Despite being one of the biggest and most popular social media platforms right now, Instagram is not without its flaws. One problem that users often experience while using it is that the platform keeps logging them out. When that happens, users are forced to re-enter their credentials and sign in again, which can be quite frustrating when it happens frequently.

There can be various reasons for this, such as bugs in the app, problems with the servers, corrupted cache files, etc. Depending on the cause, you can try to sort out the issue in a few different ways.

Check Instagram servers

Before you try out the solutions mentioned here, you should check whether Instagram servers are online and functioning properly. If there is an issue with the servers, it may be why the platform keeps logging you out. In this case, there is nothing you can do and you will have to wait until the problem is fixed and the servers start operating normally again. You can use a website like downdetector to check whether Instagram servers are facing a problem or are operating normally. If the servers are online and operating properly, you can try out the fixes listed below.

Fix 1: Update the Instagram app

Instagram may keep logging you out from your account due to bugs in the platform, especially if you haven't updated the app for a long time. App updates often contain bug fixes and patches designed to fix problems, in addition to adding new features. So, before you try anything else, it is a good idea to open the App Store or Play Store and check whether any updates for Instagram are available. If they are, update the app and then try logging in and using the app again.

Fix 2: Clear the Instagram app cache

Cached data is the data that allows apps to load quickly on your device. However, it can sometimes get corrupted, resulting in various problems, such as the one that causes Instagram to keep logging you out. Clearing the Instagram app cache can sometimes help get rid of this issue.

On Android

  1. Open the Settings app and tap on 'Apps'.
  2. Find Instagram in the apps list and tap on it.
  1. Next, tap on the 'Clear data' option at the bottom right of the screen.
  2. Finally, tap on 'Clear cache' to delete all cached files, and then try logging in to your Instagram account in the app again.

On iOS

  1. Open the Settings app and tap on 'General'.
  2. Then tap on 'iPhone Storage' to view the list of installed apps.
  3. Tap on Instagram.
  4. Finally, tap on 'Offload App' to clear the app cache before downloading the app and logging in again.

Though this doesn't delete documents related to the app and only offloads the app, it can still help clear the cache.

Fix 3: Force close Instagram

Technical issues can keep logging you out of your Instagram account. Force closing the Instagram app and then reopening it might be an effective solution in this case.

  1. On your Android device, go to the Apps page in the Settings app as explained above.
  2. Tap on Instagram in the list of apps.
  1. Tap on 'Force stop' at the bottom to close the app. Then relaunch it and try to log in again.

Fix 4: Uninstall and reinstall Instagram

Sometimes clearing the cache may not be enough and you might have to completely remove the Instagram app before reinstalling it.

  1. On Android, tap and hold the Instagram icon and you will see a few options.
  2. If you see the 'Uninstall' option, tap on it to remove the app. Then you can open the Play Store and download the latest version of Instagram from there.
  1. If you do not find the 'Uninstall' option directly when pressing and holding the Instagram icon, tap on the 'App info' option.
  2. This will open the Instagram app page in the Settings app. Tap on 'Uninstall' at the bottom and then download the latest version from the Play Store.

Fix 5: Disconnect additional accounts

If you're signed in to multiple accounts in the Instagram app, it may log you out of one or more accounts. The best way to deal with this is to remove all accounts other than the one you primarily want to use. You can use the other accounts from a different device, or from a web browser on your computer.

  1. To remove additional accounts from the Instagram app, open the app and tap on your profile picture at the bottom right.
  2. Then tap on the hamburger menu, which appears as three horizontal lines on the top right.
  1. On the next page, tap on 'Accounts Center'.
  2. Then scroll down and tap on 'Accounts'.
  1. Finally, tap 'Remove' next to the accounts you want to remove.

Fix 6: Get rid of third-party apps

Instagram can also keep logging you out if you are using third-party apps to access it. You can remove such apps to get rid of the issue.

  1. Open Instagram in a web browser and sign in to your account.
  2. Click on the 'Profile' option on the left.
  1. On your profile page, click on the gear icon at the top.
  1. Click on 'Settings and Privacy'.
  1. Scroll down and click on 'Website permissions'.
  1. Click on 'Apps and websites'. Now, you can remove the apps and websites that have access to your Instagram account.

Fix 7: Change your password

If you signed in to your Instagram account from someone else's device at any time and did not log out, that person might be able to access your Instagram account. When they do so, the platform can prevent you from accessing it. To avoid this from happening, you should change your Instagram password from whichever device you can access the platform from.

  1. If you can access the Instagram app from a device, tap on your profile picture on the bottom right.
  2. Then tap on the hamburger menu on the top right.
  1. Tap on 'Accounts Center' on the next page.
  2. Then tap on 'Password and Security'.
  1. Tap on 'Change password' and then select the account for which you want to change the password. Now, you can enter the new password and confirm it.
Note: The process of changing your password using a web browser is very similar to this. Just make sure to sign out of all other devices after changing your password and then log in on your own phone with the new password.

Fix 8: Sign in using your new password

If you recently changed your Instagram password using the app or web browser on a different device but did not do so on your current one, the platform may log you out. You can sign in with your new password on your current device to resolve this issue in this case.

Things to know

  • Sometimes the problem may not be with the Instagram app but bugs and glitches on your device are responsible for it. Rebooting your phone may help get rid of such glitches and fix the issue.
  • Make sure your internet connection is stable and try switching between WiFi and mobile data. Sometimes network issues can prevent you from logging in.
  • If you are using a VPN on your device, it can also sometimes cause problems. So, consider disabling it and checking whether you can remain logged into the Instagram app.
  • In case none of the solutions shared here work for you, your only option is to contact Instagram Support. The support team may be able to identify the cause of the problem and help you take steps to get rid of it.