Are you getting a black screen on Instagram?
If you are, you won’t be able to see posts on your feed.
Some users encountered a black screen when they tap on the profile icon.
Other users got it when they try to verify themselves on the app.
Either way, the black screen prevents them from using Instagram normally.
In this guide, you’ll learn why you’re getting a black screen on Instagram and how to fix it.
Why am I getting a black screen on Instagram?
You’re getting a black screen on Instagram probably because of a bug on the app.
It could also mean that Instagram is down for everyone.
An Instagram update might introduce bugs and glitches to the app.
This includes the black screen bug where you won’t be able to see your feed or profile.
It’s ironic because some updates are meant to fix bugs, but they introduced more bugs to the app instead.
Back in 2020, the black screen happens because you enabled full keyboard access in your accessibility settings.
This affects iOS users because the full keyboard access functionality is only available on an iPhone.
Instagram later fixed it, but the bug may return to the app in the future.
In 2022, the black screen bug returned as many users complained about it on social media.
How to fix Instagram black screen
To fix the Instagram black screen, you need to either turn off full keyboard access or update Instagram.
You can also try uninstalling and reinstalling Instagram or waiting for 24 to 48 hours.
Apparently, if you turned on full keyboard access, it’ll cause a black screen on Instagram.
You can fix this by turning on full keyboard access in your accessibility settings.
This is a bug on the app that Instagram claims to have fixed.
You also need to check if you have the latest version of Instagram.
Some updates contain bug fixes and improvements.
By updating the app, the black screen issue can be fixed.
1. Turn off full keyboard access
- Go to your settings.
- Tap on “Accessibility”.
- Select “Keyboards”.
- Select “Full Keyboard Access”.
- Turn off “Full Keyboard Access”.
This method only works for iOS users as an Android device does not have the full keyboard access feature.
After you’ve turned off full keyboard access, you need to force close the Instagram app.
Then, open Instagram and see if the black screen issue is fixed.
A user by the name of “RussianUnicornVlada” on Reddit is the first person who discovered this fix.
Many Reddit users replied saying that turning off full keyboard access fixed the black screen issue.
Apparently, the full keyboard access feature caused the black screen on Instagram.
2. Update Instagram
Secondly, you can try updating Instagram to the latest version.
To do so, go to the App Store or Google Play Store and tap on “Update”.
Some updates contain bug fixes and performance improvements.
Hence, by updating the app, it can fix the black screen.
If you don’t see an update, you need to wait until there’s one.
3. Uninstall and reinstall Instagram
A recommended troubleshooting method in the Instagram Help Center is to uninstall and reinstall Instagram.
This is the most common method out of all the methods to fix certain bugs and glitches on the app.
When you uninstall Instagram, its cache will be cleared.
When you reinstall Instagram, it will be updated to the latest version.
Hence, uninstalling and reinstalling Instagram is typically better than just updating it.
4. Wait for 24 to 48 hours
The final method is to wait for 24 to 48 hours.
Most bugs and glitches on the app will be fixed after some time.
This includes action blocks, IP address blocks, and login issues.
If the error is caused by Instagram’s end, there is nothing that you can do to fix it.
If you already have the latest version of Instagram, you need to wait until a new update comes out.
The new update might be introduced to fix the black screen issue.
A user by the name of “CurioRayy” on Reddit claimed that the black screen issue was fixed after a few hours.
Here’s what they said, “Mine surprisingly fixed itself. I just came back to the account after a few hours and it finally showed me the verification box”.
Conclusion
Before you attempt to fix any error on Instagram, you need to check if the app is down.
You can do so by visiting DownDetector and looking at the number of reports on the graph.
If there’s a huge spike, it means that Instagram is probably down.
Another way to check if Instagram is down is to go to Twitter and search for “Instagram Down”.
You can also search for the issue that you’re facing and see if anyone tweeted about it recently.
If there are a lot of people tweeting about the issue, it means that you’re not the only one facing it.
Further reading
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