fix: instagram feed or explore not loading or "couldn't refresh feed"

How to Fix Instagram Feed or Explore Page Errors, Not Loading or “Couldn’t Refresh Feed”?

Are you finding that the news feed, homepage or Explore page on Instagram is not refreshing, updating, loading or keeps showing the “Couldn’t Refresh Feed” error message? Look no further, as this is the perfect guide with just the right fixes!

Instagram is an amazing way of connecting and sharing moments with friends and family. It has also become a platform to market and advertise your skills to over 1 billion users worldwide. 😲

So, just imagine how much you’ll be missing out on when your Instagram news feed or Explore page if it isn’t refreshing and showing you new content!

Unfortunately, that is the case for many Instagram users. Seeing that you’re reading this article as well, we reckon you’re facing a similar problem and seeking help.   

Well, you’ve looked in the right place! We’ve prepared this guide that covers the types of Instagram news feed errors along with the possible factors causing these issues. From there, you can refer to the 20 fixes provided to troubleshoot Instagram on your end. 

Before reading further, do take note that Instagram doesn’t use a static refresh button. Instead, it uses signal movement to refresh the news feed and Explore page.

Hence, try swiping down your homepage ⬇ or restarting Instagram and inspect whether your news feed is refreshed.

restart the Instagram app to fix Instagram feed, homepage or Explore page not refreshing, updating, loading or "Couldn't Refresh Feed"

 

You should also do this after each fix to verify if the problem persists. 

With that settled, let’s dive in!

 

Note: This guide provides pictures and steps taken from the Instagram app or website. It will cater to the Instagram app on Android and iOS devices and the Instagram web page on Windows and macOS.

 


Table of Contents

5 Types of Instagram News Feed and Explore Page Loading Errors

7 Reasons for the Instagram News Feed and Explore Page Loading Errors

20 Fixes When Your Instagram News Feed or Explore Page is Not Refreshing or Loading

  1. Check the Instagram Servers Status
  2. Log Out and Log In to Your Instagram Account
  3. Check if You’ve Been Blocked by Instagram
  4. Update the Instagram App
  5. Restart the Instagram App or Refresh the Instagram Website
  6. Restart Your Mobile Device
  7. Disable Any Third-Party Apps or Automation Tools
  8. Set Automatic Date and Time Configurations
  9. Improve Your Internet Connection and Speed
  10. Try the Web Version of Instagram
  11. Switch to a Different Device
  12. Clear Your Web Browser Cache
  13. Use Incognito Mode on Your Web Browser
  14. Clear the Instagram App Cache and Data, Check for Sufficient Device Storage
  15. Reinstall the Instagram App
  16. Reset or Change the Explore Page
  17. Avoid Using Banned or Repetitive Hashtags
  18. Delete Inappropriate Posts or Comments
  19. Leave the Beta Program for Instagram
  20. Contact Instagram Support

 

5 Types of Instagram News Feed and Explore Page Loading Errors

Here, we’ll go through a few of the Instagram news feed errors commonly reported by users:

 

1. Couldn’t refresh feed

For starters, some Instagram users find that nothing appears on their news feed except a pop-up message that says “Couldn’t refresh feed”. For some, they have the first few posts on their feed loaded. However, when they try to scroll down to view more posts, this error message appears.

couldn't refresh feed instagram error

 

 

2. Couldn’t load more posts

Next, some Instagram users have described their issue to be the first few posts on their feed and Explore page is loaded without issues. However, they receive a “Couldn’t load more posts” error when they attempt to scroll downwards and see more.

Instagram couldn't load more posts on news feed, homepage or explore page error

 

3. Couldn’t load activity

Additionally, users also report a similar problem when it comes to the Activity tab. The Activity tab displays recent likes and comments received by users on their posts along with recent follows. However, when the problem occurs, nothing loads on the screen. Instead, users are given the “Couldn’t Load Activity” error message along with a reload icon. 

couldn't load activity instagram error

 

 

4. We’re sorry, but something went wrong. Please try again.

Next, the “We’re sorry, but something went wrong. Please try again” error takes place when Reels are unable to load. Nonetheless, some users have also complained that they receive this error whenever they try to perform an action on Instagram such as commenting and liking.

we're sorry but something went wrong please try again instagram error

 

 

5. Couldn’t load image. Tap to retry

Lastly, another error that users face when viewing their news feed is the “Couldn’t load image. Tap to retry” error. This error is different from the previous ones. In this situation, the layout for the Instagram posts loads but the images don’t appear. 

couldn't load image tap to retry instagram error

 

 

7 Reasons for the Instagram News Feed Errors

Here are the potential reasons why you can’t refresh your Instagram feed:

 

1. The Instagram Servers Are Down

To begin, your Instagram news feed and explore page may not be refreshing due to technical problems over at the Instagram servers. These servers can go down for various reasons, such as server maintenance and glitches. 

Occasionally, the servers can also experience temporary outages and downtime to keep up with high traffic and user demands. This situation isn’t a rare sight as the Instagram servers have been down multiple times throughout the years. For instance, back in October 2021, Facebook, Instagram and Whatsapp were down for a full 6 hours due to server-side issues. 

These unforeseen circumstances can affect you as a user. This is because the servers are where content uploaded on the platform are stored. Your Instagram app needs to make contact and communicate with the servers to retrieve content to be displayed on your feed. Without this line of communication established, you cannot perform any actions on Instagram.

Instagram server issues causing news feed, Explore page, home page errors

 

Suppose you weren’t logged in during this downtime. Then, you’ll find that you have trouble even logging in. Hence, to verify whether the problem is a server-side issue, we suggest heading over to Step 1.

 

 

2. You’re Not Connected to the Internet or Your Connection is Too Slow

Another potential cause for the Instagram news feed errors is that you’re either not connected to the Internet or your connection is too slow. As previously mentioned, your Instagram app has to retrieve contents from the servers. A stable internet connection is required to establish this line of communication for content and data packets to be transmitted to you. Without it, the Instagram app is as good as non-functional. 

Starting with not being connected to the Internet, it may be due to a glitch in your network device or the network configurations on your device. On the other hand, a slow Internet connection can result from overloaded network usage where the Wi-Fi you’re connected to is shared by many. It can also be due to limited data usage settings on your device.

