- Check pending message requests.
- Sign out and re-authenticate your Instagram account.
- Clear the app cache.
Why Do I Have Unread Message Notifications When There Aren’t Any?
This can happen due to the following reasons:
- Failed message loading – Instagram may fail to load new messages when there is an issue with internet connectivity.
- Corrupt cache – Corrupt cache data can create false Instagram message notifications.
- App glitch or bug – An existing bug is triggering the unread message notification even when you’ve read all messages.
- Unread messages – You’ve left some unread messages long down the list.
- Unsent messages – The sender has unsend the Instagram message .
Common Fixes
- Check pending message requests – Open Instagram > tap Messages at the top right corner > press Requests under Instagram Notes.
- Refresh messages – Open the Messages tab and swipe down from the top to refresh and load conversations.
- Update Instagram – Open Google Play Store or Apple App Store > search Instagram > tap Update.
Fix 1: Clear Instagram Cache
If the Instagram app cache is corrupt, it can falsely throw the unread message notification. You can manually clear the Instagram cache on your phone to resolve the issue.
On Android – Long-press the Instagram icon > select App info > tap Storage and cache > Clear cache .
On iOS – Since iOS doesn’t offer a way to manually clear the app cache, uninstalling and reinstalling the Instagram app helps fix the problem. Long-press the Instagram icon > select Remove App > reinstall it from App Store.
Fix 2: Check Messages on Instagram Web
If you don’t spot any new message in the Instagram app, checking its desktop or web version might reveal an unread message or request, creating a recurring unread notification.
Open your account in the Instagram Desktop app or web interface and click Messages in the left sidebar. Check for any unread messages or requests.
Fix 3: Sign out and Re-Authenticate Account
Logging out and signing back in is another effective method to remove Instagram ghost message notifications.
Open your Instagram profile > tap the hamburger menu at the top right corner > scroll down and select Log out . Further, sign into the app with the correct account credentials.
Fix 4: Unlink Your Facebook Account
Linking your Instagram account to Facebook is another common culprit behind ghost message notifications in the app. Head to your Instagram account settings to disable it.
Step 1: Open your Instagram profile > tap the Hamburger menu in the top right corner > select Accounts Center .
Step 2: Tap Accounts > select Remove next to the linked Facebook account. Confirm your action when prompted.
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- Access the print queue on your computer and manually clear any stuck print jobs that might be causing the issue.
- Ensure you have the latest printer drivers installed. If not, update them or reinstall the drivers to resolve compatibility issues.
- Use your computer’s built-in printer troubleshooter tool to detect and fix common printer problems.
Preliminary Fixes
- Check Printer Connection : You should first try power cycling both your computer and printer. Refreshing the connection between your devices may solve this problem much quicker than you had anticipated.
- Check Pages and Ink : If your printer has run out of pages or ink, you may receive the ‘documents are waiting’ error. You should refill the ink or add more pages to your printer for a smooth operation.
- Check your Printer Status : Ensure your printer’s status is not set to offline. This will make the printer undetectable for your computer. As a result, your PC won’t be able to communicate with the printer.
Fix 1: Run the Printer Troubleshooter
Step 1: Navigate to Settings . Then, open the System and select Troubleshooters .
Step 2: Select Other troubleshooter . Now, Run the printer troubleshooter from the following menu and follow the on-screen instructions.
If the troubleshooter cannot solve your problem, try restarting the Print Spooler service.
Fix 2: Restart the Print Spooler
Step 1: Press Windows + R to open a new Run window.
Step 2: Then, type services.msc and press Enter .
It opens the services menu.
Step 3: Scroll down to Print Spooler .
Step 4: Right-click on the service and select Stop .
The service should no longer be running now.
Step 5: Now, launch File Explorer and go to the following path.
C:\Windows\System32\spool\printers
Step 6: Delete the content of the folder. By doing that, you’ll delete the printing queue.
Note : Don’t delete the folder itself.
Step 7: Restart your computer.
Step 8: Go back to Print Spooler and restart the service.
Step 9: Set the Startup Type to Automatic .
If the steps above are too complicated, complete the same task from the Command Prompt menu.
Step 1: Launch the Command Prompt as admin.
Step 2: Run these commands and press Enter after each one.
net stop spooler
del /Q %systemroot%\system32\spool\printers\*.*
net start spooler
Check if the error is gone. If this doesn’t resolve, check out the next fix.
Fix 3: Reinstall the Printer Drivers
If your print drivers got corrupted, are missing, or are running outdated drivers, you may not print your documents. That’s why you need to update your drivers. Or reinstall them if they get corrupted.
Step 1: Launch the Device Manager . Then, go to Print Queues and expand the list.
Step 2: Select Update driver and check if the problem is gone.
If it persists, select Uninstall device to remove your current print drivers. Restart your computer. Your device will automatically install the latest print drivers.
Check if your printer still says documents are waiting to be printed.
Fix 4: Remove and Add Your Printer
If nothing worked, maybe re-adding your printer to your computer will do the trick. It’s a handy way to fix the printer ‘documents waiting’ error.
Step 1: Head to Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners menu.
Step 2: Select your preferred printer.
You can check the printer’s details. You can run the troubleshooter from the same menu too.
Step 3: Click Remove .
Now, go back and select Add device . Once Windows detects your printer, click Add device .
You may need to cancel documents waiting to print and try again.
If the printing error only appears while using Google Chrome , check our dedicated guide to troubleshoot it. Before you rush to the nearest store to print your documents and files, use the tricks above to fix the problem.
