1. Check Internet Connection

Internet connection is a common issue that goes unnoticed at various times. If you are having trouble with Instagram, please check your internet connection i.e, your data pack, Wi-Fi, speed, etc. Please make sure your internet is working seamlessly in order for Instagram to work effortlessly. If your internet is working fine, then let’s move on to the next solution.

2. Try Instagram Web

If Instagram is not showing you messages on your mobile, you should try checking your messages on the Instagram web app. It will help figure out if the problem lies with mobile or web browsers. Let’s take a look at how to access your DMs on the web version of Instagram.

  1. Open Instagram.com in your choice of browser and log in to your account.
  2. Click on the Messages in the sidebar to go to the DMs page.
  3. All DMs should be visible here.

3. Message Was Unsent

One more possible reason for Instagram no longer displaying messages is that the user may have unsent the message. In such cases, Instagram won’t show you the message even though you may have received a notification for the same. Sometimes, people send DMs by mistake and quickly delete them. You can ask them in order to confirm.

4. Unmute DM

In case, you have muted someone’s DM, Instagram won’t show messages from them. Let’s learn how to unmute someone’s DM on Instagram.

  1. Open Instagram and navigate to the DMs section by tapping on it in the upper right corner.
  2. Swipe left on the DM of the person whom you want to unmute. Note: If you are an Android user, instead of swiping left, long press on the DM to reveal more options.
  3. Tap on More. Note: If you are an Android user, tap on Unmute messages.
  4. Now tap on Unmute.
  5. Tap on Unmute messges to unmute the DM of the person.

5. Unblock Person

If you have blocked an account, Instagram will stop displaying messages to you from that person. Let’s take a look at how to unblock a person on Instagram.

  1. Open the Instagram app on your smartphone and navigate to the profile tab.
  2. Tap on the hamburger menu (three lines).
  3. Now tap on Settings.
  4. Tap on Privacy.
  5. Scroll down and tap on Blocked accounts under the Connections section.
  6. Tap on the Unblock button next to the person whom you want to unblock. Now whenever this user sends a message, you should receive a notification and see the DM. Tip: How to connect Messenger to Instagram

6. Enable App Notifications for Instagram

App-based notifications might also be the culprit for Instagram not showing messages. Let’s take a look at how to enable app notifications for Instagram on iOS and Android.

iOS

Let’s take a look at the steps to enable the notifications for Instagram on iOS.

  1. Open the Settings app on your iPhone.
  2. Tap on Notifications.
  3. Scroll down and tap on Instagram.
  4. Tap on the toggle Allow Notifications to enable the notifications for the Instagram app. And make sure you have selected Immediate Delivery under the Notification Delivery category instead of Scheduled Summary. Note: If you are using Scheduled Summary to minimize distractions but still want to receive messages immediately, turn on the toggle Direct Messages under the Always Deliver Immediately section.

Android

Here are the steps to enable the notifications for Instagram on Android. Note: We’re using a Samsung Galaxy phone for illustration purposes. Hence, steps might slightly vary if you are using a different type of Android phone.

  1. Navigate to the Instagram app and long press on it to reveal more options.
  2. Tap on the small “i” icon.
  3. Now tap on Notifications.
  4. On the notifications page, tap on the toggle that says Allow notifications. And the next time you receive a message it should appear on your smartphone right away.

7. Reset Instagram App

Sometimes a quick reset of Instagram can fix these small issues. Let’s take a look at how to reset Instagram on iOS and Android.

iOS

Here are the steps to offload (or delete) Instagram on iOS.

  1. Open the Settings app on your iPhone.
  2. Tap on General.
  3. Now tap on iPhone Storage.
  4. On the iPhone Storage page, tap on Instagram.
  5. Now tap on Offload App (or Delete App).
  6. Go back to the home screen and tap on the Instagram icon to re-install it on your phone. Tip: If you have deleted the app, then Go to App Store > Search Instagram > Install.

Android

If you want to reset/clear data of the Instagram app on an Android smartphone, then here are the steps to do so. Note 1: We’re using a Samsung Galaxy phone for illustration purposes. Hence, steps might slightly vary if you are using a different type of Android phone. Note 2: Clearing data for an app will make you lose all signed-in data on Instagram, you will be required to log in again to your account.

