Following people is one of the most basic parts of using Instagram — it’s how you stay connected, discover new creators, and grow your own audience. But what happens when you hit that Follow button and… nothing happens?
If you’ve ever wondered, “Why can’t I follow people on Instagram?” you’re definitely not alone. Whether it’s a glitch, a limit you didn’t know existed, or a subtle policy change, there are several reasons Instagram might stop you from following others.
In this guide, we’ll break down every possible cause — from account restrictions and broken rules to poor connections and app bugs — and explain exactly what you can do to fix it.
You Can’t Follow People on Instagram — Why It’s a Serious Issue?
Not being able to follow people on Instagram might seem like a small technical hiccup — but it can actually cause bigger issues than you realize. Whether you’re using Instagram to connect, grow your audience, or simply stay updated, the “can’t follow people on Instagram” problem can hold your entire account back.
Can’t Follow People on Instagram Disrupts How You Connect With Others
Instagram is built around interaction. Following someone is the first step to seeing their content, engaging with posts, and building mutual relationships.
When you can’t follow people on Instagram, you lose that ability to connect naturally. You might miss updates from your friends, creators, or potential followers who expect you to follow them back. Over time, this can make your account seem inactive or uninterested — even if that’s not the case.
It Can Hurt Your Growth and Engagement
If you’re trying to grow your Instagram account, following new users strategically is a key part of that process. Engaging with other profiles helps you attract followers in return.
But when Instagram blocks or limits your ability to follow others, your growth can stall. You won’t be able to reach new audiences, network with creators, or grow your visibility — especially if the restriction lasts several days.
Pro tip: If you frequently see the “Action Blocked” message, it might mean you’re exceeding the follow limit or triggering Instagram’s spam filters.
It Might Signal a Deeper Account Restriction
Sometimes, not being able to follow people isn’t just a glitch — it’s a warning. Instagram may have temporarily restricted your account because of unusual activity, rule violations, or repeated spam-like behavior.
If left unchecked, this could lead to longer restrictions or even a shadowban, where your posts stop appearing in Explore or hashtag feeds.
That’s why it’s crucial to understand why you can’t follow people on Instagram and fix it early before it affects your entire account performance.
It Impacts Credibility and Community Trust
Imagine potential followers visiting your profile, only to find that you’re not following anyone or don’t engage with others. It can make your account look inactive or disconnected — even if it’s due to a technical issue.
In the long run, this damages how people perceive your presence. Whether you’re a brand, influencer, or casual user, maintaining two-way interaction is key to keeping your account trustworthy and relatable.
Why You Can’t Follow People on Instagram (And How to Fix it)
If you’ve tried tapping that Follow button and nothing happens, don’t panic — you’re not alone. There are several reasons why you can’t follow someone on Instagram, and most of them are temporary or easy to fix. Let’s break down the most common causes one by one.
1. You Broke Instagram’s Rules
Instagram has strict community guidelines and anti-spam policies. If your account has been performing actions too quickly — like following or unfollowing a large number of people in a short time — Instagram may temporarily block you.
When this happens, you might see an “Action Blocked” message or notice that your follows simply don’t go through. This restriction protects the platform from spam accounts or automation tools.
In this case, you should slow down your activity and wait at least 24–48 hours before trying again. Understanding Instagram’s rules and staying within the safe limits will help you avoid further restrictions and get back to normal activity faster.
Tip: Avoid following or unfollowing more than 250–500 accounts per day, and remember that the maximum total follow limit is 7,500 accounts.
2. Instagram Updated Its Policy
Instagram constantly updates its algorithms and policies to improve user experience and combat spam. Sometimes, these updates temporarily affect how following works.
You might experience glitches or temporary restrictions right after a major policy change — even if you didn’t do anything wrong.
So, what can you do? Check Instagram’s official blog or creators page for updates. You can also browse social media forums (like Reddit or X) to see if others are having the same issue.
3. You Have a New Account
New accounts are monitored more closely by Instagram to prevent spam and fake profiles. If your account is only a few days old, Instagram might limit how many people you can follow until it trusts your behavior.
The solution is: Be patient and let your account “warm up.” Limit yourself to following around 50 accounts per day during your first week.
Pro Tip: Add a profile photo, bio, and a few posts — this helps Instagram recognize you as a genuine user faster.
4. You Were Blocked or Restricted
If someone has blocked you, you won’t be able to follow them — or even see their profile in some cases. Similarly, if Instagram itself restricts your account for suspicious activity, you might lose access to certain actions, including following.
When another user blocked you, the only fix is for them to unblock you. If the restriction is from Instagram, wait it out and avoid repeating the same actions that triggered it.
