Instagram DM Glitch: How To Fix the Most Common IG Issues
Let’s set the scene for your Instagram direct message (DM) glitch. You’ve opened up IG for the day, and you see a DM notification from a friend. You click on the notice, excited to see what’s new with your pal. Next thing you know, you’re hit with a malfunction. Maybe you see an Instagram message disappear, you can’t find your thread, or you can’t send a message back.
Whatever the issue, the facts are simple. You’ve come across an Instagram message request glitch. These occurrences are undoubtedly frustrating, but they don’t have to sour your social media spree. We’ve collected a list of some of the most common DM glitches, along with a few easy troubleshooting ideas. With these tips, you should be back to both sending messages and receiving messages with your contacts in no time.

2 Most Common Instagram DM Glitches
Any aspiring content creator or social media enthusiast knows that no application is perfect. Despite developers’ best efforts, occasional glitches or bugs are inevitable. During the beta phase, companies try to iron out as many issues as possible before releasing them to the public. As you use an app version over time, it increasingly requires updates and fine-tuning.
Instagram and similar apps constantly evolve to keep pace with user trends, global issues, and new technologies. Any of these factors can impact Instagram’s functionality on any given day. Sometimes, apps experience widespread issues that affect millions of users, and Instagram’s Direct Message (DM) feature is no exception.
While it can be frustrating, there’s a silver lining. You’re not alone in this. The more people who encounter an issue, the faster Instagram’s team works to resolve it. Being part of a well-documented problem often makes it easier to solve.
Here, we’ve compiled common reasons for Instagram DMs not working. From photo problems to keyboard issues, this is where to start troubleshooting. One notable problem involves Instagram messages not loading, which can disrupt communication. Keep reading to discover more about these issues and learn effective ways to troubleshoot issues that might arise in your DMs.

1. Understanding the Instagram DM Seen Glitch
A common issue many Instagram users encounter is an “Instagram DM seen glitch.” This issue can be frustrating. When you open a DM, it shows a message from hours or days ago, not the most recent one. Even after reading the message and exiting the chat, it still shows as unread. To resolve this, users find they must re-enter the conversation and swipe up to get to the latest messages.
This problem not only disrupts the flow of conversations but also how users manage their time and interactions on the app. If you’re experiencing this, there are a few steps you can try to fix the issue potentially:
- Restart the App: Sometimes, simply closing and reopening Instagram can resolve minor issues.
- Update Instagram: Ensure your IG version is up to date, as updates often include bug fixes for such issues.
- Clear Cache: On Android devices, you can clear Instagram cache, which might solve the problem.
If these steps fail, report the problem to Instagram’s support team. This can highlight the issue and accelerate its resolution.
You should also check to see if you or the person you’re messaging with may be using “Vanish Mode.” This setting lets you send DMs that expire or make an Instagram message disappear after it’s been viewed.
If someone has this set on their messages, they will disappear from your message thread, and you cannot retrieve them. You also can’t stop this from happening auto-replies to their messages. However, if you have your messages set to vanish mode, simply turn off vanish mode to keep them from disappearing.
2. How To Fix Instagram DM Glitch: When DMs Freeze Upon Opening
Experiencing a freezing issue when you click on a Direct Message on Instagram can disrupt your social media interactions. If you encounter this problem, there are several strategies you can try. We’ll explore some of these solutions further in this article.
Firstly, restarting your device can often clear up the minor problems causing your IG to freeze. This simple step resets the system and can be surprisingly effective. If the problem continues, make sure your app is up to date. Developers frequently release updates to address bugs and enhance functionality, and keeping the app current is crucial for smooth operation.
If updating doesn’t solve the issue, consider uninstalling and then reinstalling Instagram. This process can fix deeper issues by clearing out corrupt files and refreshing the app’s stored data. Additionally, check your internet connection; a weak or unstable connection might also cause the app to freeze. Try switching between Wi-Fi and cellular data to determine if connectivity issues are at play.
These steps should help you effectively manage the freezing DM issue. If none of these solutions work, reaching out to Instagram support might be your next best step to find further assistance.

