How to Fix "No Results Found" on Instagram Music

Hey there!

Have you ever tried searching for a song on Instagram to add to your Story, only to be greeted by the dreaded "No Results Found" message? I feel your frustration. As an avid Instagrammer myself, I know how annoying it is when Instagram Music decides to stop working properly.

But don‘t worry, you‘re not alone. Tons of Instagram users have been complaining about the confusing "No Results Found" error popping up randomly when they try to find music.

In this detailed guide, I‘ll walk you through exactly why this happens and the steps you need to take to fix it. I‘ve done a deep dive into the root causes and best troubleshooting techniques, so you can get Instagram Music working again.

Let‘s get into it!

Why You‘re Getting the "No Results Found" Error on Instagram Music

Before we look at how to solve it, it‘s important to understand the key reasons why the "No Results Found" error happens in the first place when trying to search for music on Instagram:

1. Your Instagram Account is Registered as a Business Profile

This is by far the most common trigger for the "No Results Found" error.

You see, Instagram places certain restrictions on business profiles to comply with music licensing regulations. Business accounts don‘t get full access to Instagram‘s music library.

Specifically, if your Instagram account is registered as a business profile, you won‘t be able to search and use copyrighted songs, artists or albums in your Stories.

According to Instagram‘s Terms of Use, business accounts can only use music on the platform if:

It is entirely original content created by you.
You have the legal rights to use it, like music commissioned by your brand.
It is in the public domain or you‘ve secured the copyright.

Public domain music that anyone can use copyright-free includes classical music, old jazz standards, folk songs, etc. This Pd Info article has more details on public domain tracks.

But in most cases, today‘s latest chartbusters and contemporary artists you want to use will have full copyright protection. And Instagram prohibits business accounts from using such copyrighted music without proper licensing.

So if your profile recently switched from a personal account to a business account, chances are high that‘s why you lost ability to search and find music on Instagram now.

According to Instagram‘s support page, only personal profiles and creator accounts have full access to its music library.

Now you may be wondering – what exactly is the difference between a personal, business and creator account on Instagram? Let‘s quickly summarize:

Personal account – Default basic account type anyone can create. Has access to all Instagram features including music. Can be set to private. Ideal for friends, family and personal branding.
Business account – For brands, businesses, influencers, public figures. Provides analytics but restrictions on music, etc. Public-only. Better for promotional purposes.
Creator account – Middle ground between personal and business. Provides some analytics but less restrictions, including on music use. Good for creators, influencers and artists trying to grow their audience.

So in a nutshell, business accounts have licensing limitations, while personal and creator accounts don‘t.

This music licensing restriction is the primary reason you‘ll see the "No Results Found" error on a business profile when searching for songs or artists on Instagram.

2. Your Location and Region May Be Restricted

In some cases, the "No Results Found" error can also pop up based on your geographic location and region.

You see, Instagram‘s music library and search capabilities are not available worldwide. Different licensing agreements apply in different countries.

Some regions have full access, while others only have partial access or no music search at all.

According to Instagram‘s FAQ page, here are some of the locations where music features are fully enabled currently:

United States
Canada
Brazil
United Kingdom
Ireland
New Zealand
Australia
Switzerland
Norway
Iceland

Additionally, this TechJunkie article mentions over 80 countries that have access to Instagram‘s full music library as of 2022.

However, if you are located in a country with licensing limitations, you may see limited results or the "No Results Found" error.

So your geographic location and region can also trigger a "No Results Found" error for music search on Instagram.

3. Your Search Query is Too Broad or Vague

In some cases, the exact keywords and phrases you‘re searching for may be the issue.

Trying to search for really broad terms like genre names rarely works well. The search algorithm needs more specificity.

For example, just searching for "pop" or "rock" is too vague and may show the error.

But searching for "pop hits 2022" or "classic rock greatest hits" is more precise and likely to get results.

Similarly, misspelled song or artist names can also lead to no results. The algorithm can‘t match inaccurate terms well.

So ineffective search queries that are too broad or misspelled can sometimes trigger the error too.

4. Intermittent Instagram Bug

Frustratingly, the "No Results Found" error also seems to pop up randomly at times, even with valid search terms that worked previously.

