Instagram is down today: How to tell if it's a general outage or your connection

Instagram isn't working today... Is it just me or a general problem? This is a situation many users face every day. Here, we'll help you discover all the reasons why Instagram might not be working and, most importantly, what to do in each case.

It's important to know distinguish between a global failure and a failure of your mobile phone or account and what the most effective steps are to get back to using the app normally. If you want to know, keep reading.

Instagram not working? Determine if the issue is general or just yours.

Before you start restarting your phone or reinstalling the app like crazy, The first thing is to know if the problem is Instagram itself or only affects youIt wouldn't be the first time a massive outage has left millions of users around the world without access, and being well-informed can save you a lot of headaches. Here's how to do it step by step and what options are available to you.

 

Use Downdetector and similar sites

The fastest and most reliable way to know if Instagram is down is to consult external sources. Downdetector is the number one reference: just visit their website and search for Instagram. There you'll see, in real time, a graph with the peaks in issues reported by users over the last 24 hours and a map with the geographic distribution of the issues. If there's an uptick in reports, it's a good indication that the issue is widespread and not just a one-time issue with your phone.

On Downdetector, you can also read other users' comments, see which areas are most affected, or even leave your own feedback if you'd like to help.

Check Twitter (now X) and social networks

When Instagram crashes, The first thing most people do is complain on X (formerly Twitter)By searching for terms like "Instagram down," "Instagram not working," or "IG down," you'll instantly see if other people are affected. If related trending topics appear or you see a lot of recent complaints, it's almost certain the problem isn't just yours.

Furthermore, Meta often reports major crashes through its official channels on various social media platforms.They may take a few minutes to respond, but if the outage is massive, they'll usually acknowledge it. Their messages usually ask for patience, assure them they're working on a fix, and, in the case of major outages, apologize for the inconvenience.

Consult your friends and contacts

Sometimes the easiest thing is Ask your friends, family, or colleagues directly if they can use Instagram normally.A simple call, WhatsApp message (also Meta, be careful if that doesn't work either) or check any other network will be enough to determine if the outage is general or just affecting you. If no one else can access or upload content, the outage will be global, but if you're the only one experiencing problems, then you need to look for local causes.

Remember that there may be some connection between Meta services: a severe outage often also affects WhatsApp and Facebook, so if they all fail at the same time, the reason is no mystery.

Search on Google and tech forums

A quick Google search with terms like "Instagram is down today" will lead you to recent news, forums and technology websites where general outages are usually reported up-to-the-minute. There you'll find alerts, DownDetector screenshots, and the most up-to-date information on the service's status. So, if the outage is recent and not yet listed on Twitter or DownDetector, there will almost certainly be a notice on Google News or specialized technology media.

What to do if Instagram isn't working on your device only?

If after checking the above you see that Only you have problems and the rest of the world uses Instagram without problems., it's time to look for the cause in your phone, the app, your connection, or your own account. Don't worry, you're not alone, but follow these steps to get back to normal as soon as possible.

Check your internet connection

• Switch between WiFi and mobile dataPoor Wi-Fi coverage or slow Wi-Fi can prevent Instagram from loading. Disconnect from Wi-Fi and try mobile data, or vice versa. If you're having trouble with both options, suspect your router or carrier.
• Restart the router or modemIf you only use it at home and nothing loads properly, it could be a home internet problem. Power cycle your router and wait a few seconds.
• Check if other apps or websites are workingIf you also can't use WhatsApp, YouTube, or browse the internet, the problem is clearly your connection, not Instagram. If only Instagram is failing, then continue to the next step.
• Check airplane modeIt may go unnoticed, but if you have airplane mode enabled, no network services will work, including Instagram. Turn it on and off to refresh your signal.

Update Instagram and the operating system

• Check for pending updatesInstagram frequently releases new versions. If you have an older version, you may experience conflicts or errors. Go to the Google Play Store (on Android) or the App Store (on iOS) and check for pending updates. Install the latest version available.
• Update your mobile tooSometimes the issue is due to incompatibility between the version of Instagram and your operating system. Update Android or iOS from your phone's settings to resolve any potential conflicts.

Clear Instagram cache and data

Instagram stores temporary data in the cache and this, if corrupted, can cause problems.On Android, you can clear the app's cache and data by going to Settings > Apps > Instagram > Storage > Clear Cache and Clear Data. On iPhone, since this option doesn't exist, you'll need to uninstall the app and reinstall it from scratch.

