• Open Instagram > profile icon > hamburger menu > Settings > Data usage and media quality > disable the Data Saver toggle.
  • Go to Instagram Settings on Android > Storage & cache > Clear cache.
  • Open Instagram Settings > Log out > confirm > log back into your account > check again.

Basic Fixes:

  • Disable VPN: Instagram may not show pictures and new posts if the connected VPN server faces an outage. If so, open the VPN app on your phone and disable the VPN connection. Then, force stop Instagram and try again.
  • Check Instagram server status: When Instagram servers face an outage, you can’t send direct messages (DMs), refresh the feed , post pictures, and even see the uploaded ones. To confirm the problem, visit Downdetector and check.
  • Update the Instagram app: Instagram frequently releases app updates with new features and bug fixes. You might be using an old Instagram build that’s causing issues with loading pictures. You can install the pending Instagram app updates and check again.
  • Reinstall Instagram: When none of the tricks work, reinstall Instagram on your phone. This will help get rid of any custom settings that might be causing pictures to not load properly on Instagram.

Fix 1: Disable Data Saver Mode on Instagram

Instagram offers a built-in data saver mode to apply some brakes to data consumption in the app. Using less mobile data may affect your Instagram experience as the app takes longer to load photos and videos. It would be best to disable it from the app’s settings menu. Here’s how.

Step 1: Open Instagram and tap the profile icon . Tap the hamburger menu and select Settings .

open more menu 1 1 - 1

Step 2: Scroll to Data usage and media quality . Disable the Data Saver toggle.

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Fix 2: Give Unrestricted Data Usage to Instagram

You can give unrestricted data usage to Instagram so that it functions normally even in an active data saver mode. Here’s what you need to do on your Android phone.

Step 1: Open the Instagram app info menu . Select Mobile data and Wi-Fi and enable the Unrestricted data usage toggle.

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Fix 3: Clear Instagram Cache

Instagram collects cache in the background to load frequently visited accounts and feed quickly. Corrupt cache data can lead to Instagram not loading pictures issues. You can easily clear the cache and try again. Here’s how to do it on your Android phone

Step 1: Open the Instagram app info menu . Go to Storage & cache and tap on Clear cache .

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If you’re using a web browser, clear the cache for the browser or just for the Instagram site. Check out our article to know more about clearing Instagram cache .

Fix 4: Log Out and Login Again

This trick works wonders for many who face Instagram not loading pictures issue. There may be some authentication error with your account. You can sign out from your Instagram account and log in using the same credentials. Here’s how.

Step 1: Open Instagram and tap the profile icon . Tap the hamburger menu and select Settings . Tap on Log out and confirm .

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Once done, enter the relevant account details to log back into your Instagram account. Then, check and see if the pictures are loading as expected within the Instagram app.

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