Alex Ruben
How To Resolve Instagram Crashing or Closing Unexpectedly on Android
Faced with Instagram just closing or crashing out of nowhere? Yeah, it’s insanely annoying, especially if you’re trying to scroll through feeds or post stories. Sometimes, it’s just a glitch, other times maybe outdated apps or messing with device settings. Either way, there are a few legit ways to get it back on track without tearing your hair out. This guide covers the tried-and-true fixes that usually do the trick—and will help you get Instagram running smoother again.
How to Fix Instagram Crashing on Android
Clear your app cache (because sometimes, data goes bad)
This is one of those quick fixes that actually often works. Cache can get corrupted or bloated, especially if you haven’t cleared it in a while. It’s worth a shot before diving into more drastic measures. Typically, this helps when you notice Instagram crashing after updates or when bouncing between Wi-Fi and mobile data.
- Head over to Settings and find Apps or Application Manager.
- Scroll down and tap on Instagram.
- Go into Storage.
- Hit Clear Cache.
Force stop and restart Instagram (sometimes it just needs a nudge)
Force stopping the app kills off any stuck processes. On some setups, Instagram can get caught in a weird state, causing crashes—forcing it to close and restart clears that out. You might have to do this a couple of times to see results, but it’s safe.
- On the Instagram app info page, tap Force Stop.
- Then reopen Instagram from your apps drawer or home screen.
Make sure you’re running the latest version (old versions are bug magnets)
Outdated apps tend to cause crashes because they’re not compatible with the latest Android updates or bug fixes. Check for updates in Google Play Store even if it seems obvious, because sometimes updates just slip by unnoticed.
- Open Google Play Store.
- Search for Instagram.
- If it says Update, tap it. If not, you’re good for now.
Check your date & time settings (because internet servers hate mismatched clocks)
If your device’s date and time are off, Instagram might complain or crash. Android generally has an automatic setting, but sometimes it gets disabled or messed up after updates or toggling airplane mode.
- Go to Settings > Date & Time.
- Make sure Automatic date & time is enabled.
Verify you’ve got enough storage (or Instagram’s gonna be stubborn)
If your phone is nearly full, apps might misbehave or crash because they can’t write data properly. Aim for at least 2GB free—anything less can trigger all kinds of weird issues.
- Open Settings > Storage.
- Check how much free space you have. If it’s low, delete unnecessary apps, photos, or videos.
Clear app data — a more aggressive fix
If cache clearing didn’t help, clearing data resets Instagram to fresh install state (without reinstalling). Just keep in mind, it logs you out, so remember your login info or backup if needed.
- Go into Apps > Instagram.
- Tap on Storage.
- Hit Clear Data and confirm.
Reinstall Instagram (because sometimes, a fresh install fixes mysteries)
If crash loops persist, deleting and reinstalling can fix corrupted files or broken updates. Just don’t forget your login details—reinstalling wipes out local data and cache.
- In Google Play Store, find Instagram.
- Tap Uninstall, then confirm.
- After uninstalling, tap Install again to grab the latest version.
Extra troubleshooting tips — don’t skip these
- Make sure your device’s OS is up to date—security patches and bug fixes can improve app stability.
- Check for system updates in Settings > System > Software Update.
- If nothing works, a factory reset might help, but back up your data first because it wipes everything.
Summary
- Clear app cache
- Force stop and restart Instagram
- Update the app
- Check date & time
- Verify free storage
- Clear app data if needed
- Reinstall as a last-ditch effort
Wrap-up
Going through these steps typically sorts out most crashing issues. It’s kind of weird how just clearing cache or updating can fix something that seems totally unrelated at first. On some phones, it takes a couple of tries or a restart, but not so bad overall. If crashes keep coming back despite all that, it might be a compatibility thing or problem on Instagram’s side, so waiting for an app update or system patch could be the last resort. Fingers crossed this helps someone avoid the endless frustration — it worked for plenty of setups.