Skip to Content

Log in / Sign up

wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. Learn why people trust wikiHow

Instagram Loading Screen Stuck? 7 Easy Fixes to Try

Download Article

Quick solutions for the Instagram loading screen issue

Co-authored by Rain Kengly Reviewed by Stan Kats

Last Updated: August 17, 2024 Fact Checked

Download Article

Is your Instagram app stuck on the loading screen? If the app just keeps spinning and loading on the home page, DMs, or a Story, it's most likely due to a software bug. Force-closing the app a few times can usually fix this. Here's how to fix Instagram when it's stuck on the loading screen on your iPhone, iPad, or Android.

1

Force-close the app.

Download Article

{"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/f\/f9\/Instagram-Loading-Screen-Step-1.jpg\/v4-460px-Instagram-Loading-Screen-Step-1.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/f\/f9\/Instagram-Loading-Screen-Step-1.jpg\/v4-728px-Instagram-Loading-Screen-Step-1.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
Open and force-close the app multiple times. Some users reported it took over 15 tries before Instagram opened to the login screen. https://www.wikihow.com/Instagram-Loading-Screen
- Force-closing is different from minimizing the app. Make sure to close the app completely (so it isn't running in the background) before you open it again.

Advertisement

2

Try the desktop version.

Download Article

{"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/b\/bd\/Instagram-Loading-Screen-Step-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Instagram-Loading-Screen-Step-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/b\/bd\/Instagram-Loading-Screen-Step-2.jpg\/v4-728px-Instagram-Loading-Screen-Step-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}

If you're already using Instagram on the web , try using the app version instead. If Instagram works on the other platform, the problem is likely your device rather than Instagram. ^{[1]
X
Research source}

3

Check the server status.

Download Article

{"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/c\/c5\/Instagram-Loading-Screen-Step-3.jpg\/v4-460px-Instagram-Loading-Screen-Step-3.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/c\/c5\/Instagram-Loading-Screen-Step-3.jpg\/v4-728px-Instagram-Loading-Screen-Step-3.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}

Check DownDetector for outages. If you can't get Instagram to load, it could be due to a server outage. You'll see reports from the last 24 hours. If other users are also experiencing issues, it's most likely an error on Instagram's end.

Advertisement

4

Update the app.

Download Article

{"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/4\/47\/Instagram-Loading-Screen-Step-4.jpg\/v4-460px-Instagram-Loading-Screen-Step-4.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/4\/47\/Instagram-Loading-Screen-Step-4.jpg\/v4-728px-Instagram-Loading-Screen-Step-4.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}

Updates provide important bug fixes and quality improvements. If you have an older version of Instagram, you may be unable to use the app properly.

5

Clear the app's cache.

Download Article

{"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/7\/7f\/Instagram-Loading-Screen-Step-5.jpg\/v4-460px-Instagram-Loading-Screen-Step-5.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/7\/7f\/Instagram-Loading-Screen-Step-5.jpg\/v4-728px-Instagram-Loading-Screen-Step-5.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
Empty the Instagram app cache. If you're using an iPhone or iPad, you'll need to delete the app and install it again.
- On Android, navigate to Settings > Apps > Instagram > Storage > Clear cache or Clear data .

Advertisement

6

Restart your device.

Download Article

{"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/f\/fe\/Instagram-Loading-Screen-Step-6.jpg\/v4-460px-Instagram-Loading-Screen-Step-6.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/f\/fe\/Instagram-Loading-Screen-Step-6.jpg\/v4-728px-Instagram-Loading-Screen-Step-6.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}

A quick restart can fix common issues.

7

Update your device.

Download Article

{"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/b\/b4\/Instagram-Loading-Screen-Step-7.jpg\/v4-460px-Instagram-Loading-Screen-Step-7.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/b\/b4\/Instagram-Loading-Screen-Step-7.jpg\/v4-728px-Instagram-Loading-Screen-Step-7.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}

Similar to app updates, iOS and Android updates provide important bug fixes, so be sure your device is up-to-date.

Advertisement

Expert Q&A

Search

Add New Question

Ask a Question

200 characters left

Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.

Advertisement

Tips

Submit a Tip

All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published

Name

Please provide your name and last initial

Thanks for submitting a tip for review!

You Might Also Like

Advertisement

References

↑ https://www.instagram.com/accounts/login/?hl=en

About This Article

Reviewed by:

Professional Technologist

This article was reviewed by Stan Kats and by wikiHow staff writer, Rain Kengly . Stan Kats is a Professional Technologist and the COO and Chief Technologist for The STG IT Consulting Group in West Hollywood, California. Stan provides comprehensive technology solutions to businesses through managed IT services, and for individuals through his consumer service business, Stan's Tech Garage. Stan holds a BA in International Relations from The University of Southern California. He began his career working in the Fortune 500 IT world. Stan founded his companies to offer an enterprise-level of expertise for small businesses and individuals. This article has been viewed 1,128 times.

How helpful is this?

Co-authors: 3

Updated: August 17, 2024

Views: 1,128

Categories: Instagram

Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 1,128 times.

Is this article up to date?

Advertisement

wikiHow Tech Help Pro:

Level up your tech skills and stay ahead of the curve

X

-

-

449

.mwimg a.image{display:none}#header_logo{display:none}#cse-search-box{display:none}#cse-search-box-noscript{display:block !important}#cse-search-box-noscript .cse_q{color:#FFF;background-color:#B3CE9C}.wh_search .cse_q{width:88%}#mw-mf-main-menu-button{display:none;visibility:hidden}.header .search{display:none}#search_footer .cse_sa{background-image:url(/extensions/wikihow/mobile/images/white_mag.png);background-size:22px}.related_box{display:block;background:#EEE;border:5px solid #FFF;vertical-align:bottom;width:127px;background-size:180px;float:left;height:120px;position:relative}.related_box p{line-height:15px !important;font-size:13px;background-color:rgba(67,95,44,.4);color:#FFF;font-weight:bold;padding:8px;margin:0 !important;position:absolute;bottom:0}#noscript_header_logo{display:table-cell;vertical-align:middle;background-position:50% 77%;background-repeat:no-repeat;background-image:url(/extensions/wikihow/mobile/images/wikihow_logo_230.png);background-size:105px;width:auto;height:51px;padding:0 14px}.articleinfo{display:none}#iorg_free_data{z-index:50;width:100%;position:fixed}#ara_recommendations{display:none}

Design a Mobile Website

View Site in Mobile | Classic

Share by: