8 Ways to Fix Instagram Direct Messages Not Working

Restore seamless communication for a better social experience!

Are you facing issues while sending an important message to an Instagram user? Yes, it can be very frustrating.

Some users are unable to receive or send direct messages on this social media platform, which may be due to several reasons.

To help you out, we have come up with a complete guide with the possible solution to fix Instagram DM not working issue.

Fix Instagram Direct Messages not working

Why has Instagram DM Stopped Working? How to Fix it

There may be several reasons behind the DM not working error like unstable internet connection, Instagram server issues, and outdated Instagram app. If you have restricted the user or they have blocked you, the said-issue would happen.

Quick Answer

Ensure that you have a stable internet connection and check whether Instagram server status is active. Also, you can restart phone/app, log out and re-login to your account, and ensure that you have sufficient phone storage.

Method 1: Basic Troubleshooting Methods

Some users are unable to send or receive direct messages on Instagram. If the preliminary fixes don’t work, you can try these basic tips to fix the issue at the earliest.

Try Web Version: If your DM is not working on your device, you can consider using the Instagram web version.

Check Whether You Exceeded DM Count Limit: Yes! There is a DM count limit, which is 100 DMs per day. So, if you are sending DMs to more than 100 users in a day, Instagram will automatically ban you from sending more DMs. Apart from this, if you have exceeded any limit set by Instagram, you would experience an action block so you might be facing the direct messages not working issue.

Confirm that You are not Blocked by User: When someone blocks you on Instagram, you will not be able to contact the user. Therefore, if you are trying to fix Instagram direct messages not sending, then you may try to contact the user and ask them to unblock you.

Unrestrict or Unblock Account: If you have restricted or blocked the user, unrestrict or unblock that person to send messages.

Method 2: Update Instagram App

Sometimes, if you are using an old version of the Instagram app, you may face issues while sending or receiving direct messages.

Therefore, you can check if there are any new updates for the app on the Play Store or App Store.

After successfully updating the app, you can open and check whether you were able to fix Instagram direct messages not working.

However, if there are no new updates, you can try the next method.

Method 3: Update Device OS

Are still wondering why Instagram DM stopped working on your device? Then it is probably because of the old version of the operating system that you are using.

Therefore, you have to make sure that you are using the latest version of your OS, whether it is an Android or iOS device.

Tap on Download

Method 4: Clear Cache for Instagram

Sometimes, the app’s temporary files may be hogging the memory and causing a glitch on your device.

Therefore, to fix Instagram not receiving messages or not working, you can clear the app cache.

Method 5: Disable Data Saver Mode

Data Saver Mode restricts Instagram’s background data usage and delays or prevents DMs from sending or receiving properly.

Disabling Data Saver Mode can fix the Instagram direct messages not working issue.

Option 1: On Android

Note: The steps below were performed on OnePlus Nord 5G.

1. Go to Settings > Mobile network > Data usage.

2. Swipe down and tap on Data saving.

3. Turn off the toggle for Data saving.

Turn off the toggle for Data saving

Option 2: On iPhone

Note: The steps below were performed on iOS 17.1.1.

1. Go to Settings and tap on Mobile Service.

2. Tap on Mobile Data Options.

3. Turn off the toggle for Low Data Mode.

Turn off the toggle for Low Data Mode | Fix Instagram DM not working

Note: You can also turn off the Data usage limit to have unrestricted data access to fix Instagram direct messages not showing or working issues.

Method 6: Uninstall Recent App Update

You might still be facing Instagram DMs not showing or working issue, then you can uninstall the recent Instagram app update.

Unaware of how to do it? Then, read our guide on How to Uninstall an Update on Instagram and follow the same.

Method 7: Contact Instagram Support Team

If none of the above methods works to fix Instagram direct messages not working issue, you can try to contact the support team on Instagram to report the issue.

1. Go to your Instagram profile and tap on the three horizontal lines.

2. Select Settings > Help > Report a Problem.

3. Again, select Report a Problem in the pop-up.

4. Finally, explain the issue with the DM that you are facing on your account. Tap on Submit to send the report.

Tap on Submit

If none of the methods worked, you can reinstall the app to fix the Instagram DM not working issue.

We hope that this guide was helpful and let us know which method worked for you the best. If you still have any queries regarding this article, then feel free to ask them in the comments section.

1 thought on “8 Ways to Fix Instagram Direct Messages Not Working”

  1. What about the web version of direct messaging not loading. All other parts of IG is loading just fine. Is there a reason or fix for this?

    Thank You

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