Instagram Not Working? Here Are 7 Fixes to Try
In a world, where it becomes difficult to survive an hour without scrolling through your Instagram feed, how will humankind withstand if Instagram goes down? Too much exaggeration right? But, we understand how frustrating it gets when any application that we use regularly starts acting up. So, to make sure you are fully updated with what’s going around, here are some common fixes to try when your Instagram is throwing tantrums to you! It is always a good idea to restart your device before trying out any other fix.
Clear App Data And Cache (iOS/Android)
To clear Instagram’s cache and data on Android, or on iPhone, you need to delete and reinstall the app. Also, there is an “Offload” function that allows you to keep your Instagram data on the phone even when you delete the app. By doing so, all your data will be restored when you reinstall Instagram.
How to “Offload” Instagram From Your iPhone:
- Navigate to Settings, open General followed by iPhone Storage.
- Scroll down to find the Instagram app
- Once found, tap on it, then select “Offload App.”
- Now, go to the App Store, find Instagram, and initiate the installation procedure.
How to “Offload” Instagram From Your Android:
- Open Settings, then select Apps.
- Tap Instagram, then select Storage to access the “Clear data” and “Clear Cache” settings.
- Hit Clear cache, then go through the same process again. This time, tap Clear data instead.
Enable Permissions for Instagram (iOS/Android)
Instagram requires permission from many other applications, including Camera, Contacts, Microphone, Photos, and Storage, to name a few. You will have to grant access to all these applications. In case you don’t permit access to even one or two of these, Instagram may not work properly.
On Android, you can check if all the required permissions are enabled by navigating to Settings, then Apps & notifications followed by Instagram, and then Permissions. On the page that appears, tap on the entries in the “Denied” list to allow them.
On iOS, navigate to the Settings app followed by Instagram. Here, ensure that all the applicable permissions are granted.
Is Instagram Down?
If you are getting the error “5xx,” then most probably Instagram is down. And if this is the case, then there is nothing much you can do except wait for it to get fixed. You can also use third-party applications such as Down Detector or Outage Report to check if Instagram is down or not. Once you enter the URL in the status checker app, it will let you know if Instagram’s server is down with messages like “Possible problems at Instagram” or “Problems at Instagram.” You can also check Instagram’s Twitter handle for any company posts and updates.
Try a Different Device
If the problem is not with Instagram or your Internet connection, then your device might be the culprit. To check this, consider using Instagram on a different device. If you can view your Instagram feed or load photos and videos on another device, then you have your convict.
Update Instagram
If none of the aforementioned fixes worked for you, then maybe, you haven’t updated Instagram to the latest version. The bug you are trying to get rid of may have been fixed in the new version. Here is how to update the app:
- Navigate to the Google Play Store on your mobile device and tap the hamburger menu at the upper left of the screen.
- From the list that appears, select My apps and games to check if there is any update option next to Instagram.
- Once you have updated Instagram, try running it again.
Uninstall And Reinstall Instagram
If it is a bug that is causing the problem, then consider uninstalling and reinstalling the Instagram app. Here is how to do this:
- Navigate to Settings to select Apps & Notifications.
- Now, tap on Instagram
- Hit Uninstall and then reinstall the latest version of Instagram. Log into your account again to see if it works.
Check Common Error Messages And Known Issues
Just like Instagram, many other applications have a set of common error messages and known issues that have already been addressed. So, note down the error you are facing and search on Google to find out whether it has already been solved.
Still no luck? You can report the issue to Instagram from within the app. Write a detailed report about the issue you are facing, the device you are using, and what you were doing before when it stopped working. Instagram itself will investigate the issue to make sure that it is solved for you.
Ava Williams is an avid technical blogger, a magazine contributor, a publisher of guides at mcafee.com/activate, and a professional cyber security analyst. Through her writing, she aims to educate people about the dangers and threats lurking in the digital world.