6 Fixes for Instagram Not Loading or Showing Messages

Are you receiving message notifications on your Instagram app but unable to see any of them after opening it? That can be confusing when you know that you’ve gotten a message but Instagram doesn’t load or show it to you. This article will explain why that probably happens and what you can do to fix it.

Before We Start

We would like you to try basic simpler solutions first, such as

1. Message Was Unsent

If you get a notification about an Instagram message on your phone but find it missing when you open the app, it could be because the sender deleted it or deactivated their Instagram account before you could read it.

2. You Received Disappearing Message

It’s possible that your friend sent themessage in Vanish Mode, and you opened it but decided to read it later or accidentally closed the app. When you returned to Instagram to view the message, it had disappeared. This might give you the wrong idea that the Instagram message disappears after it’s seen.

If you want to see what a disappearing message looks like when you get it, check out the screenshot below.

Vanish Mode Message on Instagram

3. Message 5 People

OnReddit, we stumbled upon a crazy solution that surprisingly worked for many people and may likely work for you as well. Send a direct message to five contacts whom you’ve never messaged before. Next, close the messaging app. Then, reopen the app and send a direct message to a friend. Afterward, close the app again and reload it.

Just kidding. Sounds like a hoax but that only works at times when your iCloud backup on iPhone or Google account backup on Android is in progress. If you had deleted the previous backup, then there might be some mismatch.

Go to Instagram App Info

4. Clear Instagram App Cache (Android)

Due to a bad or outdated cache, the Instagram app on your Android phone may cause your messages not to load or appear. A quick cache clearance would resolve this issue without the need toreinstall the app.

To do this, tap and hold on theInstagram appicon, then tap the small“i”button. Next, tap onStorage > Clear data > Delete.

tap on Storage option

If clearing the app cache and data didn’t work, you’re able to try reinstalling the app on youriPhoneorAndroidphone.

5. Limited by Instagram

Instagram has safeguards to protect users from spam. One of them is alimit on how many messages can be sentin a given period. If the sender has a creator account, they may use third-party apps like Manychat to automate direct messages (DMs) or comments, potentially resulting in Instagram temporarily limiting their message capabilities. This happened to ourTechwiser Instagram account, and we had to wait for things to get normal.

6. Contact Instagram Support

If none of the above methods have worked, consider reaching out to the Instagram support team. They should be able to provide you with the solution necessary to restore functionality to your DMs. Simply navigate to the DM screen, shake your phone, and the Error Reporting screen will appear. From there, tap on the‘Report a problem’button and follow the on-screen instructions.

What Other Option Do I Have

If you may’t see DMs on the Instagram app, try checking them on theInstagram webinstead. If they show up there, the problem is probably with the app, so just wait for Instagram to fix it.

Rahul is your go-to guide for fixing Windows, Steam, Android, Samsung TV, and Google Chrome. An engineering college dropout who followed his passion for tech, he brings 3 years of troubleshooting experience and 2+ years of running his own tech blog to the table. When he’s not solving your tech problems, you’ll find him unwinding with the latest anime or K-drama.

6 Fixes for Instagram Not Loading or Showing Messages