  1. Navigate to the Instagram app and long press on it.
  2. Now tap on the small “i” button.
  3. Scroll down on the App info page and tap on Storage.
  4. Tap on Clear data.
  5. A pop-up menu will appear, now tap on Delete. The Instagram app will now be reset.

8. Enable Background Data for Instagram

Disabling background data for Instagram might also be the cause for you not receiving messages. Let’s learn how to fix this issue on iOS and Android.

iOS

Here are the steps to enable the background data for Instagram on iOS.

  1. Open the Settings app on your iPhone.
  2. Scroll down and tap on Instagram.
  3. Tap on the toggle next to Background App Refresh to enable it. Once the background data is enabled Instagram will work even in the background and will show messages.

Android

Let’s take a look at the steps to enable the background data for Instagram on Android. Note: We’re using a Samsung Galaxy phone for illustration purposes. Hence, steps might slightly vary if you are using a different type of Android phone.

  1. Navigate to the Instagram app and long press on it.
  2. Tap on the “i” button.
  3. Now tap on Mobile data.
  4. Turn on the toggle next to Allow background data usage to turn it on. And now Instagram should show messages when you receive one.

9. Turn Off Low Power/Battery Saving Mode

Low power mode or battery saving mode is also infamous for slowing or shutting down many processes of your smartphone. If you have turned this on, Instagram also might take a hit from this.

iOS

Let’s take a look at how to disable the Low Power Mode on the iPhone.

  1. Open the Settings app on your iPhone and tap on Battery.
  2. Now tap on the toggle next to Low Power Mode to turn it off.

Android

If you are an Android user, here are the steps to disable the Power saving mode. Note: We’re using a Samsung Galaxy phone for illustration purposes. Hence, steps might slightly vary if you are using a different type of Android phone.

  1. Open the Settings app on your Galaxy phone.
  2. Tap on Battery and device care.
  3. Now tap on Battery.
  4. Tap on the Power saving toggle to turn it off.

10. Disable Pause All Notifications

Instagram has a feature of pausing all notifications natively. If you’ve enabled that by mistake, then this might be a possible cause for Instagram not showing messages. Let’s look at how to disable “pause all notifications”.

  1. Open the Instagram app on your smartphone.
  2. Tap on the Profile tab.
  3. Now tap on the hamburger menu (three lines).
  4. Tap on Settings.
  5. Now tap on Notifications.
  6. Tap on the toggle named Pause All to disable it. Now your Instagram should show messages.

11. Enable Messages Notification (Account Level)

Just like “pause all notifications”, Instagram also has the option to turn off message notifications. If you have enabled this by mistake, Instagram won’t be showing you messages even on the DMs page. When this setting is turned on, users have to do PTR (pull-to-refresh) in order to show messages. Let’s take a look at how to disable this on your Instagram. Note: This setting is an account-level setting. So if you’ve enabled this by mistake, a logout-login and app re-installation won’t be helpful in this case. Wherever you log in the problem will persist. You will have to turn this off manually for your account.

  1. Open the Instagram app on your smartphone.
  2. Navigate to the profile by tapping on the profile tab.
  3. Tap on the hamburger menu (three lines).
  4. Now tap on Settings.
  5. Tap on Notifications to proceed further.
  6. Tap on Messages.
  7. Once you’re on the messages notifications page, tap on either From Primary Only or From Primary and General. Now Instagram should show messages instantly when you get them. Also Read: How to Post Notes on Instagram.

12. Limited by Instagram

Instagram has safeguards to protect users from spam. One of them is a limit on how many messages can be sent in a given time period. If the sender was warned of sending too many messages on Instagram and still continued sending them, it is possible you won’t see them on your end. Ask your Instagram friend to wait before resending the message so it will be visible on your end.

Make Instagram Messaging, Great Again

Meta is now working on integrating Instagram DMs with Facebook using the new Messenger Features. Instagram DMs are going to be so much more fun for users who are on both platforms. Interesting days ahead. Meanwhile, I hope this article has shed some light on the root causes and provided you with a solution to why Instagram is not showing direct messages to you. Happy communicating with friends, families, and followers of yours. Did you know that you can now monitor/supervise your kids on Instagram? Learn how to set up Supervision on Instagram.