With more than 2 million subscribers, Instagram is one of the most popular social media apps. However, using it can be frustrating if Instagram keeps crashing. If Instagram keeps crashing, it might be happening because of a few reasons:
- Problems with the software
- Problems with Instagram’s servers
- Your Instagram app is old
- Too much stored data (cache issues)
- Your phone or its software isn’t compatible
- It’s clashing with other apps
Before you try to fix it, check a website like Downdetector to see if there are problems with Instagram’s servers. If there are, you might just need to wait until Instagram fixes the issue.
This article will tell you ways to stop Instagram from crashing on your smartphone and will try answer your question of why is my instagram not working.
Methods To Fix Instagram Crashing Issue On Android And iOS
We have curated a list of methods one can use to fix the crashing issues on the Instagram app on their respective Android and iOS-based smartphones-
1. Updating Instagram App
An outdated Instagram app can crash due to bugs or compatibility issues. Update Instagram to the latest version from the Google Play Store on Android or the App Store on iPhone.
Regular updates can fix bugs, improve stability, and add new features, helping the app run more smoothly.
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2. Restarting Your Phone
Another way to address the Instagram crashing issue is by simply restarting your smartphone. Restarting your smartphone clear out specific errors and glitches. If you still face the app crashing issue, then we have stated how to fix Instagram crashing through different ways in the article.
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3. Check your phone’s available Storage
If you have low Storage on your smartphone, then that can also lead to Instagram crashing. You need to ensure that your smartphone has 10-20% of free Storage to ensure that Instagram doesn’t crash regularly.
Check Storage on Android
- Navigate to Settings on your Android phone.
- Go to the Storage option.
- Here, you’ll notice the storage that is remaining on your smartphone.
You’ll also witness what amount of Storage is taken by other apps on your phone.
Check Storage on iOS
- Navigate Settings on your iPhone.
- Click on General > iPhone Storage.
- Check the Storage that is available to you
If you do not have ample free space in your smartphone, we would suggest you delete specific files or apps and post deletion check if your Instagram is crashing or not.
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4. Check Instagram’s Cache And Clear It
If you have just updated your Instagram app, then it is feasible to cleat the cache present in the app. This is an excellent method to stop Instagram from crashing.
Clean cache on Android
- Press on the Instagram logo for a few seconds.
- Select the App Info.
- Now navigate to Storage and click on Clear Cache.
- Another way to go to the App Info is Settings> Apps> Instagram.
After clearing the cache, check if your Instagram is working fine or not.
Clean cache on iOS
For iOS users, there is no option to clean the cache of their apps. The only option for iOS users would be to delete the app and reinstall it from App Store as such deletion will clear the cache, and reinstallation would clear the cache space.
- Press on the Instagram logo for a few seconds.
- Select Remove App.
- Select Delete App.
- Go to the App Store and reinstall Instagram.
Now login into your Instagram account to see if the app is working properly and the Instagram app is fixed and not crashing anymore.
5. Leave Beta Version Of Instagram
If you have enabled the Beta Version on Instagram, you are more prone to crash because these Beta Versions are not stable. We recommend you leave the Beta program and resort back to the standard version of Instagram.
Leaving the Beta version on the Android
- Open Play Store and search for the Instagram page.
- Scroll down to You’re a beta tester window.
- Click on Leave and wait till you get notified.
- Now uninstall Instagram and reinstall the standard version of Instagram.
Leaving Beta version on iOS
For iOS users, the option to enrol in the Beta version of Instagram is different as you need Apple’s Test Flight app on your iPhone. If you have the Beta version and want to opt for the standard version of Instagram, then remove the Beta version from the Test Flight app on your iPhone.
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6. Uninstall Instagram And Reinstall It
Another way to solve the Instagram crashing issue is by uninstalling the app and reinstalling it. There are chances that this way will work as all the errors are cleared, and you are less likely to face the Instagram app crashing issue.
- Press on the Instagram app icon for a few seconds.
- Select Uninstall(Android) or Remove App(iOS)..
- Reinstall Instagram from Google Play Store or App Store.
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7. Update Your Phone’s Software
When you update your smartphone to the latest version helps with any bugs or errors in the current Instagram update of the app.
Updating Android Smartphone
- Open Settings on your phone.
- Scroll down and click on Software Update.
- Select Software Update (steps may differ across Android devices).
- Check if any updates are available and if there are just downloads.
Updating iOS
- Navigate to Settings on your iPhone.
- Go to General > Software Update.
- Check for updates and install if there are updates available.
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8. Check If Instagram’s servers are down
You scroll through the search engine, go through Twitter’s trending section or news websites to see if Instagram is down or not. If you get the news of it being down, then wait for some time to let the servers restore. Such servers are down because of technical problems in the app.
Downdetector website is another way to check for this issue.
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9. Other Apps may be causing Instagram to crash
It happens that there might be other apps that may be disrupting your Instagram app and leading it to crash. A bug from Android’s software may crash your Instagram app.
10. Does Instagram Crash When You Upload A Post Or Story?
The reason for Instagram crashing while uploading any content can be that the image or video that you are trying to upload is not compatible with the app’s needs.
In case the format of your image is not JPEG or PNG, then you are likely to face the Instagram app crashing. In case of videos being uploaded, then you can always take down the overall resolution of the video to a tad bit lower quality. For example, if Instagram crashes when you try to upload a video with Ultra HD resolution 4K 120 FPS quality, reconvert it to Full HD resolution 1080p 60 FPS quality and then try again.
