Whether uploading posts or reels for your business or brand, or just scrolling through, you may face an Instagram error. As a result, the app does not open, keeps crashing, freezing, and not responding. But Why Is Instagram Not Working? Sometimes, Instagram stops working due to unstable internet, outdated app, server error, and other potential causes. We will address each reason and fix it in the post.

Quick Notes!

  • If Instagram is down for you, others can feel the same way due to the server outage.
  • Other potential causes that create hindrances are a poor network, an outdated app, corrupt caches or cookies, an incompatible device, etc.
  • Users should initially start from simple steps, for example, fixing the internet, restarting the device and the Instagram app, checking the online status of the service, etc.
  • Server errors cannot be fixed from the users’ end; if that’s the reason why Instagram isn’t responding, wait until the officials fix it.
  • When no server outage, but the problem persists, contact Instagram support.

Why Is Instagram Not Working – Most Common Reasons!

Check some common reasons why Instagram stops working sometimes.

Using an Outdated App:

If the app you’re using is outdated, you will likely face issues with Instagram. Problems like app crashing, loading, and not opening are some common culprits in this case. Such a condition is worse and usually solved after you follow the correct steps.

How to check: Visit App store or Google Play Store, search for Instagram, and check if there’s an update icon. If so, you need to update it to get its functionality back.

Device Compatibility Error:

Instagram is used on different devices, be it mobile (Android or iOS), PC (Mac or Windows), or even on tablets. But the problem can come when your device is not supported by the latest version of the Instagram app or the web version. This will lead to problems in launching the Instagram app. Therefore, the user will likely encounter glitches.

How to check: Try to open Instagram with other apps on your device. If it’s not opening any of them, the device is the concern.

Corrupt files stagnated Instagram:

When Instagram is used on the web version, it accumulates files storing essential data, helping run Instagram smoothly. But that’s when the files are genuine. When these are corrupt, it hampers the app’s functioning and leads to malfunction. You keep getting an app down error after that.

How to check: When you can’t access the Instagram site, that’s when you need to consider clearing caches or cookies.

Poor Internet Connection:

The Internet is weak, unstable, and not at the speed required to run Instagram. The strength of the internet is equally important; it should be sufficient to help load your Instagram app. But poor internet is a commonly found cause, and that’s when your app goes down.

How to check: To be sure about Internet speed, open other apps or try surfing the internet. If nothing works, work on the Internet.

Instagram Server Glitch:

You must be experiencing a server error on the Instagram app. That happens area-wise, and shuts the service for all the users. Servers are responsible for the smooth functioning of Instagram, but the problem with them is a serious concern. This may take several hours to fix, so till then, you can wait for everything to be good.

How to check: Quickly visit online tools like downdetector, check if it’s down for you or all. The Instagram Help Centre is another choice users have to discuss current app functionality.

How To Fix ‘Instagram Not Working’? [10 Fixes]

Some practical steps to fix Instagram’s function-related issues. Follow each until you find one that works for you.

1. Restart your device

One thing we recommend doing right away after you notice issues with your Instagram app is rebooting your device. To restart,

  • Tap and hold the power button
  • Click the restart button.

Restarting the device is the best fix for the Instagram error. It reboots all the connections.

  1. Fix Internet Connection

A stable network connection ensures smooth functioning and prevents issues with Instagram. Check the internet connection:

  • Turn off/on mobile data
  • Reboot the router
  • Interrupt the internet connection by enabling flight mode and disabling it after a few seconds.

For better, you can check your internet speed online.

  • To do so, visit a browser and search for online internet speed. 
  • You will see a list of options; select one and test your existing internet speed. 

The general speed required is 3 Mbps for normal browsing, and 10 Mbps for uploading content.

3. Update the Instagram App

Consider updating your Instagram application regularly. To update,

  • Visit the App Store or Google Play Store
  • Type Instagram in the search bar.
  • Click update. 
  • As you install and download the latest version of Instagram, you may experience that your app is not working well.

4. Clear Caches

Clear your corrupted caches from your browser so your Instagram works efficiently. In Chrome, you can clear caches using this simple step guide:

  • Visit chrome
  • Tap three dots in the top right corner.
  • Tap the ‘Delete browsing data’ option
  • Tick ‘Cookies and other site data’
  • Finally, tap the ‘Delete Data’ option.