Many Instagram users have reported the music search working fine one day, and then suddenly stopping the next day (even though they didn‘t change the search terms).

This implies that intermittent tech glitches or bugs on Instagram‘s end also cause this annoying error.

5. Certain Songs/Artists Not Available in Library

In rare cases, a specific song or artist you‘re searching for may not show up because that content is not available in Instagram‘s licensed music library.

Some record labels or publishers may not have permitted the use of their catalogue on Instagram. So certain songs/artists are missing from the platform‘s database, leading to "No Results Found".

However, this doesn‘t happen often, as Instagram has agreements with most major music companies now.

So in summary, the main reasons you may get the "No Results Found" error when trying to find music on Instagram are:

Your account changed to a business profile
Geographic and licensing restrictions
Broad or vague search queries
Intermittent Instagram glitches
Song/artist not in music database

Now let‘s get into the good stuff – how to fix this frustrating issue!

10 Ways to Resolve the "No Results Found" Error on Instagram Music

If you‘re encountering the annoying "No Results Found" message when trying to search for music on Instagram, here are the top troubleshooting tips and solutions to fix it:

1. Switch Your Instagram Account Back to a Personal Profile

If your Instagram was recently converted to a business profile, switch it back to a personal profile. Here‘s how:

Tap your profile picture to access your profile.
Tap the three line menu icon in the top right.
Go to Settings.
Tap Account.
Tap Switch to Personal Account.
Confirm that you want to switch back to a personal profile.

And that‘s it! Switching back to a personal account gives you access again to Instagram‘s full music library.

You can also change to a creator account instead, which provides analytics but still keeps music ability.

However, business accounts won‘t have access due to licensing restrictions. Remember, only personal and creator accounts get full music search on Instagram.

2. Use a VPN Service to Change Your Virtual Location

As mentioned before, geographic restrictions can cause the music search error in some countries.

An effective workaround is to use a VPN service like NordVPN or ExpressVPN to change your virtual location.

Connecting through a VPN server located in the US, UK or another fully enabled country can help you bypass any music search blocks based on your actual location.

So when Instagram thinks you‘re accessing it from an approved country, it will lift any regional limitations.

3. Be More Specific with Your Search Query

Using precise, relevant keywords is key to getting good results. Avoid broad terms and instead search for specifics.

For example:

Instead of "pop", search "Billboard Hot 100 hits of 2022"
Instead of "Hip Hop", search "Best Hip Hop songs of the 90s"
Instead of "Taylor Swift", search "Taylor Swift Anti-Hero" or "Taylor Swift Midnights album"

Basically, the more exact your search query, the better chance of getting results and avoiding "No Results Found".

4. Check Your Spelling

It‘s easy to misspell long song or artist names in the heat of the moment. But even small typos can mess up the search.

Be extra careful to spell song and artist names 100% accurately when searching. Double check for any errors.

Common mistakes like "Dua Lupa" instead of "Dua Lipa" or "Weeknd" instead of "The Weeknd" can prevent getting what you want.

5. Try Different Keyword Permutations

If searching an exact song name isn‘t working, try using different relevant keywords and phrases.

For example, instead of the full lyric line:

"I hit the ground running each night"

Try searches like:

"hit the ground running"
"ground running each night"
"running each night"

Breaking down long phrases into smaller keyword chunks can help dig up results.

6. Update to the Latest Instagram App Version

Having the newest version of the Instagram app can prevent bugs that cause "No Results Found".

On iPhone, go to the App Store > Tap your profile > Check available updates.

On Android, go to Play Store > My Apps & Games > Update next to Instagram.

The latest update may have critical bug fixes, so always keep the app fully updated.

7. Force Quit and Restart the Instagram App

Sometimes restarting the app can resolve temporary glitches causing music issues.

On iPhone, double click the home button and swipe up on the Instagram preview to force close it.

On Android, open the app switcher and swipe the Instagram app screen away to close it.

Then reopen Instagram and try music search again. This refresh can fix small bugs.

8. Reinstall the Instagram App

If you still see the error after app restarts and updates, try fully uninstalling and reinstalling Instagram next.

