Q&A for How to Reactivate Instagram

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I have temporarily disabled my account 2-3 months back but now when i try to login it shows the login but screen appears blank and a message pops up saying couldn't refresh feed. What should I do?

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This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.

wikiHow Staff Editor

Staff Answer

The part about the "couldn't refresh feed" sounds like an app version problem or internet connection issue. Try using a web browser on a computer or laptop or connect to a more reliable network on your phone and update the app, then try again.

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How many times can you deactivate your Instagram?

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You need to wait 7 days before reactivating an Instagram account, then you have to wait another 7 days before you can deactivate it again. This could go on ad infinitum if you had nothing better to do…

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Question

Can I get my Instagram back after deleting it?

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According to the terms and conditions of Instagram, deletion of your account is permanent. You will have lost access to both the old account and your previous username. If you disabled the account temporarily, you can restore it (just follow the instructions in the article above). Think hard before deleting your Instagram!

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How long does it take for Instagram to delete an inactive account?

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Instagram does have a policy that encourages people to use the account. An inactive account is at risk of being deleted but the amount of time is not specified. Not using the account for awhile will result in reminder emails from Instagram letting you know it’s easy to get re-involved. After a few years of non-use, it’s possible your account will be deleted for being inactive.

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Question

What do I need to do if I temporarily disabled my account yesterday and now I cannot log in?

Community Answer

You will be able to reactivate your account after a week.

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Question

If I re-activate my Instagram, will I still have all of my followers?

Community Answer

You certainly should! If you have a huge amount of followers, some may take note of your absence and choose to unfollow you manually; however, disabling your account will not remove your followers.

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Question

Does Instagram notify followers when you reactivate an inactive profile?

Community Answer

No, but your account will go from being invisible back to being visible to followers.

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Question

Do I have to wait a week to reactivate it? Does it automatically reactivate, or do I have to do it manually?

Community Answer

Yes, you have to wait for 7 days to reactivate your account and, unfortunately, you will have to do it manually.

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Question

I temporarily deactivated my Instagram account. After logging back in, almost all my pictures are gone! Will they come back?

Community Answer

Users in the same situation report that their pictures returned within about four days (often sooner). Contact Instagram customer support if they haven't returned by then.

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How long can I temporarily deactivate my account?

Community Answer

When you temporarily disable your account, Instagram maintains the "disabled" status for a week. After that period of time, you'll have to re-disable Instagram if you want to continue.

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Question

How do I get back in if I spelled my email address wrong?

Community Answer

It should say, "invalid email" or "wrong login info" or something along those lines. Try again and spell the email address correctly.

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Question

My friend's accounts have been hacked and she can no longer log in. How does she fix this?

Community Answer

Fill out the Report a Hacked Account form to report the problem. Instagram typically restores access to hacked accounts within a day or two.

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Question

Can I temporarily deactivate my account without permanently deactivating it?

Community Answer

Yes. Log in to the app from a web browser on your phone or computer (not the app). Click your username and select "Edit Profile," then "Temporarily disable my account." After completing the process, your Instagram content will be hidden until you log in again.

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Question

After reactivating my Instagram account, my old posts are no longer visible. Is there any way to recover them?

Community Answer

No. Once accounts are deactivated and opened up again, you cannot retrieve old posts or stories unless you post them again.

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Question

I am unable to sign in to my Instagram since I lost access to my email address and it was not linked to Facebook. Is there any way to regain access?

Community Answer

No guarantees, but you can try filling out the Instagram Login Issues form . This will let Instagram know about your issue.

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Question

How do I contact Instagram to appeal the deactivation of my account?

Community Answer

All you have to do to reactivate it is just simply log in with the email and password you had before. Your account is not deleted immediately.

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Question

I wanted to deactivate my account for only a few hours. I am not able to deactivate it. What should I do?

Community Answer

You can only deactivate your account for a week. It's not possible to deactivate it only for a few hours.

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Question

How do I recover my Instagram account if it won't refresh?

Community Answer

Try deleting the app and reinstalling it, or try doing this on a computer. If there's still a problem, email the Instagram team and see if they can help you.

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Question

What do I do if I forgot my password and no longer have the email (which was fake) that I signed up with?

Community Answer

If you have linked your Facebook account with it, then you can log in by choosing "Login with Facebook," then change your email and get confirmed with the new email.

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Question

How do I reactivate Instagram if I forgot my email and password?

Community Answer

This is a complicated situation because you should have at least the email to reset the password. If you can, try to contact Instagram customer service. Otherwise, you will have to create a new one.

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Question

How do I reactivate my temporarily disabled account on a laptop/computer?

Community Answer

Follow the same steps as usual. Go into Account Settings, Privacy and down on the bottom it should say 'Temporarily disable the account.'

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Question

If I deactivate my Instagram account, will I be able to reactivate it one year later?

Community Answer

No, you must reactivate it within three months.

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Question

My Instagram account got deactivated because I violated the terms and conditions. I made a new account, but it won't let me log in to the app. What can I do?

Community Answer

When your Instagram is disabled for violating their terms, they also block your device from using the app. You can try appealing to Instagram Support; in the meantime, try it on a different device (laptop, tablet, etc). The different device also has to be a different IP address/network.

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Question

What do I do if I disable my account and Instagram doesn't recognize my account at all?

Community Answer

Go to your Settings and press Applications. Then, scroll down until you find Instagram. Press it and then press "Enable." At that point, it might show an update. After updating the app, try logging in and disabling your account again.

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Question

What if my account was deleted, but I did not delete it and I did not disrespect the terms and conditions?

Community Answer

You might need to talk to Instagram Help Desk. You could have been reported by another Instagram user.

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Question

I am trying to reactivate my account, but my email bounces back to me. How else can I contact Instagram to sort this out?

Community Answer

If you have a phone number connected to the account, you can also enter that. If not, contact Instagram through Facebook or Twitter -- you can private message them.

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Question

How long will it take for Instagram support to enable my account?

Community Answer

You log into Instagram as usual. And if it says that it's too soon then wait an hour or two and try again and you will be able to go back in.

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Question

How can I unlock my account if I put in the wrong password too many times?

Community Answer

Press "Forgot password" and follow the prompts for resetting your password. Usually they will send you a 4 digit code by phone or email that you can use to access your account and change the password.

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Question

How do I reactivate my Instagram account if they disabled it for violating terms and conditions?

Community Answer

Contact Instagram customer service and ask about your specific instance, or you can create a new account.

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Question

What should I do if I temporarily deleted my account for four months, and now my account can't be found?

Community Answer

Make a new Instagram account. After a month of temporarily deleting your account, it will be permanently deleted.

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