Instagram is one of the most downloaded apps worldwide.Â
With 2.2 Billion monthly active users, most communications happen via Instagram DMs (Direct Messages).
Instagram DMs are one of the most popular ways of social communication today.Â
But just like any other internet thing, Instagram DMs sometimes face severe glitches.
If youâre also facing this issue, youâre in the right place.
In this post, weâll figure out why Instagram DMs not working and how you can fix this issue.
So, without wasting any further time, letâs dive right in.
Why Are Instagram DMs Not Working?
There might be many reasons why Instagram DMs not working for you.Â
The most common one is a server outage.
Instagram has a huge number of active users, and the servers are not generally immune to downtime. While itâs not that common, sometimes servers face downtime for maintenance, upgrades, or technical issues.Â
In such a case, your Instagram app might show many inconsistencies. Instagram DMs not working can be due to a server outage.
Then there are some other reasons as well.Â
A sloppy internet connection or network outage can also cause this issue.
And if youâre using an outdated version of the app, this can also cause your Instagram DMs to not work properly.
Why Does Instagram DMs Not Working Issue Often Occur?
Instagram DMs not working is not a common issue.Â
It happens rarely.Â
As mentioned above, most cases are due to a server outage. However, if your internet connection is unstable, you can face issues in exchanging messages over Instagram.
These are the two most common reasons why this issue often occurs.
9 Ways to Fix Instagram Direct Messages Not Working Issue
While there is not a lot you can do if the Instagram servers are down, here are a few things to try to fix the issue:
1. Check Your Internet Connection
First and foremost, you have to check your Internet connection. In most cases, Instagram DMs donât work properly because the internet connection is faulty.
Well, first things first, you need to run a Speed Test on your phone.
If you are getting good speed and a stable connection on your speed test, you can be assured that itâs not an internet connection issue.Â
You can also try using other apps that require the internet, like YouTube or Telegram.Â
If those apps are also working fine, there is nothing wrong with your internet connection. You can now move to the next solution.
2. Check If The Instagram Servers Are Down
The most common reason for Instagram DMs not working is server outages.Â
It can be due to overload, maintenance, upgrade, or technical faults. Whatever the reason might be, if the servers are down, Instagram DMs wonât work.
You can follow Instagram on Twitter to get any server outage updates.
Alternatively, you can also head over to Is It Down Right Now? to find out if Instagram is going through downtime.
If Instagram is facing downtime, you canât do anything about it. Just wait for some time as Instagram quickly resolves this issue. Then you will be good to go.
3. Close And Restart The App
Sometimes the app might be sitting in the memory for a while. If it remains unused for a long time, some glitches can occur.Â
So you can just close the app and restart it. The method works pretty much the same for both Android and iOS.
- Press the home button or swipe up to close the app.
- Then Swipe up and hold to open all recent apps.
- Swipe up and erase Instagram from recent apps.
- Open the Instagram app again and see if it is working or not.
4. Logout And Sign In Again
You can also try logging out of the current Instagram session and then signing back in.Â
Some users say that doing so resolves the âInstagram DMs not workingâ issue for them.
Step 1. Open the Instagram app.
Step 2. Go to your profile by tapping on the bottom-right corner.
Step 3. Tap on the hamburger icon in the top-right corner.
Step 4. Now tap on Settings.
Step 5. Scroll down and tap on Log Out.
Step 6. And then sign back in with the same credentials.
5. Clear Instagram Cache
You can also try clearing the app cache if you are on an Android device.Â
Here is how to do it:
Step 1. Go to Settings.
Step 2. Scroll down and tap on Apps.
Step 3. From the list, select Instagram.
Step 4. Tap on Storage.
Step 5. From here, tap on Clear Cache.
Step 6. Repeat the above step for Clear data.
Now you can open the Instagram app again and see if the DMs are working.Â
6. Update The Instagram App
Using an outdated version of the Instagram app can also cause this issue. Make sure to keep your Instagram apps updated to avoid such glitches. Hereâs how you can update the Instagram app:
On Android
- Open the Google Play Store.
- Search for Instagram and tap on it.
- Now tap on the Update button.
On iOS
- Open the App Store.
- Search for the Instagram app and tap on it.
- Now tap on the Update button.
7. Uninstall And Reinstall The App Again
If the above-mentioned methods donât work for you, you can also try reinstalling Instagram on your phone. For that, first, you have to uninstall it.Â
Here is how to do it on an Android phone:
- Tap and hold the Instagram icon on your smartphone.
- Now tap on Uninstall.
If there is some warning, press OK and proceed with the uninstallation process.
