Would you like to know why? Instagram not working and what are the causes? Instagram direct messages are a great feature that allows you to interact with your Instagram contacts.
Not only your contacts, but You can send direct messages to people who aren't even on your friends list. This direct messaging feature allows users to communicate freely. However, it can be very frustrating when direct messages don't work or if you have trouble using the DM feature.
Some users are unable to receive or send direct messages on the social media platform, which can be due to various reasons. To help you out, we have put together a comprehensive guide containing the possible solution to various problems when Instagram is not working.
Why is Instagram not working and DMs not coming out?
There could be several reasons behind the DM not working error. Some of the possible causes are as follows:
- Your Internet connection may be unstable.
- Instagram servers may be down.
- There may be errors.
- You may be using an older version of Instagram.
- You won't be able to send a direct message if the other user has blocked you on Instagram.
So, these are some of the reasons why your DM may not be working.
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9 Ways to Fix Instagram DMs Not Working
We have listed all the possible solutions to solve this DM problem when Instagram is not working. You can follow all the methods and check what works for you:
Method 1: Check your internet connection if Instagram is not working
The first thing you need to check before anything else is your internet connection. To check your internet connection, you can use another application that requires internet or you can search for something on the web.
Sometimes you may have an internet connection on your device, but it may be slow or unstable. In this case, you will not be able to send or receive Instagram direct messages. Therefore, to fix DM when Instagram is not working, you can run a speed test with a third-party app to check if you are getting internet speed on your device. There are several speed test apps that you can find on Google Play Store (for Android) or App Store (for iOS).
Method 2: Update the App if Instagram is not working
Sometimes it happens, if you are using an older version of the Instagram app, you may experience problems when sending or receiving direct messages. In order to check for new updates for the app you should do the following:
For Android Devices
If you have an Android device, follow these steps to check for new updates:
- Step 1:: Opens Google Play Store on your device and click on the three horizontal lines or the drop-down icon in the top left corner of the screen.
- Step 2:: Click My applications and games.
- Step 3:: You must go to the tab «Updates«. Finally, check if you can see Instagram on the list and click on update to start installing new updates.
After successfully updating the app, you can open it and check if you can fix Instagram direct messages not working. However, if there are no new updates, you can try the following method.
On iOS
If you have a iPhone, you can follow these steps to check for new Instagram updates:
- Step 1:: You need to go to the App Store and tap the Updates tab on the bottom panel of the screen.
- Step 2:: The App Store will now automatically check for available updates for Instagram.
- Step 3:: Finally, it's time Update to start updating the application.
Method 3: Uninstall and reinstall Instagram
An issue with the app may be that your DM is not working properly. In this case, you can uninstall the app and then reinstall it on your device. Follow these steps to uninstall and reinstall the app and fix Instagram DM not working:
On Android
Follow these steps to uninstall and reinstall Instagram on your Android device:
- Step 1:: You must go to Google Play Store and search Instagram in the search bar.
- Step 2:: Opens application and click Uninstall.
- Step 3:: Finally, after uninstall, you can reinstall the app by clicking Install.
On iOS
Follow these steps to uninstall and reinstall the app on your iOS device:
- Step 1:: Seeks Instagram in the main app drawer.
- Step 2:: Long press the app and tap uninstall when you see the options appear.
- Step 3:: Finally, you must go to the App Store and reinstall Instagram on your device.
Method 4: You may have exceeded the limit of the number of direct messages
There is a limit to the number of DMs, and it is 100 DMs per day. So if you send DMs to more than 100 users per day. Instagram will automatically prevent you from sending more DMs. So, make sure the direct message limit is not exceeded.
Method 5: User can ban you from DM
If you try to send a message directly to a user, but you are unable to send it. In this case, it is possible that the other user has blocked you on Instagram., and when someone has blocked you on Instagram, you won't be able to contact the user. So, if you're trying to fix Instagram DMs not sending, you can try to contact the user and ask them to unblock you.
Method 6: Update your operating system if Instagram is not working
If you are still unable to fix Instagram DM not working on your device, Most likely it is due to the older version of the operating system you are using. Therefore, you should make sure that you are using the latest version of your operating system. Follow these steps to check for new updates:
- Step 1:: You must go to Configuration of your device.
- Step 2:: Click on the section About of the phone.
- Step 3:: Click Update
- Step 4:: Now click on Search for updates and your phone will automatically check for available updates.
Method 7: Clear cache and data if Instagram is not working
Sometimes the Temporary files from an app can take up memory and cause Instagram to not work properly. So, to fix DMs not working, you can clear the cache and data of the app.
On Android
Follow these steps to clear the cache and Instagram data on your Android device:
- Step 1:: Opens Configuration and go to the Applications section.
- Step 2:: Click Manage applications.
- Step 3:: Now locate Instagram and click on the list.
- Step 4:: Click Delete data at the bottom of the screen.
- Step 5:: Touch the option Clear cache.
