Fix: Instagram notifications not working

Imagine having an app you use to interact with people daily but the phone won’t alert you at all. This is what some users reported about Instagram, as the Instagram notifications are seemingly not working for many.

Continue reading and do as instructed to resolve this problem swiftly.

Table of contents:

1. Inspect both in-app and system settings
2. Clear Instagram’s cache and data
3. Whitelist Instagram
4. Reinstall Instagram
5. Disable the Do not disturb mode
6. Leave the Instagram Beta program
7. Try an older APK version of Instagram

How to Fix Instagram Notifications not Working on Android

The most common reasons for Instagram notification issues are disabled notifications in System Settings, although the problem might lie in corrupted local data or aggressive system optimization.

If you are not getting Instagram notifications on your device, just try to restart it once. If the problem persists, we’ll need to use some applicable troubleshooting steps.

Solution 1 – Inspect both in-app and system settings

The first thing to do is to thoroughly inspect both in-app and system notification settings for Instagram. If you are certain that Instagram is the only app having issues with push or Direct Message notifications, we’ll focus on Instagram solely. There are reports about notifications turning off after a system update. Let’s turn them on again.

As a side note, if you have global issues with notifications, make sure that notifications are enabled in Settings > Notifications.

Now, let’s focus on Instagram. Follow these steps to check notification settings for Instagram:

1. Open Instagram.
2. Tap on your Profile and then on the hamburger menu.
3. Open Settings.
4. Choose Notifications.
5. Make sure to open each section, starting with “Posts, Stories, and Comments” and moving downwards, and enable notifications.
6. Now, open Settings > Notifications.
7. Locate Instagram and open it from the list.
8. Make sure that notifications, sound, and lock screen notifications are allowed.
9. Furthermore, inspect each section below and ensure that everything is enabled.

• How to Bypass Android Lock Screen

Solution 2 – Clear Instagram’s cache and data

This solution is especially applicable to mega cache hoarders that are all social media apps, including Instagram. They tend to pile up lots of cache and data which will indeed preload your feed faster.

But, first of all, everything is stored in the cloud (messages, post history, drafts, etc.). Second of all, that excess of locally stored data might cause issues.

Therefore, let’s clear the cache and data from Instagram, and hopefully, notifications will start coming through again. Follow these steps to clear cache and data on Instagram:

1. Open Settings.
2. Select Apps.
3. Open Instagram from the list of apps.
4. Select Storage.
5. Clear Cache.
6. Now, Clear Data and reboot your device.

Solution 3 – Whitelist Instagram

One of the main negatives of OEM skins like MIUI or EMUI is quite aggressive app management. To improve battery life, system managers will terminate apps or limit their work in the background. Battery optimization included.

That’s why we must suggest either disabling those built-in optimization measures or whitelisting Instagram. That way, Instagram will keep working in the background, and push notifications should come through without issues.

Look for System Manager, Security, and whitelist Instagram. In addition, here’s how to change Battery optimization and allow Instagram to autostart on Android:

1. Navigate to Settings > Apps > All apps (Manage apps) > Instagram.
2. Enable Autostart.
3. Then open the Battery saver.
4. Make sure to either disable battery optimization for Instagram or set it to a mode that allows background activity.
5. Reboot your device and look for improvements.

Solution 4 – Reinstall Instagram

Besides clearing the cache and data or securing that the app works in the background, you can also go for a reinstall. With the reinstallation, you’ll get the latest version of the app while clearing all settings. This is applicable for both Android and iOS.

Follow these instructions to reinstall Instagram:

1. Open the Play Store and look for Instagram.
2. Tap Uninstall.
3. Reboot your device and go back to the Play Store.
4. Install Instagram again.

Solution 5 – Disable Do Not Disturb mode

This might come as something too obvious, but you might’ve accidentally enabled Do not Disturb mode. Based on the ways it’s configured, DND mode will prevent all or particular notifications from coming through.

If you are unsure whether it’s ON, you should see an icon in the top right corner that’s usually not there. Disabling DND can be done from the Quick Access menu, but we made sure to explain how to do it through system Settings.

Here’s how to disable Do Not Disturb mode:

1. Open Settings.
2. Open Sound & vibration.
3. Tap Silent/DND.
4. Disable DND.

Solution 6 – Leave the Instagram Beta program

The Instagram Beta program is one of the most popular testing grounds on the Play Store. It’s mostly stable and it does bring some nifty features before the public release hits the deck. However, we still encourage you to leave the beta program in case you are experiencing any problems. Going back to the latest public release is worth a try.

Here’s how to leave the Instagram Beta program with ease:

1. Open Play Store.
2. Search for Instagram.
3. Scroll down and, under the You’re a beta tester section, tap Leave.
4. Wait until you are excluded from the Beta program and update the app.

Solution 7 – Try an older APK version of Instagram

Finally, if none of the previous solutions worked and you are certain that notifications are enabled, maybe the problem is in the app. We all know how to update an app, but what about downgrading it to an older bug-free version? That’s also possible, but only with third-party providers of APKs (Android Package).

Follow these steps to install an older version of Instagram and, hopefully, Instagram notifications that were not working will work without problems:

1. Uninstall Instagram.
2. Navigate to APK Mirror and download an older version of Instagram.
3. Allow your browser to install third-party apps from unrecognized sources.
4. Install the APK and look for improvements.

With that said, we can call it a wrap. Thank you for reading and don’t forget to tell us if these steps helped you or if you are still bothered with Instagram notifications not working. The comments section is just below.