For iOS users, there is the option to change the quality of content from High Efficiency to High Compatibility in Camera settings.
11. Force Stop and Restart Your Instagram App
Many times, the Instagram app runs into small bugs or freezes in the background. It could be the reason why Instagram crashes. So, you can force-stop the app and completely shut it down. It will clear the glitches. Besides, when you restart the app, it gives you a fresh start. This method is quite effective and helps fix the Instagram app crashing issue without restarting your whole device.
If you’re using an Android device, you can force stop the Instagram app by following the steps below.
- Open Settings -> App Info
- Find and select Instagram
- Click on Force Stop
- Close the Instagram app and open it again.
If you’re an iOS user, here are a few steps that you need to follow.
- Open the App Switcher. For that, you need to swipe up from the screen’s bottom or double-click the Home button.
- Search Instagram
- Swipe up on the Instagram app.
- Go back to your home screen and open the Instagram app again.
12. Make Use of Instagram Web
Are you experiencing frequent crashes on the Instagram app? Try accessing the Instagram app through the web browser on your device. Instagram’s web version offers a simplified experience, which is more stable and less likely to crash compared to the app.
13. Don’t Overload the App
We understand you like to post content on Instagram, but that does not mean you will post excessive content, upload large files, or use the app’s resource-intensive features such as live streaming or heavy filters. If you do so, it can strain the Instagram app and potentially cause it to crash. Therefore, we suggest you use Instagram in moderation and avoid overloading it with excessive activity.
14. Enable Airplane Mode
There are times when you have a poor or unstable Internet connection. In such a case, enable Aeroplane mode and after a few seconds, turn it off. Doing this helps you refresh your network connection. It can resolve connectivity issues which may cause Instagram to crash.
15. Use Instagram Lite
Why don’t you try Instagram Lite? It is the lightweight version of the app, which is designed for slower internet connections and limited resources. This version consumes less memory and data, which makes it less prone to crash. So, consider using Instagram Lite if you experience frequent crashes on your regular Instagram app.
16. Log Out and Log In Again
In most cases, signing in and out, then signing in again, in your Instagram app, helps fix this kind of Instagram app crashing issue. Therefore, log out of your Instagram account and then log in again. However, before you log out of the app, ensure you remember all your login details or note them down. After that, if you keep experiencing the Instagram crashing issue, simply try the next solution.
17. Instagram Crashing on Reels or DMs
Instagram doesn’t crash randomly. If you notice it crashes only at specific moments, like while watching reels or opening your DMs, here is how you can fix it.
Generally, Reels uses a lot of RAM and internet data, but if your phone has less than 3GB of RAM or your internet is slow, Reels will crash or freeze. Switch to Wi-Fi and close background apps before opening Reels.
DMs crashing usually happens when your DM inbox has too many media files. Instagram struggles to load them all at once. Compressing files and videos can solve this issue. Also, if you free up the storage, then it can solve this issue.
18. Fix App Permissions
It is one of the most overlooked reasons Instagram crashes. If Instagram doesn’t have the right permission on your phone, it will crash, especially when you try to use the camera, mic, or access your photos.
On Android – Settings -> Apps -> Instagram -> Permissons -> Allow Camera Microphone, Storage, and Location
On iPhone – Settings -> Instagram -> Turn on Camera, Microphone, and Photos
Once you allow all permissions, restart Instagram and try again.
19. VPN Causing Instagram to Crash
Many people forget that they have a VPN running in the background. VPN can interfere with Instagram’s connection and cause it to crash or freeze, especially while loading Reels or Stories. To fix it, turn off your VPN, then open Instagram. It works fine without the VPN, but the VPN is the culprit. Try ry switching to a different VPN or turning it off while using Instagram.
20. Contact Instagram Support
If none of the above method work, then you should contact Instagram support. They may help you find out the real reason why your Instagram keeps crashing and how you can fix it.
Other Troubleshooting Steps To Handle Instagram Crashing
If you’ve tried the steps mentioned before and Instagram still crashes, here are a few more things you can try:
- Check if your phone has enough storage space. If it’s full, try deleting some things you don’t need.
- Try using a different Wi-Fi network or switch to your mobile data to see if that helps.
- If nothing works, you can ask for help by contacting Instagram support.
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Concluding Remarks
In a nutshell, if Instagram keeps crashing on your Android or iPhone, don’t worry. It is a common issue which you can easily solve. You can restart your device, clear the cache, update your app and system, etc., to make your Instagram run smoothly again.
Instagram crashing abruptly for no reason can be an irritating experience. We hope one of these methods help you clear the Instagram crashing issue on your smartphone. Moreover, you also got a satisfying answer of why is my Instagram not working.
FAQs
How to fix Instagram keeps crashing?
Try clearing the Instagram cache, updating the app, and freeing up some phone storage. Restarting your phone may also help.
Why does the Instagram app keep crashing?
Instagram may crash due to an outdated app, old phone software, low storage, or temporary bugs.
Why does Instagram keep crashing in 2026?
Update Instagram to the latest version. New updates often fix bugs and improve app stability.
Why is my Instagram not working?
Check your internet connection, free up phone storage, and restart or update the Instagram app.
How to fix the Instagram glitch today?
Try restarting Instagram, checking your internet, updating the app, or clearing its cache. If the issue continues, contact Instagram support.
Can low internet speed cause Instagram to crash?
Yes, a weak or unstable internet connection can cause Instagram to freeze, lag, or crash.
Is my outdated phone causing Instagram to crash?
Yes, older phones or outdated Android and iOS versions may struggle to run the latest Instagram app smoothly.
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