Instagram Explore Page Not Working: How To Get Back on Track

The Explore page is one of the most useful features Instagram has to offer. The algorithm curates this page specifically for every user, depending on their interests and the content they think they’ll enjoy. That means one person’s Instagram Explore looks completely different from everyone else’s. However, it’s far from perfect. Sometimes, users face the issue of the Instagram Explore page not working.

Lots of things can go wrong with the Explore page. Sometimes, the app doesn’t refresh correctly or update the page with new content that resonates with you. Other times, the algorithm doesn’t do its job that well, and the page serves posts you don’t necessarily like.

Regardless of the issue you face, a faulty Explore page contributes to a less enjoyable user experience. So today, we’re delving into why Instagram Explore might not work and what you can do to fix it.

4 Tips To Fix Instagram Loading Issues on the Explore Page

The Explore page is the ultimate section of Instagram to go on when looking for content that resonates with you. It’s where you’ll find content from accounts you love and content creators you might be discovering for the first time.

So, when there are Instagram loading issues on the Explore page, it ruins the user experience. Luckily, there are many things you can do to try and fix the issue. Here are four tips to get the Explore page running again if it’s being glitchy.

1. Check if Your Internet Connection Is Stable

Instagram is an online platform. If you’re not connected to the internet or if you’re running on slow Wi-Fi, the app won’t work as smoothly. That might be the case when you’re in a remote area or if you’re using shared, public Wi-Fi. This can cause issues like the Explore page taking forever to load, if at all.

Double-check your internet connection to see if it’s stable. Use an online speed checker to see how fast it is. If your internet is slow or if it doesn’t work at all, it’s probably the culprit of your Instagram issues.

2. Update Your Instagram App to the Latest Version

The Instagram team regularly updates the app to fix bugs and glitches and improve everyone’s overall user experience. If your app is glitchy, it might be because you haven’t updated to the latest version of Instagram.

Regularly check on the App Store or Google Play Store to see if there are any updates available for Instagram. That way, you can stay on top of updating the app and avoid performance issues while scrolling away. With an updated app, you can rest assured you’ll come across minimal bugs and issues with your Explore page.

3. Restart Your App

Something as simple as closing and relaunching your app can resolve bugs and technical issues on Instagram Explore. You’ll find that minor issues like slow loading and unresponsive behavior go away when you open up the app again. By restarting Instagram, you clear small issues in the cache, allowing the app to function as well as new.

4. Look Out for Operating System Updates

Aside from app updates, you should also ensure your device is always on the latest operating system version. There may be compatibility issues with your Instagram app and device if it isn’t up to date. That’s because older operating systems might not have the functionalities and settings to support Instagram’s newest features. So, if you want Instagram to run smoothly all the time, always update your operating system.

Is Instagram Down? Signs That There Is a Universal Glitch on IG

Are you still scratching your head and wondering, “Why is my explore page on Instagram not working?” The tips above work well if there are issues with your connectivity, device, and app settings. But sometimes, the problem isn’t you at all—it’s the platform itself conking out.

Are you asking yourself, “Is Instagram down?” Here are some signs that the glitch on Instagram Explore isn’t a problem but a universal, systemic one.

More Than One Feature Isn’t Working on the App

Sometimes, it’s only the Explore page that’s being buggy. But if you notice issues in other parts of the app, there might be issues at the overall platform level. For example, if both the Explore page and Instagram Stories aren’t working, it’s not just an issue of the former.

When multiple areas of the app aren’t functioning properly, it’s a sign that there’s a systemic issue on Instagram’s end. It might have to do with technical difficulties or maintenance work with their servers. Either way, the best thing to do is to wait patiently until Instagram resolves these issues.

Check for Announcements on Instagram’s Official Channels

Some people might be surprised to know that Instagram has official channels on other platforms, like Twitter. The company sometimes uses accounts like this to announce any issues and glitches on the app. They’ll tell the public what exactly is going on with the glitchy app and when they expect to resolve it. So, if you want to get updates straight from the source, check on Instagram’s official platforms. 

Go on Twitter or Reddit To See What People Are Saying

In early March 2024, Meta had a huge outage. CNN reports that for two hours, over 500,000 users reported that they couldn’t log into their Facebook and Instagram accounts.

