How to fix the ‘couldn’t refresh feed’ error on Instagram

Georgina Smith
Person using Instagram

A common error message on Instagram is the ‘couldn’t refresh feed’ issue, which has frustrated many users on the app. But what exactly does it mean and how do you fix it?

Instagram plays a crucial role in the daily social media routine of millions of people, and it continues to be one of the best places to go to interact with friends and followers, as well as share content with them.

However, just like any other app, Instagram is prone to the occasional glitch, which can break a commonly used feature, or even prevent people from using the platform entirely.

One of the most common errors is the ‘couldn’t refresh feed’ message, which as it says, prevents people from viewing posts in their feed, or stories.

There are several reasons you might receive this message, from poor internet connection to the app not being up to date. Here are some ways you might be able to fix it.

Instagram logo on a pink background
Instagram continues to be one of the world’s most popular apps.

How to fix the ‘couldn’t refresh feed’ error on Instagram

There’s no straightforward way to fix this issue, as it can be hard to know why exactly the message is appearing in your case. However, there are a few things you can try to see if it resolves the error.

  1. Check your internet connection — There’s a chance your feed isn’t loading because of poor internet, so check that you’re connected to WiFi. Try checking other apps to see whether they’re having similar issues.
  2. Log out and back in, or delete and reinstall the app — These are both pretty standard tricks to use when an app is acting up, but sometimes, for whatever reason, it can end up dislodging whatever issue there is, so it’s always worth a try.
  3. Update your app and device — Another reason Instagram may be displaying this error message is if your device and app aren’t running the latest version. Ensure to update both so you know whether or not that is the issue.

It’s always possible that the issue lies with Instagram, in which case you may just have to wait for them to fix it. But, if the issue persists, you can see Instagram’s instructions on reporting a technical issue here.

If you want to know more about how to use Instagram, you can check out our other guides here:

How to link your Instagram account to TikTokHow to see your first-liked Instagram postHow to switch Instagram feed to chronological orderHow to re-share a post to your Story on InstagramHow to make money on InstagramHow to hide likes on Instagram

About The Author

Georgina was formerly an entertainment writer for Dexerto. She covered all aspects of influencer culture on TikTok and more, including creators such as Charli D’Amelio and Addison Rae. She also wrote about hit reality shows such as Love Island and Below Deck.