A lot of users are facing the “can’t send messages on Instagram” issue lately. Instagram’s direct messaging feature has developed into a key component of the social media site and is still expanding. You may have a lovely conversation with your followers and other Instagram users via DMs. Even the direct messages occasionally experience downtime, just like Instagram sometimes has loading troubles. We’ve compiled a few fixes for Instagram DM-related problems in this article.
Can’t send messages on Instagram: How to fix it?
Below you will find some solutions to fix the “can’t send messages on Instagram” error on both Android devices and iPhones:
- Check your internet connection
- Restart Instagram
- Update the Instagram application
- You might have been blocked by Instagram
- Try using a VPN
- Check Instagram server status
- Wait for an official fix
- Update your device’s operating system
Check your internet connection
Of course, using Instagram without a working internet connection is not possible. If in addition to being unable to send direct messages, you are also unable to view photographs and videos on your Instagram timeline, the issue is most likely related to connectivity. After a few seconds, turn off Airplane mode on your phone. Verify that your router is operating properly if the problem continues. Make sure you have a working internet connection and that the area where you plan to use cellular data has good network coverage.
Restart Instagram
Close or force stop the app on your smartphone and launch it again. Try logging out of your Instagram account and signing back in if you’re still unable to send DMs to anyone. It might be beneficial to delete Instagram’s cache if you have an Android smartphone.
Update the Instagram application
The issue might possibly be the result of a bug or an issue with the software itself. Instagram works quickly to fix these issues, and occasionally new app versions include the solutions. Therefore, to fix the “can’t send messages on Instagram” error that prevents you from sending direct messages, you might need to install the newest Instagram app. Check to see whether the DM problem is resolved after updating Instagram on your smartphone.
You might have been blocked by Instagram
If both your internet and the Instagram app function normally, it’s possible that the problem isn’t on your end. There are two things to take into account if you are unable to send a specific user a direct message. One is that the person has restricted DMs in their account’s privacy settings. Second, you’ve been blocked by the person. You might be unable to send direct messages on Instagram when blocked.
Try using a VPN
Instagram users who are unable to start a DM conversation should utilize this approach. A VPN might be useful if you tried sending a first-time DM to someone on Instagram but it failed. This is how it goes.
Close Instagram, open the VPN application, and activate the VPN connection first. Reopen Instagram and try sending the DM once more. The VPN does not have to be active at all times. A VPN makes it easier for you to enter. The chat can go on and you can send more messages with or without the VPN.
Check Instagram server status
Sometimes the servers that power Instagram fall offline. Consequently, the whole program or part of its functionalities (like direct messaging, for instance) will stop working. This has happened numerous times in the past and will undoubtedly occur occasionally. Checking the availability of the Instagram servers can be done using programs like DownDetector. The tool also alerts you to any issues that other users are having with Instagram.
Wait for an official fix
Social media apps frequently set usage caps on particular features or services. Instagram may temporarily stop letting you send DMs as a spam prevention technique if you message too many individuals, especially those you don’t follow, in a short period of time. Many Instagram users have reported being momentarily restricted from sending direct messages because they sent too many of them.
Additionally, it can be challenging to determine whether you’ve sent too many direct messages because there is no official Instagram policy or documentation addressing DM limitations. We did learn, though, that sending between 30 and 100 DMs to persons you aren’t following can result in a research ban. Therefore, we advise you to use that range as a starting point and refrain from sending too many (daily) DMs.
The ban, as previously indicated, is only in effect for a limited time—usually, 24 hours. If you are unable to wait until then and are certain that you did not send numerous DMs in a spam-like way, move on to the following troubleshooting steps below. However, if Instagram has actually blocked you, your only option is to wait out the ban’s duration. Maybe the time itself will solve the “can’t send messages on Instagram” issue
Update your device’s operating system
If other Instagram users can send DMs but you cannot, the “can’t send messages on Instagram” issue may be with your device. Make sure your smartphone is running the most recent OS version and check for software updates.
Conclusion
If the above steps did not solve the “can’t send messages on Instagram” issue, then contacting Instagram Help Center might be the wisest thing to do! You can also learn how to check your Instagram Recap 2022 by visiting our guide!