Instagram Keeps Crashing? Quick Fixes
A practical guide to fixing Instagram when the app keeps crashing, closes by itself, freezes, stops working after opening, or crashes when you open Reels, Stories, messages, or your profile.
If Instagram keeps crashing, the issue is usually caused by an outdated app, temporary app glitch, corrupted cache, low phone storage, weak internet connection, phone software issues, battery restrictions, or a temporary Instagram problem.
The safest approach is to start with simple fixes first: close Instagram completely, update the app, restart your phone, check storage, clear cache on Android, and reinstall Instagram only if the easier steps do not work.
This guide explains how to fix Instagram crashing on iPhone and Android, how to tell whether the issue is app-specific, and what to do if Instagram crashes only when using certain features.
⚡ Quick Answer
If Instagram keeps crashing, close the app completely, update Instagram, restart your phone, check storage, clear cache on Android, turn off battery saver temporarily, and reinstall Instagram only if the crashing continues.
Who This Guide Is For
This guide is for users whose Instagram app closes by itself, crashes after opening, freezes on the feed, crashes when opening Reels or Stories, or stops working after a recent update.
The goal is to help you fix the app without changing account settings or deleting Instagram too early.
In This Guide
📌 Quick Diagnosis
Before trying every fix, check when Instagram crashes. The pattern can help you find the likely cause faster.
| What Happens | Likely Cause | Try First |
|---|---|---|
| Instagram closes immediately | App glitch, outdated app, or corrupted cache | Update Instagram and restart your phone. |
| Crashes when opening Reels or Stories | Video loading issue, weak internet, cache, or storage problem | Switch networks and check storage. |
| Crashes after a recent update | Temporary app bug or compatibility issue | Check for another update and restart your phone. |
| Only Instagram crashes | Instagram app-specific problem | Clear cache on Android or reinstall later. |
| Many apps crash | Phone storage, software, or performance issue | Free storage and update phone software. |
Closes immediately: update Instagram and restart your phone.
Crashes on Reels or Stories: switch networks and check storage.
Crashes after update: check for another update and restart your phone.
Only Instagram crashes: focus on Instagram app fixes.
Many apps crash: check phone storage and software.
If only Instagram is crashing, do not start by changing your password or account settings. The issue is more likely related to the app, storage, cache, phone software, or a temporary Instagram bug.
📌 Why Instagram Keeps Crashing
Instagram may keep crashing for several reasons. The most common causes are:
- The Instagram app is outdated.
- The app is stuck after running in the background.
- Your phone has very low storage.
- Instagram cache is corrupted on Android.
- Your internet connection is unstable.
- Your phone software is outdated.
- Battery saver or data saver is restricting the app.
- A recent Instagram update introduced a temporary bug.
- Instagram is having a temporary service issue.
- The app installation is corrupted and needs reinstalling.
If Instagram crashes but works in a browser, your account is probably fine. Focus on fixing the app instead of changing account settings.
📱 How to Fix Instagram Keeps Crashing
1. Close Instagram Completely
Instagram may crash because the app is stuck in the background. Closing it completely forces a fresh start.
On iPhone:
- Swipe up from the bottom of the screen.
- Find Instagram in the app switcher.
- Swipe Instagram away to close it.
- Open Instagram again.
On Android:
- Open recent apps.
- Swipe Instagram away to close it.
- Open Instagram again.
A full app restart clears temporary glitches without deleting anything or changing your account.
2. Update Instagram
An outdated Instagram app can crash, freeze, or stop working properly, especially after Instagram changes features or releases updates.
- Open the App Store or Google Play.
- Search for Instagram.
- Tap Update if an update is available.
- Close and reopen Instagram after updating.
Update Instagram before reinstalling it. Updating is faster, safer, and often fixes crashes caused by app bugs.
3. Restart Your Phone
If Instagram still crashes after closing the app, restart your phone. A restart clears temporary system problems and refreshes background processes.
- Turn your phone off.
- Wait a few seconds.
- Turn it back on.
- Open Instagram again.
This is especially useful if Instagram started crashing after your phone had been running for a long time.