With that said, we suggest running a quick internet speed test just to be sure. Nowadays, this step can be easily executed using internet speed test websites, such as Fast.com.

test your internet speed on Fast.com to ensure stable connection to access Instagram

 

From there, if you notice a drop in your Internet speed, you can head over to Step 9 for ways to improve or reconfigure your connection.

 

 

3. Overloaded or Corrupted Cache Files and Data

Moreover, overloaded and possibly corrupted cache files and data can lead to errors when refreshing your Instagram news feed as well. Cache memory is beneficial for your device as it helps your device to run and process requests faster. This is because it can reduce the access time needed for your device to obtain the necessary information. 

However, built-up cache memory tends to take up valuable and sizable storage space on your device. These cache files can also become corrupted over time, causing bugs on your device and leading to Instagram errors.

Therefore, it is important to clear out your device’s Instagram app cache regularly to avoid such issues. You can head over to Step 14 for steps to do so. Plus, reinstalling the app (Step 15) is also one of the ways to clear the Instagram app cache and get the latest version of the app. 

 

 

4. Your Instagram App Has an Underlying Glitch or Bug

Furthermore, your Instagram news feed and explore page may have issues when refreshing because of an underlying app bug or glitch. While app bugs can be caused by various factors, we’ll be covering two of the main issues. These issues include using an outdated version of the Instagram app, existing corrupted instances of the app and also using the Beta version of Instagram.  

Starting off with using an outdated version of Instagram, bugs result from communication problems between your Instagram app and its servers. This problem occurs when the outdated app cannot understand or process new content formats retrieved from the server. When the contents are not correctly processed, they won’t be displayed on your news feed. 

Hence, to overcome this situation, it’s important to install any pending Instagram app updates released by the Instagram developers (Step 4). 👨‍💻

Next, existing app instances are copies of the app that are called to handle user requests and stay on your device unless removed. Bugs take place when these instances are kept around for too long and become corrupted over time

To remove these instances, all you need to do is simply restart the app or refresh the webpage. Unfortunately, it’s often assumed that by clicking the Home button, Instagram is properly restarted. However, that merely brings you out of the app but it’s still running in the background. Hence, to remove these built-app instances completely and correctly, the steps are listed in Step 5.

Subsequently, the Instagram app bugs and glitches may be because you’re using the Beta program for the app. Essentially, the beta version of Instagram is made available for a limited number of users from the general public that’s still under testing before its general release. Hence, there may be some underlying problems that are yet to be identified and resolved, leading to the Instagram news feed errors. With that said, suppose you want to return to the normal version of the app. You can follow the instructions in Step 19 to leave the Instagram Beta program.   

 

 

5. Your Actions Were Blocked by Instagram

Additionally, your Instagram account may have been blocked by Instagram, resulting in you being unable to refresh your feed. Instagram is a platform that is very strict on user behavior. Hence, when it detects any possible violation of its rules, it will block your account. 

This block could either be a temporary block that lasts up to 24 hours. It could also be an action block with an expiration date that usually lasts from 24 hours to 30 days. On the other hand, it could also be a block without an expiration date as well. You may receive any one of these blocks if you violate some of Instagram’s Community Guidelines or Terms of Use without warning. 

However, suppose you’ve been blocked several times or reported by other users. Your account can be permanently blocked by Instagram. Hence, we recommend reviewing Instagram’s guidelines carefully with the posts you’ve created on existing accounts or your interactions on the platform (Spam messaging, comments, inappropriate behavior, etc.). However, we recommend checking if your account is actually blocked (Step 3) before jumping to conclusions.

action blocked popups on instagram

 

 

6. You’re Using a Third-Party App or Automation Tools

Moreover, suppose you’re using a third-party app or automation tool to carry out actions on Instagram such as liking or commenting on posts. If this is too excessive, Instagram will temporarily disable your feed, leading to the Instagram news feed and explore page refresh errors. This is because Instagram is trying to reduce the number of bots and automation on their platform. 

However, there are some third-party tools allowed on Instagram but they are mainly scheduling tools used to schedule your post. All the third-party tools allowed on the platform must be certified by or partnered with Instagram. 

Third-party tools are nifty because they give you the ability to carry out actions at faster rates. Unfortunately, it makes them easy to be detected by Instagram’s AI and poses a risk of your account being blocked from viewing the news feed. Therefore, you should disable any third-party apps or automation tools implemented on the Instagram app (Step 7)

 

 

7. Your Device’s Date and Time Configurations Are Incorrect or Uncalibrated

Lastly, you can also get the “Couldn’t refresh feed” error if your device’s date and time configurations are incorrect or don’t match the server time. This is because Instagram syncs the date and time with the settings on your device. If your device’s date and time settings are out of sync with the real date and time, it can cause some app issues. 

One of the reasons is because Instagram collects date and time information about posts and stories on your news feed. However, on Instagram’s backend, the date and time wouldn’t match with your device. Consequently, there are conflicting values that occur when you try to refresh your news feed. So, these conflicting values may be interpreted as malicious activity by Instagram’s AI as well, disallowing you to refresh your feed as a security response. 

Hence, to resolve this error, we suggest reconfiguring the date and time in the settings app as ‘Set Automatically’ (Step 8).

 

 

 20 Fixes When Your Instagram News Feed or Explore Page is Not Refreshing or Loading

1. Check the Instagram Servers Status

First and foremost, before moving on to more technical fixes and meddling with your Instagram account to fix the Instagram news feed errors, we recommend checking the Instagram server status. Perhaps the Instagram servers are all up and running. Then, it indicates that the issue is on your end and you should proceed to try out other fixes in this post. 

However, if it’s a confirmed server-side issue, the best way around it is to wait it out and keep close tabs on any updates from Instagram.

