Instagram not working? Here are a few things you can try to fix it

Update, Aug. 2, 2021 (4:57 p.m. ET): According to Down Detector, Instagram doesn’t work for a lot of people around the world. Below are some steps you can take to see if you can fix the problem on your device. However, it is possible that an outage could prevent you and others from accessing the social network.

Original article: Instagram is one of the most popular social media platforms in the world, but when it doesn’t work it can be a frustrating experience. The servers are generally reliable, but for those unfortunate occasions where Instagram isn’t working, we’ve compiled a list of ways to fix it. Follow the troubleshooting guide below to resolve any Instagram issues you may encounter.

See also: Here’s how to get your Instagram account back if it’s disabled, hacked, or deleted

Check if Instagram is not available

If Instagram isn’t working for you, it might not work for anyone. Before taking any more drastic action, check to see if Instagram’s servers are down or not.

Also read: Instagram Tips and Tricks: Do It For The ‘Gram

There are a number of websites you can do this, but the one we recommend is Down Detector. It essentially gathers information from social media platforms like Twitter and combines that with user reports on its own platform. When you check Down Detector’s Instagram page, you will see one of three messages:

• No problems with Instagram
• Possible problems with Instagram
• Problems with Instagram

You can also report any issues that you need to tell other users about issues. If Instagram turns out to be down, all you can do is wait and see. If not, move down the list.

If Instagram’s servers are fine and it still doesn’t work, try closing and reopening the app. On Android Pie and above, this is easy and only takes a few seconds. The exact steps may vary slightly depending on the smartphone you’re using, but for most of them, you should generally follow the steps below.

How to close and start Instagram (Android)

1. Tap the city ​​square bottom right.
2. Wipe Instagram on to close it.
3. To open again Instagram.

The steps on iOS are very similar. The main difference is that Apple relies on swiping gestures, but if you’re already using an iPhone you should be reasonably familiar with how they work.

How to close and start Instagram (iPhone)

1. Swipe up from the bottom of the screen and hold down the mouse button.
2. Wipe Instagram on to close it.
3. To open again Instagram.

Restarting the app could be a quick fix, but if the problem is more severe, additional steps are required.

See more: How to change or reset your Instagram password

Closing Instagram and reopening it will fix most of the problems, but if it doesn’t check that you’re using the latest version of the app. In addition to new functions, newer versions often also contain bug fixes. Follow the steps below to check for Instagram updates for Android or iOS.

Also read: How to update apps on the Google Play Store

How to Update Instagram (Android)

1. Open that Google Play Store.
2. Open the menu by tapping Hamburger icon top left.
3. Tap My apps and games.
4. Tap To update next to Instagram, if available.

How to Update Instagram (iPhone)

1. Open that Appstore.
2. Tap the Today tab.
3. Tap your Profile icon at the top of the screen.
4. Scroll down and check for updates or tap Refresh all.

If your Instagram feed won’t load or you can’t upload pictures, it could be due to your internet connection. In this case, if you are using a Wi-Fi connection, there are several things you need to do and either of them can solve the problem. Try each of the items in the list below.

• Turn off the data and switch to Wi-Fi.
• Get closer to your router.
• Reset the router even if your internet works on other devices.

Also read: What to do if your phone won’t connect to WiFi

If none of the above fixes are enough, try turning off Wi-Fi completely and seeing if Instagram is data-only. If it does, then it is time to buy a new router, but if not, move on to the next possible fix.

As with many technical problems, the easiest and most effective solution is to restart the device. If Instagram isn’t working, the same logic applies.

Reset your device and it can solve your Instagram problems right away. Just hold down the power button and tap restart. If that doesn’t work, move on to the next item on the list.

Occasionally, while installing or updating Instagram, you may encounter an error that causes it to stop working. The only remedy is to uninstall and reinstall the app. This “nuclear option” is the most time consuming and may require you to re-enter your credentials, but Instagram is virtually guaranteed to work again.

The process is pretty quick on both Android and iOS devices. Let’s start with the steps on Android:

How to uninstall Instagram (Android)

1. Open settings.
2. Tap Apps & notifications.
3. Search and select Instagram.
4. Tap Uninstall.

From there, find Instagram on the Google Play Store and reinstall it. The latest version will be installed automatically, but you may have to enter your login information again. The process is even easier on iOS:

How To Uninstall Instagram (iPhone)

1. Tap and hold the App icon.
2. Tap the Minus symbol (Remove app).
3. Choose Delete the app, then confirm.

As above, open the App Store again and reinstall Instagram. The latest version with all updates will be installed automatically.

See more: How to delete your Instagram account

Review the list of known issues

If you’ve tried everything on the list and Instagram still doesn’t work, it could be a legitimate problem or an app bug. You can keep track of these on Instagram’s list of known issues.

Known problems can be fixed temporarily. So check the link above for the latest information. Otherwise, you might just have to wait for Instagram to come back online with a fix to share your pics and hang out with friends!

That’s it for our list of ways to fix Instagram when it stops working. Did we miss any fixes? Let us know in the comments and we’ll add them to the list!

Next read: How to improve your Instagram game and gain more followers