Whether we admit it or not, many of us spend a significant portion of our days using Instagram. It’s an app we are glued to, used for everything from contacting pals to continuing scrolling through the newest Instagram Reels. Instagram may, however, occasionally experience issues, bugs, and glitches, just like any other program.
The Instagram DM functionality frequently does not function properly for users. Because you can’t send, receive, or view messages, it makes Instagram DMs useless. There are various solutions available if you experience problems with Instagram DMs. I’ve put up a list of remedies you may do to make sure your Instagram DMs start functioning once more. Now let’s get started without further ado!
There could be a number of causes for your Instagram DMs to stop functioning. However, the precise cause may vary and rely on a number of factors, including the design of your Instagram app, your ISP, the health of the Instagram servers, and more. The following are the most typical causes of an Instagram DM not working:
Inaccuracies or outages on the server are occasionally the most frequent causes of Instagram DM issues. Not only can it affect your messages, but also posts, reels, and usage in general.
Internet problems: If your Internet Service Provider (ISP) has a history of connection issues, you may have a shaky connection or patchy coverage. This will not just impact how you use Instagram but also how you use the internet in general, which is not ideal. Also, a VPN service like Express VPN may obstruct your internet connection and affect how Instagram functions.
Instagram’s older builds: To maintain stability and performance, Instagram, like all other apps, undergoes frequent updates. This issue might have been fixed but you haven’t heard about it if you’ve missed too many updates.
These are but a few potential causes for your failure to receive Instagram DMs, and the list is by no means complete. Depending on the problem, it may be either one or the other. Continue reading, though, as we discuss workarounds for Instagram DMs that aren’t functioning on your Android or iOS smartphone.
Top Ways to Fix Instagram DM Not Working
1. Check Your Internet Connection
Although it may seem like a silly error, this is really a quite typical one. The Instagram app has to be online in order for your Instagram DMs to function. It may be due to sporadic connectivity if you discover that your messages are being sent but not being received, or vice versa. Using Instagram’s other features might help you quickly determine whether your app is online.
Instagram will display a No Internet Connection notice if you don’t have a working internet connection. To make sure the app and its features can operate as intended, this is your cue to turn on Wi-Fi or Mobile Data. Now, the issue with Instagram DMs not functioning ought to be resolved.
2. Check Instagram Outage
In relation to connectivity, there is always a potential that Instagram’s servers will be offline. This can be caused by a bug, a load on the system, or a complete outage. Fortunately, it’s simple to find out if Instagram is down for everyone including you. Visit Instagram Down Detector to see whether or not users are having issues. If users have reported outages, the outage graph on the Down Detector website will show a spike.
There is nothing you can do but wait and be patient if Instagram server difficulties do occur. Thankfully, social media juggernauts like Instagram’s parent company Meta rapidly resolve their server difficulties to prevent downtime. Try utilizing the Instagram DM feature once the servers are operational again, and it should work without a hitch.
3. Update your Instagram
You might be using an outdated version of Instagram, which would likely result in the DMs crashing and failing to function, as we previously said. If auto updates are disabled and users choose not to update the app themselves, that may be the case. The same results are obtained if you use an app’s beta version.
Instagram may cease to function after a particular build date, but your phone may be seriously compromised by an earlier build even before that. Along with potential problems, there could be security updates that you lack. I advise immediately updating your Instagram to the most recent version for all of these reasons and more. You can accomplish that by updating the app by going to the appropriate Google Play Store or iOS App Store. In addition, you can use the links provided here to download the most recent versions of Instagram for iOS and Android.
4. Logout and Login Again
Some users found this strategy to be effective when their Instagram DMs stopped functioning. Thus, the next thing you must do is log out of Instagram and then log back in. Before logging back in, the app must be entirely closed (removed from the multitasking tray) and restarted. The procedure is the same for Android, but we’ll briefly walk you through it for iOS. Here’s how to close your Instagram account:
1. Open the Instagram app and click the “Profile” icon in the bottom right corner.
2. Select the hamburger menu in the upper right corner, then tap Settings.
3. At the bottom of the Settings screen, select Log out (username). There you have it. Simply exit the app once, then sign back in. After that, everything with your Instagram DMs should return to normal.
