Ever opened Instagram, ready to drop a witty reply to your bestie’s lunch post, and… no comments? Nada. Zip. Vanished into digital thin air. Before you rage quit the app or suspect something spooky, we’ve got good news—this is totally fixable!
TLDR:
Can’t see Instagram comments? Don’t worry, this is a common issue. It’s usually caused by app glitches, outdated versions, or settings. Just work through the simple steps below and you’ll likely be back to scrolling and commenting in no time!
Common Reasons Why Comments Might Not Show
There’s no one-size-fits-all answer, but here are some likely culprits:
- Internet connection problems
- Instagram glitches
- Outdated app version
- Account restrictions
- Content filters or hidden comments
- The post has comment limits set
- You’ve been blocked (ouch)
Let’s dive into each of these and see how to fix ’em.
1. Check Your Internet Connection
This might sound obvious, but it’s easy to miss. Instagram needs a strong internet connection to load comments. Try these quick fixes:
- Toggle airplane mode on and off
- Switch between Wi-Fi and mobile data
- Restart your router if you’re home
If the connection is solid, move on to the next fix.
2. Restart the Instagram App
Sometimes, the app just needs a little nap. Close Instagram completely (swipe it away) and open it again. If that doesn’t work, try restarting your phone. Sounds simple, but it works more often than you’d think!
3. Update Your Instagram App
An outdated app can do all sorts of weird stuff, including hiding comments. Head over to your App Store or Google Play:
- Search for “Instagram”
- Tap Update if it’s an option
If it’s already updated, great. If not, update and then relaunch the app to see if comments show up again.
4. Are Comments Hidden or Filtered?
Instagram gives users a lot of control now. One of those controls is offensive comment filtering. Sometimes it’s turned on by default.
To check:
- Go to your profile
- Tap the three lines (≡) in the top right corner
- Go to Settings > Privacy > Hidden Words
- Turn off Hide comments or check your custom filters
This especially matters if you’re not seeing comments on your own posts. You might be filtering more than you mean to.
5. Check If Comments Are Turned Off on a Post
If it’s someone else’s post, the reason might be simple: they’ve disabled comments. That’s their choice, and nothing you can do will change it.
If it’s your post and you don’t see comments:
- Tap the three dots (…) on your post
- Check to see if Turn On Commenting is an option
If it is, comments were turned off. Tap that to bring them back.
6. You Might Have Been Blocked
It’s harsh, but real—if you can’t see or comment on someone’s post, you might be blocked. Especially if:
- You can’t tag the person
- You can’t see their posts at all anymore
- Their comments and likes on mutual posts have vanished
Sadly, there’s no “You got blocked!” notification from Instagram. But if this sounds like your situation, that could be why comments are invisible.
7. Instagram Might Be Down
Even the mighty Instagram has bad days. The servers can go down, affecting comments and other features.
Here’s how to check:
- Go to DownDetector
- Search for Instagram
- Check if there’s a spike in reports
If it’s down, all you can do is wait. Grab a snack. Pet your dog. Life will go on.
8. Clear the App Cache (Android)
For Android users, clearing the app cache can help refresh things without deleting anything important.
- Go to Settings
- Select Apps > Instagram
- Tap Storage
- Tap Clear Cache
iPhone doesn’t offer a specific “clear cache” button. But you can delete and reinstall the app instead.
9. Log Out and Back In
Sometimes your session glitches. Logging out and back in can clear up issues:
- Go to your Profile
- Tap the three lines (≡)
- Go to Settings and Privacy
- Scroll down and tap Log Out
Wait a few seconds, then log back in. Fingers crossed—that might just do the trick!
10. Reinstall Instagram
When nothing else works, it’s time for the nuclear option: delete and reinstall Instagram. Here’s how:
- Delete the app: Tap and hold the icon, then select “Remove”
- Reinstall it: Go to your app store and re-download
- Log back in: Use your credentials to return to the grid
This gives you a fresh install and often solves weird glitches like missing comments.
Still No Luck? Contact Support
If all else fails, contact Instagram directly:
- Go to your profile
- Tap the three lines (≡)
- Choose Settings and Privacy
- Scroll to Help > Report a Problem
Let them know what’s going on. Include details like the type of device you’re using, and when the issue started happening. The more specific, the better!
Bonus Tip: Use the Web Version
If Instagram on your phone is giving you trouble, try using Instagram on your browser. Sometimes comments show up there even when they don’t on mobile. Handy, right?
Wrap Up
Not seeing comments on Instagram is annoying—but it’s rarely permanent. Whether it’s a setting, a glitch, or just a bad hair day for the servers, one of the steps above should get you back on track.
Now go forth, scroll, like, and leave that fire emoji where it belongs—in the comment section! 🔥
