Instagram Keeps Crashing? Here are 7 Ways to Fix It

Has your Instagram experience been marred by continuous app crashes? With our dependence on social media platforms for personal connections and professional branding, encountering hiccups like this can be frustrating. To make matters worse, there’s not a singular reason why this happens.

Thankfully, our tech gurus here at Nerd Techy are on the case! This guide shares their findings with 7 effective ways to address this issue and get your Instagram app running smoothly again.

Common Reasons Why Instagram Crashes

Understanding the potential causes behind Instagram crashes can provide deeper insight into the problem, as well as guide us toward the right solution. Here are some of the most common reasons why your Instagram app might be crashing:

Software Incompatibility: Sometimes, Instagram crashes can be attributed to incompatibility between your device’s operating system and the Instagram app. This typically occurs when either your device’s OS or your Instagram app isn’t updated to the latest version.

Overloaded Cache: Over time, Instagram stores temporary data known as a cache. Programs do this to speed up recurring tasks. However, an overloaded cache can sometimes cause the app to crash.

Insufficient Storage Space: Instagram, like any other app, needs a certain amount of free space on your device to function properly. If your device’s storage space is almost full, it could prevent Instagram from operating smoothly, leading to crashes.

Unstable Internet Connection: Instagram requires a stable internet connection to function optimally. An unstable or slow connection could cause the app to malfunction or crash.

Bugs in the Instagram App: Instagram is a complex app that undergoes continuous updates and revisions. Occasionally, new features or updates may contain bugs that lead to crashes. These are generally addressed in subsequent updates.

Now that we’ve examined the most common culprits behind Instagram crashing, let’s shift our focus to resolving it so that you can get back to enjoying the platform. Below, you’ll find straightforward methods that often fix crashing problems.

1. Give Your Smartphone a Fresh Start

Our devices, just like us, occasionally need a quick break to function optimally. If Instagram keeps crashing on your device, try the simplest method first – restarting your smartphone. This easy fix can miraculously clear out glitches, overcome lags, and reset system anomalies that might be causing the app to crash.

To do this, press and hold your device’s power button. Depending on your phone model, you will see either a “Restart” option, which automatically switches off and reboots your device or a “Power Off” option. The latter turns off your device, requiring you to manually power it back on.

2. Refresh the Instagram App

If a simple restart doesn’t solve the problem, consider refreshing the Instagram app itself by force-stopping it. This method effectively clears the app’s memory, providing a fresh slate for Instagram to operate on.

For this, navigate to your device’s “Settings,” find “Apps,” and then select Instagram from the list. On the Instagram page, you’ll find an option to “Force Stop” the app. After this, re-launch Instagram, enter your login credentials and check if the problem persists.

3. Keep Your Instagram App Updated or Reinstall It

The app version you’re using might be the culprit. Instagram continually releases updates to improve user experience and fix bugs. Therefore, updating your app to the latest version can resolve the issue. You can do this via the Google Play Store. Simply find Instagram and hit “Update.”

If updating doesn’t work, try uninstalling the app completely and then reinstalling it. This method, akin to a system restart, helps clear out minor software errors. To do this, search for Instagram on the Play Store, tap “Uninstall,” and after the process is complete, hit “Install.”

4. Monitor Your Device Storage

Running apps, including Instagram, require a certain amount of storage space on your device. If your phone’s storage is almost full, it could lead to app crashes. A general rule of thumb is to ensure at least 15% free storage space on your device for the smooth functioning of all apps.

To check your storage, go to “Settings,” find “Storage,” and check your storage status. If space is low, consider deleting unnecessary apps, photos, or videos to free up some storage.