4. Eliminate Instagram Cache
Instagram stores a tiny amount of information about your app usage as a cache on your device, similar to other apps. It accumulates in the storage of your phone and consists of information like your media cache and app settings. Instagram’s cache, like all other types of app cache, can get tainted by a mistake, though. Instagram DMs may not function properly as a result of this.
No matter if you’ve been using Instagram for a while or are just now downloading it, the app will have a cache stored on it. Clearing the Instagram cache on your Android or iOS phone is now simple. Depending on your platform, carry out the following steps:
On Android, delete Instagram’s cache.
1. Launch the Settings application and navigate to the “Apps” section.
Instagram DM not functioning in settings and apps 2. Choose “App Management,” then look for Instagram there.
Note: Depending on the Android skin you are using, the methods to access the app list under settings may slightly change on your phone. For this tutorial, the OnePlus 10R is running OxygenOS 13 on it.
Instagram and app administration 3. Toggle the Storage use button on the App details page.
Instagram 4. Storage Use. Finally, click “Clear data” and “Clear cache” to get rid of any Instagram-related information you may have on your device. Pop-up boxes that appear on the screen may ask you to confirm your actions.
When Instagram DM stops working, erase its data and cache.
And that’s it! The procedures may differ slightly depending on the version and skin of your Android device, but they will mostly stay the same. Therefore, erase your Instagram cache, and the direct messages should now work.
On iOS, there is no option to delete the cache for the Instagram app, which is unfortunate. To ensure that all of the app’s data is deleted from your smartphone, you must remove the app itself. To do this, adhere to these actions:
Open the Settings app first, then scroll down to find the “General” section. After that, click “iPhone Storage”.
Storage for the iPhone and generally 2. Find Instagram by scrolling down or by using the search bar on the upper right to look for the app.
App search for Instagram is not working. For the app information page to open, tap Instagram. After that, click “Delete App” and then click the confirmation notification that follows.
Your iPhone no longer has Instagram installed. You can now download the app and sign in once more. You should be able to message your friends and followers again now that the Instagram DM issue has been fixed.
6. Uninstall and Reinstall the App
If clearing Instagram’s cache didn’t help, you should try a fresh install. This will not only destroy the app and any potentially corrupted data, but also any residual cache. It’s easy to uninstall the app, and it’s simple to reinstall it from the iOS App Store or Google Play Store on Android.
8 Ways to Fix Instagram DMs Not Working
The procedure to uninstall the software from iOS has been outlined for you in the approach up there, however, it is very drawn out. Let me now walk you through these simple steps. Hold down on the Instagram icon on iOS or Android and choose “Uninstall” from the pop-up menu that opens. Once finished, reinstall the program, and you’re ready to go. This ought to assist people whose Instagram DM isn’t functioning.
7. Use Instagram Web
While using Instagram on a Laptop won’t provide you with the same experience, I would argue that it is still preferable to your Instagram messages not functioning at all. The official Instagram client occasionally has issues, even when there is no outage or mistake. When that happens, it’s preferable to use Instagram Web on your PC until the issue is fixed. Even watching stories and uploading photographs are also possible through the Instagram online app.
Instagram may be used on your PC without the need for a separate download or installation. All you have to do is visit Instagram’s website and log in. After then, sending and receiving Instagram DMs is simple with the web client.
8. Contact Instagram Support
The procedures listed above are typically all that is required to get Instagram DMs working. If none of the aforementioned solutions have helped you, try this instead. Even if it’s the last resort, contacting Instagram support should help you get the answer you need to get your DMs working once more. If that’s the route you choose to take, Instagram has made it simple to get in touch with customer service.
Instagram DM Not Working?
When you shake your phone while on the DM screen, the Error Reporting screen will appear. Here, click the “Report a problem” button and proceed as instructed to explain your issue. Regarding media attachments, don’t worry; Instagram will automatically include screenshots of the problem. Before filing a complaint, head over to Instagram Support (visit) and peruse their resources if you’d like to try to fix the issue yourself.
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The Greatest Solutions If You Don’t Get Instagram DMs
The solutions listed above should help you get your Instagram messages working once more. It’s possible that different people will respond to different solutions, so make sure to check the list out in case they help. Please tell me, which solution made the Instagram DMs problem go away for you. Please share with us in the comments section. While you’re here, don’t forget to look at our guides on using Instagram’s chronological feed and preventing shadowbanning.