Despite the popularity of Instagram, the social network is not perfect and regular users face problems, one of which is the inability to launch it on their smartphone. There are many reasons for errors and software is not always the culprit. The problem can be solved independently, without resorting to technical support. The article collects recommendations from specialists and provides a clear answer to the question of why Instagram crashes and how to deal with it.
Causes
If you use the social network Instagram and suddenly it starts to malfunction, constantly reloading or crashing when uploading photos and videos to your feed or story section, there is no need to panic and immediately turn to technical support specialists or paid services for repairing mobile devices. Any malfunction can be tried to be solved independently, the main thing is to determine the root cause of the failures and proceed from there.
All cases can be divided into several main categories depending on a specific cause:
- The most common case is caused by software both of the mobile device itself and the official Instagram application.
- Technical malfunctions of the smartphone and hardware incompatibility with the utility system requirements.
- Do not forget about user carelessness and internet malfunctions. After all, for the service to work stably, it is necessary to have constant and active access to the network.
All of this can negatively affect the performance of the mobile application. Below we will consider possible cases for different types of mobile phones and operating systems.
On Android
Most often, crashes and glitches are observed on mobile devices with the Android operating system. Let’s consider popular reasons for malfunctions:
- An outdated version of the Instagram utility is installed on the smartphone. Developers recommend keeping track of the latest build and timely installation of updates. A similar situation arises if the device’s software is not updated.
- A lack of free memory on the mobile phone. Over time, the service’s active work accumulates cache and temporary files in the smartphone’s system. If they are not cleaned and deleted, this may affect the loading of digital data in the future.
- Updates do not always bring benefits, and sometimes glitches begin to appear only after installing the latest version of the program.
- The service requires constant access to the network. If the connection speed is insufficient, photo and video content will simply not open.
- High load on the device’s RAM. When using several utilities simultaneously, the operating system’s performance significantly deteriorates because resources and traffic are divided among all included processes.
- Do not forget about the impact of malicious viruses on the service’s operation. Trojans or other hackers can easily be picked up on suspicious and unverified sites.
- A short-term or one-time crash of the application itself.
- Technical work is carried out on the social network resource, which may affect the utility’s functionality.
All of this can lead to unpleasant consequences and periodic crashes associated with the program’s shutdown.
On iPhone
When it comes to technology from the global manufacturer Apple, the reasons for a mobile application crashing can be identical to those previously described for the Android operating system. The risk of errors is minimized on the latest device models. Most crashes occur on iPhone 6 or earlier versions.
If your mobile device is an iPhone 4 or an earlier version, the latest updates of the social network Instagram will not work. This is because the utility becomes more demanding with each new innovation and sets stricter operating conditions, requiring increased amounts of RAM.
Let’s consider the popular root causes of why Instagram crashes on an iPhone:
- An outdated mobile phone that needs to be replaced.
- A lack of free and operating memory on the device.
- The influence of viruses.
- An unstable internet connection or frequent disruptions in communication.
To reduce the likelihood of malfunctions, install the latest version of the operating system on the iPhone – iOS 13. In addition, do not forget about technical malfunctions of the gadget, such as antenna or internal failures.
How to solve problems with Instagram crashing on your phone
If you encounter an unpleasant situation where Instagram constantly logs you out and the social network is unable to consistently display photos or stories, try to solve the problem on your own. Below we will consider useful tips and recommendations on what to pay attention to in this case and how to fix the error.
Free up the RAM
Often, malfunctions begin to occur due to high load on the mobile device’s RAM or internal memory. Useless files and cache accumulate over time, which can sometimes affect the performance of the application. Therefore, try to regularly clear the cache. To do this:
- On the home screen of your device, find the settings section.
- Select the applications tab.
- A list of all the programs installed on your phone will appear on the screen, scroll and select Instagram.
- After that, you will see a detailed description of the utility and a button to clear the cache.
You can use special programs to perform cleaning. Make sure to prepare enough free space on the memory card for the service to function without errors.
If you simultaneously use and keep several applications active on your smartphone, it greatly affects the speed and loads the RAM. To prevent the social network from freezing or crashing, it is recommended to close all unnecessary apps before starting a new session.
Update the application version
Make sure to update your mobile application in a timely manner and check for the availability of the latest version from official sources. To install the latest build, you will need to:
- Launch the software store for Android Play Market or iPhone App Store.
- Select the update option in the utility settings.
- You will then see all the programs that need to be changed.
- Select Instagram and proceed with the installation.
To avoid wasting time downloading and activating updates each time, enable automatic download of update files on your smartphone. Changes are also made in the software store. After making changes, don’t forget to restart your phone.
Restart the device
The most common and quickest way to solve the problem is simply to restart your mobile device. It will work if the cause was a brief software failure or freeze. Otherwise, you will have to look for a deeper answer. Try logging out and logging back into your Instagram account.
How to fix the problem with an unknown error
In addition to the constant crashes of the Instagram utility, users may encounter an unknown error. It can be solved by one of the following methods:
- Restart your smartphone.
- Try deleting the mobile application and reinstalling it on your device.
- Check for a constant internet connection. Perhaps the “Airplane mode” is active on the phone or data transmission is turned off. If you are in an area with poor reception, find a place with a good connection.
- Slow data loading speed. Switch the connection method from wireless via Wi-Fi to mobile data or vice versa.
- When using a browser to log into the social network and encountering a failure, reinstall or update the browser.
- Old smartphone or utility software. Download and install the latest version of the software.
- Use antivirus software to find and get rid of viruses.
If none of the advice brings the desired result, it is worth seeking help from technical support specialists.
The article discusses the main reasons why Instagram works incorrectly and constantly crashes, and also tries to solve this problem independently. The sequence of actions to restore normal operation will depend on the root cause and the culprit of the situation.