4. Check Your Phone Storage
Low storage can cause Instagram to crash because the app needs free space to load media, cache files, Reels, Stories, messages, and profile content.
On iPhone:
- Go to Settings → General → iPhone Storage.
- Check available storage.
- Delete unused apps, large videos, or old downloads if storage is very low.
On Android:
- Go to Settings → Storage.
- Check available storage.
- Remove unused apps, large files, or old downloads if needed.
If other apps are also crashing or your phone feels slow, storage or phone performance may be part of the problem.
5. Clear Instagram Cache on Android
On Android, corrupted cache files can make Instagram crash when opening, loading Reels, viewing Stories, or refreshing the feed.
- Open Settings.
- Tap Apps.
- Select Instagram.
- Tap Storage.
- Tap Clear cache.
- Open Instagram again.
iPhone does not usually offer a simple “Clear cache” button for Instagram. If simpler fixes do not work, you can offload or reinstall the app later.
6. Check Your Internet Connection
Instagram may crash or freeze when it cannot load feed content, Reels, Stories, messages, or media properly.
- Switch from Wi-Fi to mobile data, or the opposite.
- Turn Airplane Mode on and off.
- Restart your router if you are using Wi-Fi.
- Move closer to the router if the signal is weak.
- Open another app or website to test your connection.
If Instagram works better after switching networks, the issue may be related to connection stability.
7. Turn Off Battery Saver or Data Saver Temporarily
Battery saver and data saver can restrict app activity and background loading. This can make Instagram behave strangely, especially when loading media-heavy sections like Reels or Stories.
On iPhone:
- Turn off Low Power Mode temporarily.
- Check that Instagram can use mobile data.
On Android:
- Turn off Battery Saver temporarily.
- Turn off Data Saver temporarily.
- Check that Instagram is not heavily restricted under battery settings.
Turn off battery saver temporarily, open Instagram, and test the feature that was crashing. If it works, background restrictions may have been involved.
8. Update Your Phone Software
Older iOS or Android versions can cause compatibility issues with newer app versions.
- iPhone: Settings → General → Software Update
- Android: Settings → System → Software update, or Settings → Software update
Install any available update, restart your phone, and open Instagram again.
9. Reinstall Instagram
If Instagram keeps crashing after updating, restarting, checking storage, and clearing cache on Android, reinstalling the app may help reset corrupted app files.
- Delete Instagram from your phone.
- Restart your phone.
- Reinstall Instagram from the App Store or Google Play.
- Open Instagram and log in again.
Make sure you know your login details and have access to your email, phone number, or two-factor authentication method before deleting the app.
10. Check if Instagram Is Down
If Instagram is crashing or failing for many users at the same time, the problem may be on Instagram’s side.
- Search for Instagram down.
- Check whether other users are reporting problems.
- Try Instagram in a browser.
- Wait and try again later if the issue appears widespread.
If Instagram is having a temporary outage, changing phone settings or reinstalling the app usually will not fix the issue.
11. Report the Problem to Instagram
If Instagram keeps crashing after normal troubleshooting, report the technical problem from inside the app when you can access it.
- Open Instagram.
- Go to your profile.
- Tap the menu icon.
- Open Settings and activity.
- Go to Help.
- Tap Report a Problem.
Reporting a problem is useful when crashes keep happening after updates, restarts, cache checks, and reinstalling.
📌 If Instagram Crashes on Reels, Stories, or DMs
Sometimes Instagram does not crash everywhere. It may only crash when you open a specific feature, such as Reels, Stories, messages, profile pages, or the camera.
If Instagram crashes on Reels
Reels are video-heavy, so crashes may be related to internet connection, cache, storage, or app version.
- Switch networks.
- Update Instagram.
- Clear cache on Android.
- Check phone storage.
- Restart your phone.
If Instagram crashes on Stories
Stories use camera, media, stickers, uploads, and video playback. If Stories crash, check app permissions, storage, and app updates.
- Update Instagram.
- Check camera and photo permissions.
- Try another network.
- Restart the app.
If Instagram crashes in messages
If Instagram crashes when opening DMs, the issue may be related to inbox loading, cache, app session, or a specific conversation.
- Try opening another conversation.
- Update Instagram.