Restart your phone and force stop the app.

• Turn your phone off and on: : Often, simply restarting the device fixes temporary memory or connection errors.
• On Android you can force stop Instagram from the app settings. This is equivalent to a small "reset" of the app and can resolve occasional crashes. Then, just reopen it.

Uninstall and reinstall Instagram

• If none of the above solutions work, uninstall Instagram and reinstall it.This forces you to download the latest version, removes remnants of corrupt files, and, in most cases, eliminates persistent problems.

Try another account or device

• Try logging into Instagram from another mobile phone, tablet, or computer, or with another user account.This way, you can rule out whether the problem is with your phone, your account, or something more general.
• If it works with another account, your profile may have been blocked, sanctioned, or hacked.
• If you can't do this with another device, you may be suspicious of the connection, your network, or a broader incompatibility issue.

Check the app settings and permissions

• Instagram requires certain permissions to function properly: camera access, storage, and internet connection.If you have denied any, errors may arise.
• Go to your phone's settings, find the Instagram app, and enable all the necessary permissions.
• Also, check that you haven't activated Restricted Mode or any option within Instagram that could block key features.

Disable VPN, proxies or security apps

• If you use VPNs, proxies or other security apps, Some setting may be causing incompatibilities or blocking the connection to Instagram.. Try temporarily disabling them and logging in again.
• Some VPNs are detected by Meta and may generate errors or limit access to the social network for certain countries or simulated locations.

Install an older version of Instagram

• On rare occasions, a specific update may bring serious bugsTo try to fix this, you can install a previous version (APK) of Instagram from repositories like APKMirror. However, you'll first need to uninstall the current app and look for a recent version older than the latest one, avoiding beta versions.
• Remember to disable automatic updates while using the older version until the issue is resolved globally.

Format the phone (last option)

If after trying all of the above, the error persists and only affects you, you can consider restoring your phone to factory settings.. Be careful, this process erases all data, so make sure to back up your data first.

Most common Instagram errors and how to fix them

Instagram can present various types of errors, both in daily use and in specific tasksHere we review the most common ones and how you can deal with each one.

Error 429: Too many requests

This message usually appears when accessing via browser or when Instagram detects automated or suspicious traffic. It could be due to the use of scripts, plugins, or unusual browsers.

• Solution: Wait several hours before trying again, clear your browser cache, and avoid repeat access in a short period of time.
• In some cases, you may need to limit how often other plugins or checkers access Instagram (for example, every 72 or 120 hours).
• Temporarily disable add-ons that “check” links or background activity.

Message “Sorry, there was a problem with your request”

• It usually means that Your IP address was blocked or there is a problem logging in..
• This could be due to incorrect data, network issues, an outdated app version, or a policy violation.
• Solution: Make sure you're connected securely, try connecting from a different network or device, and always use the latest version of the app.

“Wait a few minutes before trying again.”

• This error can come out by Connection problems, temporary account suspension, or server outages.
• Solution: Restart your phone and router, try clearing the cache, reinstalling the app, or logging in from another account/device. If the reason is a suspension for violating rules, you'll need to wait for the unlock to be released or contact support.

Login issues

• It tienes Difficulty accessing or you suspect that someone has accessed your account, check the Security > Login Activity section within the app to see authorized logins and devices.
• Change your password if you detect strange access and activate two-step verification for added security.

Biggest Instagram drops in recent years

Unfortunately, Instagram going down en masse is a relatively common occurrence. We're reviewing some of the most notable ones so you know what to expect. You are not the only one this has happened to...

• April 2024Major outage on Instagram, Facebook, and WhatsApp. Service down for over half an hour worldwide, with peak incidents between 19:00 PM and 21:00 PM.
• March 2024On March 5, all Meta services went down. Instagram, Facebook, and WhatsApp went down for a few hours, but access was quickly restored.
• May 2023On May 21, Instagram went completely down for several hours, making it impossible to log in and browse the feed.
• October 2022: One of the longest outages in history, with more than 8 hours without global service.
• December 2024: Another massive outage across all Meta platforms has been officially acknowledged by the company, which has asked for patience and worked quickly to restore service.