Instagram is one of the most popular social media apps, with a wide user base across the globe. Almost every application encounters certain bugs at some point of time. You may experience a similar problem when your Instagram messages turn black. So let us first understand what exactly black messages on Instagram mean.
Instagram has been facing this issue where your messages appear to be covered by a black box, which makes these DMs or messages unreadable. This problem is being frequently faced after an Instagram update. The problem has nothing to do with your internet connection or the operating system. The problem is being faced by users globally, and Instagram is trying to address it.
But do not worry, as the issue of messages blacking out can be resolved by using some quick troubleshooting methods. However, before discussing the ways to fix the problem, let us take you through why the problem occurs.
Reasons Behind Instagram Messages Being Blacked Out
Before trying to troubleshoot the issue, let us understand the main reasons why your Instagram messages are blacking out. There are numerous factors that lead to the error message that says, “Instagram messages blacked out .”One of the most common issues that cause this error is not upgrading to the latest version of the Instagram app.
A new app update was launched by the end of last year, and the latest version has seen a significant increase in this error. A vast number of users are experiencing this error. A lot of experts also wonder if the new version is causing this error. Here are some common reasons for the blacking out of Instagram messages on your device.
1. Storage Problems
There may be a case when there are numerous apps on the system that can lead to low working efficiency. If you have low storage on the device, it will impact the working of various apps and they can stop functioning occasionally. Blacking out of your Instagram messages is also one of the consequences of having low or insufficient storage on your system. The Blacking out of your Instagram messages could also happen if there are a lot of thins saved in the storage tab of the app.
2. Slow Internet Connection
Slow internet connection is another key reason for the blacking out of your Instagram messages. If the Wi-Fi or mobile network is not working properly, the Instagram app will never load completely. Slow internet connection will cause a lot of tabs to appear blank, and the messages will also appear black due to this reason.
3. Software Glitch
Another common reason for Instagram messages blacking out is if you experience a software glitch in the app. You may experience a glitch due to a virus attack or any malware that might be present in the app. The glitch can be temporary and may disappear in some time. You may need a good antivirus to curb this issue.
4. Out-dated Version of the App
There may be a problem if you are not using the updated version of your Instagram app. You must upgrade to the latest version to get rid of several issues. Blacking out of Instagram messages is one of them.
Common Solutions for Fixing Instagram Messages Blacked Out
If you are experiencing the problem of Instagram messages being blacked out for the first time and you feel clueless about how to fix the error, then you must go through the following easy fixes that will resolve this problem without any trouble.
1. Reboot your Device
The first easy fix to solve the error is to reboot your device. This is the first thing you can try when you see the Instagram messages being blacked out. You may follow some easy steps to do the same. To reboot, you need to press and hold the power button of the device. In case of an I-phone, press and hold the power and volume buttons together. A power-off slider will appear on the screen. Press the slider and wait to switch it on again. Now switch on the device by pressing the same buttons and go and check on the Instagram app if the problem has been resolved or not.
2. Switch the device to Dark Mode
Another solution to resolve the error of Instagram messages being blacked out is opting for a dark mode on your device. This can be done by following a few simple steps. On your device, go to the “Settings” tab and open it. Once you find the “Settings” app, go to the “Display & Brightness” tab and click the same.
In the “Display & Brightness” tab, you will find the “Dark” mode. You need to select the Dark Mode. Once done, the display of the device appears dark. Now open your Instagram app and check for the messages. The display of the DMs will be changed, and you will no longer encounter the issue.
3. Clearing the Cache of the Instagram App
Another easy way to fix the blacked-out error in Instagram messages is by clearing the Instagram app cache by following some simple steps. All you need to do is to go to the device settings tab and look for the General settings option. Under the general category, you will find the device storage option. Scroll down to see the distribution of the storage on your device and the space being taken by all the apps installed in the device. You need to go to the Instagram app and tap on it.
Here you will find an “Offload App” option. Click on it to uninstall the app. This will not impact the data of the app. Wait a few minutes before you reinstall the app from the Play Store again. Now go to the Instagram DMs to see if the error has been resolved.
4. Update the Instagram App timely
You must keep the Instagram app updated to keep away from problems. Updating timely is another fix to resolve the issue of Instagram messages blacking out on your app. What you simply need to do is to go to the app store of the device and type Instagram on the search bar of the play store.
Once you see Instagram in the search results, click on the “Update” button appearing next to the Instagram icon. Wait till the updated version gets installed, and then check for the error. You will see the “Update” button only if your app is not up-to-date. If the app is already updated, then you need to try for some other fix.
5. Update the version of your Device
The issue may also occur if you have not updated to the latest software upgrade of your mobile device. Your device also needs to be updated to get rid of the blacked-out error of Instagram messages. To update the device software, all you need to do is to navigate to your device settings. Click on the “General” tab and search for a “Software Update” on the screen. You will find an update message if the device is not updated for the latest software version. Click on the “Update” tab to install the latest version. Once done, your device needs to be rebooted before you check for the issue.
6. Contact the Support Team
If none of the fixes are working for you, you must get in touch with the Customer Support Team at Instagram and let them know about the issue. To reach out to the customer support team, you need to open your app and click on the “Report a Problem” tab on the Home Page. You will see a “Report a Problem” screen. You need to click on “Include and Continue” to type your problem and mention that your Instagram messages are appearing black. Click on the “Send” button to connect to the team. The Customer Support team will get back to you to fix the issue.
Advanced Solutions for Fixing Instagram Messages Blacked Out
The problem of Instagram Messages Blacked Out can also be solved using some other advanced solutions. You may check for Instagram messages using the Instagram Lite App. This is an easy way to fix the error of the app. Just download the Instagram Lite version from the Play store. This can help you to see all those hidden messages.
You can also get rid of the backing out of Instagram messages if you are using a desktop. All you need to do is to open your Instagram account using a web browser. You can easily view the chats by opening the Instagram DM and read the messages on the web browser.
Also check if the Instagram servers are down. The app might face the blacking out problem if the central server is down. Wait till the support team resolves the issue. Be patient for some time as every user globally would be facing this concern.
Conclusion
Instagram messages appearing black is a common issue faced by numerous users. You can fix the issue by following simple steps like:
- Change the speed of your internet connection.
- Check that your Instagram app is updated to the latest version.
- Close other apps on the device to reduce the load on the operating system.
- Contact the Instagram team to resolve the issue.
- If the problem persists, try opening the app on a PC/laptop.
- Un-install the Instagram account and then reinstall it again.
- Switch to the dark mode on your device.
- Clear the Instagram app cache timely.
Hopefully, all the fixes mentioned above will help you resolve the error. We would be happy to assist in case of any more queries. Happy browsing!