Although Instagram doesn’t have a dedicated page on the platform to display its server status, there are still other methods to use:

 

Method 1: Through Downdetector or other Third-Party Status Checkers

For starters, you can opt to use third-party status checkers available on the Internet. These are user-based sites that determine the Instagram server status based on the number of user reports received. Out of the many status checkers online, we recommend using Downdetector for Instagram

This is because this site provides very thorough services and features that you’ll need when checking the Instagram server status. The Downdetector site is equipped with a live map showing the number of reports in affected regions and pulls out the top 3 problems reported. For higher accuracy and reliability, you can also choose to check the servers in your country and location. Suppose you wish to know more about the issue, the comment section is also filled with user descriptions of the issue.

check the Instagram server status on downdetector if Instagram feed, homepage or Explore page not refreshing, updating, loading or "Couldn't Refresh Feed"

 

Another third-party status checker with similar features is the ServicesDown page for Instagram. 

check the instagram server status via ServicesDown if Instagram feed, homepage or Explore page not refreshing, updating, loading or "Couldn't Refresh Feed"

 

Method 2: Through the Instagram Twitter Page

Secondly, you can also view Instagram’s Twitter feed, (@instagram) to check for their server status. While it isn’t something that is specifically mentioned, suppose Instagram is facing a major nationwide issue that affects many of its users. In that case, their public relations team will usually post a notice to keep users updated. 

Additionally, Twitter is also a good place to get your hands on user reports via the hashtag #Instagram. From there, you can analyze tweet timestamps from other Instagram users.

check the instagram server status through instagram twitter page if Instagram feed, homepage or Explore page not refreshing, updating, loading or "Couldn't Refresh Feed"

 

 

2. Log Out and Log In to Your Instagram Account

Suppose the issue is on your end, the first thing you can do is to re-login to your account. This step can help to reconfigure your Instagram account and resolve any temporary glitch or bug associated with it.

This fix is especially useful for those who have multiple accounts logged in on their Instagram app. 

To log out of your Instagram account, follow the steps below:

 

For Mobile (Android & iOS)

  1. First, tap on your profile picture from the bottom right corner.
  2. Once your profile appears, tap on the hamburger (三) menu in the top-right corner.
  3. Then, tap on Settings at the bottom of the sidebar.

Open Instagram app settings to log out and log back in to Instagram app to fix Instagram feed, homepage or Explore page not refreshing, updating, loading or "Couldn't Refresh Feed"

 

  1. Under Settings, scroll down and tap on Log Out.

log out and log in to Instagram app to fix instagram news feed errors

 

  1. Lastly, tick your account and choose to Log Out again. 

log out and log in to Instagram app to fix instagram news feed errors

 

Once this is done, we suggest waiting a few minutes before logging back in to your Instagram account.

 

For Desktop

Click on your profile icon at the top-right and select Log out. (you should be able to find it in the last row!) 

log out and log in to Instagram website through web browser to fix Instagram feed, homepage or Explore page not refreshing, updating, loading or "Couldn't Refresh Feed"

 

Note: To successfully sign back in to Instagram, make sure you remember your registered email or username and password

 

 

3. Check if You’ve Been Blocked by Instagram

Subsequently, once logged back in, if you’re an active user of Instagram, you should check if your account has been blocked by Instagram as mentioned before in reason 5. Unlike disabling your account, when you receive an action block from Instagram, you’re still able to log in to your account. 

This scenario has been reported by many users where they just couldn’t refresh their feed and overall seemed like an app bug.

However, there is a way to check if you’ve been blocked by Instagram or violated any guidelines. The steps to do so are as follows:

  1. First, from your Instagram home page, click on Profile at the bottom-right corner. 

check if you've been blocked by instagram if Instagram feed, homepage or Explore page not refreshing, updating, loading or "Couldn't Refresh Feed"

 

  1. Then, tap the hamburger menu on the top-right corner.
  2. Finally, from the menu, select Your Activity. If you have violated any guidelines, a message will appear.

check if you've been blocked by instagram through in-app settings if Instagram feed, homepage or Explore page not refreshing, updating, loading or "Couldn't Refresh Feed"

 

Another way to identify if you received an Action Block from Instagram is to try performing an action. For example, try leaving a comment or liking a post. Suppose your actions are restricted, a pop-up message will appear to notify you that you’re unable to perform these actions. 

Instagram Action Blocked error

 

Suppose you find that your account is blocked. A block on Instagram is differentiated by the types of actions carried out.

For starters, an Instagram Like Block will stop you from liking any post but you’re still able to comment and follow. On the other hand, a Comment Block doesn’t allow you to comment on any post only.

However, the most dreaded type of block implemented by Instagram is the Action Block. This is because an action block will stop you from performing any action using your account. Preventing your feed from refreshing is more of a restrictive measure from Instagram’s end. 

With that said, there are a few ways to overcome an Instagram block:

  • Avoid using banned or repetitive hashtags (Step 17)
  • Delete any inappropriate posts or comments (Step 18)

Nevertheless, suppose you feel that your account has been blocked unfairly. This is because Instagram is sometimes known for falsely blocking users for reasons or actions they didn’t commit. For instance, many users have reported that their accounts were blocked even though they only liked a few posts on their feeds. This error may also be a glitch on Instagram’s side. In that case, we suggest reporting the problem to Instagram to resolve it (Step 20).

 

 

4. Update the Instagram App

Additionally, you can also check for any pending Instagram app updates. If so, ensure that you have your Instagram app updated to the latest version. This step ensures that your app is revised with the newest formatting and bug fixes 👾.

However, seeing that nobody checks their app for updates 24/7, we suggest turning on auto-updates for your convenience. 

To check for Instagram app updates, you can follow the general steps below:

  1. First, head over to Google Play Store (Android) or App Store (iOS).
  2. From there, search for the Instagram app.
  3. Then, find the app from the search results and select to visit the Instagram app page.
  4. Finally, if an update is available, tap on the Update button.

Update Instagram app to fix instagram news feed errors

 

Alternatively, we have provided links to both Google Play Store and the App Store directing you to their respective Instagram app pages to save you the hassle.

Once the Instagram app has been updated and successfully installed, launch the app and check whether you’re able to refresh your feed correctly.

 

 

5. Restart the Instagram App or Refresh the Instagram Website

Next, you can also try restarting your Instagram app or refreshing the Instagram web page if you’re using a web browser. This step serves three main purposes. 

One, it will help to clear out any existing instances of the app that may be outdated or become corrupted over time. Secondly, it can be used as a verification method after other fixes to inspect whether the problem persists. Third, it is also carried out to ensure that app updates are properly configured and applied. 

