Instagram Direct Messages Not Working – Fixed!

Jack

By Jack Lin

Update on

Instagram DMS Not Working
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You may actively send many direct messages on your Instagram account. But lately, you have been unable to send new messages.

It can be frustrating but do not worry, as this can be resolved. This article describes the solutions that will help fix Instagram direct messages not working.

Instagram Direct Messages Not Working

Well, Instagram DMS not working can be a problem for you and your followers. Direct Message is an Instagram feature that has existed since the platform began.

The primary purpose of the DM is to send private messages to individual users who follow you.

It’s easy for brands and companies to engage with their target audience. But if your DMS is gone, you wouldn’t be able to communicate with your followers as effectively.

Have you ever tried to send a photo or video to someone through Instagram direct messenger and received the error message “something went wrong…“? It isn’t very pleasant, and if it starts to happen a lot, you will want to fix it.

If you are eager to find the solution to Instagram direct messages not working, read this article.

Besides, the challenge required issue is a common error experienced by many Instagram users. Let’s see how to overcome the challenge required error on Instagram.

Top 10 Ways to Troubleshoot Instagram DMS Not Working

Instagram Direct Messages is the best and easy way to interact with friends, family, and fans. You can send them photos or videos, and they’ll pop up in their inbox as a text message would.

That said, sometimes messages don’t get through for one reason or another. Maybe the app is down, or you have poor Wi-Fi reception at home.

Whatever the issue may be, here are some ways to fix Instagram DMS not working:

1. Check if Instagram Servers Are Up and Running.

The first thing you can do to check if Instagram Direct Messages are working is to check their website and app. If both of these are down, it will be hard for them to send you any messages.

To do this, please go to the Instagram site and see if it’s up and running. If there’s an error message or something like that, then it means that their servers are down. And it means that you won’t be able to receive any messages from them until the server restores.

Open your Instagram app if you’re using an iOS or Android device. And then see if there’s some notification telling you they’re having issues with their servers. Or you can check out your settings menu & look under “Status.”

Also, did you mute someone previously, and are you looking for how to unmute someone on Instagram? Let’s learn how to unmute someone’s stories, posts, and messages.

2. Check Your Wi-Fi Connection is Working Correctly.

Check Your Wi-Fi Connection is Working Correctly

Check your Wi-Fi connection is working correctly. Ensure you have good Wi-Fi when using Instagram DM features.

Features like sharing photo albums or sending messages in real-time. This means having at least one signal strength bar before attempting any action.

A Wi-Fi connection is a way of connecting from your phone to a router and then to the internet. Sometimes this connection can be slow or unreliable, especially when using public Wi-Fi.

There might be interference from other devices and computers around you. And that might be causing issues with Instagram direct messages not working.

In addition, public networks are more likely to be hacked by malware. The malware programs are designed to steal info such as passwords and bank details.

In addition, if your Truist app is not working and you are looking for reasons & a solution, this guide is what you should read. Try these simple ways to fix it easily.

3. Reset Network Settings.

This is the most basic and reliable way to fix Instagram DMS not working. You may think resetting your network settings will cause you to lose all saved passwords, contacts, and other info on your phone.

But don’t worry! When you do this, you only need to manually enter them again once you reconnect with your Wi-Fi or mobile data service.

To reset network settings: go to Settings > General > Reset > Reset Network Settings (on iOS).

Reset Network Settings to Fix Instagram DMS not working

Let’s talk about the most viable ways to recover Instagram direct messages through the easiest steps & friendly program.

4. Check Your Instagram App is Up to Date.

This may sound obvious, but it’s easy to forget. To check your Instagram app version, go to your device’s home screen.

And then tap on the Settings app (in iOS), or tap on the three-line menu button followed by Settings (in Android).

In either case, look for Instagram under Apps & notifications and select it. Then scroll down until you see the version and tap it.

You should see a version number if you use an older Android or iOS app version.

5. Uninstall and Reinstall Instagram

If you are experiencing Instagram DMS not working, try uninstalling and reinstalling the app.

First, open the Settings app on your iOS device and tap General > Storage & iCloud Usage.

Manage Storage on iOS

Next, tap Manage Storage under Apps & Media. You will see all installed apps and how much total storage they take up. You can also view this information by tapping on an individual app.

Scroll through until you find Instagram, and tap it once to open its settings screen. Here’s where you’ll get rid of your current version of Instagram by tapping the Delete App. And then Confirm Delete.

Uninstall Instagram to Fix Instagram DMS not working

Now go back a few steps in Settings until you reach General > Software Update. Or you can check for updates manually if it’s already installed.

Now tap Download & Install when prompted to install any available updates for your iPhone / iPad/iPod Touch. When you finish rebooting, let’s try sending another DM!

iOS Software Update

6. Restart Your Phone

Restarting your phone can fix many problems, including Instagram direct messages not working. It’s simple, turn off your phone and turn it back on again. If you’re using an iPhone or iPad with iOS 7 or later, here’s how.

Press and hold the Power button until the “slide to power off” bar appears on-screen (this could take up to 10 seconds).

Then drag this bar across until “slide to power off” is selected. Your device will then turn itself off after a moment.

Restart Your Phone

7. Clean Up Your Storage Space on Your Phone

Next, check how much storage space you have left. The app won’t work correctly if your phone has less than 1GB of storage.

You can use a third-party app like SD Maid to free up some space on your phone. The process will vary depending on your Android or iPhone model.

But there are online guides that walk you through the process. Once you’ve cleaned up your storage, restart your phone. And then try signing in to Instagram Direct Messages again!

8. Force Stop Instagram

If your Instagram DMS is not working or running correctly, you should first force stop it. This will prevent the app and make it reload, which often solves the problem.

To force stop an app on your device: tap and hold on an app icon until you see a menu pop up. When you’re at this menu, select Force Stop from that list of options to close down that specific app.

Force Stop Instagram

9. Clear Instagram Cache

To clear the Instagram cache, follow these steps:

On an iPhone, go to Settings > General. Then scroll down and tap on Storage & iCloud Usage. In the Storage section on this page, select Manage Storage.

A list of apps that take up storage on your device will appear; tap on Instagram in this list to open its settings.

Then, uncheck all boxes under Options except “Keep Messages Forever.” And tap Clear Cache at the bottom of this screen to clear it entirely. This won’t affect your saved data or any photos you have taken.

10. Use Instagram Web

The last way to troubleshoot Instagram DMS not working is to log in to your Instagram account on the web. Instagram Web is a web-based version of the Instagram app that you can use on your computer or mobile device.

It provides core functionality (like posting, commenting, and messaging) in your browser window. This alternative can help some users stay connected with their followers even if they’re not using the official app.

FAQs

  1. Why are my Instagram DMs not sending? It could be due to an unstable internet connection, or the recipient may have blocked you.
  2. Why am I not receiving Instagram DMs? You might have disabled message notifications or blocked the sender.
  3. Why are my Instagram messages disappearing? This could be due to Instagram’s disappearing message feature, or an issue with your account.
  4. Can reinstalling Instagram fix DM issues? Yes, reinstalling the app can often resolve DM issues.
  5. Can keeping Instagram updated prevent DM issues? Yes, keeping your Instagram app updated can help prevent many DM-related problems.

Conclusion

Instagram users have been experiencing problems with Instagram direct messages not working. And many have taken to the internet to express their frustration.

There are no official solutions to this problem yet. But we are certain that our troubleshooting tips will surely help you fix this issue.

Jack
Jack

10 years of experience in information and computer technology. Passionate about electronic devices, smartphones, computers, and modern technology.

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