For various reasons, Instagram can temporarily lock your account to protect users and the platform and encourage the best experience. If you received the “Your account has been temporarily locked” notice, this article explains what might have prompted the message and how to unlock it as quickly as possible.
You’ll also find examples of specific Instagram activity that gets deemed suspicious, which generally leads to a locked account. Let’s get started!
Before delving into a solution, it is strongly advised that you regularly back up your Instagram data. You never know when a problem could arise that locks you out and you cannot successfully get it back. That way, you have all your information, followers, following, messages, posts, Stories, etc. That allows you to create a new one later and reupload as much as possible. This suggestion is especially important if you have valuable data in your Instagram account. It cannot be said enough.
Here’s how to fix Instagram when your account gets temporarily locked.
Why Was My Instagram Account Locked?
Instagram will temporarily lock your account if they believe you have breached any of their user policies. The lock can happen even if you have nothing to do with the violation. Their bots and automated systems detect such activity without human intervention, which means your account can also get locked without violating any terms due to a technical issue with the system.
Here are the typical activities that cause Instagram to issue an account lock:
1. Bot-Like Activity
Instagram looks for actions performed too quickly per hour and in 24-hour periods. The following acts performed at an unnaturally fast rate are considered “bot activity” and trigger a temporary account lock:
Following and Unfollowing Users in Bulk
Typical Instagram conduct includes “following” someone and having them “follow” you straight back. To exploit this practice, one could “follow” hundreds of people at once, then once they’ve been “followed,” the person “unfollows” them.
Instagram will deem this bot behavior as abuse to the system and its users.
Liking and Un-Liking Pictures Too Quick
Rapidly liking and unliking images/posts too quickly and in bulk triggers the potential detection of bot behavior.
Scrolling through your feed and ‘liking” a couple of photos or so at an average pace is matched to typical human behavior. However, “liking” or “un-linking” a hundred pictures in one brief session, for example, often occurs when using a bot program.
Commenting on Posts Too Quickly
The more comments you leave on people’s posts, the more engagement you get and, eventually, the more followers. Super-fast commenting on numerous posts implies artificial actions to the Instagram algorithm, leading to bot detection.
Posting the Same Comment Multiple Times
Not only would copying/pasting a comment in bulk reduce the value of a conversation, but it also is not something that a user who is genuinely engaging with posts would do. This action typically occurs when using bots, so Instagram’s automated systems detect it as bot use and lock your account.
2. Use of Third-Party Apps
Using some third-party applications on Instagram breaches their Terms of Use. Not all apps are banned; there is an approval process for some apps to have access.
Regardless, third-party apps that help automate actions are prohibited and easily detected by Instagram. Bots work against a great user experience, so any account suspected of using them will get locked.
3. Phished Account Credentials
Hackers can obtain your sign-in details using a fraudulent website. If you accidentally submitted your Instagram credentials by signing into a login screen that looked like Instagram, you may have given away your login details.
Since your account is compromised and hackers can do what they want, whatever they did has triggered a red flag with Instagram, and the platform responded with an account lock.
How To Unlock a Locked Instagram Account
To unlock your account when seeing the “Your Account Has Been Temporarily Locked” message at login, you need to submit the My Instagram account has been deactivated form:
- Go to the “My Instagram account has been deactivated” form or conduct a search for “My Instagram account has been deactivated” in a search engine, and choose the Facebook result.
- Complete the form, then enter the “email address” tied to the Instagram account you’re trying to unlock.
- Explain that your account got blocked by mistake and that you believe you haven’t violated the user guidelines.
- Once you’ve completed the form, click “Send.”
- You’ll eventually receive a reply. Instagram requests a photo of you holding up a written piece of paper with the code they’ve sent you. The picture must be 100% original and clear, showing your face next to the code—no Photoshop editing. Instagram is stringent and may reject the photo if they believe it isn’t you.
- There is a waiting period after you’ve sent the photo. If approved, you’ll receive a confirmation from Instagram that your account got unlocked. Approval times can take anywhere between a few days to a few weeks.
In closing, an Instagram account is automatically locked whenever Instagram believes a user has breached its community guidelines, whether it is legit or not. Bots and hackers are typical reasons for an Instagram account to get locked. To create the best user experience, Instagram prohibits using most third-party apps and blocks any account displaying bot-like behavior or one that exhibits irregular activity.
