If Instagram keeps crashing, there may be a problem with the app or your phone. Low available storage or an outage could also play a part. First check whether Instagram is actually closing or simply keeps loading. Then ask whether others are having the same problem. Close the app completely and open it again. Do not clear any data yet or delete Instagram straight away.
Below, you can read which steps you can try on your phone and what you should save first.
When exactly does Instagram crash?
When Instagram crashes, it closes unexpectedly. You then return to your phone’s home screen. Is the app staying open with a loading circle? Then your internet connection could also be the issue.
Look at when it goes wrong. This will help you decide what to test first.
| What happens? | What can you test first? |
|---|---|
| Instagram closes immediately after opening. | Close the app completely and restart your phone. |
| The app only crashes when using Reels. | Open another Reel and then view an ordinary photo. |
| Instagram closes as soon as you open the camera. | Test your phone’s ordinary camera. |
| The app crashes during one upload. | Try another photo without effects. |
| It only happens on Wi Fi. | Briefly test it using mobile data, if your data allowance permits. |
| It only happens with one account. | Try another account that is already signed in to the app. |
Do you keep returning to the login screen? Read what you can do if Instagram keeps logging you out. Does the app work, but you receive no notifications? Then see the explanation about Instagram notifications not working.
Is Instagram experiencing an outage, or is it your phone?
Ask someone with a different phone and internet connection whether Instagram also crashes there. Also try Instagram in a browser. Does the website work, but the app does not? Then the problem seems more likely to be with the app. This still does not tell you exactly what the cause is.
Are several people having the same problem at the same time? Wait a little before deleting the app. Reinstalling it does not need to change anything during an outage.
If Instagram only does not work properly on Wi Fi, try another connection. Do messages keep loading without the app closing? Check your internet connection first.
Do other apps also close by themselves, or does your whole phone restart? Then it is probably not only Instagram. Also check whether your phone needs an update and how much storage space is free.
Instagram closes immediately: try these steps
Test whether Instagram works again after each step. That way, you do not need to change more than necessary.
- Close Instagram completely. Use the list of open apps on your phone. Simply returning to the home screen does not always close the app.
- Open Instagram again. First try viewing ordinary posts. Only then test the camera or an upload.
- Restart your phone. After that, open only Instagram first.
- Update Instagram. Check the official app store to see whether an update is available.
- Check your storage space. Check your phone settings to see how much space is free. Only delete files you no longer need or have a copy of.
Does Instagram keep closing? Continue with the steps for your iPhone or Android phone. Settings names can vary between phones and software versions. Use the search function in Settings if you cannot find an option.
Instagram crashes on iPhone: check updates and storage
Have you updated Instagram and restarted your iPhone, but that did not help? Check whether there is an iOS update. This is the software your iPhone runs on. Make a backup first, then follow the update instructions on your phone.
Is your iPhone storage almost full? Start with large downloads you no longer use, for example. Before deleting photos or videos, check that you have saved them somewhere else.
On an iPhone, you cannot follow the same steps for clearing the cache as on Android. A cache consists of temporary files from an app. The two types of phones handle this differently.
You can try reinstalling later. First go through the checklist for your access and drafts first.
Instagram crashes on Android: stop the app and clear the cache
The Google Play Help for apps that crash mentions restarting, updates, force stopping and clearing the cache, among other things.
Open Instagram’s app information in Settings. Look for force stop. This closes the app. Then open Instagram again and see whether it helps.
Does the app keep crashing? In Instagram’s storage settings, look for clear cache. A cache consists of temporary files from the app.
Do not simply choose clear data or clear storage. This can sign you out and cause you to lose data that is only stored in the app, such as your drafts. Cannot you see the option to clear the cache, or are you unsure which button to use? Skip this step.
According to Android Help about phones that freeze phones can experience problems when less than 10 per cent of the storage space is free. This does not mean that this is the cause of your crashing Instagram.
Check the storage on your entire phone, not just Instagram’s storage. Also check whether an Android update is available if the earlier steps do not help.
Instagram crashes when using Reels, the camera or uploading
Does Instagram usually work, but the app closes during one particular action? Change one thing at a time. This can show whether the problem is related to a video, effect or the camera.
The app closes when using Reels
Open another Reel and then view an ordinary photo. Does Instagram only close for one video? Try it again later. If it happens with every Reel, make a note of that for your report to Instagram.
The app closes when using the camera
Take a photo with your phone’s ordinary camera, outside Instagram. Does that work? Then try opening that photo in Instagram.
Also check whether Instagram has permission to use your camera and microphone. If that permission is missing, it is not automatically the cause of the crash.
Test the camera in Instagram without an effect or filter. Does it only go wrong when you use a filter? Then read more about Instagram filters not working.
The app closes when posting a photo or video
First save the original file outside Instagram. Then try posting another photo without music or effects. Does that work? The problem may then be related to the first file or an edit.
Suppose Instagram closes as soon as you try to post a holiday video, but a single photo works. That is useful information for your report. It does not prove that the video is damaged. Also check whether your upload was posted before trying again.
Reinstalling Instagram: check your access and drafts
Only delete Instagram if the earlier steps do not help. Check the points below first. Do this before clearing app data as well.
- Can you log in again? Check your username and make sure you have your password available.
- Can you recover your account? Make sure you have access to the linked email address or phone number.
- Can you use extra login security? Check that you can receive the required codes. Store any recovery codes safely.
- Have you saved important drafts separately? Do not assume they will come back after deletion. Save photos, videos and captions outside Instagram if you still can.
Cannot you check this? Then wait before deleting or clearing data. Otherwise, as well as the crashing, you may have problems logging in.
Only reinstall Instagram through the official app store. Do not use unknown repair apps or give anyone your password or login codes.
Resetting your phone to factory settings is not a normal next step when only Instagram crashes.
Reporting an Instagram crash
Does Instagram stay open for long enough? Look in Settings for the help function to report a technical problem. The name and location of this function may change.
Does the app close immediately? Write down what happens first. You can use that information once reporting works again.
Include this in your report:
- Your device and software version.
- The Instagram version, if you can find it.
- When the problem started.
- What you do just before the app closes.
- Whether it happens on Wi Fi, mobile data or both.
- Which steps you have already tried.
An example report: “Instagram closes as soon as I open the camera. Viewing posts works. It happens on Wi Fi and mobile data. I updated the app and restarted my phone.” Add your device details, but never your password or login codes. Once your account is working as intended, you can explore our Instagram services to compare packages for followers and likes for your public profile or content.