With that said, the steps for each action are listed down below:

 

Reload the Instagram Web Page

If you’re accessing Instagram via your web browser on PC, a simple reload of the page might do the trick. A regular reload will bring up the web page using the assets retrieved from the existing browser cache. No matter which browser you use (Chrome, Firefox, Edge), the steps to refresh the Instagram page are similar:

  • Click the reload button on the web browser
  • Press the Ctrl + R key (For Windows) or the Command + R key (macOS).

reload the instagram webpage to fix instagram news feed errors

 

Hard Refresh the Instagram Web Page

A hard refresh is also another way to reload the Instagram web page. However, it removes some minor cache associated with it during the process. Therefore, it’s a straightforward way to clear the Instagram page cache and force load the most recent version. Then, the web page is brought up again by retrieving assets from the Instagram servers. 

 

On Windows: For most web browsers (Chrome, Firefox, Edge), press Ctrl F5 together at the Instagram page to perform a hard refresh.

hard refresh the web page on Windows to fix instagram news feed errors

 

On macOS: For Safari and other web browsers on macOS, press the Command Option key simultaneously.

hard refresh the web page on macOS to fix instagram news feed errors

 

Restart the Instagram App

For the Instagram app installed on your phone, rebooting the app can bring about similar effects.

Hence, to carry out this method, follow the steps below:

  1. First, exit the Instagram app and close it by removing it from your Recent Apps or App Switcher. If you’re using Android devices, you can Force Stop the Instagram app through your Settings app.
  2. Then, relaunch the Instagram app from your homepage or app list.

restart the Instagram app to fix Instagram feed, homepage or Explore page not refreshing, updating, loading or "Couldn't Refresh Feed"

 

6. Restart Your Mobile Device

From here, you can take it a step further and reboot your device as well. Through a quick reboot you can halt all background processes and tasks running on your device. Thus, it’s a good way to alleviate device-specific issues that maybe resulting in this Instagram newsfeed error. That being said, it’s a good idea to give this step a quick shot!

Therefore you can reboot your mobile device by following these steps:

 

For Android

Press and hold the power button until the restart or power off option appears. Tap the Restart option, and you are all set! 

restart android device to fix Instagram feed, homepage or Explore page not refreshing, updating, loading or "Couldn't Refresh Feed"

 

For iPhone (iOS)

Press and hold the volume up and side button until the power off slider appears. Then, drag the slider and wait 30 seconds for your device to turn off. To turn your device back on, press and hold the side button (on the right side of your iPhone) until you see the Apple logo.

restart iphone or ios device to fix Instagram feed, homepage or Explore page not refreshing, updating, loading or "Couldn't Refresh Feed"

 

 

7. Disable Any Third-Party Apps or Automation Tools

Moving on, another fix that we recommend is to disable any third-party apps or automation tools you’re using with the Instagram. This step can help you to avoid the Instagram AI from identifying your actions and behavior as malicious or inauthentic to fix Instagram news feed errors.

As a result, you can avoid your account from being blocked by Instagram. To do so, you can refer to the following steps:

  1. First, go to your profile and tap on the hamburger menu icon.
  2. Next, tap on settings.

Open Instagram settings through web browser to disable third-party apps and automation tools to fix Instagram feed, homepage or Explore page not refreshing, updating, loading or "Couldn't Refresh Feed"

 

  1. Then, select Security.
  2. Subsequently, under Data and history, select “Apps and websites”.
  3. Lastly, tap on Active, then click on Remove.

remove connected apps and websites from Instagram account to fix instagram news feed errors

 

Alternatively, suppose you wish to disable all the third-party apps listed at once without having to deactivate them one by one. In that case, you can opt to change your Instagram password and it’ll sign you out from all third-party apps and services. You can find the steps to do so via this link.

On the other hand, perhaps you’re not keen on removing the third-party apps you’re using. Then, the way around it is to take certain preventive measures to avoid getting blocked by Instagram. 

For one, don’t carry out actions such as commenting or liking posts directly from the third-party app you’re using. Instead, do it in the Instagram app only. Secondly, don’t spam or overdo your actions. In contrast, you should carry out your actions in intervals to mitigate the risk of errors. 

 

 

8. Set Automatic Date and Time Configurations

As previously mentioned, having your device’s date and time settings incorrectly configured can cause it to be out of sync with Instagram’s server configurations. From there, it can lead to errors like conflicting values and posts that cannot be properly loaded when your news feed is refreshed.

Therefore, to resolve this error, we suggest configuring the date and time in the settings app as ‘Set Automatically’. This step can correct these settings instantly and reconfigure them based on your location. 

To do so, you can follow the steps below on your mobile device. These steps cater for both Android and iOS devices:

 

For iPhone (iOS)

  1. First, open the Settings app, tap General, and then select Date & Time.

set date and time settings automatically on iPhone to fix Instagram feed, homepage or Explore page not refreshing, updating, loading or "Couldn't Refresh Feed"

 

  1. On the next page, switch on the tab next to Set Automatically.

set date and time settings automatically on iPhone to fix Instagram feed, homepage or Explore page not refreshing, updating, loading or "Couldn't Refresh Feed"

 

For Android

  1. First, open the Settings app, tap System, and then select Date & time.

set date and time settings automatically on Android to fix Instagram feed, homepage or Explore page not refreshing, updating, loading or "Couldn't Refresh Feed"

 

  1. On the following page, turn on Use network-provided time and Use network-provided time zone.

set date and time settings automatically on Android to fix Instagram feed, homepage or Explore page not refreshing, updating, loading or "Couldn't Refresh Feed"

 

After reconfiguring the date and time settings, relaunch the Instagram app. Then, you should try logging into your account and see if the login issue persists.

 

Note: Suppose, the Set Automatically setting was already turned on. In that case, we suggest switching between Time Zones and back. Plus, you can also try toggling with the Set Automatically setting to refresh the configurations.

 

 

9. Improve Your Internet Connection and Speed

Next, from reason 2, perhaps after testing you find that there’s a significant drop in your Internet speed. In that case, here are a few ways you can improve it:

 

Connect to a Faster and Stronger Internet Connection and Avoid Public Networks

For starters, when choosing an Internet connection, we suggest going for a stronger source. It is because Instagram does require a relatively stronger internet connection to download content such as Reels, Stories, and videos. There are a few ways around this step. 

For one, we discourage the use of public Wi-Fi networks. This is because these network connections are free and are usually overloaded with a huge number of devices connected to them. Consequently, it can lead to the refresh feed error on Instagram. 

Secondly, perhaps you have subscribed to an Internet plan of your own. In that case, we suggest contacting your Internet Service Provider (ISP) when there is a noticeable drop in the internet speed. 

