Are you repeatedly getting “Couldn’t refresh feed” error on Instagram while pulling down your screen and releasing it to have new feeds? It could be even more frustrating when you don’t know the reason as of why this is happening and how you can get yourself out of this situation.
Well there is nothing to worry about as you will have all your queries solved in this article. It will make you understand as why Instagram keep saying, “Couldn’t refresh feed”, what are the practical ways to fix this error and other related concerns subject to the Instagram can’t refresh feed.
So let’s get started by knowing the reasons behind receiving this error in 2023.
Why are you getting “Couldn’t refresh feed” error?
If you have received the “Couldn’t refresh feed” error while getting your feed refreshed, there may be some specific reasons associated with it. Most predominantly it occurs when you have used some third-party tool or application, while other reason being the incorrect date and time on your device, or else it could be because of a technical hiccup.
If none of these reasons apply to you, then you have received the error as a result of Instagram’s server being down (which is least likely). To make sure whether Instagram is down or not, you can navigate to Down Detector and check for spikes on the graph.
Let’s understand about these reasons in detail:
1. Use of a third-party app
Since Instagram is very severe on the practice of using third-party apps and other automation tools, the very first reason behind you getting the “Couldn’t refresh feed” error is that you have used a third-party application or some automation tool.
As a matter of its policy and terms of usage, in case you carry out actions (such as liking, commenting) using any third-party application or an automation tool, Instagram might for the short term block you from viewing your feed. It might think of you as a bot and temporarily restrict your feed to be refreshed and limit your actions.
However Instagram permits the use of certain third-party tools on its platform, especially the scheduling tools a purpose to get your posts scheduled. But, if you use tools which are not authorized by Instagram, you could face short term bans and suspensions.
2. Your date and time is wrong
Having an incorrect date and time on your device can cause certain issues on Instagram. As the date and time on your device is synced by Instagram and hence if your date and time don’t match with that of Instagram, you are likely to get the “Couldn’t refresh feed” error while trying to refresh your Instagram feed.
Thus you must ensure to have a correct date and time on your device or else, it may also result in other issues as well. For instance, if date and time on your device are wrongly set, Stories on Instagram might not load.
3. Instagram is down
Instagram has been down several times over the years. Just like a recent incident on Oct 4, 2021, Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp were down for about 6 hours owing to a server outrage. Thus the final reason behind Instagram can’t refresh feed is because Instagram is down. To make sure whether Instagram is down, you can check at Down Detector, instead you can also verify the same from Instagram’s official Twitter account for updates.
Besides that, if your Instagram feed is not refreshing, you must also check for your internet speed. A slow internet speed may avoid your feed from refreshing and you could get the “Couldn’t refresh feed” error.
Note: You must not have internet speed much lower than 20 Mbps as in such case your feed might not be able to load. In such situation you can also try to switch to mobile data if you’re using Wi-Fi, and vice-versa.
Fixing “Couldn’t refresh feed” on Instagram:
You are in all probability feel frustrated when you get to see this error popping up every single time to try to refresh your Insta feeds. As there are different reasons behind this error, hence you have to make sure what is the exact reason in your case and accordingly apply a fix to it.
At the outset if problem is due to some server issue, you have to wait a while hoping for it to be resolve by its own when Instagram is back up. If that is not the case, you can try your luck by setting date and time of your device or even logging in to your Instagram account on some alternate device. On the other hand, you can also try updating or reinstalling the app or keep on clearing its cache.
Thus to fix the Instagram can’t refresh feed issue you have to rely on these methods; wait it out, reset date and time on your device, or use an alternate device.
Let’s discuss these methods in detail:
Fix 1: Wait it out
In the majority of cases, you might have received Instagram can’t refresh feed error mistakenly and will likely be lifted automatically after a while. As in such cases the “Couldn’t refresh feed” error typically lasts for up to 24 hours, and users get back their feed to function as usual in a day’s time.
Practically speaking, the “Couldn’t refresh feed” error is meant to be imposed by Instagram on the users who have used a third-party app or automation. So, if you are not among such users, then most likely you have received this error due to a glitch or as Instagram’s server is down. However, it is just a temporary error and will finally be fixed by itself in some time.
Thus the best you can do is to wait it out for next few hours to fix the “Couldn’t refresh feed” error on Instagram.
Fix 2: Reset date and time on your device
The next fix which may have you resolve the issue is to reset date and time on your device.
An inaccurate date and time may result into a lot of procedural issues on Instagram, including your Instagram can’t refresh feed issue. Check for the current date and time on your device and ensure that you get the correct date and time seton it. Following is a step-by-step process to reset your date and time automatically:
Here’s how to reset date and time on an iPhone:
- Head to your settings.
- Locate “General” by scrolling down the screen and tap on it.
- Then tap on “Date & Time” underneath “General”.
- Lastly, turn on the “Set Automatically” button.
Here’s how to reset date and time on an Android device:
- Head to your settings.
- Then tap on “Date & Time”.
- Finally, turn on “Automatic”.
This will reset your date and time to automatic and get it updated to the current date and time. And that way you might get rid of numerous errors on Instagram together with the “Couldn’t refresh feed” error.
Fix 3: Use an alternate device
Last of all, you can try accessing your Instagram on another device. Say if you are presently accessing your Instagram account on a mobile device, try using it on a desktop in its place. On the other hand, if you are logged into Instagram on a desktop PC, try to access it via your mobile phone.
Note that if you are using Instagram on a desktop, try to switch to incognito mode for a better experience. As switching to incognito mode will clear your browsing history, data, and cache this would help you to get rid of the error.
Thus by altering the access of Instagram to some other device can help you a great deal in fixing the “Couldn’t refresh feed” error.
Preventing Instagram can’t refresh feed issue
As it is said that “prevention is better than cure”, preventing errors on Instagram is of prime importance as you need not have to be troubled yourself in fixing it. Once you resume getting normal Instagram feed, you must ensure to avoid it to occur again. Following are the ways by which you can prevent the “Couldn’t refresh feed” error and also lessen other errors on Instagram.
1. Stop using a third-party app
In case you are using a third-party app or an automation tool for performing actions such as like, follow, unfollow, etc., you must stop using it. Below mentioned is a process by which you can remove third-party apps, tools, or websites on your device:
- Head to your profile and then tap on the menu.
- Next tap on “Settings”.
- Once you are on Settings, select “Security”.
- Underneath “Data and history”, find and select “Apps and websites”.
- Tap on “Active”, and then tap on “Remove”.
On the other hand, you can also change your Instagram password as that will sign you out from all third-party apps installed on your device.
2. Don’t change date and time on your device
You must make sure not to change the date and time on your mobile device as doing so might cause errors on Instagram.
A wrongly set date and time may result in many issues on Instagram which include preventing your feed from refreshing, and stories from loading. To avoid these errors to take place, you are required to ensure that date and time on your service is set to automatic.
3. Keep updating Instagram to the most recent version
Last but not least, you should from time to time update Instagram subject to the latest version. Keep looking for recent updates on the App Store/Google Play Store.
Updating Instagram is essential as it can prevent errors and also help in fixing issues on the app. On occasion, Instagram might have released an update which contains a few bugs, so in that case, you have to look for a subsequent update and get it installed one more time. This will resolve expected issues that might occur in the app.
FAQs
This error message typically appears when Instagram is having trouble loading your feed, and it can happen for various reasons, such as a poor internet connection, app issues, or server problems.
Your Instagram feed may not be updating due to various factors, including a poor internet connection, app glitches, or server problems. Following the steps mentioned in the previous answer can help you troubleshoot and resolve this issue.
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