Seeing the “There was a problem logging you into Instagram” error message can be frustrating. This error essentially means that Instagram is unable to authenticate your login credentials and log you into your account.
There are a variety of potential reasons why this error occurs, ranging from problems on Instagram’s end to issues with your own account or device. The goal of this guide is to provide straightforward troubleshooting tips to help you diagnose the specific problem and successfully get back into your Instagram account.
By methodically working through the solutions below, you should be able to resolve the Instagram login error. The troubleshooting steps will cover everything from resetting your password to updating the Instagram app itself. With some time and patience, you will be able to log back into your account.
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What Causes “There Was a Problem Logging You Into Instagram Error?
The “There was a problem logging you into Instagram” error can occur for several reasons:
Instagram servers are down or experiencing issues – Sometimes this error occurs when Instagram is having problems on their end. Their servers may be overloaded or experiencing an outage, which prevents users from logging in successfully. Checking Instagram’s status page can confirm whether known issues are affecting logins.
Using the wrong password or username – Simple mistakes like typing your password incorrectly or forgetting your username can trigger this error. Double check that you’re using the correct login credentials associated with your account.
Blocked IP address – Instagram may block logins from certain IP addresses if they detect suspicious activity from them. Try connecting to a different network or using mobile data instead of WiFi to get a new IP address.
Blocked device – Similarly, if your device has been flagged for violations by Instagram, they may block logins from that specific device. Attempting to log in from another device can determine if this is the case.
Communication issues between device and Instagram – Technical difficulties like weak internet connectivity, software bugs, or device compatibility problems can disrupt the communication between your device and Instagram’s servers, leading to login errors.
Account deleted or disabled – If Instagram has removed your account or you’ve violated their terms leading to a disabling of your account, you will no longer be able to log in. Navigating to the account recovery options can help determine if your access has been restricted.
Reset Your Password
One of the most common reasons for the “there was a problem logging you into Instagram” error is simply entering the wrong password. Before trying any complicated troubleshooting, double-check that you’re using the right password.
- Go to the Instagram login page and click Forgot password? Below the password field.
- Enter the username or email address linked to your account. Instagram will send you an email with a reset link.
- Click the reset link in the email, which will redirect you to a page to create a new password. Enter and confirm your new password.
- Try logging in to Instagram with your new password.
If you don’t get a reset email from Instagram, it’s possible you no longer have access to the email associated with your account. In this case, you’ll need to go through the Instagram account recovery process.
- Go to the login page and select Need more help? next to the login fields.
- Choose the Need more help? option to recover your username or reset your password.
- Enter your full name, username, email or phone number linked to your account.
- Instagram will email you instructions for recovering access that may require ID verification.
Resetting your password is the easiest fix so try that before attempting more complicated troubleshooting steps. If you still can’t login after resetting, move on to trying the other solutions covered in this guide.
Try Logging In From Another Device
One quick way to determine if the login issue is isolated to your current device is to try logging in from another phone, tablet, or computer.
Open the Instagram app or website on another device and attempt to log in with your username and password. If you are able to successfully login on the other device, then the problem is likely something specific to your original device.
Some things that could be affecting your original device include:
Outdated app – Try updating the Instagram app on your original device. New versions of the app may fix login bugs.
Software issues – Updating your device’s operating system can also resolve app glitches.
Cache problems – An overloaded cache on your original device could prevent the Instagram app from functioning properly.
Account conflicts – Sometimes apps on a device get confused by multiple Instagram accounts. Logging out of all accounts can help reset things.
Device ban – In rare cases, your device itself may have been banned from Instagram, though you should receive a notice about this.
If the login issue only occurs on your original device, the next steps would be updating the app, clearing the cache and app data, logging out of all accounts, and performing a reboot. But if you can login normally on another device, the issue is isolated and those device-specific fixes should resolve it.
Switch Networks
If you are trying to log in to Instagram over WiFi, try switching to cellular data instead. Or if you are already on cellular data, connect to a different WiFi network.
Sometimes the specific network you are using has been blocked or banned by Instagram, preventing logins. Other times there are temporary issues with your internet service provider or router that disconnecting and reconnecting could fix.
Follow these steps:
If on WiFi, turn off WiFi and try logging in using your phone’s cellular data.
If that doesn’t work, turn cellular data off and connect to a different WiFi network. Try networks at other locations if possible.
Turn your phone’s airplane mode on and off to force it to reconnect to the network.
Restart your wifi router and modem and try again.
Check if other sites and apps are blocked on the network – if so, contact your ISP.
Use a VPN connection to essentially access a different network.
Switching networks forces your device to establish a fresh connection which can resolve any network-related conflicts. Keep toggling between wifi and cellular while testing different connections until you find one that allows you to log in successfully.
Clear Cache and App Data
Sometimes the “There was a problem logging you into Instagram” error is caused by corrupted cached data or glitches in the app. Clearing the cache and app data can wipe the slate clean and resolve any temporary bugs.
Here’s how to clear the cache and data for Instagram on both iOS and Android devices:
On iOS
- Open your device Settings > Instagram > Storage & Data
- Tap “Clear Cache” to delete any temporary cached files.
