Instagram Not Sending SMS Code: Troubleshooting & Solutions

The frustration is real. You’re trying to log into your Instagram account, reset your password, or enable two-factor authentication, and that crucial SMS code just isn’t arriving. It’s a digital roadblock that can feel incredibly isolating. But don’t panic! You’re not alone, and there are several reasons why Instagram might be failing to send you that verification code. This comprehensive guide will walk you through all the possible causes and provide step-by-step solutions to get you back into your account and enjoying your Instagram feed.

Understanding Why Instagram SMS Codes Might Not Be Arriving

Before we dive into troubleshooting, let’s understand the potential culprits behind this common issue. Several factors can contribute to Instagram failing to send you the verification SMS code. These include:

• Network Issues: Your mobile network might be experiencing temporary glitches, preventing SMS messages from reaching your device.
• Incorrect Phone Number: The phone number associated with your Instagram account might be incorrect, outdated, or missing.
• Carrier Issues: Your mobile carrier may be blocking or filtering SMS messages from Instagram for various reasons.
• Instagram Server Problems: Occasionally, Instagram’s servers might be experiencing temporary issues, affecting the delivery of SMS codes.
• SMS Blocking/Filtering: You might have accidentally blocked SMS messages from Instagram or enabled a filtering app that prevents these messages from reaching you.
• Full Inbox: A full SMS inbox might prevent new messages from arriving.
• App Glitches: The Instagram app itself might be experiencing a bug that is preventing the SMS from being requested or received.
• Device Settings: Specific device settings might interfere with SMS delivery.
• Two Factor Authentication Setup Problem: If you were in the process of setting up Two Factor Authentication, it might be stuck in limbo, requiring further steps.
• VPN or Proxy Issues: Using a VPN or proxy server might sometimes interfere with the delivery of SMS messages.

Troubleshooting Steps: What To Do When the SMS Code Doesn’t Arrive

Now that we’ve identified the potential causes, let’s move on to the troubleshooting steps. Here’s a detailed guide to help you get that elusive Instagram SMS code:

1. Verify Your Phone Number

This is the first and most important step. Double-check that the phone number associated with your Instagram account is accurate and up-to-date. If you’ve recently changed your number, you’ll need to update it in your profile settings.

How to Verify Your Phone Number:

1. Open the Instagram app.
2. Tap on your profile picture in the bottom right corner.
3. Tap on the three horizontal lines (hamburger menu) in the top right corner.
4. Tap on “Settings”.
5. Tap on “Account”.
6. Tap on “Personal information”.
7. Check the phone number displayed. If it’s incorrect, tap on it and edit to the correct number.
8. Save changes. Instagram might ask you to confirm the new number by sending another SMS code, so pay close attention.

Tip: Ensure you’ve included the correct country code for your phone number.

2. Check Your Network Connection

A weak or unstable network connection can prevent you from receiving SMS messages. Ensure you have a strong mobile signal or are connected to a stable Wi-Fi network.

How to Check Your Network Connection:

• Mobile Data:
  • Check your signal strength. If it’s low, move to an area with better coverage.
  • Try toggling mobile data off and on again.
  • If your data isn’t working, contact your mobile provider.
• Wi-Fi:
  • Try connecting to a different Wi-Fi network if available.
  • Restart your Wi-Fi router.
  • If your Wi-Fi isn’t working, try another network or use mobile data.

3. Restart Your Phone

A simple restart can often fix minor glitches that might be preventing you from receiving SMS messages. It clears temporary files and restarts essential services on your device.

How to Restart Your Phone:

• For Android: Press and hold the power button, then tap “Restart” or “Reboot.”
• For iPhone: Press and hold the power button (and either volume up or down button on newer models) then slide to power off. Then, press and hold the power button to turn it back on.

4. Check Your SMS Inbox

Your SMS inbox might be full, preventing new messages from being delivered. Clear out some old messages, especially if you have a lot of them.

How to Check and Clear Your SMS Inbox:

1. Open your messaging app.
2. Delete old and unwanted SMS messages. You can delete individual threads or select multiple messages to remove.
3. Empty your trash or deleted items folder, if your messaging app has one.

5. Verify SMS Blocking and Filtering Settings

You might have accidentally blocked SMS messages from Instagram or have an SMS filtering app that is preventing them from reaching you. Check these settings:

How to Verify Blocking and Filtering Settings:

• Check Blocked Numbers/Contacts:
  • Android: Open your messaging app, tap on the three dots (menu), and look for settings such as “Blocked numbers,” or “Blocked senders.” Remove Instagram if it’s in there.
  • iPhone: Go to “Settings,” then “Messages,” and then “Blocked Contacts”. Remove Instagram if it’s in there.
• Check SMS Filtering Apps: If you have any SMS filtering apps installed, temporarily disable them and try requesting the code again. They can sometimes interfere with the delivery of verification messages.
• Check your Carrier Settings: Login into your Mobile account on your carrier’s website, and see if there is any blocking or filtering setting regarding SMS messages.