On iPhone, press and hold the Instagram icon until it jiggles, then tap the X to delete.

On Android, press and hold Instagram, then drag it to Uninstall on the top.

Reinstall Instagram from the app/play store, log back in, and test if music works again.

9. Switch to Instagram Web on Desktop

As a workaround, access Instagram in your desktop browser at instagram.com.

The Instagram website may have better luck with music search than the mobile app.

You can find songs on the web and still add them to your Story. So try Instagram on desktop if the mobile app keeps failing.

10. Try Again Later

In many cases, the "No Results Found" error resolves itself automatically after some time.

Instagram glitches tend to be temporary. Trying your music search again a few hours later or the next day often starts working again mysteriously!

So be patient and keep testing it periodically. There‘s a good chance the issues are intermittent and go away on their own.

Bonus Tip: Get Music Elsewhere

If Instagram Music search consistently fails, try sourcing songs from other places like:

Original audio – Record a short video with the soundtrack you want. Upload that video and use its audio.
External editing apps – Add music in an editing app. Then upload finished video to Instagram.
Connected apps – Share song previews from Spotify, TikTok, etc directly to your Story.
Voice messages – Hum or sing the tune and send it to yourself as a voice message.

So those are the top 10 troubleshooting tips and workarounds to resolve the "No Results Found" error on Instagram Music!

The most likely fixes are to switch to a personal account, use a VPN, improve search terms, update the app or simply wait it out.

Now let‘s do a quick FAQ covering some common questions about this pesky issue:

FAQs: Instagram Music Search Not Working

Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about fixing the "No Results Found" error:

Why does Instagram Music not work for some people?

The main reasons are having a business profile, geographic restrictions, vague search terms or general Instagram glitches. Songs may also be missing from their library.

Does Instagram Music work for business accounts?

No, business accounts have licensing limitations so can‘t use copyrighted music without ownership. Switch to a personal or creator profile to get music ability.

How many countries support Instagram Music?

Around 80+ countries have access currently. Check Instagram‘s public list or articles covering availability by region.

How do I find songs on Instagram?

Use the music sticker in Stories. Be specific when searching titles, artists, lyrics. Try different keyword variations. Use a VPN if your region is restricted.

How do I fix Instagram Music not working 2022?

Top solutions are to switch to a personal account, update app, use precise search terms, restart app, reinstall app or use Instagram web.

Why does Instagram say "No Results Found"?

This common error happens due to business accounts, geographic blocks, vague/misspelled search terms or Instagram glitches. Following the troubleshooting guide resolves it.

Does deleting Instagram fix music issues?

Sometimes. Reinstalling the app can clear out bugs. But easier fixes like app restarts, updates or using the web may work first.

Can you use copyrighted music on Instagram?

Personal and creator accounts can, for non-commercial use under fair use. Business accounts cannot without proper licensing and ownership.

Does Instagram notify music copyright?

No, you won‘t get notified. But Instagram can remove your content if copyright holders complain. Avoid commercial use without licensing.

Hopefully these Instagram music FAQs provide more clarity on this annoying issue and how to address it!

Now let‘s do a quick recap of everything we learned today:

Takeaways: Resolving "No Results Found" on Instagram Music

The error commonly happens due to having a business profile, location restrictions, vague search terms or random glitches.
Switch your account type back to personal or creator to restore full music access.
Use precise keywords like song names, lyrics, artists when searching. Avoid broad terms.
Check your spelling to prevent search mistakes. Try different keyword variations.
Restarting/reinstalling the app or using Instagram web can resolve temporary bugs.
If Instagram Music consistently fails, get songs externally or use original audio instead.
With the right troubleshooting, you can usually fix the "No Results Found" error and get music working again.

So in summary:

If Instagram Music suddenly stops working, don‘t panic. In most cases, it‘s a simple fix like changing your account type, using a VPN, improving search technique or waiting out transient glitches.

With this complete guide, you now have a foolproof action plan to troubleshoot and resolve the pesky "No Results Found" problem for good.

Go ahead and try searching for that perfect song for your Story again. And do let me know if these tips helped get your Instagram Music back up and running!