5. There’s a Technical Glitch
Sometimes, the reason you can’t follow people on Instagram has nothing to do with rules — it’s just a temporary app bug. Instagram experiences glitches like any other platform, and these can affect basic functions such as following, liking, or commenting.
- Solution 1: Try closing and reopening the app or logging out and back in.
- Solution 2: Report the issue to Instagram: Go to your profile → Tap the ☰ (menu) → Select Help → Help Center → Briefly describe the issue and include screenshots if possible.
6. Your Internet Connection Is Weak
It might sound simple, but a weak or unstable internet connection is one of the most overlooked reasons why you can’t follow people on Instagram. When your Wi-Fi drops or your mobile data signal is poor, the app struggles to send and confirm your actions to Instagram’s servers.
This means your “Follow” tap might not register at all — even though it looks like you pressed the button. You may also notice other signs of poor connectivity, such as images not loading, stories freezing, or messages failing to send.
How to fix it? Before assuming it’s an Instagram bug, check your internet connection. Try switching from mobile data to Wi-Fi (or vice versa) and refresh your feed. If the problem persists, restart your router or reconnect your network. Once you have a stable signal, try following the account again — it should work normally.
7. You’re Logged Into Multiple Devices
Being logged into your Instagram account on several devices might seem harmless, but it can actually trigger security warnings within the app. Instagram monitors login activity closely to protect users from hacks and suspicious access.
If you’re constantly signing in and out on different phones, tablets, or browsers, Instagram’s system may temporarily flag your account for “unusual activity.” This can result in temporary restrictions that stop you from taking certain actions — including following new people.
With this issue, you should stick to one primary device for your Instagram activity. If you must use multiple devices, avoid logging in and out too often. Keeping your sessions consistent helps Instagram trust your account, reducing the chance of getting flagged or blocked from following others
8. You’re Using a VPN
Since a VPN masks your real IP address and can make it look like you’re logging in from another country, Instagram might see this as suspicious behavior — especially if your location changes suddenly or frequently.
To deal with this problem, turn off your VPN and close the Instagram app completely. Wait a few hours, then log back in without using the VPN.
Conclusion
If you’ve been wondering why you can’t follow someone on Instagram, the good news is that it’s usually a temporary issue. Most of the time, it happens because of simple factors like hitting Instagram’s follow limits, using a weak internet connection, or running into a short-term glitch. These problems can often be fixed by waiting it out, reducing your activity, or refreshing your connection.
However, sometimes the issue points to a deeper cause — such as being blocked, using a VPN, or having your account flagged for suspicious activity. In those cases, take a break from mass following or logging in on multiple devices, and make sure your account looks authentic and consistent. Once you understand why you can’t follow people on Instagram and take the right steps, your account will return to normal, and you’ll be back to connecting and engaging freely again.
FAQs: Why You Can’t Follow People on Instagram?
1. Why can’t I follow people on Instagram even when I am not blocked?
If you’re sure you haven’t been blocked, the most common reason is a temporary restriction or glitch. Instagram may limit your actions if you’ve followed too many accounts too quickly or if the system flags unusual behavior. Try waiting 24–48 hours and avoid mass following to reset the limit.
2. Why did Instagram unfollow someone for me automatically?
Sometimes, you might notice that you were following someone but aren’t anymore. This usually happens because of an in-app bug, temporary sync issue, or because the user changed their privacy settings to private. In rare cases, Instagram removes suspicious or inactive accounts from your following list. You can simply follow them again once everything returns to normal.
3. How long does it take before I can follow people on Instagram again?
If your account has been temporarily limited, the restriction usually lasts from 24 hours up to a few days, depending on the severity of the violation. Consistently respecting Instagram’s limits — such as following fewer than 250–500 accounts per day — will prevent future blocks and help restore normal activity faster.
4. Why can’t I find someone I used to follow on Instagram?
If you can’t locate an account you previously followed, it’s likely that the user changed their username, deleted their profile, or blocked you. Double-check the spelling of their username, try searching from another account, or look through old tagged posts or DMs to find their updated profile.
5. What’s the safest way to avoid Instagram follow restrictions?
To avoid running into the “can’t follow people on Instagram” issue again, follow these best practices:
- Keep your follow activity natural and gradual.
- Don’t use automation tools or follow/unfollow bots.
- Avoid logging in on too many devices.
- Turn off your VPN when using Instagram.
- Keep your profile active and authentic with posts, stories, and interactions.
By following these tips, you’ll reduce the chances of your account getting flagged and maintain steady, organic growth.