- Is your Instagram feed empty or really failing to load?
- Why your Instagram feed may show fewer posts than before
- Restarting your phone when the Instagram feed won't load
- Testing Wi-Fi against mobile data for an Instagram feed that stalls
- Updating the Instagram app so the feed loads
- Reinstalling Instagram when the feed still won't load
- Features Instagram hasn't rolled out to everyone yet
- Reporting an Instagram feed problem
- Instagram feed problems at a glance
- Frequently asked questions
If your Instagram feed isn't loading, restart your phone, then try Instagram on both Wi-Fi and mobile data. Update the app, and if it still won't load, delete and reinstall it. An empty feed can also simply mean you aren't following anyone yet, or the people you follow haven't posted anything new since you last checked.
A feed that spins, stays blank or shows nothing new is maddening, especially when you need to check a client's post or reply to a comment. The tricky part is that Instagram's feed can look broken for two very different reasons. Sometimes the app really can't load. Other times it's loaded fine and there simply isn't much to show.
Instagram has no help article with the exact title feed not loading. So I've used its article on the feed itself, its general troubleshooting article, its page for when something isn't working with the app, and its report-a-problem page. I'll keep to what they say.
Is your Instagram feed empty or really failing to load?
Instagram's article on the feed explains what you should expect. Your feed shows recent photos uploaded by you and the people you follow. If you tap the feed and nothing appears, Instagram says it's possible that:
- You aren't following anyone yet.
- The people you follow haven't added any new posts since you last checked.
That's worth thirty seconds, especially on a new or quiet account. Follow a few active accounts, then look again. If you do follow people who post often and still see nothing, move on to the fixes below.
Why your Instagram feed may show fewer posts than before
Instagram also addresses a related worry. It says some photos you saw when you first signed up are no longer shown in your feed, because they've been replaced by newer posts. If you're hunting for an older post, Instagram suggests visiting that person's profile by tapping their username, where you can see the older photos and videos they've shared.
This matters for business owners checking on past content. The feed is a moving stream and not an archive, so go to the profile when you want something older. For a wider look at why reach moves around, my piece on whether Instagram engagement is really down puts some perspective on it.
Restarting your phone when the Instagram feed won't load
Instagram's troubleshooting article starts with a simple instruction: always try restarting your phone or tablet first. It also says to make sure you have the latest version of the Instagram app and of your device's operating system before following any other step. Restart fully, reopen Instagram, and give the feed a few seconds.
Testing Wi-Fi against mobile data for an Instagram feed that stalls
The next step in Instagram's article is to use the app on both Wi-Fi and your mobile data connection. That tells you whether the problem is a weak Wi-Fi or mobile signal instead of the app. If the feed loads on mobile data but not Wi-Fi, look at your router. If it loads on Wi-Fi but not mobile data, check your signal or data settings. If scrolling itself is the pain, I also looked at whether Instagram has auto-scroll.
Updating the Instagram app so the feed loads
Instagram's page for when something isn't working says that if a feature isn't working on the iOS or Android app, it recommends updating to the latest version. Open your app store, find Instagram and tap Update if the button appears. Instagram adds that you can always go to Instagram.com in a mobile browser or on a computer. So if the app is stubborn and you need to check something urgently, the website is a good workaround.
If you're having trouble downloading the update, Instagram says to check your internet connection and, for best results, connect to Wi-Fi before downloading.
Reinstalling Instagram when the feed still won't load
If a restart and a connection check haven't helped, Instagram's troubleshooting article suggests deleting and reinstalling the app.
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iPhone and iPad
- Tap and hold the Instagram icon on the Home screen.
- Tap Remove App. Instagram says your photos and profile info will be saved.
- Reinstall Instagram from the App Store and log in with your username and password.
Android
- Open Settings and tap Apps.
- Tap Instagram, then Uninstall.
- Reinstall from the Google Play Store and log in.
Have your login details ready first. If you hit trouble signing back in, Instagram's help centre has separate pages on login problems. If the app instead closes by itself when you open it, that's a different fault, so use Report a Problem rather than repeating these steps.
Features Instagram hasn't rolled out to everyone yet
Here's something worth remembering when part of the feed looks different to a friend's. Instagram's help pages say you might also be experiencing an issue if a feature isn't available to everyone yet. Rollouts happen in stages. A section or layout you've read about may not have reached your account, and nothing you do will speed it up.
Reporting an Instagram feed problem
If nothing above works, Instagram says it could be a bug or a broken feature, and invites you to report it. There are two ways:
- Shake your phone to see the reporting menu, then tap Report a problem and follow the instructions.
- Or tap your profile picture, tap Menu, tap Help below More info and support, tap Report a Problem, then follow the on-screen instructions.
Instagram asks you to give as much detail as you can, such as the kind of phone or tablet you use and what you were doing when the problem happened. Adding a screenshot may help. It also says your device and account details related to the issue are included automatically.
Instagram feed problems at a glance
| Symptom | Likely first step from Instagram's help |
|---|---|
| Feed is blank and you follow nobody | Follow some accounts |
| Feed shows nothing new | People you follow may not have posted since you last checked |
| Older posts have vanished | Visit the person's profile |
| Feed spins and never loads | Restart, test Wi-Fi and mobile data, update |
| Nothing helps | Reinstall, then report a problem |
Frequently asked questions
Why is my Instagram feed not loading?
Instagram's help points to a phone that needs a restart, a weak Wi-Fi or mobile data connection, an old app version, or a feature that isn't available to everyone yet.
Why is my Instagram feed empty?
Instagram says it may be because you aren't following anyone, or the people you follow haven't posted anything new since you last checked.
Where did older posts in my feed go?
Instagram says older photos are replaced by newer posts in your feed. Visit the person's profile to see what they shared earlier.
Can I use Instagram if the app won't load?
Instagram says you can go to Instagram.com in a mobile browser or on a computer while you sort out the app.
How do I report an Instagram feed bug?
Shake your phone and tap Report a problem, or go to your profile, Menu, Help, then Report a Problem.
