Pinterest Not Working? Fixes for App, Browser and Login

When Pinterest isn't working, Pinterest's own advice is to check your internet connection, log out and back in, restart your device, switch off ad blockers, extensions, VPNs and proxies, update the app or browser, and clear your cache. Pins or boards that look missing usually have a simple cause, covered below.

Pinterest can go wrong in a few different ways: the app won't load, your login is rejected, boards seem to have vanished, or a home screen widget shows nothing. Each one has a different cause, so it helps to work out which of those you're facing before trying fixes at random.

I've gone through Pinterest's help centre and kept to what it says. It doesn't publish a long list of error messages, so this page is tighter than some of my troubleshooting guides. Everything here is something Pinterest itself recommends.

The first checks when Pinterest is not working

Pinterest's general troubleshooting page lists these steps to try first, whatever the problem is. Work down them in order, testing Pinterest after each one:

Check your internet connection. Pinterest says a weak or unreliable connection can affect how it works, so use a secure, stable network.
Log out and log back in. This can clear account or session problems.
Restart your phone, tablet or computer to clear temporary software issues.
Temporarily disable browser extensions or ad blockers, since some can interfere with Pinterest features.
Turn off any VPN or proxy connection, which Pinterest says can affect how it loads or functions.
Update the Pinterest app or your browser to the latest version.
Clear your cache, which can fix problems caused by outdated stored information.

In my experience people skip the VPN and extension steps because they forget those are even switched on. Check them carefully, even if you only use them now and then.

Pinterest not working on a phone or tablet app

If the app is the problem, the relevant parts of that list are the connection, restarting your device, updating the app and clearing the cache. If you reinstall the app, Pinterest says you'll need to log in again, and your data is saved, apart from Pin drafts, which are stored locally on your device.

Pinterest not working in a web browser

On a computer, the extension and ad blocker step matters most. Switch them off for Pinterest, reload the page, and see whether things return. If they do, you can add Pinterest to a list of allowed sites in that extension, or leave it off while you use the site. Also try updating your browser and clearing its cache, both of which Pinterest names.

If you can't get in, Pinterest has a separate help article for email logins. The points it makes:

If your account is already set up to log in with Google, click Continue with Google instead of typing your email and password. That only works if the account was set up that way.
If you forgot your password and can still reach the email on the account, use the password reset.
A typo in the email you signed up with can cause trouble. Pinterest lists common ones such as .con instead of .com.
Each email address can be linked to only one Pinterest account at a time, so try any other addresses you own.
If you've lost access to the account email and never set up Google or Apple login, Pinterest says it can't verify the account belongs to you, and you may have to create a new account.

Pinterest also has a separate article for not receiving its emails, which is worth a look if a password reset never turns up.

Pinterest boards or Pins missing

This is the one that frightens people, but Pinterest's help page lists several ordinary causes. Check these before assuming the worst:

You deleted the Pin or board. Pinterest says deleted Pins can't be recovered, and a deleted board can only be recovered for seven days.
You have a second account, possibly made by accident by logging in with Google or Apple. Check you're in the right one.
The board is archived. On the app, tap your profile photo and scroll to the Archived boards section. On the website, scroll to the end of your boards.
Pinterest removed content that goes against its Community guidelines. Check your email for a message explaining why.
On a business account you may be on your Created tab. Click your profile photo and then Saved to return to your boards.
Your board opened on the More ideas or Make it yours tab, so tap the All saves tab to see your Pins.
For a group board, you may have left or been removed. Ask the owner to invite you back or request to join.

If a board really was deleted a few days ago, my guide to deleting a Pinterest board and restoring it explains where Pinterest keeps it for those seven days. For a missing Pin, deleting a Pin on Pinterest is worth reading so you know what Pinterest says about getting one back.

Pinterest widget not working on your home screen

If it's a phone widget that's blank or wrong, Pinterest has its own list: make sure you're logged in, update the app, enable Background App Refresh, restart your device on the latest iOS software, remove the widget and recreate it, and as a last resort reinstall the app.

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Pinterest won't let you create a new board

Pinterest says there's a limit on the total number of boards and follows an account can have. If you hit the board limit, you'll need to delete some boards, because archiving doesn't reduce the count. It may take a few days after deleting before you can create a new one. There's no limit on how many Pins you can create. My guide to merging Pinterest boards is a tidy way to free up room without losing Pins.

When Pinterest is still not working

If you've been through all of this and Pinterest is still misbehaving, the next step is Pinterest's help centre contact form. Tell them which device and app or browser you use, what you see on screen and what you've already tried. That saves a round of back-and-forth.

If someone is harassing you through Pinterest, don't wait on troubleshooting. Report it to Pinterest, and if you feel in danger, contact the police. My guide to blocking someone on Pinterest covers the blocking side.

Frequently asked questions

Why is Pinterest not working?

Start with Pinterest's own checklist: check your connection, log out and in, restart your device, turn off extensions, ad blockers, VPNs and proxies, update the app or browser, and clear your cache.

Why can't I log in to Pinterest?

Pinterest says to use Continue with Google if your account is set up that way, check for a typo in your sign-up email, and remember each email can only link to one Pinterest account.

Where have my Pinterest boards gone?

Pinterest lists causes such as a deleted or archived board, a second account, removed content, or the board opening on the wrong tab. Deleted boards can be recovered for seven days only.

Can I get back a deleted Pin?

Pinterest says deleted Pins can't be recovered.

Why does my Pinterest widget show nothing?

Pinterest suggests logging in, updating the app, enabling Background App Refresh, restarting your device, recreating the widget or reinstalling the app.

Does Pinterest limit how many boards I can have?

Yes. Pinterest says there's a limit on boards and follows, though not on how many Pins you can create. Deleting boards frees up room, but archiving doesn't.

Published and maintained by the Lilach Bullock team, covering marketing, AI and business growth.