How to Get Notifications on Instagram if Not Showing

Missing out on Instagram notifications for likes, comments, and DMs is more than a small annoyance - it can disconnect you from your community and hinder your growth. When you're trying to build a brand or connect with followers, every missed interaction is a missed opportunity. This guide walks you through a complete troubleshooting checklist to fix your Instagram notifications once and for all, starting with the simplest fixes and moving to a few more advanced steps to get things working again.

Start Inside the Instagram App

Before you dig into your phone's complex system settings, the first and most common culprit is often a setting buried within the Instagram app itself. Let's make sure everything is configured correctly there.

Check if "Pause All" is Turned On

Instagram has a master switch that can silence all notifications with a single tap. It's designed for when you need a break, but it's easy to forget you turned it on. Here's how to check:

1. Open the Instagram app and tap your profile picture in the bottom-right corner.
2. Tap the three horizontal lines (menu icon) in the top-right corner.
3. Select Settings and privacy.
4. Tap on Notifications.

At the very top, you'll see a toggle for Pause all. If this is switched on, you've found your problem. Simply toggle it off, and your notifications should start rolling in again. You can also set a timer here, so it's possible it was set to turn back on automatically.

Fine-Tune Your Specific Notification Settings

If "Pause All" wasn't the issue, the next step is to review your settings for specific types of interactions. Instagram gives you granular control over what you get notified about, so it's possible that notifications for comments or DMs were accidentally turned off while others remained active.

From the same Notifications menu, you'll see a list of categories:

• Posts, Stories and comments: This section lets you control notifications for likes, comments, comment likes, tags, and story replies. Go through this list and ensure that alerts for important interactions are set to "From everyone" instead of "Off" or "From people I follow."
• Following and followers: Here you can manage alerts for new followers, accepted follow requests, and suggested accounts. While less critical for daily engagement, it's good to check.
• Messages: This is a big one. This controls notifications for direct message requests and individual DMs. Make sure these are turned On. If you miss DMs, you could be missing out on collaborations or conversations with your biggest supporters.
• Live and Reels: Manage notifications for when accounts you follow go live or for updates on your own original Reels.

Go through each category methodically. The most common settings to check are Comments, Messages, and Tags, as these are the ones most directly related to community engagement.

Dig into Your Phone's System Settings

If everything inside the Instagram app looks correct, the problem likely lies at the device level. Both iPhone and Android operating systems have their own master notification controls for each app, and these settings will always override whatever you've configured inside Instagram.

For iPhone Users

iOS handles app notifications in a centralized location. If push notifications for Instagram are turned off here, the app can't send you anything, no matter what its internal settings say.

1. Open the Settings app on your iPhone.
2. Scroll down and tap on Notifications.
3. Find and tap on Instagram from the list of apps.
4. At the top, make sure the Allow Notifications toggle is switched ON. If it's off, this is your solution.

Once enabled, you'll see a few more options to customize how they appear:

• Alerts: Check the boxes for Lock Screen, Notification Centre, and Banners. To make sure you never miss an alert, it's best to have all three enabled. Banners are particularly important for seeing notifications while you're actively using your phone.
• Sounds and Badges: Make sure both are toggled on if you want an audible alert and the little red number on the app icon that indicates unread notifications.

Also, check your Notification Grouping settings at the bottom. Setting it to "By App" can help keep your Instagram notifications organized together so you don't miss them in a sea of alerts from other apps.

For Android Users

Android's settings can vary slightly depending on your device manufacturer (Samsung, Google Pixel, etc.), but the general path is very similar.

1. Open the Settings app on your Android device.
2. Tap on Apps or Apps &, notifications.
3. Find and tap on Instagram in the list. You might have to tap "See all apps" to find it.
4. Tap on Notifications.

You should see a master toggle at the top labeled All Instagram notifications. If this is turned off, you won't get any alerts. Turn it back on.

Like on iOS, Android offers more specific controls below the master switch. You can often toggle different categories like "Instagram Direct," "Comments," "Likes," and "Live videos" on or off individually. Go through this list and confirm that none of the important categories have been accidentally disabled at the system level.

