How to Fix the Dreaded ‘Try Again Later’ Error on Instagram

Have you ever tried uploading a post or Stories on Instagram only to be hit with the “Try Again Later” error message? I feel your pain. As an avid Instagrammer, I know how annoying it is when this pops up and stops you from accessing the app normally.

Not to worry – in this detailed guide, I‘ll walk you through exactly why you‘re seeing this error, how to fix it quickly, and tips to avoid future issues. With the right solutions, you can get back to scrolling and posting on Instagram ASAP.

Why Does the "Try Again Later" Error Happen on Instagram?

Before we get into the fixes, it helps to understand what causes the “Try Again Later” message in the first place.

This error occurs when Instagram detects suspicious activity on your account that violates their policies around spam, bots and automation. Their systems temporarily restrict your access until the risk is evaluated – usually 24-48 hours.

Some common triggers include:

• Mass liking or commenting: Liking or commenting on posts repeatedly in a short span of time. Over 1000 total likes or 60 likes on a single post per day can get you flagged.

• Using third-party apps: Logging into unauthorized apps like follower boosters, auto-likers and bots is a big no-no.

• Unusual login activity: Instagram monitors logins from suspicious locations, devices and IP addresses as signs of potential account hacking.

• Spam activities: Repeating similar actions excessively to grow your account artificially could trigger limitations.

• Server outages: Though less common, widespread technical issues with Instagram‘s servers can also cause this error message.

By the Numbers: How Big of an Issue is This Error?

To give you an idea of how prevalent the “Try Again Later” error is, check out these stats:

• Over 18 million Instagram users were impacted by login errors over 12 months according to downdetector.com

• In 2022, around 6,000 reports were submitted daily related to this error

• Complaints spiked during major Instagram outages, with over 80,000 reports on October 31, 2022

So don’t feel singled out by this error – it’s frustrating millions of users globally! But the good news is there are proven ways to get rid of it quickly, which I’ll share next.

Help! How Do I Fix the Instagram "Try Again Later" Error?

If the error lasts more than 24 hours, try these top troubleshooting tips to unlock your account sooner:

Log Out and Back In

The simplest fix is to log out of Instagram completely and log back in:

1. Open Instagram and tap your profile picture in the bottom right.

2. Tap the 3 line menu (hamburger icon) in the top right.

3. Select ‘Log Out’ then tap again to confirm.

4. Enter your username and password to login again.

![App screenshot showing logging out of Instagram account]

This forces the app to refresh its access token and clears any corrupted data that could be causing issues.

Change Your Account Password

Changing your password resets all active sessions and connects. Just make sure to update it everywhere you use Instagram:

1. Go to your profile, tap the 3 line menu and choose ‘Settings’.

2. Select ‘Security’ then ‘Password’.

3. Enter your current password if asked.

4. Type your new password twice and tap ‘Done’.

5. Log out and log back in with the new password.

![Screenshot of Instagram‘s Change Password screen]

If you can’t remember your current password to change it, tap ‘Need more help?’ on the login screen and choose ‘Forgot password?’ to reset it.

Clear the App Cache and Data

Deleting the cached data forces the Instagram app to reinitialize properly.

On Android:

1. Open your phone’s Settings app.

2. Tap ‘Apps‘ or ‘Applications‘.

3. Select ‘Instagram’ then ‘Storage’.

4. Tap ‘Clear Cache’ and ‘Clear Data’.

5. Open Instagram again – the error should be gone.

On iPhone:

1. Go to Settings > General > iPhone Storage.

2. Find Instagram and tap the ‘Offload App’ button.

3. Reinstall Instagram from the App Store.

This wipes any corrupted app files that could be interfering with normal functionality.

Update or Reinstall Instagram

An outdated version of the app may be the culprit. Updating or reinstalling the app can clear up software glitches.

To update:

• On iPhone, check the App Store for any Instagram updates.

• On Android, go to the Play Store, search for ‘Instagram’ and tap ‘Update’.

To reinstall:

• On both iOS and Android, find Instagram in your app library, tap and hold and choose ‘Uninstall’.
• Reinstall Instagram from the app or Play Store.

Remove Suspicious Links From Your Bio

If your Instagram bio contains any links flagged as spam or malicious, this could trigger the error.

To test if a link is causing the issue:

1. Go to your profile and tap ‘Edit Profile‘.

2. Delete the website URL from your bio for now.

3. See if you can access Instagram normally after removing the link.

Unlink Shady Third-Party Apps

Using unauthorized third-party apps like followers boosters, location changers, auto-likers etc. can cause Instagram to limit your access.

To disconnect these apps:

1. Go to your profile, open settings and select ‘Security’.

2. Tap ‘Apps and Websites’ then ‘View and Edit’.

3. Remove access and uninstall any suspicious or unrecognized apps.

Some examples of third-party apps that commonly trigger restrictions include:

• InstaPlus: Auto liker, commenter and follower app
• Instar: Bot for auto-liking posts
• InstaBot: Tool for automated Instagram actions
• Instagram Plus: Modified version of Instagram with extra features
• AppPlus: Download videos, photos and stories

Avoid these at all costs!

Contact Instagram Support

If you’ve tried all troubleshooting tips and the error still won’t budge after 48 hours, directly contact Instagram:

1. Visit Instagram’s Help Center and find the Contact Form.

2. Explain your problem and what you‘ve tried to fix it.

3. Include screenshots of the exact error message you see.

4. Hit submit and await a response from Instagram‘s team.

Hopefully they can manually review and lift any unfair restrictions on your account.

How to Avoid “Try Again Later” Errors Going Forward

Once you’ve regained access, be mindful of activities that could trigger this pesky error again in future:

• Use Instagram organically: Don‘t attempt to artificially boost followers, likes or comments.

• Don‘t automate actions: Limit your total likes/comments to normal human levels per day.

• Avoid third-party apps: Never share your login details with unofficial tools or sites.

• Secure your account: Turn on two-factor authentication and use strong passwords.

• Monitor account access: Only use Instagram from personal devices you trust.

Stick to these best practices and you‘ll stay off Instagram‘s spam radar!

FAQs About the Instagram “Try Again Later” Error

Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about this error:

What if it lasts more than 48 hours?
Contact Instagram support if still not resolved after two days. Provide details of troubleshooting attempts.

Can I get banned for mass liking?
Yes, repeatedly liking thousands of posts in a short period violates policy and can lead to permanent bans.

Should I change my password if I didn’t use third-party apps?
Yes, it’s still worth trying as the error may be caused by suspicious login attempts instead. Resetting your password fixes this.

Why does Instagram think I’m a bot?
Too many actions in a short time (liking, commenting, following/unfollowing) looks bot-like to Instagram. Limit activity to human levels.

Let Me Know If You Need Any Help!

I hope these tips help you get the pesky “Try Again Later” error resolved quickly so you can get back to posting your awesome pics and videos on Instagram.

Let me know if you have any other questions! I‘m always happy to help fellow Instagram users.