Instagram not working with VPN: 11 ways to FIX it (walkthrough)

Despite its popularity, Instagram is blocked in some countries. A capable VPN should help you unlock it abroad, but sometimes they can become unresponsive. We reveal what to do if Instagram isn’t working with your VPN.

If you want to scroll through IG while travelling, you need to know how to overcome VPN problems – even the best ones can get stuck sometimes. Below, we’ve pulled together a list of 11 easy fixes you can use to get the app working once again.

Which VPNs work with Instagram?

Why you can trust GadgetMouse: Our content is written by a team of humans and we refuse to use AI. Plus, we own (and use) every VPN that we write about. For more details, see our editorial policy.

Why is Instagram not working with my VPN?

If your network provider identifies that you’re trying to use Instagram in a country where it’s restricted, your connection could be blocked. Other social media services such as TikTok and Twitter work in the same way. However, the best VPNs for Instagram can still help you log in from anywhere in the world, even if you’re traveling around.

How does Instagram detect my VPN?

If your VPN isn’t hiding your real location from your internet provider, it will interfere with the server you’re using, making your VPN useless. Bad VPNs take a long time to replace blacklisted servers, which means you have no way of gaining access to content on Instagram.

In summary, common reasons for Instagram failing:

• Your VPN server has been cut off by Instagram
• Cookies on your phone are telling Instagram about your real location, not your spoofed one
• A VPN is leaking your IP address, which causes Insta to block traffic

Try these Instagram fixes

1. Update your VPN

If your VPN isn’t unlocking the app from abroad, make sure you’re running the latest version.

On Android, you need to open the Google Play store, tap your user profile in the top-right corner of the screen and then Manage apps and device. Finally, choose Update or Update all.

On iOS, open the Apple App Store and tap your user profile in the top-right corner of the screen.

2. Use a different server with Instagram

VPN servers can sometimes become unavailable – that’s no good if you’re trying to flick through IG. Note that the best VPNs that we’ve been hands-on with offer multiple servers for each country.

Try disconnecting from the current server that you’re using. ExpressVPN users can select the three dots icon to see a list of alternative servers in the same country.

3. Contact VPN support

Our recommended providers all manage support teams – it’s one of the features we look out for.

From a computer, head to your VPN provider’s website and find the Support or Contact us pages. Some VPNs offer a live chat service for members.

4. Turn your VPN off (and on again)

This classic tech trick often works with computer issues and we’ve found that the same goes with VPNs. If that doesn’t work, delete and reinstall your VPN. Load up your VPN and the IG app to see if it worked.

5. Test your internet

VPN problems are often linked to your own internet. Disconnect from your wi-fi network and then reconnect. Try and run your VPN once again. You can also go a step further and restart your internet router.

Run a free download speed tool (we recommend Ookla) and compare the results alongside your ISP’s ‘minimum guaranteed speed’ promise. Contact your ISP if your connection is unstable outside of VPN use.

More Instagram fixes to try:

Have you cleared cache and cookies from your internet browser? On Google Chrome, go to Settings > Privacy and security > Clear browsing data. On Safari, go to Settings > Privacy > Manage Website Data.

Have you entered your VPN username and password correctly? Double-check your login credentials. If you can’t remember, get a reset link sent to your inbox.

Are the VPN servers active? Your provider might be experiencing an outage. The best providers are transparent about this and actively update their server status online.

Are your details public due to a DNS leak? A broken VPN can’t conceal your IP address and location on Instagram. To test it yourself, disable the VPN and head to the IP Address Lookup tool. Note down your IP address. Then, turn on your VPN and run the test once again – if you aren’t assigned a new IP and location, your VPN is faulty.

Is your firewall blocking your VPN or the Instagram app?

When you have a problem on the desktop version of IG, check your VPN is in the ‘Allow’ list. On Windows, head to open Windows Security > Allow an app through the firewall. On Mac, try System Settings > Network > Firewall.

Does your web browser need updating?

Your current web browser version might be incompatible with your browser-based VPN. Assuming you’ve updated your VPN, make sure you update your browser as well. On Chrome, for example, you would go to Settings > About Chrome.

Are you overworking your VPN?

If you’re streaming, gaming and using social media at the same time, your VPN might struggle to keep up. We suggest you close a couple of apps to test if doing so has a noticeable impact.

