How to fix the ‘couldn’t refresh feed’ error on Instagram: A step-by-step guide

There are few things more frustrating than opening Instagram, eager to catch up on the latest posts from your favourite accounts, only to be met with the dreaded “Couldn’t refresh feed” error. This annoying message can appear for various reasons, from network glitches to app malfunctions. But don’t worry, you don’t have to be left in the lurch. This step-by-step guide will help you troubleshoot the issue and get your feed back in action.

1. Check your internet connection

The most common culprit behind the “couldn’t refresh feed” error is a poor or unstable internet connection. Start by checking your Wi-Fi signal strength or if you’re using mobile data, ensure you have a strong cellular connection. Try browsing other websites or apps to see if they load properly. If you’re having internet issues, try restarting your router or switching to a different Wi-Fi network.

2. Give Instagram a quick refresh

Sometimes, a simple refresh can do the trick. Pull down on your Instagram feed to manually refresh it. This forces the app to fetch new content and can often resolve temporary glitches.

3. Log out and back in

A classic tech fix, logging out and back into your Instagram account can often resolve minor bugs and refresh your connection to the server. 

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Go to your profile, tap the three horizontal lines in the top right corner, select “Settings,” and then “Log Out.” Close the app completely, reopen it, and log back in with your credentials.

4. Clear the Instagram cache

Like most apps, Instagram stores temporary data, known as cache, on your device. While this cache helps the app load faster, it can sometimes become corrupted and cause issues like the “couldn’t refresh feed” error. To clear the cache on an Android device, go to “Settings” > “Apps” > “Instagram” > “Storage” > “Clear Cache.” 

On an iPhone, you’ll need to offload the app: go to “Settings” > “General” > “iPhone Storage” > “Instagram” > “Offload App.” This removes the app but keeps its documents and data. When you reinstall the app, it will redownload the latest version.

5. Update the Instagram app

An outdated Instagram app can also lead to the “couldn’t refresh feed” error. Make sure you have the latest version installed from the App Store (iOS) or Google Play Store (Android). App updates often include bug fixes and performance improvements that can resolve this issue.

6. Restart your device

If all else fails, a good old-fashioned restart can often resolve software glitches affecting your phone and its apps. This clears temporary files and resets system processes, which might be hindering Instagram’s functionality.

7. Check Instagram's server status

Occasionally, the “couldn’t refresh feed” error might be due to problems with Instagram’s servers. You can check the platform’s server status online through websites like Downdetector. If there’s a widespread outage, all you can do is wait for Instagram to resolve the issue.

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By following these steps, you should be able to tackle the “couldn’t refresh feed” error and get back to enjoying your Instagram feed. Remember to check your internet connection first and foremost, and don’t hesitate to try multiple solutions if one doesn’t work immediately.