How to Remove Black Instagram: A Comprehensive Guide
Many Instagram users have encountered a peculiar and frustrating issue: the dreaded ‘Black Instagram’ glitch. This problem manifests in various ways, often causing the app to display a black screen, preventing access to feeds, stories, or direct messages. While the cause isn’t always clear (often attributed to software bugs, outdated app versions, or network connectivity issues), the effect is undeniably annoying. Fortunately, several troubleshooting steps can effectively restore your Instagram to its former glory. This comprehensive guide will walk you through various methods to resolve the ‘Black Instagram’ problem on both Android and iOS devices.
## Understanding the ‘Black Instagram’ Issue
Before diving into solutions, it’s helpful to understand the potential reasons behind the problem. Here are some common culprits:
* **Software Bugs:** Like any complex software, Instagram can be prone to bugs that occasionally surface, causing unexpected behavior, including the black screen issue.
* **Outdated App Version:** Older versions of the app may contain vulnerabilities or compatibility issues that lead to errors. Instagram frequently releases updates to fix bugs and improve performance; using an outdated version can therefore trigger problems.
* **Corrupted Cache Data:** Over time, Instagram accumulates cached data (temporary files) to speed up loading times. If this data becomes corrupted, it can interfere with the app’s functionality.
* **Network Connectivity Issues:** A weak or unstable internet connection can sometimes prevent Instagram from properly loading content, resulting in a black screen.
* **Insufficient Device Storage:** A lack of available storage space on your device can hinder the app’s ability to function correctly.
* **Operating System Compatibility:** In some instances, incompatibility between the Instagram app and your device’s operating system (Android or iOS) might lead to display problems.
* **Server-Side Issues:** Although less frequent, Instagram’s servers can sometimes experience outages or technical difficulties, affecting app performance for all users.
* **Conflicting Apps:** Occasionally, other apps installed on your device might conflict with Instagram, leading to display issues.
## Troubleshooting Steps for Android and iOS
Now, let’s explore practical solutions to get rid of the ‘Black Instagram’ screen. The following steps are applicable to both Android and iOS devices, with slight variations as indicated:
### 1. Force Close and Restart the App
The simplest solution is often the most effective. Force closing the Instagram app completely stops its processes and allows for a fresh restart.
**Android:**
1. **Open the Recent Apps menu:** You can do this by swiping up from the bottom of the screen and holding, or by tapping the square button (depending on your device’s navigation style).
2. **Find the Instagram app:** Locate the Instagram app card in the list of recent apps.
3. **Swipe to close:** Swipe the Instagram app card upwards or sideways to force close it. Alternatively, there might be a ‘Close all’ button to close all apps.
4. **Reopen Instagram:** Tap the Instagram icon on your home screen or app drawer to relaunch the app.
**iOS:**
1. **Open the App Switcher:** Swipe up from the bottom of the screen and hold (on iPhones with Face ID) or double-press the Home button (on iPhones with a Home button).
2. **Find the Instagram app:** Locate the Instagram app preview in the list of open apps.
3. **Swipe to close:** Swipe the Instagram app preview upwards to force close it.
4. **Reopen Instagram:** Tap the Instagram icon on your home screen to relaunch the app.
### 2. Check Your Internet Connection
As mentioned earlier, a poor internet connection can prevent Instagram from loading properly. Make sure you have a stable Wi-Fi or cellular data connection.
* **Test your connection:** Try opening a website or another app that requires internet access to see if your connection is working.
* **Toggle Wi-Fi:** Turn Wi-Fi off and then back on to refresh the connection.
* **Switch to cellular data:** If you’re using Wi-Fi, try switching to cellular data (if available) to see if the issue persists. Conversely, if you’re on cellular data, switch to Wi-Fi.
* **Restart your router:** If you’re using Wi-Fi, restart your router by unplugging it from the power outlet, waiting for 30 seconds, and then plugging it back in.
* **Check for data caps:** If using cellular data, verify you haven’t exceeded your monthly data allowance.
### 3. Clear Instagram Cache and Data
Clearing the app’s cache can resolve issues caused by corrupted temporary files. On Android, you can also clear the app’s data, which will reset the app to its default state (you’ll need to log in again).
**Android:**
1. **Open Settings:** Go to your device’s Settings app.
2. **Find Apps (or Applications):** The exact name may vary depending on your device manufacturer (e.g., Apps & notifications, App Manager).