Additionally, suppose you also have access to mobile data. Then, you can also opt to switch to mobile data as it’s more stable compared to a Wi-Fi connection. However, do ensure that you haven’t used up your quota by checking your data subscription. Your mobile data signals should also be either 3G, 4G, or 5G as 2G is too slow to load your Instagram news feed.

 

Change the Data Limits for the Instagram App

Moving on, you can also improve your internet speed on Instagram by changing the allowed data limits. It’s a feature on the app that allows users to set the maximum data usage over a certain period of time. However, once you exceed the set data limit, Instagram will restrict you from uploading or viewing photos and videos. This situation can lead to the misconception that there’s an error with your news feed. 

On that note, you can increase the data limits for Instagram from within the app by following these steps:

  1. First, launch your Instagram app and go to Profile.
  2. Next, tap on the hamburger menu and select Settings.
  3. From there, locate the Account option.
  4. After that, scroll down and tap on Mobile/Cellular Data Usage
  5. Finally, increase the data limit.

Change the Data Limits for the Instagram App to fix Instagram feed, homepage or Explore page not refreshing, updating, loading or "Couldn't Refresh Feed"

 

Enable Mobile Data for Instagram (iPhone)

Additionally, suppose you’re using an iPhone or iOS device, you may have restricted mobile data access for Instagram. The reason is to ensure you don’t go overboard with data consumption when scrolling through your Instagram news feed. However, this action also means that if you’re on your mobile data, you can’t load your Instagram feed correctly. 

With that said, simply enable mobile data for the Instagram app through your system settings through these steps:

  1. To begin, open the Settings app.
  2. Then, scroll down and select Instagram.

Enable Mobile Data for Instagram (iPhone) to fix Instagram news feed errors

 

  1. Lastly, enable Mobile Data from the following menu.

Enable Mobile Data for Instagram (iPhone) to fix Instagram feed, homepage or Explore page not refreshing, updating, loading or "Couldn't Refresh Feed"

 

Give Unrestricted Data Usage (Android)

Similarly, on Android, there is also a Data Saver mode feature that helps you to restrict data usage for apps on your device. This feature can be enabled for all apps on your device or specific apps only. So, if you have this feature turned on for Instagram, it can likely interfere with the proper operations of the Instagram app. As a result, it could be the reason the Instagram app keeps showing the Couldn’t Refresh Feed error message on the home screen or Explore page.

Nevertheless, in this case, you don’t have to disable the Data Saver mode for all apps entirely. Instead, you can just give unrestricted data usage access to Instagram. This action can allow the app to function normally even when the Data Saver mode is on. The steps to do so are listed below:

  1. First, long-press on the Instagram app icon and open the app info menu.

Give Unrestricted Data Usage (Android) to Fix Instagram News Feed Errors

 

  1. Then, go to Mobile data & Wi-Fi and enable the toggle next to Unrestricted data usage from the following menu.

Give Unrestricted Data Usage (Android) to fix Instagram feed, homepage or Explore page not refreshing, updating, loading or "Couldn't Refresh Feed"

 

Forget and Reconnect to Your Wi-Fi Network

Nonetheless, suppose you don’t have access to mobile data or unlimited cellular internet. Then, you can try to improve your Wi-Fi connection speed as well. 

First, you can try reconnecting to your Wi-Fi connection. You can simply do so by turning the Wi-Fi setting off and on again via the notification shade. 

Else, you can also attempt to forget your Wi-Fi network on your device. To do so, follow these steps:

  1. To start, go to Settings.
  2. Then, select the Wi-Fi option.
  3. Next, click on the Wi-Fi network you are connected to.
  4. Subsequently, choose the Forget this Network option.
  5. After 2 to 3 minutes, reconnect to the Wi-Fi network again. 

Forget Your Wi-Fi Network to improve internet connection to fix Instagram feed, homepage or Explore page not refreshing, updating, loading or "Couldn't Refresh Feed"

 

Restart or Power-Cycle Your Internet Router or Modem

Furthermore, you can also reset your router or modem to reconfigure your Wi-Fi. The purpose of restarting or power-cycling the router or modem is to give them time to cool off and flush out its memory thus eliminating some built-up internal cache as well. For this step, following the sequence makes all the difference. 

These are the steps to do so:

  1. To begin with, turn off and unplug the power from your router or the modem and any other managed network hardware such as network switches.
  2. Then, wait at least 30 seconds before proceeding. These 30 seconds allow the devices to cool down and signal your ISP and streaming devices that the router and modem are offline. 
  3. Next, plug in the modem. The modem should power on in the first few seconds. However, if it doesn’t, just press the Power button. 
  4. After that, wait another 60 seconds for the modem to authenticate and get assigned a public IP address from your ISP. 
  5. From there, plug in your router and wait at least 2 minutes for your router to boot up. This time also lets your streaming devices obtain the new private IP address assigned to your router.
  6. Finally, once all that is done, test if the problem persists. 

restart or power-cycle your Wi-Fi router to improve internet connection to fix Instagram feed, homepage or Explore page not refreshing, updating, loading or "Couldn't Refresh Feed"

 

Note: Most modems have four lights: a power light, a received light, a send light, and an activity light. When the first three lights are stable, the modem is fully powered on. If there’s an Internet light, wait for it to turn on to confirm that the modem is getting an Internet connection from your ISP.

 

 

10. Try the Web Version of Instagram

Another method to get around the Instagram news feed and explore page refresh errors is to use the Instagram website. You can opt to carry out this step on both your mobile device’s or PC’s web browser. 

For your convenience, here’s the link to the Instagram website! Simply log in and check if your news feed refreshes correctly.

use Instagram through your web browser app to fix Instagram feed, homepage or Explore page not refreshing, updating, loading or "Couldn't Refresh Feed"

 

From there, if the issue still persists, you can troubleshoot whether it’s an issue with your Instagram app or account and determine that there’s no specific app-related issue. 

This is because although the browser version of Instagram is similar to the mobile app, it isn’t affected by problems with the app. Thus, this is a result of the compatibility and upgradability of Instagram’s web platform. It isn’t finicky about your device’s software version and updates can be pushed to users without having them download it manually. 

Hence, if your news feed refreshes without errors on the web page, it indicates that there’s an issue with your Instagram app. 

