Why Does Instagram Keep Crashing
Instagram usually crashes at the worst time: during an upload, while opening DMs, or right when you try to post a Story. The cause can be your phone, your app version, your storage
Sarah JohnsonInstagram freezing on launch, dropping out of your DMs, or crashing mid-upload is maddening, especially when you are trying to post. The good news is that most crashes come from a short list of causes you can fix yourself in a few minutes.
This guide walks through why Instagram crashes and how to fix it, from quickest to most thorough.
Is it you or Instagram?
Before changing anything, check whether the app is down for everyone. A quick look at a status-tracker site or Instagram's social channels tells you if there is a widespread outage. If it is on their end, waiting is the only fix. If not, work through the steps below.
Fixes, quickest first
| Fix | Why it helps | Effort |
|---|---|---|
| Force close and reopen | Clears a stuck session | Seconds |
| Check your connection | Weak data causes freezes | Seconds |
| Update the app | Old versions have known bugs | 1 minute |
| Restart your phone | Frees memory and resets services | 1 minute |
| Clear cache | Removes corrupted temp data | 2 minutes |
| Reinstall the app | Fixes deeper install issues | 5 minutes |
Work down the list; most crashes resolve in the first few steps.
Clearing cache and storage
On Android, open your phone's app settings, find Instagram, and clear its cache (and storage if needed). On iPhone, offloading or reinstalling the app does the same job. A bloated cache is a common, easily missed cause of repeated crashes.
Free up space and memory
If your phone storage is nearly full, apps crash more often. Delete unused apps and old files, then try again. Closing background apps before opening Instagram also helps on older devices.
When nothing works
If you have tried everything and it still crashes, it may be a device-specific bug or an issue on Instagram's side awaiting a patch. Keep the app updated and check back. For a related upload issue, see why stories upload blurry, and to post from another device, posting from a PC or Mac.
Once the app is stable, you can get back to growing. The HstockPlus marketplace lists Instagram growth services from several suppliers to compare.
FAQ
Why does Instagram crash on opening? Often an outdated app or a corrupted cache. Update the app and clear the cache first.
Will reinstalling lose my account? No. Your account is stored online; reinstalling only refreshes the app on your device.
How do I know if it is an outage? Check a status tracker or Instagram's social channels for reports from other users.