Best VPNs for Instagram

ExpressVPN

• 1-month subscription: £10.53 per month
• 6-month subscription: £8.12 per month
• 1-year subscription + 3 months free: £5.42 per month (49% off)

🌎 Number of servers	160
📈 Bandwidth	Unlimited
🗣️ 24/7 live chat service	Yes
📱 Number of devices	5
⏱️ Our speed test results	-8.7% download, -5.5% upload (London)

If you want to enjoy Instagram from anywhere, create a membership with ExpressVPN. It’s easy to use, delightfully fast and works well if you’re looking to access content that’s usually reserved for a specific country.

This VPN keeps your real IP address hidden at all times, so apps won’t know you’re accessing content from outside of a supported country. Every ExpressVPN member has access to servers in over 90 countries around the world. ExpressVPN works on a range of different devices including Mac, PC, Android or iOS smartphone.

Pros: Smartphone app lets you connect in seconds, 'favourite' most-used VPN servers for quick access, performed remarkably well in our chat support speed test

Cons: Rival VPNs are cheaper, can't use many devices at once

Try ExpressVPN today

Ivacy

• 1-month subscription: £8.62 per month
• 1-year subscription: £3 per month (65% off)
• 5-year subscription + FREE password manager: 80p per month (90% off)

🌎 Number of servers	5,700
📈 Bandwidth	Unlimited
🗣️ 24/7 live chat service	Yes
📱 Number of devices	10

Ivacy works well if you’re a IG fan and it’s a reliable option if you don’t want to spend lots of money on a VPN. This service supports 256-bit encryption, which helps keep cybercriminals away. On top of that, you also get public wi-fi security that protects your gadgets against malware if you’re connecting to a hotspot in a public area.

Wherever you are in the world, you can use Ivacy to access geo-restricted apps like Instagram without anybody knowing about it. That’s thanks to Ivacy’s very strict no-logs policy, which prevents your valuable personal data from being sold to sinister third parties.

Pros: Connection is steady when using multiple devices, notifications mention if Ivacy is disabled, server locations split by country and city

Cons: We think the ExpressVPN mobile app is faster, below-average results in our chat support speed test

Try Ivacy today

NordVPN

• 1-month subscription: £10.49 per month
• 1-year subscription: £3.99 per month (40% off)
• 2-year subscription: £2.79 per month (58% off)

🌎 Number of servers	5,200+
📈 Bandwidth	Unlimited
🗣️ 24/7 live chat service	Yes
📱 Number of devices	6
⏱️ Our speed test results	-14% download, -7% upload (London)

NordVPN has servers all over the world and all of them are protected by military-grade encryption. With Nord’s enhanced encryption technology, you can even stay safe on public wi-fi networks without speeds being affected.

This VPN’s servers are secure and you can connect without handing over personal data. Nord doesn’t watch how you’re using the service, so privacy is guaranteed. You can also try the CyberSec feature, which blocks suspicious-looking apps and lowers the risk of your device being infected with data-grabbing malware.

Pros: Built-in internet kill switch works well, profile page on app includes 'Security score' with privacy tips, takes less than a minute to reach a live chat agent (based on our tests)

Cons: Other VPNs tested are cheaper, some streaming services require multiple resets to work

Try NordVPN today

PureVPN

• 1-month subscription: $10.95 per month (12% off)
• 1-year subscription: $3.74 per month (70% off)
• 2-year subscription + 4 extra months: $1.96 per month (84% off)

🌎 Number of servers	6,500+
📈 Bandwidth	Unlimited
🗣️ 24/7 live chat service	Yes
📱 Number of devices	10

PureVPN is still one of our favourite services to recommend for VPN newbies that want to use Instagram. It’s very simple to use and doesn’t limit bandwidth per user. All members have access to optimised servers that are specifically designed to provide a buffer-free experience.

As soon as you connect to PureVPN, your data is encrypted and passes securely through a series of tunnels that lead to the company’s servers. In other words, you’re completely anonymous and protected at all times. You have a 24-hour support team at your disposal, so you can reach out at any time if you have a question or need help.

Pros: Surprisingly affordable considering features, lots of UK and US-based servers, generous with simultaneous devices

Cons: Takes a couple of minutes to reach live chat agents (based on our tests), performs better on iOS compared to Android (in our experience)

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