However, suppose you’re still unable to refresh your Instagram news feed via the web page. In that case, don’t jump to the conclusion that it’s an issue with your account just yet. Instead, we suggest inspecting your browser for any pending updates using the steps below:

 

For Google Chrome

  1.  For starters, open Chrome on your device.
  2. Then, look at the More icon on the top right corner.
  3. Next, check if pending updates are available. If an update is pending, the icon will be colored. The color of the icon indicates how long the update has been released. 

update the Google Chrome web browser to fix Instagram feed, homepage or Explore page not refreshing, updating, loading or "Couldn't Refresh Feed"

 

  1. Subsequently, if an update is available, click on the More icon.
  2. Finally, click Update Google Chrome. If you can’t find this button, your browser is up to date.

update the Google Chrome web browser to fix Instagram feed, homepage or Explore page not refreshing, updating, loading or "Couldn't Refresh Feed"

 

For Microsoft Edge and Mozilla Firefox

  1. First, launch the web browser.
  2. Then, click on the main menu button on the top right corner.
  3. Next, select Help (Firefox) or Help & Feedback (Edge).

access About page on Microsoft Edge or Firefox to update web browser to fix Instagram feed, homepage or Explore page not refreshing, updating, loading or "Couldn't Refresh Feed"

 

  1. After that, click About Modzilla Firefox or About Microsoft Edge

check for updates on microsoft edge or firefox web browser to fix Instagram feed, homepage or Explore page not refreshing, updating, loading or "Couldn't Refresh Feed"

 

  1. From there, the browser will automatically check and download the available updates. 

update microsoft edge or firefox web browser to fix Instagram feed, homepage or Explore page not refreshing, updating, loading or "Couldn't Refresh Feed"

 

Once the browsers are updated, don’t forget to relaunch the browser to configure the updates. Additionally, you can also try another web browser or clear your web browser cache (Step 12) to make sure your browser is running properly for accurate troubleshooting results. However, if the problem persists, then we recommend contacting Instagram support (Step 20) for further advice regarding your account.

 

 

11. Switch to a Different Device

On the other hand, suppose your Instagram news feed refreshes normally on the web page. Then, there may be an underlying problem or inadequacies with either your Instagram app or your device. 

To rule out device-specific problems, you can first try switching to a different device. Perhaps the problem is resolved on the new device. 

In that scenario, your device may not have the suitable software version to support the latest Instagram app version. Hence, we suggest checking your device’s OS or software version within the Settings app.

Update software version on iOS to fix Instagram feed, homepage or Explore page not refreshing, updating, loading or "Couldn't Refresh Feed"

 

At the same time, check for pending Software Updates within your device’s Settings app. If there are any, proceed to install them.

Update software version or check pending OS updates on Android to fix Instagram feed, homepage or Explore page not refreshing, updating, loading or "Couldn't Refresh Feed"

 

On the other hand, if the issue persists on the new device as well, then your account is most likely the culprit behind the error. To verify further, try logging into another account. If the news feed refreshes properly, your account may have been blocked by Instagram (Step 3). 

 

 

12. Clear Your Web Browser Cache

Furthermore, we also recommend clearing your web browser cache if you’re using the Instagram web page. This is because using Instagram websites also brings about the chances of outdated and corrupted cache files

However, for as long as they’re not removed, your web browser will continue to load the Instagram website using these outdated programs and assets. This situation can result in configuration errors that lead to Instagram news feed errors. 

Hence, we advise you to clear your web browser cache by following the steps below. However, the steps will differ depending on your PC’s OS:

 

On Windows (Google Chrome)

The following steps are catered for Google Chrome. However, if you’re using a different web browser on Windows (Firefox, Edge), the steps are still similar:

  1. You can access your browsing history by pressing Ctrl + H together. Or click the menu button at the top-right and choose History at the drop-down.
  2. On the following page, click the Clear Browsing Data button. For Google Chrome, that’ll be on the left. 

delete web browser data, cache and cookies on Windows to fix Instagram news feed errors

 

  1. Next, under Basic, check all options. Plus, you should select a time range of All time. Then, click Clear Data.

delete web browser data, cache and cookies on Windows to fix instagram news feed errors

 

On macOS (Safari)

  1. First, with Safari launched, from the Menu Bar, click Safari and select “Preferences…”.

delete web browser data, cache and cookies on macOS to fix Instagram feed, homepage or Explore page not refreshing, updating, loading or "Couldn't Refresh Feed"

 

  1. At the following window, choose Advanced from the top bar, and tick the box next to “Show Develop menu in bar.”  

delete web browser data, cache and cookies on macOS to fix Instagram feed, homepage or Explore page not refreshing, updating, loading or "Couldn't Refresh Feed"

 

  1. Subsequently, from the Menu Bar, click Develop, and select Empty Caches

delete web browser data, cache and cookies on macOS to fix Instagram feed, homepage or Explore page not refreshing, updating, loading or "Couldn't Refresh Feed"

 

  1. After that, you can clear your search history and even more Site Data and Cookies. To do this, from the Menu Bar, click Safari, and choose “Clear History…”.
  2. Lastly, click Clear History at the following window. 

delete web browser data, cache and cookies on macOS to fix Instagram feed, homepage or Explore page not refreshing, updating, loading or "Couldn't Refresh Feed"

 

 

13. Use Incognito Mode on Your Web Browser

Alternatively, to get around problems with web browser cache, you can opt to access the Instagram web page using an incognito window. Therefore, the steps to access incognito mode on your browser are as follows:

  1. Firstly, click the 3 dots at the upper-right corner.
  2. Then, click New Incognito Window. 

open Instagram in incognito mode on Google Chrome to fix Instagram feed, homepage or Explore page not refreshing, updating, loading or "Couldn't Refresh Feed"

 

Another way to open the incognito window is using the shortcut key Ctrl + Shift + N.

open Instagram in incognito mode on Safari macOS to fix Instagram feed, homepage or Explore page not refreshing, updating, loading or "Couldn't Refresh Feed"

 

 

14. Clear the Instagram App Cache and Data, Check for Sufficient Device Storage

Moreover, you should also clear your Instagram app cache and data. Similar to before, the reason is that this step can help to remove any corrupted data associated with Instagram. At the same time, it can also help to free up some valuable storage space. 

