Instagram is a great place to connect with people from all parts of the world. The platform has about two billion active users. That’s a whole lot of people you can have conversations with.
For a platform so focused on linking people up, it can be strange to find out that you can’t reply to certain messages. You see a new conversation on the messages section of the app, yet you can’t seem to send a reply to it.
Be rest assured that this isn’t a normal occurrence. Instagram wants you to connect with people on their platform and replying to DMs is an important way of doing that.
In this article, we’ll walk you through some reasons why you can’t reply to messages on Instagram, and show you how to rectify them.
Why Can’t I Reply on Instagram?
Here are a few issues that might prevent you from replying to messages on Instagram:
Connection Issues
If you notice that you can’t send messages on Instagram, the first thing you should do is check your internet connection. If your connection is fluctuating, there’s a likelihood that none of your messages will be sent.
Fix: Ensure your WiFi or mobile data connection is strong. Try refreshing your connection by turning it off and on.
Outdated App
Instagram has an auto-update function to download any updates as they come. However, if this fails to function optimally, you may find yourself using an outdated app. These outdated apps may have compatibility issues with the newer versions that may prevent your messages from sending.
Fix: Update your Instagram app. You can do this through the App Store or Google Play Store. You can also check whether the auto-update function on Instagram is working properly. Get there by clicking the hamburger menu icon at the top right of your profile. Tap on Settings and Privacy, get to About, then click on App Updates and check if the toggle for Auto-update over WiFi is on.
App Issues
Sometimes the issue may originate from the app itself. For instance: the app cache may have grown too large and may be posing a problem.
Fix: Clear app cache. You can do this through the App settings on your phone. Try restarting your phone if that doesn’t work.
Blocked by User
If you can’t reply to messages from a specific user alone, then you might have to entertain the possibility that you’ve been blocked. You can use a friend’s Instagram account to send a message to the user to confirm this.
Fix: Unfortunately, there’s no fix for being blocked by a user on Instagram. Try another platform if you need to communicate with them.
Temporary Bugs and Glitches
If you’ve tried all these and nothing has worked, the issue might be a temporary bug from Instagram.
Fix: Contact Instagram support for help in this case. You can get there through the Instagram app. Get to your profile, tap on the hamburger menu icon at the top right of the page. Tap on Settings and Privacy, get to About, click on Help, then click on Report a Problem.
If you’ve checked out all these fixes, you should have rectified your issue by now. You’re welcome.