Note: The steps are self-tested on the Chrome browser.

5. Check if Instagram is down

If nothing works, it’s a server error. Your Instagram is facing an outage in your location. To find out if that’s the exact reason behind the Instagram stoppage, check online.

Some online tools are especially for this purpose. For example, downdetector. Here, you get real-time data on Instagram functionality. Users report what they faced on any social media app, including Instagram, and the tool represents this visually. Check the image below.

After you check and are sure that it’s a server error, unfortunately, no way to fix it from your end. Only official Instagram addresses this error and updates when it’s fixed.

6. Allow Instagram Access

Every app needs permission to access your files, camera, audio, and other data to work properly, and so does Instagram. If you’ve denied access, Instagram may not be working properly. Thus, allow access and run.

7. Replace the device, if possible

The last option is to change your device because it’s highly likely that Instagram is facing an error. After all, your device is outdated.

8. Reinstall the App (iPhone & Android):

You can also remove the app from your device. Just uninstall it and reinstall it after some time. There are various ways to do so:

  • Uninstall through Google Play Store: visit your app store, type in Instagram, and click the uninstall.
  • Uninstall by holding the app: Tap the Instagram icon on your home screen, hold for a second, click app info (or i), and tap uninstall.

9. Disable VPN or Proxy Services:

If you are someone who uses VPN services to access Instagram on browser, it’s something can be one of the reasons your Instagram is not working properly because of this. So, what you need to do is: disable VPN.

  • On your browser (hypothetically Chrome), click Extensions tab.
  • Click ‘Manage Extensions.’
  • Now toggle off your VPN services.

10. Turn Off Battery Saver or Low Power Mode

If you often keep the Battery Saver on in hopes to functionality of your device for a longer time, then it might be stopping your Instagram from working properly. When battery saver is on, the device’s internet connection is interrupted, which leads to poor loading of your Insta app. Thus, turn it off simply by tapping the dedicated icon for it. And now run the app.

Summing Up

Using Instagram is fun, but it also comes with errors that you sometimes cannot fix. Errors like a server outage are impossible to solve from the users’ end. However, app freezing, crashing, and not loading can all be solved by fixing the internet connection, downloading the latest Instagram version, clearing caches, restarting the device, and more. If you still face the problem, connect with Instagram Help. Hope this resolves your doubt.

Read Also: How to delete an Instagram account

Instagram Features Not Working? Fixes Based on the Issue

This section covers quick remedies for issues found on Instagram:

Problem: Instagram Stories Not Loading

Solution: Clear cache, Check network, App update

Problem: Instagram Reels Not Playing

Solution: Ensure device compatibility, App update

Problem: Can’t Send or Receive Messages

Solution: Check message requests

How to Know If It’s Just You or Everyone?

To know if Instagram is down for you or everyone, use tools like Downdetector, Twitter, and Reddit discussions. If everything looks good and no discussions over it, you are having the issue from your end only.

When to Contact Instagram Support

Instagram Help support is a wonderful option to seek out the necessary help. When your hacks don’t seem to be working, it’s time for external help. Just visit the Instagram help center, enter the query or select from the pinned ones, and explore the solutions given by experts there.

Frequently Asked Questions?

Why Is My Instagram Not Working?

If it’s not working, a poor internet connection, an outdated app, corrupt caches, a server down error, and device-related issues are the main reasons behind it.

Why Instagram Is Not Working Properly?

When Instagram does not work properly, it’s mainly because of poor internet connectivity or because the app is not working on the latest version. Fix both and try launching the app again.

Why Is My Instagram Feed Not Refreshing?

Feeds not loading means the fault is with your Internet. Turn it off and on again to fix it.

Why Is My Instagram Not Working Something Went Wrong.

If Instagram is not working when something goes wrong, then it could be due to various reasons. Weak internet connectivity, corrupted cache, insufficient storage space, server breakdown, software bugs, or other technical issues.

Why is Instagram not loading on Wi-Fi?

Router glitches, weak internet signal, and temporary outage are some common reasons behind this.

What should I do if my Instagram messages won’t send?

You should refresh the app and internet, reboot the device, clear the caches, and reinstall the app to fix your Instagram messages-related errors.

What’s the fastest way to check if Instagram is down?

The quickest option is to visit online status checker, Downdetector is one of them. Visit and enter Instagram in the search icon. You will see the current status of the Instagram.