Troubleshoot Common System-Wide Issues

Sometimes, the issue isn't with Instagram's settings or even your device's notification permissions for the app. The cause can be a broader system feature that is silencing notifications from all apps, including Instagram.

Disable "Do Not Disturb" or "Focus Mode"

This is one of the most common reasons people stop getting notifications. Do Not Disturb (on Android) and Focus (on iOS) modes are designed to minimize distractions by silencing alerts.

• On iPhone: Swipe down from the top-right corner to open the Control Centre. Look for the Focus button (often a moon icon). If it's highlighted, it's on. Tap it to see your Focus profiles (e.g., Do Not Disturb, Work, Sleep) and turn them off. You can also customize these modes in Settings >, Focus to allow notifications from specific apps like Instagram even when a Focus mode is active.
• On Android: Swipe down from the top of the screen to open the Quick Settings panel. Look for the Do Not Disturb icon (usually a circle with a minus sign). Tap it to toggle off. In Settings >, Notifications >, Do Not Disturb, you can create exceptions for certain apps.

Check Your Internet Connection

It sounds obvious, but a shaky Wi-Fi or cellular data connection will prevent push notifications from reaching your device. If your phone can't communicate with Instagram's servers, notifications won't come through. Try switching between Wi-Fi and mobile data to see if that helps, or toggle airplane mode on and off to reset your network connections.

Turn Off "Low Power Mode" or "Battery Saver"

Both iOS ("Low Power Mode") and Android ("Battery Saver" or "Adaptive Battery") have features to extend your battery life when it's running low. When these modes are active, an app might behave unpredictably. These modes often restrict background app data usage and sync frequency, which is exactly how push notifications work. Disable battery saver and see if your notifications start appearing again.

The Last Resorts: When Nothing Else Seems to Work

If you've checked all the app and device settings and are still facing silence, it's time to try a few more in-depth solutions. These steps can clear out underlying software glitches that might be causing the problem.

1. Clear Instagram's Cache (Android only)

Over time, an app's cache (temporary files) can become corrupted, leading to strange behavior. Clearing it can often solve these issues without losing any of your personal data.

• Go to your phone's Settings >, Apps >, Instagram.
• Tap on Storage or Storage &, cache.
• Tap the Clear cache button. Be careful not to tap "Clear data" or "Clear storage," as this will delete your login information and settings.

2. Update the Instagram App

Using an outdated version of the app can be the source of bugs and performance issues. App developers regularly release updates that fix known problems. Head to the Apple App Store or Google Play Store, look up Instagram and see if an update is waiting for you.

3. Update Your Phone's Operating System

Similarly, a system-level bug in iOS or Android can prevent notifications from coming through. Manufacturers push system updates that not only fix security holes but also resolve ongoing software issues. Check for updates on iPhone via Settings >, General >, Software Update or on Android via Settings >, System >, Software Update. Always reboot the phone once an update is complete.

Important Reminder: Before performing a major system update, it's always wise to back up your device. Cloud services like iCloud or Google Drive can ensure your photos, contacts, and other important data are safe in case anything goes wrong during the update process.

4. Reinstall the Instagram App

If all else fails, a fresh installation is the ultimate fix for stubborn app glitches. Deleting the app completely removes all its local files and corrupted settings. When you reinstall a clean version from the app store, it often resolves persistent issues.

Be aware that deleting the app will also remove any saved drafts, so be sure to save important content beforehand. After reinstalling, you will need to log back into your account. This process re-establishes a fresh connection with Instagram’s servers and can often fix underlying sync problems.

Final Thoughts

When Instagram notifications stop working, the problem usually stems from a misconfigured setting in the app, a device-level permission override, or a system-wide feature conflict. Methodically working through this troubleshooting checklist should help you identify the culprit and restore reliable communication with your audience.

Staying on top of engagement is crucial, but it becomes difficult when you have to rely on finicky notifications. It's frustrating to miss important DMs or comments, which is where having a centralized tool can make all the difference. Postbase offers a unified social inbox that pulls all your Instagram conversations into one clean dashboard. This allows you to manage everything efficiently and respond to your community without ever missing a message, regardless of whether your push notifications are working perfectly.