Luckily, unlocking your account is usually one form away. By completing the form and proving you are the human owner of the profile, Instagram will recover your account as quickly as possible. Of course, there is potential for denial based on human action. Bots can’t handle this part of the recovery process.
Instagram Locked FAQs
How long does an Instagram ban last?
The length of a temporary ban depends on your number of past bans and the causes of those bans. A typical duration could last from a few hours on the lighter side to 24-48 hours for repeated infractions.
If you receive subsequent bans, Instagram’s ban duration may become longer. Therefore, do your best to avoid bot-like behavior so your account doesn’t get flagged.
If you receive the “Your Account Has Been Temporarily Locked” message when trying to sign in, complete and submit a “My Instagram account has been deactivated form” to reinstate your account as soon as possible.
Does Instagram ban IP addresses?
Some platforms take banning very seriously. They don’t just ban the account; they want to ban the user permanently. The only way to permanently block a user is to restrict their device’s IP Address. Instagram has not issued official statements, but many users have reported receiving an IP ban.
If Instagram deems you violated their Terms of Service or Community Guidelines, the company will ban your device and your account.
What do I do if my appeal gets denied?
If you followed the steps above and Instagram didn’t restore your account, you can process the appeal again. While not confirmed, there are some theories that a second or third appeal can work because another reviewer looked into your case.
Also, remember that repeatedly submitting content that Instagram asks for can lead to denial or a more extended ban due to suspicions of hacking, just like numerous login attempts. After all, a hacker is desperate to confiscate your account and doesn’t care what happens during the process. They’ll just move on to another profile.
If I get banned, can I create a new account?
In most cases, you can create another Instagram profile. However, beware that creating a new account with the same (or similar username) can result in an immediate ban.
FAQs
How long is Instagram temporarily locked? ›
Instagram Locked FAQs
The length of a temporary ban depends on your number of past bans and the causes of those bans. A typical duration could last from a few hours on the lighter side to 24-48 hours for repeated infractions. If you receive subsequent bans, Instagram's ban duration may become longer.
Usually, the duration of a temporary Instagram ban ranges from few hours to 24-48 hours. The duration of ban also depends on your follow up actions. If you would continue doing the wrong actions, the ban may prolong. So if it's your first time with a temporary ban, you better start behaving.
How do you unlock Instagram? ›Select either your email address or phone number, then tap Send security code. If you don't receive a security code, tap I can't access this email or phone number below Send security code, then follow the on-screen instructions. Be sure to enter a secure email address that only you can access.
Does Instagram temporarily block go away? ›Usually, the duration of a temporary ban on Instagram is from a few hours to 24-48 hours. The duration of the ban also depends on your subsequent actions. If you continue to commit the wrong actions, the ban may be extended. So if this is the first time you get a temporary ban, you'd better start behaving well.
Why did Instagram block my account? ›Reasons Why Instagram May Disable Or Ban Your Account
If you are posting content which is inappropriate (adult/offensive material) and does not meet the community guidelines, then Instagram might delete, disable or ban your account for spamming.
Search From a Web Browser
Type "instagram.com/username" into your address bar. Replace “username” with the actual username of that person. A "Sorry, this page isn't available" message will appear if you have no access to the account. That means the person has either deactivated the account or blocked you.
Duration of a Temporary Block
It has been observed that a temporary block may last as little as a few hours, but could also last up to 30 days.
- 1) You cannot login.
- 2) You receive a pop-up notification at login.
- 3) Friends/Followers cannot find your account in the search.
- 4) Friends/Followers cannot send you a DM.
- 5) Your account has disappeared.
- 6) You account says no posts yet.
You can contact Instagram support by phone at 1-650-543-4800 or via Instagram's online Help Center.
How do I talk to Instagram support? ›You can contact Instagram support by phone at 1-650-543-4800 or via Instagram's online Help Center.
How do I contact Instagram Help Center? ›
Instagram app for Android and iPhone
Tap in the top right, then tap Settings and privacy. Below More info and support, tap Help. Tap Report a Problem. From here you can choose to go back to where you saw the problem and shake your phone to report the issue, or you can tap Report problem without shaking.
Snapchat may lock your account if they detect suspicious activity such as adding too many friends, using unauthorized third-party apps, or violating their guidelines. If your account has a temporary lock, you can log back in after 24 hours.
Why does Instagram keep saying we limit how often? ›If you're receiving this Instagram error, it could be for: Liking posts too often. Surpassing the comment limit (especially if the comments are very similar, like emojis or the same phrase) Following or unfollowing too many people.