Is Instagram giving you trouble? Don’t worry! We’ve got you covered with some easy fixes. 😊 It’s incredibly annoying when Instagram won’t load your favorite content, denies access to your account, struggles with message sending, or just crashes out of nowhere.
Luckily, you can often solve these problems yourself—no need to wait on hold with customer support! Keep reading to discover simple steps to get Instagram running smoothly on your Android or iPhone.
Methods to follow when Instagram is not working
Try these practical steps to troubleshoot and enhance your app experience:
1. Restart the App
Give Instagram a quick refresh by restarting it. This clears the app from your device’s memory and tackles any temporary glitches you might be facing. On both Android and iPhone, simply swipe up from the bottom of your screen to open the recent apps menu, then swipe the Instagram app off the screen to close it. This could quickly fix loading or performance hiccups.
2. Clear Cache
Over time, the cache fills up with temporary files such as media, text, and codes, which can slow down the app. Clearing the cache on your Android or iPhone ensures that Instagram can run more smoothly, especially after updates.
For Android users:
- Long-press the Instagram icon in the app drawer or on your home screen.
- Choose ‘Storage usage’.
- Tap on ‘Clear cache’.
These steps can significantly improve the functionality of Instagram, especially if you haven’t done them in a while.
3. Ensure Instagram is Up to Date
Keeping Instagram updated is crucial, as developers frequently release new features, optimizations, and bug fixes. If you’re having trouble accessing the app, check that you have the latest version installed.
On Android: Navigate to the Play Store, tap on your profile picture in the top right corner, and go to the ‘Manage app and device’ section. Under app updates, look for Instagram and press ‘Update’ if available.
On iPhone: Tap your profile picture at the top right, scroll down to view app updates, and hit ‘Update’ next to Instagram if a newer version is available.
4. Restart Your Device
If problems persist after trying the previous methods, a device restart can sometimes clear up any underlying issues.
For Android: Press and hold the power button, then select ‘Restart’. The exact steps may vary depending on your device model.
For iPhone: Press and hold either the power or volume button until the power-off slider appears. Drag the slider to turn off your iPhone. Wait about 30 seconds, then press the power button to turn it back on. For iPhone models 7 through SE, just hold the power button and use the slider.
5. Reinstall Instagram
If none of the above methods resolve your issues, it might be time to try reinstalling Instagram.
For Android:
- Long-press the Instagram app icon until the ‘Uninstall’ option pops up.
- Confirm to uninstall.
- Go to the Play Store, search for ‘Instagram’, and tap ‘Install’.
- Once reinstalled, open the app and log in with your usual credentials.
For iPhone:
- Press and hold the Instagram icon on your home screen until an options menu appears.
- Choose ‘Delete App’ or ‘Remove App’ and confirm.
- Open the App Store, search for ‘Instagram’, and tap to install.
- Log in after the app is downloaded.
Reinstalling Instagram can be a fresh start that resolves persistent problems, ensuring you get back to enjoying your social media experience without any hitches.
6. Check if Instagram is Down
Sometimes the problem isn’t your device but a wider outage. To check if Instagram is experiencing server issues:
- Visit Downdetector on your browser to see if there are any reported outages.
- Additionally, search “Instagram down” on Google or Twitter to find any current reports of outages.
7. Try Logging into Other Devices
If Instagram isn’t working on your device, try logging in on a different device, like another smartphone or a desktop. If it works there, the issue likely lies with your primary device.
8. Check if Your Account Has Been Deactivated
Occasionally, accounts may be deactivated or suspended, sometimes by mistake. Check your email for any notifications from Instagram that might explain a deactivation or suspension.
9. Report the Problem
If you’ve exhausted all other options and still face issues, it’s time to contact Instagram support:
- Shake your phone while the app is open; this should bring up a popup to submit a bug report.
- Describe your issue in detail in the report. The support team will typically reach out via email with further steps to help resolve your issue.
Taking these steps can help you identify and possibly resolve issues with Instagram, whether they stem from your device, account settings, or broader service interruptions.
Conclusion
Navigating Instagram troubles can be frustrating, but with the right steps, you can often solve the issue quickly and get back to enjoying your social feed. Whether it’s a simple app restart, clearing cache, ensuring your app is up-to-date, or reinstalling Instagram altogether, these methods are your first line of defense against common glitches.
If these steps don’t resolve the problem, checking for wider outages or logging into another device can help diagnose whether the issue is with your app, device, or account. And if all else fails, don’t hesitate to report the problem directly to Instagram support. By following these steps, you’ll maximize your chances of a smooth and enjoyable Instagram experience. Remember, most problems have a solution, so take a deep breath and tackle them one step at a time!
FAQ
What should I do first if Instagram isn’t working on my phone?
Start by restarting the Instagram app. If that doesn’t work, try restarting your device or clearing the app’s cache.
How do I check if there’s an Instagram outage?
Visit Downdetector to see if there are any reported outages. You can also search “Instagram down” on Google or Twitter to see if others are experiencing similar issues.
What are the steps to update Instagram on my phone?
On Android, go to the Play Store, tap your profile picture, and look for Instagram under ‘Manage app and device.’ On iPhone, go to the App Store, tap your profile picture, and scroll to Instagram to see if an update is available.
What should I do if updating and restarting don’t fix Instagram?
Try reinstalling the app. Uninstall it first, then download the latest version from your app store and log in with your credentials.
How can I tell if the problem is with my device or Instagram?
Log into Instagram from another device. If it works normally, the issue likely resides with your primary device.
What can I do if none of the troubleshooting steps work?
Report the problem to Instagram support. You can often do this directly through the app by shaking your phone while the app is open to trigger a bug report submission form.