- Step 6:: Finally, press Ok.
On iOS
Follow these steps to clear the cache on your iPhone:
- Step 1:: Opens Configuration and touches General configuration.
- Step 2:: Touch Storage of iPhone.
- Step 3:: Seeks Instagram and open it from the list of applications.
- Step 4:: Scroll down and tap the option Remove application.
- Step 5:: Finally, after deleting the app, reinstall it and it will automatically delete the Instagram cache.
Method 8: Try the web version if Instagram is not working
If your DM is not working on your device, you may consider using the web version of the app. Then, you can go to the web Instagram.com trust your Web navigator and log in with your username and password.
Method 9: Contact the support team if Instagram is not working
If none of the above methods worked to resolve the issue of Instagram direct messages not working, You can try to contact the support team on Instagram to report the issue. Follow these steps to report the issue to the Instagram support team:
- Step 1:: Open the Instagram applicationand Click on the icon your profile in the bottom corner of the screen.
- Step 2:: Click on the three horizontal lines or the drop-down icon in the top right corner of the screen.
- Step 3:: Then, you must go to Configuration.
- Step 4:: Click on the help section.
- Step 5:: Click Report a problem.
- Step 6:: Choose Report a problem again, when you see the pop-up on your screen.
- Step 7:: Finally, start by explaining the issue with the DM that you are facing on your account. Click on Send to send the report to the Instagram support team.
Common Causes When Instagram Is Not Working
In this section we will cover all possible Instagram glitches as much as possible so that you can use the service normally again.
Cause 1: Application does not start
First, let's look at the case when Instagram is not working and refuses to launch on your device. There are several reasons for this problem.
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Reason 1: Application (operating system) failure
The first thing you need to do is reboot your device. In most cases, this simple action is enough to get the program working. As a rule, to do this, you need to make a long press on the power key and then swipe the screen (in the case of iOS) or select the corresponding option in the shutdown menu (in the case of Android).
If that doesn't work, you need to reinstall Instagram. On different models, this process can be done differently, for example, on Apple iPhone, you will need to long press on the app icon and then click on the icon of the cross that appears and confirm the deletion.
Reason 2: outdated version of the app
If you have disabled automatic updates for installed applications, you should suspect an incompatibility between an older version of Instagram and the current version of your mobile operating system.
In this case, you will need to open your app store and go to "Updates". . If there is a post near Instagram "To update". Try installing an update or completely reinstalling Instagram as described above.
Reason 3: Outdated OS version
Instagram developers try to cover as many versions of OS as possible, but sooner or later older operating systems will no longer support them. If you are using an Android device that has an operating system version lower than the fourth, the program will probably not start for this reason.
The most correct solution is to search the Internet for an old version of Instagram that is still compatible with your device and then install it on your smartphone. Here you need to understand that if you are using the older version of Instagram, you will not get the new features..
If you're an iPhone user on version eight, you won't be able to get the new version of Instagram either. Fortunately, the App Store should offer you to download the latest version available for your device by default, so you'll need to uninstall the app from your device and download it again and agree to install a version other than the current latest one.
Reason 4: Software conflict (parameters)
In rarer cases, the program may not start due to software conflicts or settings on the smartphone. The most effective option in this case is to reset all settings (the content will remain in place).
Reset settings on iPhone
- Step 1:: On your smartphone, open Configuration and then go to The option "Basic".
- Step 2: In the lower area of the window, you will need to open a subsection "Restablecer".
- Step 3: Select the item. «Reset all settings» and then agree to continue the selected procedure.
Reset settings on Android
Unlike iOS, Android has several third-party skins that can completely change the look and feel of the system and name settings, so the instructions below are approximate.
- Step 1:: You must go to your smartphone settings and in the section “System and device”, select the item "Additional functions".
- Step 2:: Open the section "Restore and restart."
- Step 3:: At the bottom of the window that opens, select the section «Reset options».
- Step 4:: Make sure you have the item disabled in the “Clear device memory«,select the « buttonPersonal information«. and confirm the restart.
Cause 2: The application starts, but no information is loaded
After launching Instagram, the feed will automatically appear on the screen, which will load photos from the profiles you have subscribed to. As a rule, if the images refuse to load, you should immediately think about the poor quality of your Internet connection.
If possible, switch to another wireless network, then the information will be downloaded quickly and correctly. Also, The Internet can also malfunction due to a malfunctioning device, so sometimes to fix the problem you just need to restart your device if Instagram is not working.
Cause 3: Instagram is not working on startup with significant delays
If the app is running but is experiencing lag issues, you should suspect that there are several possible causes. Here are the most common ones:
Reason 1: Device congestion
If you have a lot of apps running on your device at the same time, it can cause Instagram to run slowly and incorrectly. First, you will need to clear your list of running applications.
- E.g.On an Apple iPhone device, you can do this by double-tapping the home button on the unlocked device, then dragging away unnecessary apps, leaving only Instagram, if possible.
