.

The Explosive Growth of Instagram Reels

Launched in August 2020, Instagram Reels was initially seen as a direct response to the skyrocketing popularity of TikTok. With TikTok facing scrutiny and potential bans in some markets, Instagram seized the opportunity to roll out its own short-form video feature and keep users engaged on its platform.

At first, Reels was only available in a handful of countries, including the U.S., U.K., and Canada. But as TikTok continued to dominate the social media conversation, Instagram quickly expanded Reels to more markets. By mid-2021, Reels was available in over 90 countries worldwide.

Usage of Reels exploded in the first year after launch. A 2022 study by Sensor Tower found that Instagram‘s app downloads increased by 11.4% in Q4 2021 compared to the previous quarter, largely driven by interest in Reels. The report also revealed that 33% of all Instagram posts published by brands in December 2021 were Reels.

Instagram itself has been vocal about the success of Reels. In a June 2022 blog post, Instagram‘s parent company Meta reported that "Reels is now our fastest growing content format by far." The post also noted that Reels accounted for more than 20% of the time people spend on Instagram.

Here are some other key statistics that demonstrate the explosive growth of Reels:

• Reels videos receive 22% more engagement than regular videos on Instagram (Brandwatch, 2023)
• 87% of Gen Z TikTok users also use Instagram Reels weekly (Piper Sandler, 2023)
• 68% of marketers plan to increase their investment in Instagram Reels in 2024 (Hootsuite, 2023)
• The #reels hashtag has over 455B views on Instagram as of January 2024

So why has Reels become such a dominant force on Instagram in a relatively short period of time? The answer lies in a larger trend that‘s been transforming social media as a whole – the shift towards bite-sized, easily consumable video content.

The Rise of Short-Form Video

Reels is just one example of the short-form video boom that‘s taken over social media in recent years. Pioneered by TikTok, this content format has now been adopted by nearly every major social platform, including:

• YouTube Shorts
• Snapchat Spotlight
• Facebook Reels
• Pinterest Watch
• Twitter Fleets (RIP)

The appeal of short-form video is clear. In an age of shrinking attention spans and information overload, these quick, punchy clips are perfectly suited for mobile-first audiences. A 2022 report by Vidyard found that 68% of people prefer to learn about a new product or service through a short video rather than a text-based article, infographic, or ebook.

For creators and brands, short-form video offers a more engaging, authentic way to connect with audiences. "Reels provide an entirely new way to build community on Instagram," said Soyoung Kang, CMO of beauty brand eos Products, in a 2023 interview with Glossy. "The informal, lo-fi nature of Reels allows us to showcase our brand personality in a way that feels genuine and relatable."

Many social media experts believe that short-form video is the future of content consumption. "If I could only choose one format to focus on in 2024, it would be short-form video, hands down," said Mari Smith, a leading social media strategist, in a recent podcast interview. "The engagement and reach potential is simply unmatched."

But while Reels and other short-form video formats are clearly here to stay, not every Instagram user has been able to join in on the fun. The "Reels not showing" glitch has left some users frustrated and unable to access this key feature.

Why Isn‘t Reels Showing Up For Me?

There are a few potential reasons why the Reels feature may not be appearing in your version of the Instagram app:

1. Reels is not available in your location yet. While Reels has now rolled out to most countries where Instagram is available, there are still a few markets that have yet to gain access to the feature. Instagram typically tests new features in select locations before expanding availability more widely.

2. You haven‘t granted Instagram the necessary permissions. To use Reels, you need to give Instagram permission to access your smartphone‘s camera, microphone, and photo library. Without these permissions, you won‘t be able to record Reels within the app or upload pre-recorded videos from your device.

3. There‘s a bug causing Reels to show up inconsistently across your accounts. Some users have reported a strange glitch where Reels is available in one of their Instagram accounts but missing from another. This suggests an issue with account-level access rather than device settings.

4. You‘re using an outdated version of Instagram. Older versions of the Instagram app may not have the Reels functionality built in. Keeping your app updated is important to access the latest features and bug fixes.

Luckily, there are a few troubleshooting steps you can take to resolve the "Reels not showing" issue. In the next section, we‘ll provide detailed instructions to help you get Reels up and running on your device.

Step-by-Step Guide: How to Get Instagram Reels Working

Try these troubleshooting tips in order until you‘re able to access Reels in your Instagram app:

1. Check that Reels is available in your location. You can see a full list of countries where Reels has launched on Instagram‘s official Help Center. If your country is not on this list, you may need to wait until Instagram expands availability to your region.