3. **Find Instagram:** Scroll through the list of apps and tap on Instagram.
4. **Tap Storage (or Storage & Cache):** This section shows how much storage the app is using.
5. **Clear Cache:** Tap the ‘Clear Cache’ button. This will remove temporary files without deleting your account information.
6. **(Optional) Clear Data:** If clearing the cache doesn’t work, you can also try clearing the data. **Note:** This will delete your login information and other app settings, so you’ll need to log in again. Tap the ‘Clear Data’ button and confirm your decision.
**iOS:**
Unfortunately, iOS doesn’t allow you to clear the cache for individual apps directly. The only way to clear the cache on iOS is to offload the app or reinstall it.
### 4. Update the Instagram App
Using the latest version of Instagram ensures you have the latest bug fixes and performance improvements. Check the App Store (iOS) or Google Play Store (Android) for updates.
**Android:**
1. **Open Google Play Store:** Launch the Google Play Store app.
2. **Tap your profile icon:** Tap on your profile icon in the top right corner.
3. **Tap Manage apps & device:** Select ‘Manage apps & device’ from the menu.
4. **Check for updates:** Look for Instagram in the ‘Updates available’ section or tap ‘Update all’ to update all apps, including Instagram.
**iOS:**
1. **Open App Store:** Launch the App Store app.
2. **Tap your profile icon:** Tap on your profile icon in the top right corner.
3. **Scroll down to Updates:** Scroll down to see a list of available updates. Look for Instagram.
4. **Tap Update:** If an update is available for Instagram, tap the ‘Update’ button next to it. Or tap ‘Update All’ to update all apps.
### 5. Restart Your Device
A simple restart can often resolve temporary software glitches. Restarting your phone clears the device’s memory and restarts all running processes.
**Android:**
* Press and hold the power button until the power menu appears.
* Tap ‘Restart’ or ‘Reboot’. If there’s no restart option, tap ‘Power off’ and then press the power button again to turn your device back on.
**iOS:**
* **iPhone with Face ID:** Press and hold the side button and either volume button until the power-off slider appears. Drag the slider to turn off your iPhone. After 30 seconds, press and hold the side button again until you see the Apple logo.
* **iPhone with Home button:** Press and hold the top (or side) button until the power-off slider appears. Drag the slider to turn off your iPhone. After 30 seconds, press and hold the top (or side) button again until you see the Apple logo.
### 6. Check Device Storage
Insufficient storage space can prevent Instagram from functioning correctly. Make sure you have enough free space on your device.
**Android:**
1. **Open Settings:** Go to your device’s Settings app.
2. **Tap Storage:** The exact name may vary (e.g., Device care, Battery and device care).
3. **Check Available Storage:** See how much storage space is available. If it’s low, consider deleting unnecessary files, photos, videos, or apps.
**iOS:**
1. **Open Settings:** Go to the Settings app.
2. **Tap General:** Select ‘General’ from the menu.
3. **Tap iPhone Storage (or iPad Storage):** See how much storage space is available. If it’s low, consider offloading unused apps or deleting unnecessary files, photos, and videos.
### 7. Reinstall the Instagram App
If none of the above steps work, try uninstalling and reinstalling the Instagram app. This will ensure you have a clean installation of the latest version.
**Android:**
1. **Find the Instagram icon:** Locate the Instagram app icon on your home screen or app drawer.
2. **Long-press the icon:** Press and hold the Instagram app icon.
3. **Tap Uninstall (or Remove):** Depending on your device, you’ll see an ‘Uninstall’ or ‘Remove’ option. Tap it to uninstall the app.
4. **Confirm Uninstall:** Confirm that you want to uninstall the app.
5. **Open Google Play Store:** Launch the Google Play Store app.
6. **Search for Instagram:** Search for ‘Instagram’ in the search bar.
7. **Tap Install:** Tap the ‘Install’ button to reinstall the app.
**iOS:**
1. **Find the Instagram icon:** Locate the Instagram app icon on your home screen.
2. **Long-press the icon:** Press and hold the Instagram app icon.
3. **Tap Remove App:** Tap ‘Remove App’ from the menu that appears.
4. **Tap Delete App:** Tap ‘Delete App’ to confirm the deletion.
5. **Open App Store:** Launch the App Store app.
6. **Search for Instagram:** Search for ‘Instagram’ in the search bar.
7. **Tap the Cloud icon (or Get):** Tap the cloud icon (if you’ve previously downloaded the app) or the ‘Get’ button to reinstall the app.
