13 Best Fixes: Instagram Not Working Error

Instagram is definitely one of the most popular social media platforms today. With over a billion active users, it can get annoying when it does not work the way it should. Recently, there have been a lot of reports about Instagram crashing frequently. This is not unusual and can be fixed easily.

Instagram not working error

If you are someone who enjoys creating, editing, and posting content to this online medium, I’m pretty sure you’ll find this inconvenient. Be it someone who swipes through their feed all day or a content creator; We all deserve to use an excellent app like this. This is exactly why I made this article to help you stop the Instagram not working error.

Why is my Instagram not working?

The following are the factors that could possibly cause Instagram to crash on your device – 

  • Device or application bugs; could be both minor and major
  • Instagram server outages
  • Network-related issues
  • Lack of App permissions
  • Out-of-date Instagram application
  • Newer versions of the appliciation
  • Interferences from the VPN
  • Corrupt Application cache and app data

Solutions to Fix Instagram not working issue

  1. Reboot the Phone 
  2. Check the Instagram server status
  3. Refresh the network router
  4. Check the Permissions for Instagram
  5. Log out and Re-Login to your Instagram account
  6. Try using Instagram on a different device
  7. Disable your active VPN
  8. Download Updates for Instagram
  9. See if there is insufficient storage on your phone
  10. Delete the AppData and Cache 
  11. Offload your Instagram App on the iPhone
  12. Uninstall and Reinstall Instagram
  13. Uninstall Downloaded Updates for Instagram
  14. Unrestrict Background data utility

Fixing the Instagram not working issue

Reboot the Phone 

The easiest workaround that helps you fix a crashing Instagram issue is to close and relaunch the Instagram application. If this does not work, you can reboot the mobile or tablet. 

Power button on side of mobile
  • Push the Power button on your phone until the power off options show up.
Restart option for Android
  • Tap the Restart option and wait for the reboot to finish.
  • Once your phone is active again, check with the application to see if it is running.

Check the Instagram server status

Instagram server status

There is a possibility of the Instagram servers being inactive. The developers take the servers down so that they can update or make changes to the platform. To check the status of Instagram’s server, you can use the Downdetector website. 

If Instagram is down, there is not much we can do about it. Our only option here is to wait it out. If the server is online, you can jump to the next solution since this factor is not the reason for this error.

Refresh the network router

Resetting your network router is a good idea to fix the Instagram error. Setting the network configurations back to default can clear unsaved changes, maybe flushing out the factors that cause this issue. 

You will need a toothpick or an alternative thin object that is not a conductor.

  • Locate the reset button at the back of your network router. This is located at the back of the router in a small hole.
Backside of router
  • Use the toothpick to push the button carefully. If you aren’t gentle, it can get splintered and can get lodged in the hole.
  • Push the button and hold for around five seconds. At this time, the lights will go off and come back on. 

Check the Permissions for Instagram

For apps like Instagram to function properly, the device user has to allow certain features to be accessed. This can include the camera, microphone, location, and contacts. When an application is launched for the first time, the system asks you to allow permission to use them. 

If these permissions are not allowed, the app could crash. Here’s how you can check for the permissions enabled.

  • Launch the Settings window and go to the App settings. 
Permissions settings in App settings
  • Find the Permissions sub-settings. 
  • Choose the Apps option. This will show you all the applications that are using the phone features.
Instagram app on list of apps
  • Scroll down to Instagram and tap this option. You will see all the allowed and restricted permissions for this app.
Allowed and denied permissions for instagram
  • Make sure that all the necessary ones are permitted. 

Log out and Re-Login to your Instagram account

​Signing out and back into your Instagram account will refresh the account. This simple step should get rid of the hindrances preventing you from using Instagram. 

  • Go to your Instagram profile.
  • Tap the hamburger menu (three-line menu) at the top-right corner of the screen.
Hamburger menu on top-right corner
  • Select the Settings option from the pop-up menu.
Settings for Instagram
  • Scroll down to the bottom of the Settings page. Here, you’ll find the Log out option. 
Log out option for Instagram profile
  • Tap the Log out option and confirm this to remove the account on your device.