2. Make sure Instagram has all the necessary permissions. Here‘s how to check your app permissions on iOS and Android:

For iPhone users:

• Open the "Settings" app on your device
• Scroll down and tap "Instagram"
• Make sure the toggles for "Camera" and "Microphone" are switched on
• Under "Photos," select either "All Photos" or "Selected Photos" to let Instagram access your media library

For Android users:

• Open the "Settings" app and tap "Apps" or "Application Manager"
• Find and select "Instagram"
• Tap "Permissions" and make sure "Camera," "Microphone," and "Storage" are all enabled

3. Update your Instagram app to the latest version.

• On iOS: Open the App Store, tap your profile icon in the top right, and tap "Update" next to the Instagram listing
• On Android: Open the Google Play Store, tap the three horizontal lines to open the menu, select "My apps & games," and tap "Update" next to Instagram

4. Try downloading an older version of the Instagram app (Android only).

• First, uninstall the current version of Instagram from your device
• Go to a trusted third-party APK site like APKMirror.com
• Search for an older version of the Instagram app that‘s compatible with your device
• Download and install the APK file
  Note: This method only works on Android devices, as Apple doesn‘t allow installing apps from outside the App Store.

5. Clear Instagram‘s app data and cache.

• For iPhone: Uninstall and reinstall the Instagram app from the App Store
• For Android: Go to Settings > Apps > Instagram > Storage > Clear Data and Clear Cache

6. Use a VPN to change your device‘s location.

• Download a reliable VPN app and open it
• Connect to a server in a country where Reels is available (e.g. United States)
• Open the Instagram app and check if Reels appears
  Note: This method is not guaranteed to work and may go against Instagram‘s terms of service.

If none of these troubleshooting steps work, there may be a deeper technical issue with your specific device or account. In this case, your best bet is to report the problem directly to Instagram through the "Help" section of your account settings.

Tips for Making the Most of Instagram Reels

Once you‘re able to access Reels, it‘s time to start creating! Here are some tips to help your Reels stand out and reach a wider audience on Instagram:

1. Hook viewers in the first few seconds. Reels autoplay in feeds, so you need to grab people‘s attention right away. Use eye-catching visuals, text overlays, or an intriguing hook to stop scrollers in their tracks.

2. Keep it short and punchy. The most effective Reels are around 15-30 seconds long. If your video is longer than that, make sure each segment is engaging on its own.

3. Use trending audio and participate in challenges. Using popular songs or sounds can increase your Reels‘ discoverability, as users can find them through the app‘s audio search feature. Putting your own spin on a viral trend or challenge is also a great way to get more eyes on your content.

4. Provide value for your audience. Think about what your unique angle is and create Reels that align with your brand or niche. This could be how-to guides, behind-the-scenes peeks, motivational quotes, quick product reviews – anything that provides entertainment or education for your target audience.

5. Don‘t forget a call-to-action! Always give viewers a next step, whether that‘s encouraging them to like and share your Reel, visit your profile, check out your other content, or click a link in your bio.

6. Post consistently and at the right times. Commit to a regular posting schedule to keep your audience engaged. According to Later, the best times to post Reels are 6 AM, 10 AM, and 4 PM CDT, but your mileage may vary.

7. Analyze your Reels performance and optimize accordingly. Use Instagram‘s built-in Insights tool to see which of your Reels are resonating most with your audience. Take note of common themes and formats among your top-performing posts and replicate those elements in future Reels.

The Future of Instagram Reels

As we head into 2024, all signs point to continued growth and dominance for short-form video on social media. Instagram has made it clear that Reels is a top priority, with the company investing heavily in creator tools, discovery algorithms, and monetary incentives to drive adoption.

In a 2023 earnings call, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg said that Reels is "quickly becoming a major part of how people consume content on Instagram." He added that the company is focused on improving the Reels experience through personalized recommendations, cross-posting from Facebook, and an expanded set of creative tools.

Instagram has also been testing new ways to help creators earn money from their Reels. In 2022, the platform expanded its Reels Play Bonus program, which pays creators for views on their Reels. Instagram has also experimented with giving users the ability to purchase products tagged in Reels, paving the way for more e-commerce opportunities.

As competition heats up among the major social platforms, we can expect to see continued innovation in the short-form video space. TikTok, for example, has been doubling down on its live-streaming capabilities and exploring longer video formats. YouTube, meanwhile, has been heavily promoting its Shorts feature and recently announced a $100 million creator fund.

For businesses and creators looking to stay ahead of the curve, mastering short-form video will be essential in 2024 and beyond. By understanding the unique quirks of each platform‘s video features and tailoring content accordingly, brands can tap into massive new audiences and drive real results.

Of course, that all starts with being able to access the Reels feature in the first place! If you‘ve been struggling with the dreaded "Instagram Reels not showing" error, we hope this guide has helped you troubleshoot the issue and get back to creating.

Happy Reeling!