How To Fix Instagram DM Keyboard Glitch
In 2018, many Instagram users faced an Instagram DM typing glitch. Here’s what happened: users would open Instagram, go to Direct Messages, and try to type a message. However, their keyboard would pop up and block the text field, hiding what they were typing.
Back then, only limited suggestions were available. One was to exit the app, close all background apps, and try again. We’ve all been there.
However, Instagram has updated several times since then. Our research shows that there isn’t a major ongoing issue with Instagram DM keyboards anymore.
If you still have keyboard problems today, it likely stems from a different issue. If this is your Instagram DM glitch, keep reading for more troubleshooting tips. If these don’t work, consider contacting Instagram directly for support.
If your keyboard issue happens outside of Instagram, it probably means the problem is with your device, not the app. In that case, take your device to an authorized repair center or return it to the retailer who sold it to you.

Instagram DMs Not Working: Current Challenges and Outages
Though we’ve been looking at direct message bugs of the past, it’s finally time to talk about the present day. It’s safe to say wondering how to fix an Instagram DM glitch is a common issue. Many people reported problems with direct messages on and off through the years. This included:
- DMs were unavailable altogether
- DM notifications were malfunctioning, including unread notifications for opened messages
- Messages disappearing without reaching the end-user
These bugs are part of a larger outage that came along with other app issues. Simultaneously, Instagram stories weren’t loading, the Explore page was down, and IG switched to dark mode by itself. Other users couldn’t access their Instagram bio link or add links to other apps to their stories. They resolved those problems later that same month.
Yet, Instagram also experienced another mass outage of service in recent years. This time, it wasn’t just an Instagram DM Glitch. Follower/following counts and entire accounts were under fire. Instagram temporarily banned some users without them breaking community guidelines. Others saw their follower counts plummet for no reason. Eventually, Instagram also fixed and addressed that problem.
Remember, the more people experiencing an issue, the faster the support team or IG usually works to resolve it. Just report any problems you encounter.
In the meantime, why not brush up on other organic growth strategies? That way, you can hit the ground running when the full functionality returns.

How To Fix Instagram DM Glitch: 4 Common Troubleshooting Methods
We’ve gone through a few ways to fix stand-out reasons for Instagram DMs not working. But we know what fix you’re really here for. All those problems were in the past. You have a current issue that needs amending. If you’ve reached this point, your phone is facing an issue beyond the scenarios above. You need a quick solution.
When you experience any kind of bug with Instagram, there’s a standard troubleshooting list to run through. These are basic things that help pinpoint where the problem is coming from. Just because you’ve noticed something’s up while you’re DMing, it doesn’t mean that it only has to do with Instagram.
We’ve categorized these troubleshooting methods into four distinct groups. Grab your phone, and let’s start tackling these simple solutions.
1. Exit the App and Clear Your Cache
Anytime you’re experiencing a problem with an electronic device, always start by checking your internet connection. You want to make sure your poor internet connection is working properly and isn’t going through an unknown network error. If your internet connection is running and your IP Address is valid, then try turning your phone off and on again. Think of it as giving your phone a light reset.
On a micro level, exiting an app works the same. If you ever have an Instagram DM glitch, try closing out of it completely first. That means not having it still running in the background, either. Then, after a minute, reopen the app again. If the IG chat glitch persists, it’s time to clear the Instagram cache first.
In Internet terms, a cache stores all your data, including cookies, browsing history, and information you’ve entered. It also holds data about your usage habits and location, which you might not be aware of. A full cache can slow down your app because it requires more energy to store and manage all that extra data. By deleting your Instagram cache, you can free up app functionality.
Here’s How To Clear Your Instagram Cache on an iPhone
- Launch the Settings app.
- Scroll and select “General.”
- Choose “iPhone Storage.”
- Locate and select “Instagram” from the list of apps.
- You’ll see options to “Offload App” or “Delete App.” Choose “Offload App.” This will clear the cache from the app.
- Once you offload the app, you will see an option to re-download it.
How To Delete Instagram Data From an Android Phone
- Launch Settings on your Android device.
- Scroll and select “Apps” or “Application Manager,” depending on your model.
- Find “Instagram” among the list of installed apps and select it.
- Once on the Info page, choose “Storage” or “Storage & cache.”
- You will see options to “Clear cache” and “Clear storage” or “Clear data.” Select “Clear cache.”
- Confirm your choice by tapping “OK” to proceed with clearing the Instagram cache.
- Once cleared, you may need to reinstall it from the Google Play Store if necessary.
If you still have server problems with direct messages after trying this, proceed to our next troubleshooting technique.