### 8. Check for Operating System Updates
Ensure your device’s operating system (Android or iOS) is up to date. Outdated operating systems can sometimes cause compatibility issues with apps.
**Android:**
1. **Open Settings:** Go to your device’s Settings app.
2. **Tap System (or About Phone):** The exact name may vary depending on your device manufacturer.
3. **Tap System Update (or Software Update):** Check for available updates. Download and install any available updates following the on-screen instructions.
**iOS:**
1. **Open Settings:** Go to the Settings app.
2. **Tap General:** Select ‘General’ from the menu.
3. **Tap Software Update:** Check for available updates. Download and install any available updates following the on-screen instructions.
### 9. Clear Browser Data within Instagram (if applicable)
Although Instagram is primarily an app, it also contains a built-in browser for opening links. Clearing the data within this browser may resolve some display issues. This step is more relevant if the black screen appears when opening links from within Instagram.
1. **Open the Instagram app and go to your profile.**
2. **Tap the three horizontal lines (menu icon) in the top right corner.**
3. **Select Settings and Privacy.**
4. **Scroll down and tap on “Website Permissions” under the “How others can interact with you” section.** (If you can find “Browser Settings” directly in the Settings menu, navigate to it).
5. **Tap on “Browsing Data”.**
6. **Tap on “Clear”.**
### 10. Check App Permissions
Make sure Instagram has all the necessary permissions to function correctly. Denied permissions can sometimes lead to unexpected behavior.
**Android:**
1. **Open Settings:** Go to your device’s Settings app.
2. **Find Apps (or Applications):**
3. **Find Instagram:** Tap on Instagram in the list of apps.
4. **Tap Permissions:** This section shows which permissions the app has access to.
5. **Grant Necessary Permissions:** Ensure that necessary permissions like Camera, Microphone, Storage, and Contacts (if needed) are granted. Tap on each permission and choose ‘Allow only while using the app’ or ‘Allow all the time’ as appropriate.
**iOS:**
1. **Open Settings:** Go to the Settings app.
2. **Scroll down and find Instagram:** Scroll down the list of apps until you find Instagram.
3. **Tap Instagram:** Tap on Instagram to access its settings.
4. **Grant Necessary Permissions:** Ensure that necessary permissions like Camera, Microphone, Photos, and Contacts (if needed) are enabled (the toggle switch should be green).
### 11. Contact Instagram Support
If you’ve tried all the troubleshooting steps and the ‘Black Instagram’ issue persists, it’s possible that there’s a more complex problem with your account or Instagram’s servers. In this case, contacting Instagram support is the best course of action.
1. **Open the Instagram app and go to your profile.**
2. **Tap the three horizontal lines (menu icon) in the top right corner.**
3. **Select Settings and Privacy.**
4. **Scroll down and tap on “Help”.**
5. **Tap on “Report a Problem”.**
6. **Select “Something Isn’t Working”.**
7. **Describe the issue in detail, including the steps you’ve already taken to troubleshoot it. You can also attach screenshots of the black screen.**
8. **Tap “Send”.**
Instagram support may take some time to respond, but they can investigate your account and provide further assistance.
## Preventing Future ‘Black Instagram’ Issues
While you can’t completely eliminate the possibility of encountering the ‘Black Instagram’ issue again, you can take steps to minimize the risk:
* **Keep the Instagram app updated:** Regularly check for and install updates from the App Store or Google Play Store.
* **Maintain a stable internet connection:** Use a reliable Wi-Fi network or ensure you have sufficient cellular data.
* **Clear cache periodically:** Clear the Instagram app’s cache regularly (especially on Android) to prevent corrupted data from accumulating.
* **Free up device storage:** Ensure you have enough free storage space on your device.
* **Avoid using unofficial Instagram apps or mods:** These apps may contain malware or compatibility issues that can lead to problems.
* **Restart your device regularly:** A simple restart can help prevent temporary software glitches.
## Conclusion
The ‘Black Instagram’ issue can be a frustrating experience, but with the troubleshooting steps outlined in this guide, you should be able to resolve the problem and restore your Instagram to normal functionality. Remember to start with the simplest solutions first, such as force closing the app and checking your internet connection, and then progress to more advanced steps like clearing the cache and reinstalling the app. By following these tips and keeping your app and device up to date, you can minimize the risk of encountering the ‘Black Instagram’ issue in the future.