Therefore, to clear the Instagram app cache:

  1. Firstly, open the Settings app
  2. Then, tap on Apps & notifications
  3. Next, select Instagram from the list of apps.

clear instagram cache and app data on android to fix Instagram news feed errors

 

  1. After that, tap Storage & cache.
  2. Lastly, start by tapping Clear Cache, and then you can choose Clear Storage.

clear instagram cache and app data on android to fix Instagram news feed errors

 

It’s a common scenario because we use the device to save files and run important apps. Nevertheless, the Instagram app requires sufficient storage space and resources from your device to run properly. Therefore, we suggest checking your device for the amount of available storage. To do so, simply head to Settings > Storage.

In cases of low storage space, you can opt to remove large files or unused apps from your device to create space in the device storage. 

To uninstall apps on your mobile device, the following are general steps applicable for both Android and iOS:

  1. First, go to Settings on your device.
  2. Then, locate and select Apps.
  3. Next, select the app that you want to delete.
  4. Finally, tap on Uninstall to remove the app from your device. 

For other methods to free up storage on your device, you can follow these links for both Android and iOS devices respectively.

 

 

15. Reinstall the Instagram App

Moving on, you can also take it a step further and completely reinstall the Instagram app on your device. This step is another method to clear the Instagram app cache and data. 

However, it is proven much more effective. This is because it eliminates the possibility of corrupted files or installations being left behind on your device from the previous version. Plus, by reinstalling, you’re getting a whole new fresh copy of the Instagram app equipped with all the latest updates. 

Generally, the steps to reinstall the Instagram app to fix Instagram news feed errors are similar across most devices.

  1. First, long-press for the selection menu or head over to Settings to uninstall Instagram.
  2. Then, select Uninstall or Remove app.
  3. Next, you can either restart your device (Step 6) or head straight to your App Store to install the Instagram App. 

reinstall instagram to fix Instagram news feed errors

 

 

16. Reset or Change the Explore Page

In addition to the previously mentioned issues, many users are also reporting that their Explore page has been reset. As a result, it constantly recommends irrelevant content to them. For instance, some have gone from baking posts to a bunch of nature photography. 

For starters, you’ll have to understand how Instagram’s algorithms work and why this scenario occurs before fixing it. As a social media platform, Instagram has one goal, to keep you scrolling for as long as possible. To achieve this goal, they track all your actions on the app to display the content you enjoy.

Hence, the Explore page reset may be because you have been searching for and engaging with these types of content frequently recently. Additionally, you may also be following people who are interested in this content. 

You may have done the above without even realizing it. Nonetheless, don’t worry as the solution is simple. Simply, start engaging with content and accounts you want to see. Alternatively, there are three ways to do so:

 

Method 1: Remove Posts that You’re Uninterested in from Your Explore Page

Suppose you come across a post that doesn’t pique your interest. You can click the three dots in the upper-right corner.

Remove Posts that You’re Uninterested in from Your Explore Page  to Fix Instagram News Feed Errors

 

Then, from the menu that appears, select Not interested, which will inform your personal Explore page algorithm. 

Remove Posts that You’re Uninterested in from Your Explore Page  to Fix Instagram News Feed Errors

 

That particular post will be removed from your screen. Subsequently, a message will appear with Instagram’s promise to show fewer posts like this from now on. However, if you feel that you’ve made a mistake, you can always revert your actions by clicking Undo located under the message.

Remove Posts that You’re Uninterested in from Your Explore Page  to Fix Instagram News Feed Errors

 

Method 2: Following Hashtags

Hashtags are a way to categorize posts and content, making them more discoverable. The clickable nature of hashtags allows users who click on them or conduct a hashtag search to be redirected to all related posts. It’s a quick and easy way to find content that interests you! 

Hashtags can be found as part of the captions in each post. In this case, by following hashtags, you’re giving your Explore algorithm a heads up that this is the type of content you want to see. 

To follow hashtags, simply click on a hashtag under a post. 

follow hashtags that you're interested in to tailor your instagram explore page

 

Then, after being redirected, click on the Follow button under the hashtag. 

follow hashtags that you're interested in to tailor your instagram explore page

 

Method 3: Clear Your Instagram Explore Page Search History

Moreover, you can also clear your Explore page search history to reset your Explore algorithm. This is because the algorithm also uses your searches to determine what you’re interested in at a point of time. 

Hence. by removing these searches, your Explore algorithm will depend on the type of content you engage with instead or the new searches you enter. 

To do so, simply follow these steps:

  1. First, on an Android or iOS device, open the Instagram app.
  2. Then, tap the profile symbol in the lower-right corner.
  3. Next, in the top right corner, click the burger menu icon.
  4. After that, select the Settings option.

Open Instagram app settings to clear searches and fix Instagram feed, homepage or Explore page not refreshing, updating, loading or "Couldn't Refresh Feed"

 

  1. From there, in the search bar, search for and select “Recent searches”.

Clear your Instagram Explore page search history to reset or change Explore page to fix Instagram feed, homepage or Explore page not refreshing, updating, loading or "Couldn't Refresh Feed"

 

  1. After that, you can either press the “X” button at the end of every search result, or tap the Clear All button at the top-right, followed by tapping Clear All again at the following pop-up.

Clear your Instagram Explore page search history to reset or change Explore page to fix Instagram feed, homepage or Explore page not refreshing, updating, loading or "Couldn't Refresh Feed"

 

Note: These actions will not change your news feed or Explore page immediately. However, this feedback will contribute to helping your Explore page evolve over time.

 

 

17. Avoid Using Banned or Repetitive Hashtags

As previously mentioned, hashtags are a way to engage as a content creator with your audience. However, there are some rules to follow when it comes to using hashtags on Instagram. Suppose you violate any of these rules. Then, your Instagram account may be hit with a “shadow ban” from Instagram, leading to Instagram news feed errors to limit your actions. 

On that note, here are a few things to take note of when using hashtags.

For starters, avoid using banned hashtags that are often associated with inappropriate content. While you are still allowed to post or comment using a banned hashtag, it puts your account at risk of being reported. With that said, to identify if the hashtag is banned, simply click on the tag. Suppose you only see top posts related to the tag and don’t see any recent posts or stories. In that case, it’s a banned hashtag.

Avoid Using Banned or Repetitive Hashtags to Fix Instagram News Feed Errors

 

Next, you should also avoid hashtags that solicit likes and followers such as #follow4follow and #like4like. The reason is that these types of tags tend to attract bots and spammers. Consequently, it can cause Instagram’s AI to identify your account behavior as inauthentic and impose an action block on your account. 