- Tap “Offload App” and then “Reinstall App” to completely remove the app data and do a fresh reinstall.
On Android
- Open your device Settings > Apps > Instagram
- Tap “Storage” and then “Clear Cache” to delete temporary cached files.
- Tap “Clear Data” to delete all app data associated with Instagram. This resets the app.
- Open the Google Play Store, go to the Instagram app page, and choose “Uninstall.” Then reinstall Instagram.
Reinstalling the Instagram app from scratch essentially gives you a clean slate which often resolves quirky login issues. Clearing the cache and data forces the app to start fresh. If corrupted files were causing problems, this should wipe them out.
Update the App and Your Device
Keeping your Instagram app and device software up-to-date can help resolve login issues caused by outdated versions. Instagram frequently releases app updates to fix bugs and improve features. Similarly, device manufacturers roll out software updates to improve performance and security.
If you haven’t updated the Instagram app or your device software in a while, you may be running into login problems caused by older, unsupported versions.
To update the Instagram app:
On Android, go to the Google Play Store and check if there are any available updates for Instagram. Tap Update to download the latest version.
On iPhone, go to the App Store and see if there are pending updates for Instagram under your Updates tab. Tap Update next to Instagram to install the newest version.
To update your device software:
On Android, open Settings, go to System > Advanced > System update to check for any pending software updates. Follow the on-screen prompts to download and install them.
On iPhone, open Settings, tap General > Software Update to see if any iOS updates are available. Tap Download and Install to get the latest iOS version.
Once you’ve updated the app and your device software, try logging into Instagram again. The newest versions may resolve any compatibility issues that were affecting login.
Try Again Later
Instagram’s servers may be experiencing temporary issues that prevent logging in. It’s frustrating, but often the problem resolves itself within a day or two.
Give it some time and try logging in again after 24-48 hours. There’s a good chance the “problem logging you into Instagram” error will have disappeared by then without you needing to do anything else.
Servers go down for maintenance or get overloaded at times. Even big sites like Instagram experience occasional technical difficulties on their end. Sit tight and you’ll probably be able to log back in once their systems are back up and running smoothly again.
Rather than getting stressed about not having Instagram access immediately, take a breather and check back the next day. Save yourself the hassle of trying to troubleshoot extensively when a brief waiting period may fix everything.
Patience is key here. Don’t delete and reinstall the app or attempt other “fixes” during the downtime that likely won’t help and could make matters worse. Leave your account untouched and try a simple login in a day or two. The error should be gone.
Remove Unknown Linked Accounts
Many Instagram accounts are connected to Facebook or Google accounts to enable login across platforms.
If you notice any linked accounts that you don’t recognize when you try to log in, this could indicate your account has been compromised. Unknown linked accounts allow a hacker access to your Instagram profile.
To remove any potentially compromised linked accounts:
Click the profile icon in the top right of Instagram.
Go to Settings > Linked Accounts.
Review all of the accounts listed under “Linked Accounts”.
Tap the “X” icon next to any accounts you don’t recognize to unlink them.
Enter your Instagram password when prompted.
Removing unknown third party logins is an important step to secure your account. You should also change your Instagram password immediately after unlinking sketchy accounts.
Enable two-factor authentication as an extra layer of security. With 2FA enabled, you’ll need to enter both your password and a special login code sent your phone when accessing Instagram from a new device.
Contact Instagram Support
If you still can’t log in to Instagram after trying all the troubleshooting steps above, it’s time to reach out to Instagram support for additional help. There are a few cases when contacting support makes the most sense:
You’ve tried everything, but the error persists – If you’ve worked through all the troubleshooting tips here, but still see the login error when attempting to access your account, contacting Instagram is likely your next best step. Providing details on the specific troubleshooting you’ve already attempted can help them investigate further.
You think your account may have been hacked or disabled – If you have reason to believe your account was compromised and disabled by a hacker, Instagram support can look into this. They may request additional details to confirm you are the legitimate account owner.
You urgently need access to your account – Those who rely on Instagram for business, professional networking or other time-sensitive purposes may need to escalate the login issue faster. In those cases, it’s reasonable to contact support after just a few failed troubleshooting attempts.
To get in touch with an Instagram support rep regarding login problems like the “There was a problem logging you into Instagram” error, you have a few options:
Use Instagram’s Report a Problem feature – In the Instagram app, go to your profile and tap the three-dot menu icon. Choose Report a Problem > Something Went Wrong. This will open a contact form.
Submit an email support request – Go to Instagram’s Help Center and click “Email” to send a detailed request to their email support team.
Request a call back – Also in the Help Center, you can enter your phone number to have an Instagram rep call you to investigate your login issues in real time over the phone.
The key is providing as many specifics as possible – your username, troubleshooting steps attempted, and relevant details about your account. With this information, hopefully the Instagram support team can get your login problems resolved promptly!
I’m a writer, artist, and designer working in the gaming and tech industries. I have held staff and freelance positions at large publications including Digital Trends, Lifehacker, Popular Science Magazine, Electronic Gaming Monthly, IGN, The Xplore Tech, and others, primarily covering gaming criticism, A/V and mobile tech reviews, and data security advocacy.