How To Solve the ‘Instagram Couldn’t Refresh Feed’ Error

Throughout the day, many of us instinctively grab our phones to scroll on Instagram for a while to wind down. Looking through the app has become a habit that comes so naturally for lots of people. So, it’s jarring when the feed doesn’t load pretty posts, and you see the dreaded “Instagram couldn’t refresh feed” error.

Instagram is far from perfect, and sometimes, the feed refuses to load. But what causes this error message, and what’s the fastest way to get the feed up and running again? In this guide, we’ll tell you the common reasons why it pops up and what you can do about it.

Why Does My Instagram Say ‘Couldn’t Refresh Feed?’

There are many reasons why the Instagram feed isn’t loading or refreshing correctly. Sometimes, it’s caused by technical issues out of your control. Other times, there’s something about your device or account you need to fix to get it to work again. You just have to figure out what’s causing the issue, then jump into action to make things right.

So, are you scratching your head and asking, “Why does my Instagram say ‘couldn’t refresh feed’?” Here are several reasons why this might be happening and the things you can do to resolve the problem.

You Have a Poor Internet Connection

One reason you might be getting the “couldn’t refresh feed” Instagram error is that you’re running on weak internet speed. If your connection is slow and spotty, you might not be able to reach Instagram’s servers. So, the app won’t be able to fetch the posts that should appear on your feed.

This happens when you’re in an area with a poor internet connection or if your internet provider is having issues. Try moving closer to your router and see if the internet speed gets faster before refreshing your feed again. You could also try connecting your device to another Wi-Fi source or maybe switching to mobile data.

You’re Using an Old, Outdated Version of the IG App

Instagram constantly updates its app to get rid of small bugs and performance glitches. If you’re getting “couldn’t refresh feed” on Instagram, it might be because you’re not on the latest app version.

The fix for this is easy. Just go to the App Store or Google Play Store and update your Instagram app. Minor glitches and performance issues should go away, allowing you to reload your feed successfully.

The Date and Time on Your Phone Is Set Incorrectly

Instagram relies on the date and time on your phone to correctly show time stamps on feed posts. If these are incorrect, the feed won’t load properly. Go to the date and time option on your phone’s settings and choose the correct timezone. That should do the trick and get your feed on the right track again.

You’re Using a VPN, and It’s Causing Performance Issues

Some virtual private networks (VPNs) block Instagram from fully loading. These tools work to route your traffic through remote internet servers, which can disrupt your connection to Instagram. You can try changing your location on the VPN or shutting it off temporarily to see if the feed refreshes.

It’s an ‘Instagram Couldn’t Refresh Feed’ Ban Consequence

Have you ever used third-party tools that go against Instagram’s community guidelines, like for buying inauthentic likes and automation? If so, the platform might have placed you on a temporary suspension. When that happens, it results in an “Instagram couldn’t refresh feed” ban consequence.

The app should prompt you if measures have been taken to temporarily ban your account. Go through all the instructions to clear your name if you think it’s a mistake. Your feed should go back to normal if you pass all their tests and checks.

Instagram Is Going Through Internal Server Issues

Sometimes, errors with the feed have to do with internal tech issues over at Instagram. This could be due to an outage, high traffic, maintenance issues and more.

Check sites like Downdetector to see if other people are also reporting issues loading Instagram. Instagram updates users on its official Twitter page about any shutdowns and tech problems. For example, back in May 2023, when it had outage issues, they updated people about how they’d already fixed them.

Couldn’t Refresh Feed Instagram on iPhone and Android: How Common Is This Issue?

Getting the “couldn’t refresh feed” Instagram on iPhone and Android error is a quick way to ruin your day. But it’s more common than you think, so you shouldn’t sweat it. There are many reasons that can cause this error to appear, so it’s not as rare as you might expect.

We get it—it’s super annoying when the app doesn’t load properly. It means you can’t scroll through Instagram and see what your friends and favorite creators are up to. Thankfully, it’s almost always temporary. You just have to wait it out or follow some of the simple troubleshooting steps above.

How To Fix Instagram Couldn’t Refresh Feed Error: Other Tips and Tricks

Are none of the workarounds above working for you? Here are some other how to fix “Instagram couldn’t refresh feed” tips you can try:

• Restart your phone. On an iPhone, you can do this by pressing down on the power button and upper volume button together. Turn off the phone and turn it back on again.
• Clear the Instagram cache files on your Android phone’s settings. Cleaning up these temporary files can help speed things up on the app and fix minor performance issues.
• Log out of your Instagram account and then log back in with your credentials. This forces a restart of the communication between your account and the IG servers.

Frequently Asked Questions

When Your Feed Is Fixed, It’s Time To Get Cracking on IG Growth Again

Fixing the “Instagram couldn’t refresh feed” error might be frustrating, but it’s possible with our tips above. When your feed is up and running again, prepare to get back to the grind of growing your page. That’s something you can easily do with Path Social.

Our team uses AI and tried-and-tested organic growth methods to promote your brand to the right people. You tell us your target audience, and we push out your content to ensure those people see it. Before you know it, you’ll see a significant boost in your page’s followers and engagement. Grow on Instagram with Path Social today!