To fix “Couldn’t refresh feed” on Instagram, restart your phone, then try the app on Wi-Fi and on mobile data. If the feed still won’t load, update Instagram, clear its cache or offload it, log out and back in, and reinstall it as a last step. If instagram.com won’t load either and friends see the same error, Instagram itself is having trouble, so wait a while and try again.
| Where the Problem Is – Other apps won’t load either? The problem is your connection, so start with the connection fixes. Your posts and account aren’t affected. – Only the Instagram app fails? The problem is the app or your phone. Work through the phone and app fixes in order. – The website fails too and friends see it? Instagram is having trouble. Nothing on your phone will fix it, so give it time. |
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What “Couldn’t Refresh Feed” Means
The message means Instagram tried to load new posts and couldn’t get them. It usually shows up when you open the app or pull down to refresh your feed. It doesn’t tell you why the load failed, which is why the fixes below start with finding the cause.
Your posts, followers and messages aren’t deleted when this happens. The message is about loading, not about your account. If Instagram suspends an account, it says it will tell you by email and when you open the app, so a feed that won’t refresh on its own isn’t a sign of a ban.
Find Out Where the Problem Is
A quick check saves you from fixes you don’t need. Stop as soon as one of these gives you an answer.
- Open another app or website on the same connection. If nothing loads, your internet is the problem.
- Open instagram.com in your phone’s browser and log in. If the feed loads there, the problem is in the app.
- Ask a friend if their feed works, or search for “Instagram down” in another app. If lots of people see the same error, it’s Instagram’s side.
If Instagram itself is down, waiting is the only fix. Clearing data or reinstalling won’t help and can cost you saved drafts. Try again later instead.
Fix Your Connection
Instagram’s own help says to try the app on both Wi-Fi and mobile data. If the feed loads on one but not the other, you’ve found the weak link.
- Switch from Wi-Fi to mobile data, or the other way round, and refresh the feed.
- Turn airplane mode on for a few seconds, then turn it off again.
- Restart your router at home by unplugging it, waiting a moment and plugging it back in.
- Turn off any VPN for a moment and test the feed again.
Public Wi-Fi in cafes, hotels and airports often needs a sign-in page before anything works. Open a browser, and if a sign-in or terms page appears, accept it and go back to Instagram. If the feed only fails on one network, the problem is that network and not your account.
Restart Your Phone and Check the Clock
Instagram’s help puts this first for a reason. It says to always try restarting your phone or tablet first, because a restart closes apps that may be stuck and starts your connection fresh. Turn the phone off, wait a few seconds and turn it back on.
A wrong date or time can also get in the way. Phones and browsers use the clock to set up secure connections, and an inaccurate date and time can cause connection errors. It’s a quick check worth doing.
- On iPhone, open Settings, tap General, tap Date & Time and turn on Set Automatically.
- On Android, open Settings, search for Date & time and turn on the automatic time setting. The name and place of the setting vary by phone.
While you’re in Settings, check for a system update too. Instagram’s help says to keep both the app and your phone’s operating system up to date.
Fix the Instagram App
If only the app fails, work through these four fixes in order. Test the feed after each one.
Update Instagram
An old version of the app can stop loading the feed properly. Open the App Store on iPhone or Google Play on Android, search for Instagram and tap Update if you see it. If the update won’t download, our guide on how to update Instagram walks through each phone and what to try next.
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See our Instagram servicesClear the Cache
The cache holds temporary files that help Instagram load faster. If those files go wrong, the feed can get stuck, and clearing them gives the app a clean start.
On Android, open Settings, tap Apps, then See all apps if you see it, and tap Instagram. Tap Storage & cache, then tap Clear cache. Settings can look a little different on each phone. Don’t tap Clear storage unless you mean to, because it permanently deletes all of the app’s data on your phone and you’ll need to log in again.
iPhone doesn’t have a clear cache button for Instagram. The closest option is to open Settings, tap General, tap iPhone Storage and tap Instagram, then tap Offload App. Apple says this frees up the storage the app uses but keeps its documents and data. Reinstall Instagram from the App Store afterwards and open it again. For more detail on what goes and what stays, our guide on how to clear Instagram cache covers Android, iPhone and the browser.
Log Out and Back In
Logging out and back in refreshes your session with Instagram. Make sure you know your password and can get any login codes before you do it, so you don’t lock yourself out.
- Go to your profile and tap Menu in the top right.
- Scroll to the bottom and tap Log out.
- Tap Log out again to confirm, then log back in with your username and password.
Reinstall Instagram
Reinstalling is the last app fix, because it removes everything the app stores on your phone. Instagram says your photos and profile info are saved by Instagram, so your account and posts are safe. Reel drafts are different. They’re saved on your phone, and Instagram says that if you uninstall the app, your drafts will be lost, so post or save any drafts first.
- On iPhone, tap and hold the Instagram icon, tap Remove App, then reinstall it from the App Store and log in.
- On Android, open Settings, tap Apps, tap Instagram and tap Uninstall, then reinstall it from Google Play and log in.
Report the Problem to Instagram
If the feed still won’t refresh after every fix, tell Instagram. Its help says to try updating the app first, and you’ll have done that already.
- Go to your profile and tap Menu in the top right.
- Under More info and support, tap Help.
- Tap Report a Problem.
- Shake your phone on the screen where the problem happens, or tap Report problem without shaking.
Say which phone you use, what you were doing when the error appeared and how long it has been happening. Add a screenshot of the error if you can. If Shake phone to report a problem is turned on, shaking your phone in the app also opens the report menu.
Couldn’t Refresh Feed Questions
Does “Couldn’t refresh feed” mean I’m banned?
No, the message is about loading, not your account. Instagram says it tells you about a suspension by email and when you open your account. If you’re worried, open Account Status in your settings to see if any of your content was removed or if there are features you can’t use.
Why does it only happen on Wi-Fi?
If the feed loads on mobile data but not on Wi-Fi, the problem is that network. Restart the router, turn off any VPN and check for a sign-in page if it’s public Wi-Fi. If it still fails on one network only, try again later or use another connection.
Will clearing the cache delete my posts or messages?
No. Clear cache only deletes temporary files on your phone, and your posts, followers and messages stay on Instagram. Clear storage is the stronger option that deletes all app data on the phone and logs you out, so use Clear cache first.
Will I lose drafts if I reinstall Instagram?
Yes, reel drafts are saved on your phone and are lost when you uninstall the app. Post any drafts you want to keep before you reinstall. Your photos and profile info stay safe because Instagram saves them.
Work Down the List, Then Get Back to Posting
Work from the simplest fix to the biggest one. Check where the problem is, restart your phone, test both networks and check the clock before you touch the app. If the feed still won’t load, update, clear the cache or offload, log out and reinstall in that order, and report it if nothing works.
A feed that won’t refresh can also stop you posting and checking how your posts are doing. Once your feed is loading and you’re posting again, Instagram likes can give a new post a stronger start.
