Instagram Couldn’t Refresh Feed? Here Are 9 Ways To Fix It

If you get the refresh feed error on Instagram then it’s possible that your Instagram login session is the cause of the problem. This issue stops the app from getting new content, which results in an error message. The solution is to log out and back into the Instagram app.

Is your Instagram feed stuck and won’t refresh? I know how frustrating it can be to be on Instagram scrolling or trying to refresh your feed, realizing that nothing is happening. 

I’ve unfortunately experienced this issue a few times and it prompted me to do some research on what causes it and how to fix it. Read on as I explain what causes your Instagram feed to not refresh and the different solutions you can employ to fix it. 

Instagram Couldn’t Refresh Feed? 9 Ways To Fix It

According to the marketing company, Buffer, I learned that Instagram is the fourth most popular social media platform, with 2 billion monthly active users (MAUs). This is no surprise, as Instagram has great features for both individuals and businesses alike. 

That being said, Instagram is not without its faults, and one of the issues many users, including myself, run into is a refresh feed error. This is when the Instagram feed won’t show you the latest Instagram posts but instead continues to show the same posts over and over again. 

During my research, I learned about the possible reasons why you can’t refresh your Instagram feed. I also learned about some solutions and why you don’t need to contact Instagram support to get them rectified. 

Check Your Internet Connection

One of the most common reasons for your Instagram feed not refreshing could be a poor internet connection. 

In my experience, if the Wi-Fi is giving problems, it’s best to restart the router. I learned from HowToGeek, a trusted tech website, that restarting your router works because it clears the memory and reloads the firmware.  

If you’re using mobile data, you can turn it off and on again to resolve possible issues. 

Reboot Your Device

When my internet connection is fine but my Instagram feed won’t refresh, I restart my phone to fix any possible issues. According to the telephone company, T-mobile, restarting your phone can fix common issues. In this case, it could fix Instagram’s refresh issue. 

Here’s a video on how to reboot your iPhone:

Update The Instagram App

In my experience, when the internet connection is fine and a reboot doesn’t work, then it’s likely that I need to update my Instagram to be able to refresh my feed. 

If you have an iPhone, here’s a video on how to update Instagram on an iOS device:

Log Out & Back Into Instagram

I’ve found that sometimes logging out and then logging back into Instagram can allow your Instagram feed to refresh. 

Here’s how to do it:

1. Open Instagram and tap your profile picture in the bottom right corner.

2. Next, tap the three horizontal lines in the top right corner.

3. Tap Settings.

4. Scroll to the bottom and tap Log Out.

5. Next, tap Log out again to log out of Instagram.

6. Close the app then open it again and log back into your Instagram account. 

Here’s a video I found on how to log out and log back into Instagram:

Check If Instagram Is Down

If your Instagram feed isn’t refreshing, there’s a possibility that the Instagram servers are down. I’ve experienced a few outages before and I usually use Downdetector to confirm my suspicions. 

Disable Data Saver For Instagram

I learned more about Instagram’s data saver via the Instagram Help Center. It allows you to reduce how much data the app uses. Unfortunately, this can sometimes be the reason why your feed won’t refresh. I found that disabling the data-saving mode can fix Instagram couldn’t refresh feed.

Here’s how to do it:

1. Open Instagram on your phone and tap your profile picture in the bottom right corner.

2. Next, tap the three horizontal lines in the top right corner. 

3. Afterward, tap Settings. 

4. Select Account. 

5. Tap Data Usage.

6. If “Use Less Mobile Data” is toggled on, toggle it off.

Here’s a video showing you how to disable the data saver for Instagram:

Set The Correct Date & Time

I learned from Samsung that ensuring you have the correct date and time on your phone is important for your phone to function properly. I’ve experienced the incorrect date and time affecting apps, such as WhatsApp, so that could be why you’re receiving the Instagram feed refresh error. 

Here’s a video I found that shows you how to set the date & time on an Android:

Delete Instagram Cache Files

Another reason I learned that Instagram couldn’t refresh feed is due to full cache storage. If you’re not familiar, cached data is temporary files stored on your device, which makes it easier to load a website or app when you’re using it, according to G2, a software marketplace. 

Clearing cache data can fix Instagram couldn’t refresh error. Here’s how you do it on Android:

1. Open the Settings app on your Android phone. 

2. Tap Apps to view the installed apps on your device.

3. Select Instagram from the list of apps. 

4. Afterward, tap Storage. 

5. Tap Clear Cache to delete the stored cache. 

Here’s our video on how to clear cache on Android:

For iPhone users, here’s how to do it on iPhone:

Uninstall & Reinstall The Instagram App

Besides full cache storage, I learned that sometimes Instagram couldn’t refresh feed due to an error with the app itself. This isn’t limited to only not being able to refresh feed, but also due to other common errors such as Instagram not posting photos. 

When this happens, I find it’s best to uninstall and then reinstall the app. Here’s how to do it on iPhone:

1. Press and hold the Instagram app until the popup menu appears. 

2.  In the popup menu, tap Remove App.

3.  Afterward, tap Delete App. 

4. Tap Delete again to confirm and delete the Instagram app from your iPhone.

5.  Now that Instagram has been uninstalled, open the App Store.

6.  Tap the search icon at the bottom right corner.

7.  Type Instagram in the search bar to search for the app.

8.  Tap download to reinstall the Instagram app. 

Since I demonstrated how to uninstall and reinstall Instagram on iPhone above, here’s a video showing you how to do it on Android:

FAQs

Why is Instagram not loading my feed?

Instagram is not loading your feed because of several possible reasons. The Instagram app could be outdated, which is why the feed isn’t loading. If this is the case, then you need to go to the app store on your phone, search for Instagram, and update the app.

How do I clear my Instagram cache?

You can clear Instagram cache on Android devices by opening the Settings app, going to Apps, and finding Instagram from the list. Tap Instagram, tap Storage, and tap clear cache to delete the Instagram cache on your device. For iPhone, you’ll need to uninstall and reinstall Instagram.

Instagram Couldn’t Refresh Feed – Wrapping Up

What’d you think of this article?

I know how annoying it is when you get the Instagram refresh feed error, especially if you use Instagram a lot. Thankfully, I found out that there are a number of solutions you can employ to fix Instagram refresh feed error. 

I love that the solutions are easy too, if the cause is the Instagram app, you can uninstall and reinstall it to fix Instagram. There’s also a chance that there may be full cache storage that can be cleared. Other possible reasons are a faulty internet connection which needs to be rectified or your phone needs to be rebooted to fix Instagram refresh feed error. 

If you’re having other problems such as you can’t follow anyone on Instagram, then check out our guide for a solution. 

Leave any questions you may have for me in the comments below and be sure to share this article with your friends, family, and followers too.