5. Clear Instagram’s Cache and Data

Accumulated cache and data can sometimes lead to app performance issues, including crashes. Here’s how you can clear Instagram’s cache and data on both Android and iOS devices:

For Android Users:

1. On Android devices, you can clear cache and data directly through the system settings.
2. Go to “Settings” on your Android device.
3. Navigate to “Apps” and select “Instagram” from the list of apps.
4. Once on the Instagram app info page, tap on “Storage”.
5. Here, you’ll see two options: “Clear Data” and “Clear Cache”. Tap these options to clear them. Please note that this action will erase all Instagram data from your device, including login details.

For iOS Users:

On iOS devices, due to system restrictions, cache cannot be cleared directly. You’ll need to uninstall and reinstall the app to clear the cache and data. Here’s how:

1. Open “Settings” on your iPhone.
2. Tap on “General” and then select “iPhone Storage.”
3. Scroll through the list of apps to find Instagram and tap on it.
4. Tap “Delete App.” This will remove the app along with all its data.
5. After deleting the app, head over to the App Store and reinstall Instagram. This will give you a fresh version of the app without the previous data.

Clearing the cache and data can often resolve issues like Instagram crashing. But remember to back up any data you don’t want to lose, as this process will erase all Instagram data from your device.

6. Withdraw From the Instagram Beta Program

If you’re part of Instagram’s Beta program, you might experience instability in the app due to the testing of new features. To resolve this, consider opting out of the Beta program and switching to the stable, public version of Instagram.

To leave the Beta program, go to Google Play Store, find Instagram, scroll to the “You’re a beta tester” section, and select “Leave.” After leaving the program, uninstall the current Instagram app and reinstall the regular version.

7. Update Your Device Software

Sometimes, Instagram might crash if your phone’s software version is outdated and doesn’t support the latest Instagram features. Keeping your device updated ensures compatibility with app updates and enhances overall device performance.

To update your phone, go to “Settings” and find the “Software Update” option. Follow the prompts to download and install the latest software version.

Tips to Make Instagram Run Smoothly

Now that we’ve covered potential causes and fixes for Instagram crashes, here are some proactive measures you can take to keep Instagram running smoothly on your device:

Regularly Update Instagram: It’s often good practice to update the app to the latest version, as updates typically contain bug fixes and improvements. That said, updates can cause the reverse to happen, too. If you’re not experiencing any issues with Instagram (or any other app, for that matter), it might be best to adhere to the adage “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” and take no action at all.

Clear Cache Frequently: Regularly clearing the Instagram app cache can prevent it from becoming overloaded and causing problems. App caches tend to get crowded over time, and clearing them out may get things back on track.

Monitor Storage Space: In an era where modern devices have untold amounts of storage, it can be easy to assume that you’ll never run out of space. But it’s important to remember that apps and games are also larger than they’ve ever been. Thus, you should regularly check your device’s storage and ensure there’s sufficient space for Instagram to function optimally.

Keep Your Device’s Software Updated: It’s generally good form to make sure your device’s operating system is always updated to the latest version. Doing so will typically help ensure compatibility with app updates.

But as with our tip on keeping Instagram updated, you might also want to delay updating your device. Unless there’s a pressing security update that needs to be installed, delaying an update can potentially help you avoid newfound compatibility issues with certain apps.

Maintain a Stable Internet Connection: Try to use Instagram on a stable and fast internet connection to prevent potential app glitches. And if possible, avoid using public WiFi, as you’re more vulnerable to data breaches and outside attacks.

Limit Background Running Apps: Having too many apps running in the background can affect the performance of your device and lead to Instagram crashing. Limiting these can help Instagram and other apps run smoothly.

Regularly Restart Your Device: Regularly restarting your device can prevent lags, keeping it and Instagram running smoothly.

By understanding why Instagram might crash and implementing these tips, you can maintain a seamless Instagram experience free from interruptions and crashes.

Final Thoughts

Staying connected and engaging with others via Instagram should be a seamless experience. However, occasional software glitches can hinder this. The seven easy fixes detailed above can resolve the issue of Instagram crashing on your device, helping you continue your social media activities without interruption.