14 Best Ways to Fix Instagram Couldn’t Refresh Feed

Instagram’s dream run in the social media space continues with new features like Reels, Stories, Notes, and more. However, new features do come with a compromise in service stability. Many have complained about Instagram not loading pictures, messages, or feed. The latter can be quite irritating, and if you frequently face the same, read along to learn to fix the ‘couldn’t refresh feed’ error on Instagram.

Although the Instagram feed error is more persistent on the Android app, in this post, we will cover both mobile apps and tackle the problem in no time.

Why Does My Instagram Say Couldn’t Refresh Feed

There are many factors at play here. If you have violated one of the community rules on Instagram, the company may temporarily restrict your account on the platform. You must wait for Instagram to lift the temporary ban. Aside from account restriction, the problem can be due to one of the following reasons.

• Sketchy network connection.
• Instagram server outage.
• An active data saver mode.
• Corrupt Instagram cache.
• Your account is restricted.
• An active VPN connection.
• Outdated Instagram account credentials.
• Incorrect date and time on your phone.
• Outdated Instagram app.

How to Fix Instagram Feed Not Refreshing

Instagram feed not refreshing can spoil your mood in no time. Before you switch to a rival platform to upload your memories, use the steps below to fix the problem.

1. Check Your Network Connection

With Reels, Stories, and videos, Instagram does require a strong internet connection to load the content on the feed.

If you are working on a slow internet connection, switch to a better network to refresh the Instagram feed. For example, accessing Instagram on a public Wi-Fi network might lead to a refresh feed error in the app.

Those public Wi-Fi networks are usually overloaded with a huge number of devices connected to them.

2. Check If Instagram Is Down

This is one of the prime reasons behind the Instagram couldn’t refresh feed error. Due to unprecedented demand from Instagram’s one billion+ users, the server might get overloaded and throws errors to users.

You can go to downdetector and search for Instagram. If you notice heavy outrage spikes reported by other users, you must wait for Instagram to fix the server-side issues. You can also go to Twitter and check trending topics to confirm if Instagram is down or not.

3. Restart Phone

You can restart the phone and try loading the Instagram feed. Android users can keep pressing the side button and select Restart from the power menu. If you have an iPhone, press the side button and any volume button simultaneously and use the slider to turn off the phone.

4. Clear Cache and Storage (Android)

Instagram collects cache in the background so that it can load your frequently visited pages and accounts quickly for you. However, a corrupt cache may leave you with couldn’t refresh feed error. Here’s how you can clear cache and storage on Instagram on Android.

Step 1: Long-tap on the Instagram icon and go to the app info menu.

Step 2: Tap on Storage & cache.

Step 3: Select Clear storage and Clear cache from the following menu.

Open Instagram again, and you shall see the app loading fresh content for you.

5. Log Out and Login to Instagram Account

Instagram may not load the feed due to an account authentication error. You should sign out from the account and sign back in.

Step 1: Open Instagram and go to your account.

Step 2: Tap the hamburger menu at the top and open Settings & privacy.

Step 3: Scroll down and log out from your account.

Sign back in with your account details, and you are good to go.

6. Set the Correct Date and Time

Incorrect date and time on your phone can be the main reason behind Instagram issues on your phone.

iPhone

Step 1: Open Settings and scroll to General.

Step 2: Select Date & Time and fix them.

Android

Step 1: Open Settings and scroll to System.

Step 2: Tap Date and time. Set the correct time zone from the following menu.

7. Update Instagram

Not everyone has a habit of updating apps regularly from the App Store or Google Play Store. But sometimes, you need to update your daily drivers like Instagram, WhatsApp, etc. that promise better stability and reliability.

Open the Google Play Store or App Store and update the Instagram app to the latest version available. Then, open Instagram and try to load the home page again.

8. Enable Mobile Data for Instagram (iPhone)

iPhone allows you to restrict mobile data in certain apps to not go overboard with data consumption. For example, if you have disabled mobile data for Instagram, it won’t load the feed. Instead, follow the steps below to enable it again.

Step 1: Open the Settings app on iPhone.

Step 2: Scroll down and find Instagram.

Step 3: Enable Mobile Data from the following menu.

9. Force Stop Instagram (Android)

Like Force Quit on Mac and End Task on Windows, Force Stop on Android completely shuts down every app-related activity in the background. You can use the method and resolve Instagram’s couldn’t refresh feed error.

Step 1: Find Instagram from the home screen or app drawer and long-press on the app icon.

Step 2: Go to the app info menu.

Step 3: Tap on Force stop and confirm your decision.

Reboot your Android phone and open Instagram again.

10. Disable Data Saver Mode on Instagram

You can disable Instagram’s data saver mode to load the feed without any issue.

Step 1: Head to Settings and privacy in Instagram (check the steps above).

Step 2: Select Data usage and media quality. Disable the Data Saver toggle.

11. Disable System-Wide Data Saver Mode

Android and iOS offer a neat Data Saver mode that helps you restrict data usage on the phone. However, when Data Saver mode is on, it may interfere with Instagram and display couldn’t refresh the feed on the home screen.

iPhone

Step 1: Open Settings and select Mobile services.

Step 2: Select your SIM and disable the Low Data Mode.

Android

Step 1: Open Settings and select Network and internet.

Step 2: Tap Data Saver and disable the same.

12. Disable VPN

Instagram may act up on an active VPN connection. You should disable VPN on your phone and try again.

13. Give Unrestricted Data Usage (Android)

You don’t need to disable the Data Saver mode entirely. Instead, you can give Instagram unrestricted data usage access to function normally even when the Data Saver mode is on.

Step 1: Long-press on the Instagram app icon and open the app info menu.

Step 2: Go to Mobile data & Wi-Fi and enable the ‘Unrestricted data usage’ toggle from the following menu.

14. Reinstall Instagram

When none of the tricks work, it’s time to reinstall Instagram and start from scratch. Android users can go to the app info menu and select Uninstall. If you have an iPhone, long-tap on the Instagram app icon and select Remove App. Tap Delete app to remove it. You can now download Instagram from the App Store or the Google Play Store.

Instagram Keeps Saying Couldn’t Refresh Feed: FAQs

Start Browsing Instagram

You can always use Instagram from another device or opt for the Instagram web version to check the latest timeline. In addition, if you are tired of Instagram or want to take a break from the social media platform, you can permanently deactivate or delete your Instagram account.