To tell whether Instagram is down or the problem is on your end, check its status from somewhere other than your phone, then try a different network and device. If Instagram fails everywhere and other people are reporting the same issue, it is an outage and you just have to wait. If it works elsewhere, the problem is your app, device, network or account.
Key points
- Start with an outside check: our Is Instagram down? tool tests whether Instagram responds from our server.
- Switch between Wi-Fi and mobile data, and try instagram.com in a browser.
- If only your app fails: close it, update it, restart the phone, and reinstall if needed.
- If only some features fail (posting, reach, DMs), check Account Status for restrictions.
- Report persistent bugs in the app with Report a problem.
How do I check if Instagram is down right now?
Use a check that doesn’t depend on your own device or connection.
- Open our Instagram status checker. It sends a test request to Instagram from our server and shows the response and response time.
- Look for a wave of user reports at the same time. The tool links to a public report tracker.
- Check your Instagram Activity feed. Instagram has said it tests notifications there when there is a widespread outage, though not for every incident.
If the server check fails and reports are spiking, it is very likely an outage. Nothing you change on your phone will fix it.
How can I tell an outage from a problem with my phone?
| What you see | Most likely cause | What to try |
|---|---|---|
| Instagram fails on every device and network, and others report it too | Platform outage | Wait. Check again in 15 to 30 minutes |
| Works on Wi-Fi but not mobile data (or the other way round) | Network or carrier | Restart the router, toggle airplane mode, check mobile data permissions |
| Works in a browser but the app crashes or won’t load | App problem | Force close, update, restart, reinstall |
| Works for friends on the same network, not for you | Your account or device | Log out and in, check Account Status, update iOS or Android |
| Only reach, posting or DMs are limited | Account restriction | Open Account Status in settings |
What should I do if Instagram isn’t down but won’t work for me?
On iPhone
- Force close the app and reopen it.
- Restart the iPhone.
- Open the App Store, tap your profile icon and install any Instagram update. Also update iOS if one is available.
- Delete and reinstall Instagram. Apple notes you may lose data stored only in the app, though your posts stay on your account.
These steps follow Apple’s guidance for apps that stop responding. For crash-specific fixes, see Instagram crashing on iPhone.
On Android
- Force stop Instagram in Settings > Apps > Instagram.
- Clear the app cache from the same screen (Storage & cache).
- Update Instagram from Google Play and restart the phone.
- Reinstall if the problem continues.
On desktop
- Reload instagram.com with a hard refresh.
- Try a private window to rule out extensions and cached data.
- Try another browser.
Why do only some Instagram features fail?
Partial problems are common. Feeds may load while posting, Stories or DMs fail. That can still be a partial outage, so run the status check again. If it is only your account, Instagram may have restricted certain features. Its Account Status tool shows feature restrictions and recommendation limits, and lets you request a review. Reach drops on their own are covered in our Instagram shadowban guide.
How do I report a problem to Instagram?
Instagram’s help center describes two ways to report a technical problem in the app:
- Shake your phone while using Instagram and choose Report a problem (if shake-to-report is turned on).
- Go to your profile, open the menu, select Help and then Report a problem.
Include what you were doing, what happened, and a screenshot. During a real outage, reports won’t speed up the fix, so save them for problems that persist after Instagram is back for everyone else.
Do outages affect my followers or engagement?
An outage can temporarily reduce views and interactions simply because people can’t use the app. Instagram said when it introduced outage notifications that people often assume a drop is about their own content when it was a platform issue. Compare the timing with the outage before changing your strategy. If your follower count looks wrong during an outage, check again later, because counts may not update until service is back. Our follower count tool shows the public count once Instagram responds.
Outages pass. If engagement stays low afterwards, our Instagram likes packages can get posts moving again.
Sources
- Instagram: Outages and Account Status announcement
- Instagram Help: Report a technical problem
- Instagram Help: Account Status
- Apple Support: If an app stops responding
FAQ
How do I know if Instagram is down for everyone?
Check from outside your own device. Our status checker tests Instagram from our server, and a spike in public user reports at the same time points to an outage.
Why is Instagram not working on my phone but working for others?
It is usually the app, the phone or the network. Switch networks, force close and update the app, restart the phone, and reinstall if needed.
Does Instagram tell you when it is down?
Sometimes. Instagram has said it tests outage notifications in the Activity feed for widespread incidents, but it doesn’t send one for every outage.
Can my account be the problem rather than an outage?
Yes. If only some features fail for your account, check Account Status for restrictions. You can request a review there.
How do I report an Instagram bug?
Shake your phone in the app and choose Report a problem, or go to your profile menu, then Help, then Report a problem.