Try using Instagram on a different device

There could be some bugs that will make Instagram crash. Because there is the possibility of the error being caused by device bugs, we suggest using Instagram on an alternate device. 

Instagram website on desktop

You will just have to use your username and password to sign into a different device. It can either be a mobile phone or a desktop, through a web browser.

Disable your active VPN

A Virtual Private Network (VPN) offers the possibility of crashing the Instagram app on your device. When a VPN is active, the proxy attempts to connect with a different location’s Instagram server. In some cases, this may not be successful, causing Instagram to crash.

Download Updates for Instagram

Out-of-date apps can cause a lot of issues since they could be harboring bugs and glitches. There is a high chance for the latest version to have these bugs fixed to have a seamless user experience. Because these bugs could be what causes this issue in the first place.

Users with an Android phone can get the updates installed through the Google Play Store. However, if you are using an iOS device, you will find the latest version of the App in the App Store. Just tap the Update button with an internet connection. Both these systems will get notifications of available updates whenever they are released.

See if there is insufficient storage on your phone

Storage on Android phone

Low storage on your device can force stop applications. In situations like this, the only choice we have is to remove unwanted files from your mobile. Look for repeated media files and cache to clear out. If there are files that you will need, you can always back them up to a storage unit, external or cloud. 

Delete the AppData and Cache 

Android users should be familiar with how frequently cache memory can get piled up and the rate at which it can be corrupted. The best thing to do here is to clear cache and AppData. This will not only fix remove corrupt files but also free up some space. 

For those who do not know how to, we got you covered. Use the steps below – 

  • Bring the Settings window up on your mobile phone. 
  • Tap the App settings option. 
Manage apps settings in App settings
  • Go into the Manage Apps section. You will see a list of all the applications and services installed on your device.
List of apps in Manage apps page
  • Select the Instagram application. This will take you to a page with all the details of the application.
  • Choose the Clear Data option.
Clear data option
  • From the pop-up that appears, you can opt to remove AppData and the Cache files. 
Clear all data and Clear Cache options
  • Once the Instagram cache is deleted, reboot the device to save these changes. 

Offload your Instagram App on the iPhone

​Users with iPhones can offload app settings to help with the crashing Instagram issue. The steps below will help you – 

  • Open the iPhone settings and go into the General settings. 
  • Move to the iPhone Storage sub-settings.
  • Navigate to the Instagram option.
  • Choose the Offload app option.
  • Now, reboot the iPhone and wait for it to start back up. 
  • Proceed to the App Store and install the Instagram application from it.

Uninstall and Reinstall Instagram

If you still experience the issue, you can try uninstalling and reinstalling the application. 

  • Tap the Instagram icon on your menu and hold it until the icon starts vibrating.
  • Drag the icon to the Uninstall section on your screen and release it.
  • When the confirmation prompt appears, touch the Uninstall option.

Uninstall Downloaded Updates for Instagram

Instagram might have worked with a previous version on your device. This is what we are counting on when we suggest rolling back to an older version of the application – 

  • Bring the Settings option up.
  • Go into the App settings and proceed to the Manage apps section.
Instagram app in Manage apps section
  • Choose the Instagram app.
Uninstall option
  • Go into the three-dot menu and choose the Uninstall updates option. 
  • Confirm this and the version will roll back to the preceding app version.

Unrestrict Background data utility

Android devices have a feature to prevent the internet from being used for apps running in the background. If background data cannot be used, it is impossible for apps like Instagram to update their social feed. We just have to check if the app gets enough network even while it is in the background.

  • Open the device settings and go to the App settings.
  • Look for the Instagram settings in the Manage apps section.
  • Locate the Network settings for this, In this page, you will be able to see a toggle switch or the option to enable or disable background data.

When enabled, this feature should allow Instagram to use the internet even when it is active in the background.

These are the solutions that should be able to help you launch Instagram without crashes or any other malfunctioning. We’ve covered all the troubleshooting For more guidance, you can contact Instagram’s help center. Happy Scrolling!