Furthermore, you should also avoid repetitive hashtags on your posts. Despite the convenience, simply copying and pasting the same long list of hashtags on every post actually violates Instagram’s guidelines. In its community guidelines, Instagram clearly disallows the posting of repetitive comments or content. If you intend to do so, your content will be penalized by the algorithm. 

Lastly, do note that you’re only allowed to use up to 30 hashtags on a regular post and up to 10 hashtags on a Story. Exceeding these numbers can cause issues with your postings and news feed. When inserting hashtags, avoid using double hashtags ## as well. 

 

 

18. Delete Inappropriate Posts or Comments

Another possible reason for the Instagram news feed errors and Explore page loading issue is that you have inappropriate posts or comments on your account. 

To verify if anything is wrong with your account, you’ll have to log in to your Instagram account using a web browser. From there, if your account is blocked (Step 3), then you may be required to remove the inappropriate posts, photos or comments to fix the news feed error.

Starting with problems related to your posts, suppose your post is inappropriate. Then, you’ll receive a message when signing in to your account via a browser. In that case, we suggest deleting the post. To do so, follow these steps:

  1. First, click the three dots on the top right corner of the post.

Delete Inappropriate Posts or Comments to fix Instagram feed, homepage or Explore page not refreshing, updating, loading or "Couldn't Refresh Feed"

 

  1. Then, from the menu, select Delete.

Delete Inappropriate Posts or Comments to fix Instagram feed, homepage or Explore page not refreshing, updating, loading or "Couldn't Refresh Feed"

 

  1. Lastly, click Delete to confirm action.

Delete Inappropriate Posts or Comments to fix Instagram feed, homepage or Explore page not refreshing, updating, loading or "Couldn't Refresh Feed"

 

Next, if it’s an issue with a photo, you’ll need to upload a new picture to replace the old one. Your Instagram news feed will be able to refresh once the photo is considered appropriate for the account. Unfortunately, you cannot remove the photo once you’ve submitted the post. Instead, you’re required to delete the post and repost it. 

Lastly, suppose you have posted inappropriate comments or received problematic comments under your post. In that case, simply delete these comments. Problems with comments can also arise if you use double hashtags ## and the symbol. Hence, avoid doing so when posting comments.

 

 

19. Leave the Beta Program for Instagram

Perhaps you’re using the Beta version of the Instagram app. In that situation, we recommend leaving the Beta program because it may have unresolved bugs and errors that could lead to the Instagram news feed errors.

You can use the steps below to leave the beta program for Instagram:

  1. Firstly, launch your device’s native app store where you initially downloaded Instagram. 
  2. Then, from there, search and open Instagram.
  3. Once you’re at the page for Instagram, scroll down and tap Leave to exit to stop receiving beta releases. 

Leave the Beta Program for Instagram to fix Instagram feed, homepage or Explore page not refreshing, updating, loading or "Couldn't Refresh Feed"

 

  1. Finally, restart your Instagram app (Step 5).

 

 

20. Contact Instagram Support

Lastly, suppose you find that none of the fixes have managed to solve your issue with the Instagram news feed or explore page. In that case, we strongly suggest contacting Instagram support for professional assistance. They’ll be able to provide you with a more efficient fix catered to your situation and device.  

To get in touch with the Instagram technical support team, you can follow these steps: 

  1. First, tap your profile picture on the bottom-right corner to head to your profile. 
  2. Then, tap on the hamburger menu icon on the top-right corner and tap on Settings

Open Instagram app settings to contact the Instagram support team to fix Instagram feed, homepage or Explore page not refreshing, updating, loading or "Couldn't Refresh Feed"

 

  1. Under Settings, tap Help and select Report a problem

contact Instagram help to fix Instagram feed, homepage or Explore page not refreshing, updating, loading or "Couldn't Refresh Feed"

 

  1. Following that, for this case, choose Something Isn’t Working.

contact Instagram help to fix Instagram feed, homepage or Explore page not refreshing, updating, loading or "Couldn't Refresh Feed"

 

  1. Next, describe the problem you are facing, in this case, mention the Instagram news feed or explore page issue. 
  2. Last but not least, hit the Submit button on the top right corner.

 

Note: When sending in a report, it’s important to be specific and detailed when describing the problem you’re facing. Additionally, while optional, you shouldn’t hold back from attaching a screenshot of the issue as well. This is because all these descriptions can give the technical team a better picture of what they’re dealing with.  

 

Moreover, you can also follow this link to Instagram’s Support Center for more explanations regarding the news feed and Explore page feature. From there, you can also find helpful guides on what to do when encountering problems.

 

 

Conclusion

All in all, you could be facing any one of the Instagram news feed refresh errors, stopping you from viewing content. In this article, we’ve talked about the various potential causes of the error, ranging from server-side issues to underlying app bugs and device-related issues. 

To ease your frustration of not being able to enjoy content from your favorite creators, we’ve done our research. From there, we’ve compiled information about the 7 major causes and 18 possible fixes for the issue of Instagram news feed errors and Explore page not loading in this article. Hence, don’t feel disheartened! You shouldn’t let issues like these hold you back from enjoying the wonders of Instagram. 

Suppose you encounter any other technical issues, Instagram-related or not. You can scout Pletaura.com for the potential fix to your problem. Don’t find what you need? Give us a heads up and we’re always happy to assist you. 

Lastly, feel free to let us know in the comments:

  • Are you having the same Instagram news feed errors too?
  • Did any of the fixes above work for you?
  • Are there other useful fixes that you think we should add to the list?

Don’t hesitate to share this post with your friends who have trouble with their Instagram news feed or Explore page as well! It’s always better to stay connected together!😊

Written by Sabrina Chow

Sabrina Chow is a Software Development Engineer with a Bachelor's Degree in Software Engineering from Lancaster University, UK and Sunway University, Malaysia. With her extensive knowledge in software development practices, Sabrina is a skilled tech writer, delivering insightful and thorough content with a deep understanding of technology. As an avid and enthusiastic user of new technology and online platforms/services, Sabrina brings a unique perspective to her writing, ensuring that readers receive the most up-to-date information. With Sabrina's expertise and passion, she is an asset to the Pletaura team.

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