My Instagram is not working [2024] 💥
Is Instagram malfunctioning? As the leading photo-sharing platform online, Instagram is the go-to social media site for visual expression, where people share images rather than words. But what happens when Instagram crashes or your app stops working? We'll guide you through resolving common issues with Instagram.
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1. Restart the Instagram App
Fixing Instagram's problems can be much easier than you thought. Relaunching the app by removing it from the list of recently used apps and opening it again might do the trick. Logging out and back into Facebook can also help resync all data and get things back on track.
2. Restart Your Mobile Phone
Another simple fix is restarting your Android phone or iPhone. Mobile phones are like small computers, and they can exhibit various issues when they haven't been restarted for a while.
3. Is Your Internet Working Well?
Ensure you have stable Internet access. Restart your router if you're using Instagram over Wi-Fi. Alternatively, switching to mobile data can help determine if the issue lies with your Wi-Fi connection.
4. Instagram May Be Down
Check if Instagram is not working for others as well. If your Instagram feed isn't loading or you encounter a "5xx" error, it's an indication that the servers are down. Use third-party status tools like Down Detector or Is it Down Right Now? to check Instagram's status. You can also monitor Instagram's Twitter account for updates. If there's a global outage, the best course of action is to wait for the Instagram team to resolve the issue.
5. Update Your Instagram
If none of the above solutions work, your Instagram app might be outdated. The latest versions often include security patches, bug fixes, and new features. Update your app via the Google Play Store for Android or the App Store for iOS devices.
6. Clear App Data and Cache (on Android)
Clearing the cache and data of the Instagram app can help fix the issue. Navigate to "Settings" > "Apps," find Instagram, and tap on "Storage and cache." Then, tap "Clear cache" and "Clear storage" for a fresh start.
7. Offload Instagram App (on iPhone)
If Instagram is not working on your iPhone, offloading the app can help. This keeps all your Instagram data on your phone while deleting the app, allowing you to restore it when you reinstall Instagram. Go to "Settings" > "General" > "iPhone Storage," find Instagram, tap it, then click "Offload App." Reinstall Instagram from the App Store.
8. Reinstall Instagram
If you suspect a bug has caused the Instagram app to crash, try uninstalling and reinstalling the app. For Android, navigate to "Settings" > "Apps," find Instagram, tap "Uninstall," then reinstall it from the Google Play Store. For iPhone, hold the Instagram app icon, tap "Delete App," then reinstall it from the App Store after a restart.
9. Reinstall an Older Version of Instagram (Only Android)
If you're experiencing issues with the latest version of Instagram, consider rolling back to an older version. First, uninstall the current version of Instagram. Then, visit APK Mirror on your phone browser, search for "Instagram," and download an older version of the app that's compatible with your Android device. Install the downloaded APK to roll back.
10. Grant Permissions for Instagram
Instagram requires permissions for several features to function properly on your iOS and Android devices, such as Camera, Contacts, Microphone, Photos, and Storage. Ensure all necessary permissions are granted, or the app may not work correctly and could crash. On Android, go to "Settings" > "Apps" > "Instagram" > "Permissions" and enable the required permissions. On iOS, go to "Settings" > "Instagram" and ensure all permissions are allowed.
11. Temporarily Turn Off VPN
Using a VPN can sometimes interfere with Instagram's functionality. If you're using a VPN, try turning it off temporarily to see if Instagram starts working again.
12. Unrestrict Background Data (on Android)
Instagram needs Internet access to update your feed, send/receive messages, and deliver notifications. Make sure that Instagram's background data is not restricted by going to "Settings" > "Apps" > "Instagram" > "Data usage" and ensuring "Background data" is turned on.
13. Free Up Storage Space on Your Smartphone
Low storage on your iPhone or Android device can cause issues with Instagram, including constant crashes or the app not working. Learn how to free up storage space on your iPhone and Android device.
14. Log Out and Log In Again
Logging out of your Instagram account and logging back in can sometimes fix issues with the app. Open Instagram, go to your profile, tap the menu icon, and select "Log Out." Restart your phone and log back in.
15. Try Instagram Web Edition
If Instagram is not working on your mobile device, try accessing the Instagram web edition on your browser or use Instagram on a different device like your computer.
16. Known Instagram Issues
Instagram maintains a list of errors and known issues. Check this list regularly for solutions to common problems with the app. If you encounter an error, search Google for solutions, as others may have experienced the same issue and sought help.
17. Instagram Helpline
If none of these steps resolve the issue, report a bug within the app. Provide a detailed explanation of the problem, the device you're using, and the last time it worked. This also applies to issues when signing in to your account.
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