After that, you can download Instagram from the Google Play Store again.
The method is pretty much the same for iOS users:
- Tap and hold the Instagram icon on the home screen.
- Now tap on Remove App.
- From the list of options, tap on Delete App.
Once you delete the app, you can download Instagram from the App Store again.
8. Try Instagramâs Web Version
If you cannot use Instagram DMs on the app, you can try using the web version. It is not as seamless as the mobile app, but it works completely fine.
To use the Instagram web version, follow the steps:
- Open a web browser on your device.Â
- Go to Instagram.com.Â
- Sign in with your credentials.Â
Now you can use the web version and see you can exchange texts with other users.Â
9. Contact Instagram Support
If nothing is working for you, Instagram support is your last hope.Â
To contact Instagram support, follow the instructions below:
- Open the Instagram app.
- Go to your profile by tapping on the bottom-right corner.
- Tap on the hamburger icon in the top-right corner.
- Now tap on Settings.
- From here, tap on Help.
- Tap on Report a Problem.
- You will see an option to provide logs and diagnostics; tap on Include and Continue.
- Now type your issue and attach a relevant screenshot.
- And finally, tap on Send.
Instagram is pretty good at handling reports and issues. So you should get a resolution pretty soon.
Why Are My Instagram Direct Messages Not Showing Up on My iPhone?
If you are on an iPhone and unable to see Instagram DMs, it can be due to several reasons.Â
If you do not see DMs from a particular user, chances are they have blocked you.
On the other hand, if you cannot see any messages on your profile, there might be a bug or glitch within the app, and you should report the problem to Instagram.
Then there are some other reasons, like server outages, network outages, internet connection issues, or outdated apps that might trigger the issue.
Conclusion
We hope now you clearly know why Instagram DMs not working properly on your devices.
It mostly happens due to server outages or network issues.Â
You can try all the fixes that weâve mentioned above and see if they work. If any of the methods donât work, the option youâll have is Instagram support.
Contact Instagram support, and theyâll surely fix the issues for you in a very short period of time.
59 Comments
im trying to log in on my pc and it says No configs given whats that mean?
You’re using Mac or Windows PC?
My dms wonât load and keep showing a kinda loading circle, they been like that since 4 weeks ago, idk what to do ?
Same
That is the same with me!
Thank you very much! very helpful- Aloha
You’re very welcome!
The other person whom im texting is unable to read my messages. How do I solve it?
Any chance that person blocked you?
its still not working any chance you can help me?
Iâm having this problem that my dm are not loading up because when I enter dm it says that I donât have any messages and when I receive a dm and open it, it would just load for ever and wouldnât show up what they send me.
Iâm having the same problem
Did U find out a way to fix that issue cause Iâm having the same problem
Still have this problem? Because I’m having the same problem I reported it to Instagram but its still goon on
thatâs my problem too ?
giorgio papaillas,where u able to fix it and if so could u please tell me how.i am currently having the same issue and its frustrating.
Dears, my problem with Instagram is , i send DM to my wife and receives on notification bar and also can view but when she replies me back , i receive on notification bar but not able to view and read . each time i must log out and log in back to app then i can view and read . pleas help me .
My DMs are all completely erased and I cannot receive any new ones either. This problem only seems to happen on one of my accounts (note I also haven’t been getting the new story features on this account either) as when I switch accounts on the same phone, that account’s features and DMs work perfectly fine. I have tried all the proposed solutions many times over and even contacted customer support three times. None of the solutions did anything and I’ve been waiting for customer support for over 2 months now.
Do you still have this problem because I have it now.
I’ve been having the exact same problem. if u create a new chat with other person you want to dm u can see the past dms, but this takes a really long time plus you wouldn’t know if anyone new dms you.
Have you found a solution yet
My ig is not starting a new thread of dm…. Why?
Can you explain the problem more?
when i go to DM the window is blank. can someone help me out
Thanks for the article. Instagram is a powerful platform to grow your business. I use Instagram messages to attract potential customers’ attention, it works for me. But now I can’t DM on Instagram. I don’t have the slightest idea why this could happen…But did you guys know that there are some other options for sending direct messages online? Actually, I was surprised. e.g. Bluestacks is nice, but it is VERY resource intensive. It consumes lots of memory and slows down my computer. You also need a good graphic card on your computer. Ingramer is fine, this could be very handy for someone who runs into the same issue as me. I send not only text messages but it supports video format. Still, I failed to overcome my confusion about the problem with Instagram DMs.. CAn anyone help me? Pleeeaaaase..
Hey Mickey,
We could not find any stable app instead of BlueStacks.
