Instagram DMs Not Working? Causes and Fixes From Instagram

For a lot of creators and small businesses, Instagram DMs are where the real conversations happen: a customer asking about an order, a collaborator replying to a pitch, a friend sending a meme. So when messages won't send, won't arrive or seem to vanish, it feels urgent.

Instagram's Help Centre doesn't have one single article called "DMs not working". What it does have is a handful of pages that explain the rules behind messaging, plus its general troubleshooting steps. I've pulled them together in the order I'd check them, starting with the causes that aren't a fault at all.

Instagram message limits that can stop your DMs sending

This is the one that catches people out. Instagram says it has limits in place to stop direct messages that people may not want to get, like spam. If you were warned about sending too many messages and you carry on, Instagram says you may not be able to send more direct messages for a period of time.

If you send a lot of messages in a short burst, perhaps replying to a long list of enquiries or messaging many people at once, slow down. Instagram points you to its Community Standards if you want to understand its policies in more detail. Nothing is broken in that case, and the answer is to wait rather than to reinstall anything.

Why your Instagram DM went to a message request instead

A message that seems to be going nowhere may simply be sitting in someone's requests. Instagram says that when you message someone who doesn't follow you, or isn't already connected to you, your message is sent as a message request.

There's a catch that makes it look like a fault: a message request can only contain text. Instagram says you can't send photos, videos or voice notes until the other person accepts your request. So if your voice note or picture won't go through to someone new, that's the reason.

• Send a short text message first.
• Wait for the person to accept the request.
• Then send photos, videos or voice notes.

When your Instagram DMs won't arrive because of who is messaging

If you're the one not receiving messages, the settings on your own account matter. Instagram says messages from people you follow appear in your Chats list, while everyone else's go to your Message Requests folder, where you need to accept them before they join your Chats list.

You can choose whether message requests go to that folder or whether to receive them at all. On a phone, go to your profile, tap Menu and look below How others can interact with you for the messages option, then Message requests. Menus can vary by app version, so look for the messages controls if the wording differs.

Instagram also says accounts you've blocked can't send you message requests or add you to groups. If you're unsure what blocking does to an existing chat, read what happens to messages when you block someone on Instagram. If you've blocked someone with more than one account, you may need to block each one.

Types of Instagram DM that can and can't be shared

Some things won't behave the way you expect inside a chat, and it can look like a bug. Instagram's page on message types says:

• You can send text, plus photos or videos you take or upload from your library.
• You can send posts from your feed, disappearing photos and videos, and profiles.
• A post from a private account is only visible to people who already follow that account.
• Photos or videos sent in a chat can't be shared through Instagram to other sites like Facebook or Twitter.

Instagram's limits page adds one more: you can only forward a message to up to 5 chats at a time. If a forward fails, count how many chats you picked.

Troubleshooting Instagram DMs on your phone step by step

If none of the above applies, move on to Instagram's own troubleshooting steps. Instagram says to make sure you're on the latest version of the Instagram app and the latest operating system first, then work through these in order.

1. Restart your phone or tablet. Instagram says to always try this first.
2. Try Instagram on both Wi-Fi and mobile data to see whether a weak connection is causing the trouble.
3. Delete and reinstall Instagram. Instagram says your photos and profile info will be saved, and you log back in with your username and password.
4. Check the Help Centre for the exact feature you're using, because something may not be loading as expected because of settings, or a feature may not be available to everyone yet.

While a chat misbehaves, a voice or video call can be a handy workaround, and I've covered calling someone on Instagram separately. If you've done all that and DMs still aren't working, Instagram says it could be a bug or a broken feature and asks you to report it.

Reporting an Instagram DM problem to Instagram

The report should say what kind of phone or tablet you're using, what you were doing when the problem happened, and ideally include a screenshot. Here's how Instagram says to send one:

1. Go to your profile and tap Menu in the top right.
2. Below More info and support, tap Help.
3. Tap Report a Problem.
4. Choose to go back and shake your phone, or tap Report problem without shaking.
5. Follow the on-screen instructions.

You can also shake your phone while you're in the app to bring up the reporting menu, then tap Report a problem.

A quick Instagram DM symptom guide

What you notice	What Instagram's help points to
Messages stop sending after a burst of sending	Limits that exist to stop unwanted messages
Photos or voice notes won't send to a new contact	Message requests only allow text until accepted
A forward fails	Forwarding is limited to up to 5 chats at a time
Nothing from a new sender appears in Chats	Check your Message Requests folder and settings
Everything is slow or stuck	Update, restart, change connection, reinstall

If someone's sending you unwanted Instagram DMs

If the real problem is too many messages rather than too few, Instagram lets you block the person or report their messages. If you feel unsafe or someone is threatening you, report it in the app and contact the police. And never share a login code with, or follow instructions from, anyone offering to fix or get back your account.

Frequently asked questions

Why are my Instagram DMs not sending?

Instagram says it limits direct messages that people may not want, like spam. If you were warned about sending too many and keep going, you may be unable to send more for a period of time. Otherwise, update, restart and check your connection.

Why can't I send a photo to someone on Instagram?

If they don't follow you or aren't connected to you, your message goes as a message request that can only contain text. Instagram says you can't send photos, videos or voice notes until they accept.

Where do messages from new people go on Instagram?

Instagram says messages from people you follow appear in your Chats list. Others go to your Message Requests folder, where you need to accept them.

Will reinstalling Instagram delete my messages?

Instagram says your photos and profile info will be saved when you delete and reinstall the app. It doesn't make a specific promise about every message, so don't reinstall unless the earlier steps have failed.

How do I report an Instagram messaging bug?

Go to your profile, tap Menu, tap Help below More info and support, then tap Report a Problem. You can also shake your phone to report.