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Instagram "Couldn't Refresh Feed": How to Fix

Short answer: When Instagram won't load your feed, it is usually a connection problem, an outdated app, or a temporary outage.

TL;DR: quick fix

Check if Instagram is down for everyone.
Switch between Wi-Fi and mobile data to test your connection.
Restart your phone, then update Instagram; if it still fails, uninstall and reinstall it.

Is Instagram down?

Before you change settings, check Meta Status. If there's an outage, wait it out.

How to fix it: step by step

Check whether Instagram is down for everyone: look at downdetector.com or Meta's official channels and recent posts from the service's official status account before changing anything on your device.
Switch between Wi-Fi and mobile data to test your connection.
Restart your phone, then update Instagram; if it still fails, uninstall and reinstall it.
Update Instagram from the App Store or Google Play.
On Android, clear the app cache in Settings > Apps > Instagram > Storage > Clear cache.
Reinstall the app if problems continue.

FAQ

Could my account be restricted?

If you see a specific warning about your account, open Settings > Account Status to see any restrictions.

More Instagram fixes

Last checked Oct 2026 against the official help page: Instagram Help Center. Menus can differ by app version; follow the official page if a step doesn't match.