Is Instagram not working for you and you want to fix it?
Instagram has been in the market for more than a decade now.
Since then, they have been updating the application.
However, you might come across or get some bugs, glitches, or error messages on the app.
They do not reply to their emails that is why you cannot reach Instagram’s support.
That is why the best bet is to try to solve the issue by yourself.
To get started, you can visit the Instagram Help Center to get answers to your questions.
In this post, I will tell you why is Instagram not working and how to fix common error messages including the action block.
Why is Instagram not working
Instagram is not working because you are action blocked or it’s down.
You will receive the majority of error messages on the Instagram app instead of the website.
The action blocks are, “Try again later”, “Couldn’t refresh feed”, and so on.
These error messages will usually be removed after some time automatically.
At times, it can take more than 48 hours for them to vanish.
Therefore, it is highly recommended that you have to be patient and abstain from using Instagram during that period.
Throughout the year, Instagram has been down multiple times.
If you face any errors on the Instagram app, the first step is to ensure if it is down.
How to fix Instagram not working
To fix Instagram not working, you have to wait for 24-48 hours or set your date and time automatically.
But before you do that, you should check whether Instagram is down.
It can be done by going to the website of DownDetector.com and go to “Instagram”.
After opening the website, the next step is to check for a huge spike.
If you come across a huge spike, Instagram is most likely down and you need to wait for it to be online again.
In addition, the status of Instagram can also be checked by following Instagram on Twitter.
If the outrage is globally, Instagram will tweet about it on Twitter.
The last way you can use is to switch from Wi-Fi to mobile data.
This option is helpful if your IP address is blocked by Instagram temporarily.
By changing your network from Wi-Fi to mobile and vice-versa, your IP address will be changed and the ban will be lifted and the error message will be gone.
Here are 4 ways to fix Instagram not working.
Method 1. Check if Instagram is down
Before you start doing anything, you should check if Instagram is down.
It is the most common reason why Instagram is not working so you need to ensure that it is not down.
When Instagram is down, you can also get “Couldn’t refresh feed” error.
In this case, you will not be able to refresh your feed even if you have a working internet connection.
To check if Instagram is down, the ideal way is to go downdetector.com and check it.
After opening the URL, search for “Instagram” and visit it.
Now, the next task is to check if there’s a spike on the graph.
If the graph displays a huge spike on it, it means that plenty of users are facing error on the platform.
In short, there is a great chance that Instagram is down.
To confirm this, use Twitter and search for the term “Instagram down” on Twitter and check the latest tweets.
If the Twitter has a lot of recent tweets on “Instagram down”, Instagram is most likely down.
Additionally, the official Twitter account of Instagram can also be checked to get updates.
The tweet will be published about it there if Instagram is down worldwide.
Instagram may take a few hours to fix the issue from their end.
Method 2. Wait for 24 to 48 hours
The second way is to be patient and wait for 24 to 48 hours.
Do not post, like or comment on the IG app during this period.
If you are facing an action block, it is an ideal choice.
The action blocks can be of several types.
The action blocks are “Try again later”, “Couldn’t refresh feed”, “Couldn’t create thread” and so on.
If there is an error message, it indicates that you are blocked due to repeated action.
For instance, if you’re unfollowing too many users very fast, you’ll be action blocked.
Instagram is doing it to stop spammers and bots on the platform.
If you are blocked from the app, you need to wait for 24 to 48 hours.
After 24-48 hours, the error message will be automatically lifted.
In some cases, it may not take more than an hour.
Method 3. Set your date and time automatically
If your date and time are incorrect, it will result in a lot of issues on the Instagram app.
The reason of this is that your date and time will not be synced.
The most common error that you’ll get with an incorrect date and time is that Instagram stories won’t load or show up.
It can be fixed by settings your date and time automatically.
Here’s a step by step guide on how to do this on an iPhone/iOS device:
- Firstly, go to the Settings app.
- Tap on “General”.
- Tap on “Date & Time”.
- Now, enable “Set Automatically”.
After enabling “Set Automatically”, your date and time will be set automatically.
Now, the next step is to force close the Instagram app.
If you’re on a new iPhone, swipe up from the bottom of the screen and swipe up the card of Instagram to close it.
In the end, re-open Instagram and the problem that you’re facing (for instance. Instagram stories not loading) should be fixed.
Method 4. Move from Wi-Fi to mobile data (and vice-versa)
The last solution that you can use is to switch from Wi-Fi to mobile data and vice-versa.
This solution will also solve the error messages including the “challenge_required” error and the “Feedback Required” error.
By moving from Wi-Fi to mobile data and vice-versa, it will change your IP address.
Therefore, if Instagram imposed a temporary block on your IP address, it will be removed.
Switching from mobile data to Wi-Fi and vice-versa can also solve other error messages that you might get on Instagram.
Here are the steps on 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 on or off Wi-Fi.
If you’re using mobile data, you need to turn on the “Wi-Fi” icon and use a Wi-Fi network near you.
Alternatively, if you’re already connected to a Wi-Fi network, you need to switch to mobile data by turning off the “Wi-Fi”.
After doing so, force-close the Instagram app, re-open it and see the error message should be fixed.
Final Words
You can have patience and wait for the error messages on Instagram to be lifted on their own.
Most error messages will be automatically gone within 48 hours.
In some cases, you may have to wait for an additional hour or less.
Similarly, if Instagram is down, the best solution is to wait for the team of Instagram to fix the issue from their end.
Unfortunately, it’s very difficult for users to get in touch with Instagram support center.
The only method you can use is to purchase an ad on Facebook and contact Facebook business support.
A contact button will be shown on the page a few days after purchasing an ad.
If your Instagram account is disabled, submitting this form will help you to restore it: https://help.instagram.com/contact/437908793443074.
After submitting the form, you need to wait to get Instagram’s response.
Instagram will require a selfie of yourself holding a handwritten code and you need to send it to verify your identity.
If successful, your Instagram account will be recovered and you can start using it after logging in to it.
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Arsalan Rauf is an entrepreneur, freelancer, creative writer, and also a fountainhead of Green Hat Expert. Additionally, he is also an eminent researcher of Blogging, SEO, Internet Marketing, Social Media, premium accounts, codes, links, tips and tricks, etc.