- Clear cache on Android.
- Try Instagram in a browser.
💻 Try Instagram in a Browser
If the app keeps crashing, try Instagram in a browser. This helps you check whether the issue is your account or only the app.
- Open a browser on your phone or computer.
- Go to Instagram.
- Try logging in.
- Check whether your feed, profile, or inbox loads.
If Instagram works in the browser, your account is probably fine. Focus on app fixes like updating, clearing cache on Android, checking storage, restarting your phone, or reinstalling Instagram.
If Instagram does not work in the app or browser, the issue may be your internet connection, account access, or a temporary Instagram problem.
📌 Instagram Keeps Crashing: Common Causes
| Problem | Likely Cause | Best First Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Instagram closes immediately | App glitch, outdated app, or cache issue | Update Instagram and restart your phone. |
| Crashes on Reels | Video loading, weak internet, cache, or storage issue | Switch networks and check storage. |
| Crashes after update | Temporary app bug or compatibility issue | Check for another update and restart the phone. |
| Only Instagram crashes | Instagram app problem | Clear cache on Android or reinstall later. |
| Many apps crash | Low storage, phone software, or device issue | Free storage and update phone software. |
Closes immediately: update Instagram and restart your phone.
Crashes on Reels: switch networks and check storage.
Crashes after update: check for another update and restart your phone.
Only Instagram crashes: clear cache on Android or reinstall later.
Many apps crash: free storage and update phone software.
✅ Quick Troubleshooting Order
If you are not sure where to start, use this order:
- Close Instagram completely and reopen it.
- Update Instagram.
- Restart your phone.
- Check your phone storage.
- Clear Instagram cache on Android.
- Switch between Wi-Fi and mobile data.
- Turn off battery saver or data saver temporarily.
- Update your phone software.
- Try Instagram in a browser.
- Check whether Instagram is down.
- Reinstall Instagram only if simpler fixes do not work.
- Report the problem to Instagram if crashes continue.
If Instagram keeps crashing, start with app restart, update, phone restart, storage, and cache checks. Reinstall Instagram only after the safer fixes fail.
❓ FAQs
Why does Instagram keep crashing?
Instagram may keep crashing because the app is outdated, your phone storage is low, the app cache is corrupted on Android, your internet connection is unstable, your phone software needs updating, or Instagram is having a temporary problem.
Why does Instagram close immediately after opening?
This usually happens because of an app glitch, outdated app version, cache problem, low storage, or phone software issue. Update Instagram, restart your phone, and check storage first.
Why does Instagram crash when I open Reels?
Reels use video playback and can be affected by weak internet, app cache, low storage, or app bugs. Switch networks, update Instagram, clear cache on Android, and check storage.
Why does Instagram crash after an update?
A recent update may cause temporary bugs on some phones. Check for another update, restart your phone, and reinstall Instagram only if the crashing continues.
Does clearing Instagram cache delete my account?
No. Clearing cache on Android removes temporary files only. It does not delete your Instagram account, posts, messages, or profile.
Should I reinstall Instagram if it keeps crashing?
Reinstall Instagram only after trying safer fixes first, such as updating the app, restarting your phone, checking storage, clearing cache on Android, and testing your connection.
Why does Instagram work in the browser but crash in the app?
If Instagram works in the browser but crashes in the app, your account is probably fine. The issue is more likely related to the Instagram app, cache, storage, phone software, or installation.
What should I do if nothing fixes Instagram crashing?
If nothing works, check whether Instagram is down, reinstall the app, update your phone software, and report the problem to Instagram when you can access the app.
Related Guides
✅ Conclusion
Instagram may keep crashing because of an outdated app, temporary app glitch, corrupted cache, low storage, weak connection, phone software issue, app restrictions, or a temporary Instagram problem.
The safest order is to close Instagram completely, update the app, restart your phone, check storage, clear cache on Android, switch networks, and test Instagram in a browser. Reinstall only if the app still crashes after those steps.
If Instagram works in the browser but crashes in the app, focus on app-specific fixes. If Instagram fails everywhere, check your connection, account access, and whether Instagram is having a wider issue.
External reference: Instagram Help: Troubleshooting