2. Verify Receiver Issues When Instagram DMs Fail
Sometimes, we quickly assume a glitch in sending messages must be due to an issue on our end. However, the problem might lie with the person receiving the DM. They could have a malfunctioning phone or a poor internet connection.
If you can’t send messages to an account or aren’t receiving responses, they might have blocked you. Blocking means a user has prevented you from seeing their profile or posts, and you can’t interact with them at all.
If you suspect you’re blocked because your messages aren’t working, try messaging other friends on the app. If those go through, the issue likely involves that specific user. To confirm, try finding their profile using the Instagram search bar. If you can’t find them but know they have an account, you are probably blocked.
In this case, it’s best to stop sending them messages. This person has chosen not to communicate with you, and it’s important to respect their decision. Trying to contact them by other means could cause issues, especially if they feel harassed and choose to report your actions. Focus on interacting with people who are open to communicating with you.
3. Keep Track of Instagram Daily DM Limits
So what if it isn’t your internet, cache, or friends? This might be a case of “it’s not you, it’s me.” Sometimes, the issue is on your end, especially if you’ve hit Instagram’s daily DM limits. Instagram sets daily limits on various actions like comments, following and unfollowing accounts, likes, stories, and DMs.
Why do these limits exist? They help keep Instagram safe and authentic, preventing it from being overrun by bots and scammers trying to manipulate the platform. Many fake accounts join Instagram to scam users or use bots to inflate their popularity.
These accounts or bots might excessively follow and unfollow users or spam the comment sections of posts. They might also send scam DMs to many users. Due to this, Instagram considers exceeding a certain number of actions in a short period suspicious. If you exceed these limits, Instagram might stop you from continuing the action, suspend, or even ban your account.
If you can’t send DMs and see a message like “Try again later,” it’s not an Instagram DM glitch; it’s intentional. You’ve sent too many DMs for the day and must wait until tomorrow to send more. The daily limit for DMs is about 50-70 messages, so keep below that in the future.

4. Investigate the News for Instagram DM Glitch Open Issues
Have you tried everything and still can’t find a solution? It might not just be your account; the problem could be affecting many Instagram users. We’ve mentioned that Instagram sometimes experiences outages and widespread issues.
What seems like a problem on your phone could be impacting thousands. To see if this is the case, check the internet for news on Instagram glitches. Look on other social media platforms or Google to see if others are reporting similar issues.
Finding out it’s a widespread problem can be reassuring. You realize you’re not alone and that Instagram’s team is likely fixing it. However, if it’s a major glitch, it might take some time to resolve. Unfortunately, only Instagram’s support team can fix such outages. In the meantime, there’s nothing to do but wait until Instagram resolves the issue. Once everything is back to normal, check the App Store or Google Play Store for any updates.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are my Instagram DMs glitching?
If you’re experiencing an Instagram DM glitch today, it could be due to issues with Instagram servers or a temporary problem. To fix Instagram DMs, start by restarting IG or your device. If the problem persists, try to clear the Instagram cache from your device settings. This often resolves minor bugs and clears up any glitches affecting Direct Messages.
Why are my messages disappearing on Instagram glitching?
Messages disappearing on Instagram could be a symptom of an Instagram message glitch. This often happens when the app fails to sync properly with Instagram’s servers. To tackle this, update your Instagram to the newest version, as fixes often address such issues. If updates don’t help, clearing your Instagram cache might resolve the glitch.
Why did my whole Instagram DM chat with a person disappear?
When you see that an Instagram message disappeared, it could be due to a DM glitch or a server-side error. First, check if Instagram’s servers are down, which you can do on various websites that track website outages. If the servers are fine, the disappearance might be a glitch. Logging out and then back into your account can sometimes recover lost chats. If not, clearing the Instagram cache can also help refresh the app’s data handling.
Why are my Instagram DMs failing?
If your Instagram DMs are failing, the problem could be due to connectivity issues, a glitch, or Instagram server problems. Make sure your internet connection is stable and strong. If the problem persists, try fixing your Instagram DMs by clearing the app’s cache. This removes outdated or corrupt data that might be causing issues. If these steps don’t resolve the problem, consider reinstalling Instagram to reset its functionality completely.
Path Social Can Help You Stay Connected in the Face of an Instagram DM Glitch
Experiencing an Instagram DM glitch is a headache, but there’s usually a quick solution to get you back on track. If you’ve got bigger Instagram problems, consider using Path Social to solve them. At Path Social, we’ve built an in-house platform of influencers and a proprietary AI targeting algorithm over the past decade. That’s how we can reach targeted, engaged, and organic users to boost your following. Start growing and gaining Instagram followers today.


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