Is Instagram not working for you?
Instagram has been around for more than 10 years.
Since then, the app has gone through multiple updates.
However, you might still encounter some bugs, glitches, or error messages.
Instagram’s support is unreachable because they don’t reply to their emails.
As a result, you need to try to solve the issue yourself.
To begin with, you can visit the Instagram Help Center to find answers to your questions.
In this guide, you’ll learn why is Instagram not working and how to fix common error messages such as the action block.
Why is Instagram not working
Instagram is not working either because it’s down or you’re action blocked.
The majority of error messages will occur on the Instagram app instead of the website.
The action blocks include, “Try again later”, “Couldn’t refresh feed”, and more.
These error messages will usually be automatically lifted after some time.
Sometimes, it can take more than 48 hours for them to be lifted.
Hence, its highly recommended that you remain patient and stop using Instagram during that period.
Instagram has been down multiple times throughout the years.
If you encounter any errors on the Instagram app, you need to check if its down first.
How to fix Instagram not working
To fix Instagram not working, you need to either wait for 24 to 48 hours or set your date and time automatically.
But before that, you need to check if Instagram is down.
You can do this by visiting the Down Detector website and navigating to “Instagram”.
Once you’re on the website, you need to check for a huge spike.
If there is a huge spike, Instagram is most likely down and you need to wait for it to be back up.
You can monitor Instagram’s status by following Instagram on Twitter.
If there is a worldwide outrage, Instagram will tweet it on Twitter.
The final method you can try is to switch from Wi-Fi to mobile data.
This method is useful if your IP address is temporarily blocked by Instagram.
By switching from Wi-Fi to mobile data and vice-versa, your IP address will be changed and the error message that you’re experiencing may be lifted.
Here are 4 methods to fix Instagram not working.
1. Check if Instagram is down
Before you do anything, you need to check if Instagram is down.
The most common reason why Instagram is not working is that Instagram is down.
When Instagram is down, you may receive error messages like the “Couldn’t refresh feed” error.
If that’s the case, you won’t be able to refresh your feed even if your internet connection is fine.
To check if Instagram is down, you need to go to the Down Detector website.
Once you’re there, search for “Instagram” and visit it.
Now, you need to check if there’s a spike on the graph.
A huge spike on the graph indicates that a lot of users are experiencing an error on the app.
In other words, Instagram is most likely down.
To confirm this, you can search for “Instagram down” on Twitter and check the latest tweets.
If there are a ton of recent “Instagram down” tweets, Instagram is most likely down.
You can also check Instagram’s official Twitter account for updates.
If Instagram is down worldwide, they will usually tweet about it.
It can take a few hours for Instagram to resolve the issue on their end.
2. Wait for 24 to 48 hours
The second method is to wait for 24 to 48 hours.
During that period, you shouldn’t be posting, liking, or commenting on the Instagram app.
This method is suitable if you’re experiencing an action block.
There are many types of action blocks.
This includes “Try again later”, “Couldn’t refresh feed”, “Couldn’t create thread” and more.
If you’re getting an error message, it means that you’re most likely action blocked from carrying out an action too many times.
For example, if you’re unfollowing too many users at one go, you’ll be action blocked.
This is done to mitigate bots and spammers on the app.
If you happened to be action blocked, you need to wait for 24 to 48 hours.
After 24 to 48 hours, the error message will be automatically lifted.
In some cases, it’ll only take an hour or less.
3. Set your date and time automatically
An incorrect date and time will cause a lot of problems on the Instagram app.
This is because your date and time will not be synced.
The most common problem that you’ll face with an incorrect date and time is that Instagram stories won’t load or show up.
You can fix this by settings your date and time automatically.
Here’s how to do this on an iPhone/iOS device:
- Open the Settings app.
- Tap on “General”.
- Tap on “Date & Time”.
- Enable “Set Automatically”.
After you’ve enabled “Set Automatically”, your date and time will be set automatically.
Now, you need to force close the Instagram app.
If you’re using a new iPhone, swipe up from the bottom of the screen and swipe up Instagram’s card to close it.
Lastly, re-open Instagram and the problem that you’re experiencing (e.g. Instagram stories not loading) will be fixed.
4. Switch from Wi-Fi to mobile data (and vice-versa)
The final method that you can try is to switch from Wi-Fi to mobile data and vice-versa.
This method will fix error messages like the “challenge_required” error and the “Feedback Required” error.
By switching from Wi-Fi to mobile data and vice-versa, your IP address will be changed.
Hence, if Instagram imposed a temporary block to your IP address, the block will be lifted.
Switching from Wi-Fi to mobile data and vice-versa can also fix other error messages that you might face on Instagram.
Here’s how to do so on an iPhone/iOS device:
- Swipe down from the right corner of your screen.
- Tap on the “Wi-Fi” icon to turn off or on Wi-Fi.
If you’re connected to mobile data, you need to turn on the “Wi-Fi” icon and connect to a Wi-Fi network near you.
On the other hand, if you’re already connected to a Wi-Fi network, you need to turn off the “Wi-Fi” icon and connect to mobile data instead.
After that, force-close the Instagram app, re-open it and check if the error message is fixed.
Conclusion
Error messages on Instagram can usually be fixed by waiting it out.
Most error messages will be automatically lifted in 24 to 48 hours.
In some cases, you just need to wait for an hour or less.
Similarly, if Instagram is down, you need to wait for Instagram to fix the issue on their end.
Unfortunately, it’s very hard to get in touch with Instagram’s support.
The only way to do so is to purchase an ad on Facebook and contact Facebook business support.
A contact button will appear on the page a few days after you’ve purchased an ad.
If your Instagram account is disabled, you need to submit this form to recover it: https://help.instagram.com/contact/437908793443074.
After you’ve submitted the form, you need to wait for Instagram’s response.
Instagram will ask you to send a selfie of yourself holding a handwritten code to verify your identity.
If successful, your Instagram account will be recovered and you’ll be able to log in to it.
Further reading
How to React to Instagram Messages With Emojis
