Instagram is one of the most popular social media platforms globally, offering features such as direct messaging, stories, and posts. However, many users have reported experiencing issues with Instagram notifications not working properly, which can be frustrating, especially if you’re expecting important updates like messages, comments, likes, or notifications from favorite accounts.

Whether you’re missing out on notifications for direct messages (DMs), post engagements, or even story updates, it’s essential to understand the reasons why this issue might occur and how to resolve it. This article provides a comprehensive guide to troubleshooting Instagram notifications that aren’t working, and solutions for both iOS and Android devices.

Common Reasons Instagram Notifications Aren’t Working

Before diving into troubleshooting, it’s helpful to understand the common reasons why Instagram notifications might not be functioning as expected. The following are some of the most frequent causes:

1. Notification Settings Are Disabled
   • One of the most common reasons notifications don’t appear is because Instagram notifications are turned off, either in the app itself or at the device level.
2. App or Device Glitches
   • Sometimes, bugs or temporary glitches can prevent notifications from being pushed through properly.
3. Do Not Disturb or Silent Mode
   • If your phone is set to “Do Not Disturb” or “Silent Mode,” it will prevent Instagram notifications from making a sound or appearing on your screen.
4. Network or Wi-Fi Issues
   • Poor internet connection or Wi-Fi issues can prevent Instagram from properly receiving and displaying notifications.
5. App Updates or Bugs
   • An outdated version of Instagram can cause notification problems due to compatibility issues or bugs that have since been fixed in newer versions.
6. Background App Refresh Settings
   • On some devices, if background app refresh is turned off for Instagram, the app might fail to receive notifications in real-time.
7. Battery Saver or Power-Saving Mode
   • If you have a power-saving mode or battery optimization enabled on your device, it can limit Instagram’s ability to run in the background, preventing notifications from being delivered.
8. Instagram Account Issues
   • There might also be issues with your Instagram account itself, such as account restrictions or privacy settings that prevent you from receiving certain types of notifications.

How to Fix Instagram Notifications Not Working

If you’re not receiving notifications on Instagram, here’s a step-by-step guide to help you troubleshoot the problem.

1. Check Instagram’s Notification Settings

Sometimes, the issue can be resolved by simply enabling or adjusting the notification settings within the Instagram app. Follow these steps:

• For iOS (iPhone):
  1. Open the Instagram app and go to your profile by tapping your avatar in the lower-right corner.
  2. Tap the three horizontal lines in the top-right corner to open the menu.
  3. Go to Settings > Notifications.
  4. Check that Push Notifications are enabled, and that each type of notification (e.g., Likes, Comments, DMs, etc.) is set to your preference.
  5. If everything seems in order, try toggling the settings off and on again to refresh them.
• For Android:
  1. Open the Instagram app and go to your profile by tapping the profile icon in the bottom-right corner.
  2. Tap the three horizontal lines in the top-right corner, then go to Settings > Notifications.
  3. Ensure that Push Notifications are turned on. Review the list of notifications (Likes, Comments, Followers, etc.) and make sure that each one is enabled according to your preferences.

2. Check Device Notification Settings

If Instagram’s internal notification settings are enabled, the next step is to ensure that your phone’s device-level notification settings are configured correctly.

• For iPhone:
  1. Open the Settings app on your iPhone.
  2. Scroll down and tap Notifications.
  3. Find and select Instagram in the list of apps.
  4. Make sure Allow Notifications is toggled on.
  5. Also, ensure that Lock Screen, Notification Center, and Banners are selected, so notifications show up where you prefer.
  6. Additionally, verify that your phone’s Do Not Disturb mode is turned off.
• For Android:
  1. Go to your Phone Settings.
  2. Tap Apps & notifications > Notifications > Instagram.
  3. Ensure that Allow Notifications is enabled.
  4. Verify that the settings for different types of notifications (sound, pop-up, etc.) are appropriately configured.
  5. Also, check that Do Not Disturb mode isn’t activated or blocking Instagram notifications.

3. Ensure Instagram Is Running in the Background

Instagram notifications may not appear if the app is restricted from running in the background, especially if you’re on a mobile device with limited resources. To fix this:

• For iPhone:
  1. Go to Settings > General > Background App Refresh.
  2. Make sure Background App Refresh is enabled for Instagram.
• For Android:
  1. Open Settings > Apps & notifications > Instagram.
  2. Tap on Battery and ensure that Background restriction is turned off.
  3. You can also check the Data usage settings to ensure that Instagram is allowed to use mobile data when running in the background.

4. Turn Off Battery-Saving Mode

Many smartphones have power-saving modes that restrict background activity to preserve battery life. If these are enabled, Instagram may not receive notifications.

• For iPhone:
  1. Go to Settings > Battery.
  2. Disable Low Power Mode, if it’s activated.
• For Android:
  1. Go to Settings > Battery > Battery Saver.
  2. Turn off the battery-saving mode or add Instagram to the Exceptions list so it can run freely in the background.

5. Check for Updates to Instagram

An outdated version of Instagram could be causing issues with notifications. Updating the app is often a simple fix:

• For iPhone:
  1. Open the App Store.
  2. Tap your profile icon in the top-right corner.
  3. Scroll down to find Instagram and tap Update if an update is available.
• For Android:
  1. Open the Google Play Store.
  2. Tap the hamburger menu (three lines) and go to My apps & games.
  3. Find Instagram and tap Update if available.

6. Reinstall Instagram

If none of the previous steps worked, a fresh install of Instagram may resolve any underlying app issues. Uninstalling and reinstalling the app will give you a clean slate and could solve problems with notifications.

• For iPhone:
  1. Tap and hold the Instagram app icon, then select Remove App.
  2. Reinstall it from the App Store.
• For Android:
  1. Go to Settings > Apps > Instagram.
  2. Tap Uninstall, then reinstall it from the Google Play Store.

7. Check Instagram’s Server Status

Occasionally, Instagram’s notification system may be down due to server issues. Check Instagram’s official social media channels or websites like Downdetector to see if other users are experiencing similar problems. If the issue is on Instagram’s end, you may need to wait until it’s resolved.

8. Check Your Account’s Privacy and Block Settings

If you aren’t receiving notifications from certain accounts, there could be restrictions placed on your account or the accounts you follow. Ensure that you haven’t inadvertently blocked or muted anyone whose notifications you want to receive.

• Muted Accounts: Check if you’ve muted any accounts by going to their profile and tapping the Following button. If you’ve muted them, you can turn the notifications back on here.
• Account Restrictions: If Instagram has flagged your account or temporarily restricted your ability to interact with certain users, this could affect your notifications. Review any emails or notifications from Instagram regarding your account status.

Conclusion

If your Instagram notifications aren’t working, there are several potential causes, from simple setting issues to network or app glitches. By following the troubleshooting steps above, you can identify and resolve the problem, ensuring that you receive timely updates about likes, comments, messages, and more.

Start by checking your device’s notification settings and Instagram’s app-specific notifications, then move on to other factors like app updates, battery-saving modes, or network issues. In most cases, one or more of these steps will help get your notifications working again, so you never miss an important update from Instagram.