Of course, this made the front page of many major news outlets. However, it was also the talk of the town on platforms and forums such as Twitter and Reddit. On these sites, users ranted about the issue and how frustrating it was not to use the apps.

So, if you want to know for sure that your Instagram glitches aren’t unique to you, check other social platforms. People always talk, and they’ll post about big technical issues like this online. If others are complaining about it, too, then you know the issue isn’t from your end but Instagram’s.

Check Status Websites That Pinpoint Technical Issues on Sites

There are some online sites that report whether another website is currently facing technical issues.

This includes Down Detector, which allows you to check on problem reports submitted by people within the past 24 hours. You can also check on Meta Status, a site dedicated to checking for outages on Meta’s business features and software. Check these sites for quick answers on whether Instagram is working or not.

See Fresh, Interesting Content: How To Reset Instagram Explore Page

Sometimes, even if the Explore page is working, it still doesn’t serve content that fits your preferences. Instead of seeing content you actually like, the types of posts there might be uninteresting or even uncomfortable for you.

Do you want to refresh and reconfigure the Instagram algorithm so the Explore page shows you content you’ll enjoy? Here’s how to reset the Instagram Explore page.

Do a Quick Refresh of Your Explore Page

The easiest way to do an Instagram Explore page reset is by refreshing the page. All you have to do to refresh the page is pull it down on your screen and then release it. This clears the page of content it was previously showing and serves brand-new content to you.

That said, while this method shows you new content fast, it doesn’t alter the algorithm in any way. You’re still bound to see content that you’re not that interested in. So, if you want a more effective way to do that, keep reading.

Tell the Algorithm That You’re “Not Interested” in Some Posts

One way to change what the algorithm recognizes as relevant to you is to tag posts as “not interesting.” By doing this, you can improve how the app serves content on your Explore page. It tells the app that you don’t like these types of posts. Slowly but surely, Instagram will start showing fewer of these content themes on your Explore page.

Here’s how to tell Instagram that you’re not interested in specific posts:

1. Open the Instagram app.

2. Go to the Explore page by tapping the magnifying glass icon on the bottom row of the screen.

3. Click one of the posts on the page that you don’t prefer seeing.

4. Click the three dots on the top-right-hand corner of the screen.

5. From the options that show up, tap Not interested. This will prompt Instagram to hide the post from your Explore page and feed immediately.

6. Tell Instagram why you didn’t like the post. Click on whether you hid the post because it contained certain words or if you were uncomfortable seeing the post.

Clear Your Cache and App Data on Your Device Settings

The Explore page bases its post suggestions on things like content creators you engage with and your personal search history. If you want to reset what the algorithm thinks is important to you, clear your app’s cache on your device. This can clean up your history and recent interactions, thereby “resetting” Instagram Explore.

Clearing the cache is easy if you have an Android device. Just go to your device settings and clear the cache and history on Instagram’s storage section. But it’s a little less straightforward on Apple devices. On iPhones and iPads, you’ll need to offload or delete the app and re-download it to clear the cache.

And That’s How To Fix Issues About the Instagram Explore Page Not Working!

Lurking on your Instagram Explore page is a terrific way to discover the type of content you really love. It pushes out posts related to your top interests or content from accounts the algorithm thinks you’ll enjoy. It’s an integral part of Instagram. But sadly, it can conk out from time to time.

There are many ways to fix issues regarding the Explore page. You can use troubleshooting techniques to make a faulty page function properly again if Instagram is glitchy. And if you want to reset your page, there are ways to manipulate the algorithm to do just that.

With the tips and tricks above, you’ll never be left frustrated and baffled by the Instagram Explore page not working. Instead of wasting time trying to fix it, you can get it running again in seconds. This gives you tons of time to focus on what’s more important—like growing your page. We can help with that.

Path Social’s proprietary targeting tool can pinpoint the target audience that will most likely engage with your content. Then, we push your content out to them. Who knows—maybe with our promotional strategies, you’ll end up on other people’s Explore pages! In no time, you’ll see an uptick in your follower count. Get more followers today!