Instagram Sound Not Working? Causes and Fixes From Instagram

A silent reel can be two completely different problems wearing the same outfit. Either your phone isn't playing sound, or Instagram has muted that particular track. The fixes are nothing alike, so the first job is working out which one you've got.

I've used Instagram's Help Centre articles on audio, on turning sound on and off, and on general troubleshooting. Where they stop, I'll say so instead of padding the gap.

First, is Instagram sound off for every video or just one?

Open two or three different reels. If every one is silent, the cause is probably on your phone or in the app. If only one is silent, the cause is probably that reel's audio. This single test cuts the rest of the page in half.

What you notice	Where to look first
Every video is silent	The sound toggle, phone volume, then restart and update
One reel is silent	The audio's availability, covered below
Your own post lost its music	Replace muted audio, covered below
Sound works for others but not in your reel	Licensed Music Library access

Turning Instagram sound on while watching a reel

Instagram's help page on sound has the basics. When you watch reels from your Instagram feed, there's a sound icon you tap to turn sound on or off. If you've tapped a reel from your feed to open it, tap anywhere on the reel while it's playing to switch the sound on or off.

Instagram also says you can turn sound on by pressing the volume buttons on your phone while a video is playing. Once the sound is on, those buttons adjust the volume. That detail rescues a lot of people, because a phone volume turned right down looks exactly like a broken app.

Phone checks when Instagram has no sound at all

These aren't from Instagram's article, they're ordinary phone checks, so treat them as common sense and not official guidance:

• Check your phone isn't on silent or in a mode that mutes media. On many phones a side switch or a quick-settings tile does this.
• Play a video in another app. If that is silent too, the issue is the phone, not Instagram.
• If you use Bluetooth earbuds or a speaker, disconnect them and try again, since sound may be going to a device you aren't wearing.
• Turn the media volume up with the volume button while a reel plays.

Why a single Instagram reel has no sound

Instagram's help page on audio problems lists the reasons you can't hear audio on someone else's content:

• The audio isn't available in your country or region.
• The track was muted because the person who made the content didn't have access to the audio's source.
• The specific track might have been taken down.
• The artist or label is having technical issues.
• Instagram's licensing agreements with rights holders have changed.
• The rights holder blocked the content because it contains content they own.

Notice that none of these can be fixed by you. If a reel is silent for one of these reasons, restarting your phone won't change it. You can move on to another reel, or message the creator and let them know their audio has been muted.

Fixing muted audio on your own Instagram post

If you made the post, you may be able to repair it. Instagram's article says your audio might be muted because you don't have access to the Licensed Music Library, because licensing agreements changed, or because a rights holder blocked the content. Instagram's steps for replacing it are:

1. Open the Instagram app and find the post with the muted audio.
2. Tap Audio unavailable.
3. Tap Replace audio, then tap Replace audio again.
4. Choose the part of the track you want for your post.
5. Tap Done in the top right, then tap Done again.

Instagram says you may see a notification to replace the audio, that you can pick licensed audio from the Instagram audio library, and that you can only replace a muted track one time. It also reassures you that your post can still be viewed even when audio is muted.

Instagram music you can't find or use

Instagram says you might not be able to reach certain music if the Licensed Music Library isn't available for your account type, or in your country or region. If that's you, Instagram points to its Sound Collection, where you can find music and sound effects. Check the details shown with any track you choose.

Restarting, updating and reinstalling when Instagram sound won't work

When every video is silent and the phone checks don't help, go to Instagram's general troubleshooting article. It says to make sure you have the latest version of the app and your phone's operating system, and then:

1. Restart your phone or tablet. Instagram says to always try this first.
2. Try Instagram on Wi-Fi and on mobile data, in case a weak connection is the problem.
3. Delete and reinstall Instagram, then log in with your username and password.

If none of that works, it may be a bug. Report it through Profile, Menu, Help, Report a Problem, and tell Instagram which phone you use and what you were doing. A screenshot or short note about what you tried helps.

Getting more from sound once it works

Sound is half of a reel. If you're making content for a business, think about whether it still works muted, and add captions. My piece on how to call someone on Instagram is worth a look if the silence you're hearing is during a voice or video call, since that's a different setting from reel audio. For ideas on content that holds attention with or without sound, see writing Instagram captions that boost engagement.

A short checklist for Instagram sound problems

• Tap the reel once and press the volume button.
• Test another video, then another app.
• Remember some tracks are muted for rights reasons.
• On your own post, use Audio unavailable, then Replace audio.
• Restart, update, and reinstall only if every video is silent.

Frequently asked questions

Why is there no sound on Instagram reels?

The sound toggle may be off, your phone volume may be down, or that reel's audio may be unavailable, muted or taken down. Test two or three reels to see which.

How do I turn sound on in Instagram?

Tap the sound icon on a reel in your feed, or tap anywhere on a reel you've opened. Pressing the volume button on your phone while a video plays also turns sound on.

Why was the audio on my Instagram post muted?

Instagram says it can happen if you don't have access to the Licensed Music Library, if licensing agreements change or if a rights holder blocks the content.

Can I replace muted audio on my post?

Often yes. Tap Audio unavailable, then Replace audio. Instagram says you can only replace a muted track one time.

Will reinstalling Instagram fix the sound?

It can help if every video is silent after a restart and an update. It won't change a reel that is muted for rights reasons.