6. Request the SMS Code Again

Sometimes, the SMS code might not arrive because of a temporary glitch. Wait a few minutes and try requesting the code again. If you’ve attempted to request the code several times, there can be a cooldown period, so give it some time before attempting again.

How to Request the SMS Code Again:

• Go back to the login or password reset screen.
• Enter your username, email, or phone number.
• Select the option to request the SMS code again.

7. Try Another Verification Method

If you’re still not receiving the SMS code, Instagram might offer alternative verification methods like email or authentication apps.

How to Check for Other Verification Options:

• Look for alternative verification links or buttons on the login or password reset page.
• If you have already setup an authentication app, select that as the preferred method.
• See if Instagram provides you with an option to “request another way”.

8. Check For Instagram Server Issues

Occasionally, Instagram might be experiencing server issues that prevent the delivery of SMS codes. Check if there are any reports of outages or widespread issues on social media platforms like Twitter or other outage monitoring websites such as DownDetector.

How to Check for Instagram Server Issues:

• Visit DownDetector.com and search for “Instagram”.
• Check Twitter for hashtags such as #instagramdown, or other keywords like “Instagram not working”.
• If there are widespread outages reported, the best thing to do is wait for Instagram to fix the issues.

9. Update the Instagram App

An outdated Instagram app can sometimes have bugs that prevent you from receiving SMS codes. Make sure you have the latest version of the app installed.

How to Update the Instagram App:

• For Android: Open the Google Play Store, search for “Instagram,” and tap “Update” if available.
• For iPhone: Open the App Store, tap on your profile picture, and scroll down to find updates. Tap “Update” next to Instagram if it’s available.

10. Clear the Instagram App Cache

Clearing the app cache can sometimes resolve issues with the app, including problems with receiving SMS codes.

How to Clear the Instagram App Cache:

• For Android:
  • Go to “Settings” on your phone.
  • Tap on “Apps” or “Applications.”
  • Find and tap on “Instagram”.
  • Tap on “Storage”.
  • Tap on “Clear Cache”.
• For iPhone: Clearing app cache on iPhone requires you to offload the app, which may erase some data, but keeps your documents and data associated with the account.
  • Go to “Settings” on your phone.
  • Tap on “General”.
  • Tap on “iPhone Storage”.
  • Find and tap on “Instagram”.
  • Tap on “Offload App”.
  • Tap on “Reinstall App”.

11. Check Your Device Date and Time Settings

Incorrect date and time settings on your device can sometimes interfere with SMS delivery. Ensure that your device’s date and time settings are correct and synced with the network.

How to Check Your Date and Time Settings:

• For Android:
  • Go to “Settings”.
  • Tap on “System” or “General management”.
  • Tap on “Date & Time”.
  • Make sure “Automatic date & time” is enabled.
• For iPhone:
  • Go to “Settings”.
  • Tap on “General”.
  • Tap on “Date & Time”.
  • Make sure “Set Automatically” is enabled.

12. Turn Off VPN or Proxy Services

If you are using a VPN or proxy server, it may sometimes interfere with the delivery of SMS messages. Try turning them off temporarily and try requesting the code again. If that works, you can add Instagram as an exception in your VPN or proxy settings.

How to Turn Off VPN or Proxy Services:

• Go to your VPN or Proxy app and disconnect/disable your connection.
• If using a custom network setting in your phone settings, disable it for now.

13. Reinstall the Instagram App

If all else fails, consider uninstalling and reinstalling the Instagram app. This can clear any corrupted files and give you a fresh start.

How to Reinstall the Instagram App:

• Uninstall the app from your phone using your phone’s specific uninstallation process.
• Go to the app store and download the latest version again.

14. Contact Instagram Support

If you’ve exhausted all troubleshooting options and are still unable to receive the SMS code, it’s time to contact Instagram support directly. They can investigate your account and help you resolve the issue.

How to Contact Instagram Support:

1. Open the Instagram app.
2. Tap on your profile picture in the bottom right corner.
3. Tap on the three horizontal lines (hamburger menu) in the top right corner.
4. Tap on “Settings”.
5. Tap on “Help”.
6. Select “Report a Problem” or “Support Requests”.
7. Describe your problem in detail, including the troubleshooting steps you’ve already tried.

Conclusion

Dealing with Instagram not sending an SMS code can be frustrating, but by systematically going through the troubleshooting steps outlined above, you should be able to resolve the issue. Remember to be patient and carefully check all settings and options. If you continue to have problems, do not hesitate to contact Instagram Support. With a little effort, you’ll be back to enjoying your Instagram experience in no time.