Some requires money and not working stable.
it still doesnât work i donât understand why. i uninstalled it multiple times and powered my device off. i tried my other accounts it works but my main one doesnât for some reason when i click the dm button all it does is show blank and a loading sign and i checked i was connected to the wifi and itâs still not working.
I have the same problem… DMs works on other accounts but not my main account – it is just showing a loading sign! Nothing seems to work. This is so frustrating and has been going on for 2 months. Has anyone been able to solve this issue?
Hey, did you get it to work yet? I’m having the same problem
i tried everything n stilll its nut solved since a month
Have you ever tried from different browser?
My problem is, I am unable to send back message to one of my friend but I am receiving the messages when i open his chat box suddenly my Instagram account hanged and force closed directly. Please let me know why this is happening.
Hey,
Please use different browser or device, then should be fixed.
Hey lol, so I kinda found a solution, well, Iâve been having this problem for around 8 month and I searched all over the internet and there was nothing, the reason and the problem is your account, one of my accounts work and other doesnt. The only solution is to make a another account which probably sounds fucked up, the other way is you have to wait to for another Instagram update and thereâs a 50 50 percent chance of it working and yea ( btw the problem Is whenever I click the dm all I see is a blank white screen with a loading)
can anyone help me out my instagram latest version is 110.0 and im not receiving message notifications on my phone…untill i open the app nd check for evey time to see any new msgs…and even in settings all my notifictaions are enabled…i reported many times but no response from instagram…what to do plzzz suggest??
Am trying to send msgs not going tru what could have happened?
It was a temporary issue, will be fixed shortly for sure.
i cant send or receive messages on my IG and i do get notification that i have a message but when i log in to my IG it wont show up i have been faced this issues over two months now
It was a temporary issue, will be fixed shortly for sure.
My problem is I canâ start a new thread, itâs always telling me that the action was blocked, they restricted certain content and action to protect their community â how should I rectify that please?
Hey there,
Action block is a new term on Instagram, if you like many photos or video in a very short time, your account will get that issue.
Try not to do that for 24 hrs+ then it will be automatically fixed.
Thanks for not providing ANY useful information about how to do these things. How do you clear the cache on the Instagram app? There’s no way to do it. How do you get Instagram to let you send DMs if they’ve blocked you? There’s no way to do it. They don’t tell you why, or let you get your DMs back.
Hey If you are using iPhone,
Better to remove and install again to purge cache.
Hi,I use the web version of Instagram. When I send a message,it looks like its sent,but when I reload the page,it shows that my messages were not sent in the first place. Why?
Hello there,
It must be a network issue or account may restricted.
Please how can i fix my Instagram problem, i can not love pages anymore, i can not follow friends any more. Pleas i need help
You might get Shadow ban, give it sometime should be fixed shortly after.
I need help my dms are not showing it only shows suggestions and when I load the page it keeps loading for ever it works on pc but it doesn’t work on all phones I tryed to get help from insta like 5 times but no one helped
I kept deleting my Instagram messages and now it wonât stop loading! Itâs been two days! I cant see who messaged me! Please help, it would make my day.
Ignore my comment above. It wasn’t an Instagram update that caused my keyboard to disappear. I just disabled one too many apps on my phone, namely Gboard. Sorry about that!
It’s won’t let me open my messages or text
Hey,
Which device you are using?
Why does it show that I have a new message and when I check, there’s nothing there? How do I fix this problem?
I have this problem where my dms keep disappearing and reappearing again and again.. i used to power off my pc and turn it back on and it worked perfectly, but now, it doesn’t, i restarted my pc a number of times.. but the problem still continues.. i tried all your solutions but it still doesn’t work.. please help me out
Hello! I have seen many people having the same issue as I am having with my dm’s. Instagram its self, is working perfectly fine, even the notifications. If I get a dm and click on it it says “sorry, there was a problem. Please try again.” Even if I go into the app instead of clicking on the dm notification when I click on the chat, it just loads for forever. Even if I pull down the page, to reload it, it says the exact same thing. I have already tried restarting my phone, reinstalling the app, and another device. I would very much appreciate any sort of help. Please and thank you!
that’s the same problem i’m having. when i go into the dm,it says “your inbox failed to load.” i’m on the website because i don’t have a way to get the app. it has done this twice now.
Anybody have this problem?
I send a photo and text via DM to a friend on Instagram.
He can see the text, but no photo.
Same if he sends a photo and text to me.
I see the text but not the photo.
Mine is the opposite way did you found out how to fix it?
Hello my messages keep loading and not showing anything no names no old chats nothing please help