› Forums › Cybersecurity & Privacy › Why can’t I start a Live video on Instagram?
- This topic has 7 replies, 8 voices, and was last updated 1 month, 1 week ago by  Emma Pond. Emma Pond.
- Post
- 
        Hey everyone, I’ve been trying to figure out why Instagram won’t let me go live. Every time I swipe over to the Live option, it either doesn’t show up or gives me an error message saying something went wrong. I’ve checked my internet connection and restarted the app, but nothing seems to fix it. Could this be because of my account settings, some kind of restriction, or maybe even a bug in the app itself? I’ve seen others go live without issues, so I know it’s not just Instagram in general. I’m curious if anyone else has run into the same problem and what solutions worked for you. Is this something I can fix on my end, or do I just need to wait it out? 
- Replies
- 
        
			
				I had this same problem recently. For me, deleting and reinstalling the app fixed it immediately. It seems like Instagram bugs out after updates sometimes. If Live is still missing, reach out to support through “Help” in settings—they actually responded quickly when I did. Hello! Make sure Instagram has camera and mic permissions enabled in your phone settings. Without those, the Live button won’t even show up. It could simply be internet speed. Live requires a stable connection, so if your upload speed is weak, Instagram may disable the option temporarily. Try switching from Wi-Fi to data, or vice versa, to see if the Live button reappears. Hey! I’ve actually had this happen before, so I know how frustrating it feels. Instagram Live can be blocked for a few different reasons. The most common is that your app isn’t updated—Instagram is picky about rolling out new features, and outdated versions sometimes block Live entirely. Another possible reason is account restrictions. If you’ve ever had content taken down for violating guidelines (even unintentionally), Instagram can temporarily limit certain features like Live. Finally, poor internet or permissions (like not giving Instagram access to your camera or mic) can stop it from loading. Here’s what worked for me: I deleted and reinstalled the app, updated iOS, and cleared my cache. That instantly brought back the Live option. If none of that works, you might be in a test group where Live isn’t available yet, or Instagram could’ve flagged your account. Contacting support is your last resort, but worth a try. Sometimes the Live option is missing because Instagram’s testing features. They roll things out unevenly. If others around you have it but you don’t, it’s likely just an app update or account rollout delay. I had this issue for weeks! Turns out it wasn’t my phone at all—it was my account permissions. Instagram had flagged me after I posted a copyrighted clip in a Story. They didn’t ban me, but Live disappeared. After about two weeks, the option came back automatically. If you’ve never had violations, it’s probably just a bug. Clearing the cache and reinstalling usually fixes it. If not, you might just need to wait out an invisible restriction. It’s often account-related. If Instagram thinks you violated terms (even minor stuff), they’ll quietly remove Live until the restriction ends. Check your email or “Account Status” in settings to see if that’s what’s happening. 
- You must be logged in to reply to this topic.







