7 Ways to Fix Couldn’t Refresh Feed on Instagram (2025)

Have you ever opened Instagram, excited to see what your friends, family, or favorite celebrities have been up to, only to be hit with the frustrating message: “Couldn’t Refresh Feed”? Don’t worry—you’re not alone! This issue is common, but the good news is that it’s usually easy to fix.

In this guide, I’ll take you through seven simple and effective fixes to resolve this issue so you can get back to scrolling and exploring Instagram without a hitch. Let’s dive in!

Why Does Instagram Say “Couldn’t Refresh Feed”?

Before we jump into the solutions, it’s helpful to understand why this issue might occur. The error can happen for a variety of reasons, such as:

• Unstable Internet Connection: A weak or unreliable internet connection is one of the most common culprits.
• Instagram Server Downtime: Sometimes the issue isn’t on your end—Instagram’s servers may be temporarily down.
• Corrupted Cache: Temporary data stored by the app might have become corrupted.
• Outdated App Version: Using an older version of Instagram can lead to bugs and glitches.
• Incorrect Date and Time Settings: If your device’s date and time are out of sync, it can cause connectivity issues.
• Other Technical Glitches: These can include app bugs or account-related problems.

Now that you know the potential causes, let’s look at how to fix them.

How to Fix Couldn’t Refresh Feed on Instagram

If you came across this article looking for ways to fix the ‘Couldn’t Refresh Feed’ error on Instagram, then you are at the right place. We have listed various troubleshooting steps that you can follow to help fix this issue.

1. Check Your Internet Connection

Your internet connection is the backbone of Instagram’s functionality. Without a stable connection, the app can’t load new posts or refresh your feed.

1. Test Your Internet Speed: Visit Speedtest.net or a similar website to check your internet speed. If it’s slow or unstable, this could be the problem.
2. Switch Networks: If you’re on mobile data, try connecting to a Wi-Fi network. If you’re already on Wi-Fi, switch to mobile data.
3. Reset Your Connection: Turn on Airplane Mode for a few seconds and then turn it off. This resets your connection and often resolves minor network issues.
4. Ensure Data Isn’t Exhausted: If you’re on a limited mobile data plan, make sure you haven’t used it all up.

If none of these steps work, consider reaching out to your internet service provider to troubleshoot further.

2. Restart the Instagram App

Sometimes, apps encounter minor glitches, and simply restarting them can do the trick. Force stopping and reopening Instagram is a quick way to reset the app.

For Android:

1. Long-press the Instagram icon on your home screen.
2. Tap App Info (or the small “i” icon).
3. Select Force Stop and confirm.
4. Reopen Instagram and check if the feed refreshes.

For iOS:

1. Swipe up from the bottom of your screen (or double-tap the home button on older devices) to open the Recent Apps menu.
2. Find Instagram and swipe it up to close it.
3. Open Instagram again and try refreshing the feed.

3. Log Out and Log Back In

Logging out and logging back into your Instagram account can resolve temporary glitches related to your account.

1. Open the Instagram app.
2. Tap on your profile picture in the bottom right corner to access your profile.
3. Tap the menu (three horizontal lines) in the top right corner and select Settings.
4. Scroll down and tap Log Out.
5. Close the app, reopen it, and log back in with your credentials.

This process refreshes your account session and can fix issues preventing the feed from loading.

4. Update the Instagram App

Running an outdated version of Instagram can lead to compatibility issues and glitches. Keeping the app updated ensures you have the latest features and bug fixes.

• For Android: Open the Google Play Store, search for Instagram, and tap Update if available.
• For iOS: Open the App Store, search for Instagram, and tap Update if available.

Once the app is updated, relaunch it and check if the issue is resolved.

5. Clear Instagram’s Cache

Corrupted cache data can sometimes interfere with the app’s functionality. Clearing the cache removes this temporary data without affecting your account or saved settings.

For Android:

1. Long-press the Instagram icon and tap App Info.
2. Select Storage or Storage & Cache.
3. Tap Clear Cache (avoid tapping “Clear Data,” as this may log you out).

For iOS:

Unfortunately, iOS doesn’t allow users to clear an app’s cache directly. Instead, you’ll need to uninstall and reinstall the app (explained in the next step).

6. Reinstall the Instagram App

If clearing the cache doesn’t work (or if you’re on iOS), reinstalling the app is another effective solution. This gives you a fresh, bug-free version of Instagram.

1. Long-press the Instagram icon and select Uninstall or Remove App.
2. Open the Google Play Store (Android) or App Store (iOS).
3. Search for Instagram, tap Install, and wait for the download to complete.
4. Log back into your account and check if the feed refreshes.

7. Contact Instagram Support

If none of the above steps work, the issue might be account-specific or related to Instagram’s servers. Reaching out to Instagram’s support team can help.

• Open the Instagram app and go to your profile.
• Tap the menu (three horizontal lines) and select Settings.
• Navigate to Help > Report a Problem.
• Follow the on-screen instructions to explain the issue and submit your report.

Instagram’s support team will investigate the problem and provide further assistance.

Final Thoughts

The “Couldn’t Refresh Feed” error on Instagram can be frustrating, but it’s usually easy to fix with a few troubleshooting steps. Start with the basics like checking your internet connection and updating the app, and work your way through the more advanced solutions if needed.

If you’ve tried all these methods and still face issues, Instagram’s support team is always there to help. Hopefully, this guide has been helpful, and you’re back to scrolling through your feed without any problems.

Got any other Instagram-related questions or issues? Drop them in the comments—I’d love to help you out! 😊

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