You can also do something simpler by just restarting the device. Once started, if the problem was with the RAM, the app will run much faster.
Reason 2: Slow Internet Speed
You cannot use Instagram without having an Internet connection. Also, for the application to work comfortably, Network speed must be on par. Check your current network speed with the app SpeedtestIf the results show that your Internet speed is less than 1 Mbps, you should connect to another network source, which should be faster.
Sometimes, slow network speed can also be caused by malfunctioning of your smartphone. You can fix the problem by restarting your smartphone.
Reason 3: Application malfunction
If there is "problems» serious problems with the application, it is worth trying to reinstall it as described in the first version of this article. Also, sometimes developers can release failed updates that completely deprive you of the normal operation of the application.
In this case, the problems are usually «solve» quickly with a new update being released quickly.
Cause 4: Instagram is not working and does not allow access to your profile
Authorization is the process of logging into a service profile by providing credentials. If you are unable to log in to Instagram, you need to check one of the reasons for the malfunction.
Reason 1: Incorrect username/password
First, you need to verify that your credentials are correct several times. Remember that you may have changed your password recently?
If you still can't log in and the system keeps reporting that the password is incorrect, it's worth trying to recover it. However, if the system reports that you entered an incorrect user number, the problem could be much more serious:
- If your account received that specific user number, it could mean that your page was deleted, for example, as a result of piracyby thieves.
In this case, unfortunately, there is no way to restore the page, which means the only solution available is to create a new profile.
Reason 2: No internet connection
Naturally, when working with Instagram, you need to make sure that your device is connected to a stable and high-speed Internet. Understand whether your smartphone has Internet and also try to connect to another program, for example, a browser.
Cause 5: The current version of the application is incorrect
In rare cases, the Instagram connection problem may be due to the current version of the app. First try reinstalling it. I don't help. So either wait for an update, which usually comes pretty quickly, or if possible, roll back Instagram to an older, more stable version.
Overall, these are the main areas of the Instagram app not working and how to fix them. I hope our article helped you solve the problem.
Alternatives to Instagram
You also have other alternatives Apps similar to Instagram.
1. EyeEm: the European success
EyeEm It became popular the day it briefly surpassed Instagram in the ranking downloads on iOS. The app is now installed among the most talked about downloads.
This popularity is certainly explained by the search for a new Instagram since the controversy over the new rules of use, but also by very useful options. The main one is the creation of an album, to classify and share your photos by random themes.
2. Flickr: the comeback?
And yes, who would have thought? Flickr, the former king of photo networks, has once again become one of the (announced) targets.
The photography community had immediately and graciously taken to the new boss with the famous “Please make Flickr awesome again.” To which the Flickr team responded with the following: “Come and help us make Flickr better.”
The appeal seems to have paid off, as a few months ago the real mobile app dedicated to Flickr was launched, a very well done app by the way.
Will this app be enough to make Flickr great again? Not so sure. But it might just revive all the members who had abandoned the network.
But smartphone fans might want to avoid it because of its old side and, above all, be open to many other photo apps. In any case, many people would like to see flickr get back on track. It's a good first step in this direction.
3. Path
Path is not purely similar to Instagram. This network created by former students of Facebook It also offers the possibility of publishing texts, videos, links… All in a closed circle. In fact, its contact list is limited to 150 people. People who like to give “likes” will love this App.
4. Pheed: the NSFW
One of the trending networks (launched in October 2012) lately is called Pheed. What is its niche? Same as networks like Tumblr: uncensored, especially for naked bodies.
Many Instagram users who have faced postponements, due to images deemed too limited, have tried and even migrated to Pheed when the latter, first a web network, launched its app.
Another feature «interesting» by Pheed: the ability to monetize your stream, something that immediately attracted professionals… and individuals. Pheed recently closed access to its service, to improve it, officially, but it is expected to reopen soon.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Now, let's look at some questions that can help you understand a little more when Instagram is not working. Let's see what they are:
Why are your direct messages not working on Instagram?
Sometimes Instagram DMs may not work due to a bug in the app. The other reason may be that you have an unstable internet connection. Instagram servers may be down or you may be using an older version of the Instagram app and you may need to update it.
You may also be interested in reading about:How Do You Share Multiple Replies On Instagram?
How can you fix your DM when Instagram is not working?
To fix DM not working, The first thing you should check is whether or not you have a stable Internet connection. Try restarting the app, or you can also reinstall Instagram on your device to fix the DM not working error. You can easily follow the methods we have listed in our guide to fix Instagram DM not working.
Conclusion
We hope you found this guide useful and successfully solved the problem of: Instagram not working. We recommend that you follow the steps and procedures carefully.
My name is Javier Chirinos and I am passionate about technology. Ever since I can remember, I have been interested in computers and video games, and that passion has turned into a job.
I have been publishing about technology and gadgets on the Internet for over 15 years, especially in mundobytes.com
I am also an expert in online marketing and communication and have knowledge in WordPress development.