Instagram sometimes does not work because of an outage, poor internet, a frozen app or a problem with your account. First, open another website. Then try Instagram over Wi Fi and mobile data. Is Instagram the only thing that does not work? Open it in your browser too. These tests provide an initial indication of where the problem lies.
Choose what you see on your screen below and follow the steps that apply.
Why isn’t Instagram working for you?
Test one thing at a time. Are you deleting the app while also changing your password and restarting your router? Afterwards, you will not know what helped.
Find what you notice in the table. The possible cause is an indication, not a certainty.
| What do you notice? | What could be causing it? | What should you test first? |
|---|---|---|
| Other websites do not load either. | Your internet connection. | Switch between Wi Fi and mobile data. |
| Instagram works over mobile data, but not over Wi Fi. | Your Wi Fi network or a filter that blocks traffic. | Try another trusted network. |
| Instagram works in the browser, but not in the app. | The app or something on your phone. | Close the app completely and open it again. |
| Several people on different networks are having problems at the same time. | A broader outage. | Compare what is going wrong and when it started. |
| Your account does not work anywhere, but another account does. | A login problem or a restriction on your account. | Read the message on your own account. |
Does an account still work on your phone? Leave it logged in. You do not need to log out to perform the other tests.
Checking for an Instagram outage in the Netherlands or Belgium
To find out whether Instagram is experiencing an outage today, you need to check current reports. This article does not show live status.
- Ask someone on another network. Someone on the same Wi Fi is not a good comparison. For example, ask whether a friend can open messages over mobile data.
- Ask them to try the same thing. Cannot you open a story yourself? Ask whether the other person can open it. Simply opening the app does not tell you much.
- Check recent outage reports. Pay attention to the time and region. Old reports tell you nothing about the problem you have now.
Many reports at the same time may indicate an outage. They do not prove that the whole of the Netherlands or Belgium is affected. Sometimes only one component does not work.
Are others on different networks experiencing the same problem? Wait a little and try again later. Deleting the app is not a logical first step in that case.
Instagram does not open or crashes on iPhone or Android
Does Instagram close immediately when you open the app? First close the app completely and open it again. If that does not help, follow the steps for your phone. Check after each step whether Instagram works again.
On your iPhone
- Close Instagram completely. Simply returning to your home screen is not enough.
- Restart your iPhone.
- Check the App Store for an Instagram update.
- Check whether your phone shows a system update or a warning about full storage.
Is your storage full? Make space by deleting files you no longer need. Save important photos and videos somewhere else first.
On your Android phone
In the Google’s explanation of apps that do not work these steps are listed: restarting, checking for updates, force stopping and clearing the cache or data.
Start by restarting and checking for updates. Then look for Instagram in your phone’s settings. There you can see which options are available for stopping the app or clearing temporary storage. The names and options vary by device.
Cache means temporary storage. Clearing data is a more drastic step: you may lose local data, meaning data stored on your phone. Save this for later and read the warning before confirming anything. First check that you know your password and have access to your login codes.
Test Instagram in your browser
Open Instagram itself in your browser, not through a link from an unexpected message. Does it work there? You can then temporarily use the browser version for the functions available there.
Does only the browser not work? Try another browser. Are you using an extension, an additional tool in your browser, that blocks pages? Temporarily disable it for this test and then enable it again.
When should you reinstall the app?
Try this only if the earlier steps do not help. First check that you can use your password and login codes. Also save photos, videos and texts that you have not posted yet.
If you delete the app, you may lose data on your phone. Reinstalling does not solve a general outage.
Instagram feed, stories or messages do not load
Does part of Instagram still work? Check which component is getting stuck. This lets you continue testing more specifically.
- Your feed shows only old posts. Refresh the feed and then open a profile. Do you see recent posts there? Note that only your feed, the overview of posts, is having problems.
- A story remains stuck. Open a story from another account. One story that does not open does not mean there is a general outage.
- A direct message remains stuck on sending. Check your connection and see whether the message appears later. Do not immediately send the same text several times.
- A photo or video is not posted. Save the original file and your text before closing the app.
Is only one link not working? Read the explanation of an Instagram link that does not work. Is sound or a song missing? See what to do if Instagram music does not work.
Few reactions to your photo do not automatically mean that Instagram is broken. Is the app working normally, but are you unsure whether others can see your post? Read why your followers do not see your Instagram posts.
If you use Instagram for your shop or work
Before trying again, check whether your post is already on your profile. This prevents you from posting it twice. Also save photos and texts outside the app.
Is someone waiting for an answer about an order? Use an existing contact channel, such as your business email address.
You cannot log in to Instagram
Read the error message first. An incorrect password requires different steps from a message about a restricted account.
- Your password is rejected. Check your username. Do you use a password manager? Check whether it is filling in the correct account. Then use the recovery option on the official login screen.
- You do not receive a code. Check which phone number or email address is shown on the screen, as far as you can see. Read the separate explanation if your Instagram verification code does not arrive.
- You see a restriction or suspension. Follow the explanation in the message. Another connection or clearing temporary storage will not remove an account restriction.
- You see changes that you did not make yourself. Use the official help to recover your account. Also secure the email account linked to Instagram.
Are you still logged in on another device? Do not simply log out there. You can use that access to read notifications and check your contact details.
How to report an Instagram problem safely
Can you still use the app? Search within Instagram for help or an option to report a problem. Cannot find it? Start with the help on the official login screen or Instagram’s official website.
Meta described in an announcement about improved account support a central help centre and a digital help assistant. This support is not available to every account in the same way.
In your report, write exactly what is going wrong:
- What did you want to do and what happened?
- When did the problem start?
- Which phone and app version are you using?
- Does it happen over Wi Fi, mobile data and in the browser?
- Which error message do you see?
A fictional example: “Since this afternoon, the app closes as soon as I open a story. My feed does work. It happens over Wi Fi and mobile data. Restarting did not help.”
You can add a screenshot. First make direct messages, phone numbers and other sensitive data unreadable. Never share your password, login code or recovery codes.
What not to do when Instagram is having problems
- Do not call a support number from the comments. A phone number or reference to WhatsApp or Telegram does not prove that someone works for Instagram.
- Do not give anyone access to your screen or account. Especially not if someone unsolicitedly offers to recover your account.
- Do not install an unknown recovery app. Use your phone’s official app store for updates.
- Do not delete everything immediately. First save your files and check whether you can log in again.
- Do not keep repeating the same failed action. Note the error message and choose another suitable test.
Cannot get any further? Consider what your tests have shown. If Instagram works on only one network, check that connection. If only the app does not work, follow the steps for your phone. For an account message, use account support. If it looks like a widespread outage, test again later. If you also publish your own content, our Instagram services includes packages for followers and likes. The product pages show the available quantities and prices.
