Encountering the inability to follow someone on Instagram can be quite irritating. This issue may arise for a variety of reasons.
1 Your Network Connection Might be Faulty
Even if Instagram seems to function without issues, it’s critical to check your internet connection. For instance, if your Wi-Fi router isn’t connected to the internet—an issue that often occurs when moving to a new location—it could be a reason for this problem. Additionally, your internet service provider might be experiencing technical difficulties.
Sometimes, the issue might lie with your mobile device’s connectivity. If your internet is down, you could have reached your data cap or simply forgot to enable roaming. As a result, you’ll be unable to follow accounts or refresh your home feed.
To resolve an unstable Wi-Fi connection, you can try changing the router’s channel, resetting the router, or switching to another network. If you’re using a smartphone, ensure the cellular data indicator is active. You might also consider resetting your network settings and checking if you have 4G or 5G enabled.
2 You’ve Hit the Follow Limit on Instagram
As outlined in the Instagram Help Center, users can follow up to 7,500 accounts. This limit is in place to help minimize spam. If you attempt to follow a 7,501st person, you’ll receive an error message unless you unfollow someone first.
While 7,500 is a significant number of accounts to follow, you might still be near that limit without realizing it. Instagram has a follow rate limit, capping you at 60 follow/unfollow actions within an hour. If you haven’t hit the limit but still can’t follow anyone, wait a while before trying again. Conversely, if you have reached the maximum, simply unfollow an account to remedy the situation.
3 The Other User May Have Blocked You
It’s possible that the reason you can’t follow someone is that they’ve blocked you. If you’ve already unfollowed accounts or waited to see if the issue resolves itself, try checking if you can still view the user’s profile. One way to check this is by logging out of your account, then searching for their profile link. If you can see their page, chances are they have blocked you.
Keep in mind that there won’t be a notification when someone blocks you. The user may choose to unblock you later, but until that happens, it’s best to respect their choice and move on.
4 You Might Need to Re-Authenticate Your Account
If there are problems with your account’s authentication, Instagram may prevent you from following new accounts. Fortunately, this issue is usually straightforward to fix—just sign out of your account and sign back in.
- Open the menu in the top right corner.
- Select Settings > Log out.
- Log back into your account.
5 The Instagram App May Have Bugs
Technical problems on Meta’s end can cause the Instagram app to glitch. It may also be necessary to ensure your app is updated. First, try closing and reopening the app to see if that resolves any issues.
If problems persist, your app might need an update. Check for updates on the App Store or Google Play. If you still face difficulties, it might just be a matter of waiting a few hours before trying again.
6 Instagram May Have Restricted Your Account
The follow/unfollow strategy is an outdated and often annoying method of growing your Instagram presence. This behavior can lead Instagram to restrict your account, making it impossible to follow new users. Other reasons for account restrictions include liking too many posts simultaneously or posting spammy comments. If you suspect you might be in trouble, review Instagram’s rules to ensure you’re not violating any.
Additionally, Instagram may flag your account if you’re logged in on different devices across various locations. Using the same account on your phone and computer is generally acceptable, but unusual login locations might raise a red flag.
7 You May Be Using a VPN
If you’ve activated a VPN, Instagram might detect varying IP addresses and mark your account for unusual activity. This could limit several features, including your ability to follow other accounts.
Using Instagram simultaneously on a mobile device and desktop can also trigger similar restrictions. If you suspect that your VPN is the cause of this problem, try disconnecting to see if it resolves the issue.
8 You Might Need to Clear Your Cache
Neglecting to clear your app’s cache can disrupt various functionalities on Instagram, including following new accounts. Such issues often occur when the app data exceeds storage limits or becomes corrupt, impacting your experience.
You can easily clear the cache of the Instagram app on Android devices. For iOS users, simply uninstalling and reinstalling the app serves the same purpose.
9 Instagram Servers Might Be Down
If Instagram’s servers are experiencing downtime, you won’t be able to follow new accounts or use other functions until the platform is back up. This is typically resolved within a few hours, though it could take longer in some cases. In such situations, it’s best to check whether Instagram’s servers are operational.
Visit Downdetector to see if other users have reported similar issues and check the number of outages reported in the last 24 hours.
At times, it can be challenging to identify why you can’t follow new accounts on Instagram. In the worst scenario, the user may have blocked you, leaving you with no options until they choose to unblock you. However, if Instagram is down, consider taking a break and enjoying some time away from social media.
