Quick answer
In Instagram, go to your profile > Menu > below How you use Instagram, tap Notifications, and make sure Pause push notifications is off and the types you want are on. Also check sleep mode (Menu > Time management). Then check your phone: on iPhone, Settings > Apps > Instagram > Notifications > Allow Notifications; on Android, Settings > Notifications > App notifications > Instagram. Meta says an AI system automatically determines which posts or activity you’re notified about.
Does this match what you see?
- Instagram notifications stopped arriving.
- You get some notifications but not others, such as comments or messages.
- You don’t get alerts when a favorite account posts or goes live.
iPhone & iPadAndroidComputer (browser)
Steps are from Instagram’s Help Center (computer, Android, iPhone, iPad, mobile browser), Apple Support and Android Help.
Why this happens: the possible causes
Why Instagram notifications might not arrive (how common each is, is our estimate).
| What’s happening | Where to look |
|---|---|
| No notifications at all | Pause push notifications |
| Nothing at certain times | Sleep mode |
| Some types missing | Notification types |
| Off for Instagram on your phone | Phone settings |
| Not every like or post | Why not everything |
- Push notifications are pausedCheck this first
Meta says you can temporarily stop receiving push notifications by pausing them for a time you choose.
- Sleep mode is onCheck this first
Meta says sleep mode automatically pauses notifications during the times you choose, and Teen Accounts are in sleep mode from 10PM to 7AM by default.
- A notification type is turned offCheck this first
Meta says your notification settings let you choose what posts and interactions you’re notified about.
- Notifications are off in your phone’s settingsCheck this first
Apple and Google both let you turn notifications on or off for each app.
- Instagram chose not to notify youPossible
Meta says an AI system automatically determines which posts or activity you’re notified about.
Try these 60-second checks first
- Is Pause push notifications or sleep mode on in Instagram?
- Are notifications allowed for Instagram in your phone’s settings?
- Our tip: check your phone isn’t in Do Not Disturb or a Focus mode.
How to fix it, step by step
Work through these in order. They start with the quickest, safest checks and only move to steps that sign you out or remove data later.
Fix 1: Turn off Pause push notifications
Meta says you can temporarily stop receiving push notifications by pausing them. Our note: if pause was turned on and forgotten, notifications simply stop.
iPhone & iPad
- Go to your profile (on iPhone, bottom right; on iPad, your profile picture on the left), then tap Menu in the top right.
- Below How you use Instagram, tap Notifications.
- Make sure the toggle next to Pause push notifications is off.
Android
- Tap Profile or your profile picture in the bottom right, then Menu in the top right.
- Below How you use Instagram, tap Notifications.
- Make sure the toggle next to Pause push notifications is off.
Computer (browser)
- Computer: click More in the bottom left > Settings > Notifications in the left menu > Push notifications.
- Mobile browser: tap your profile picture in the bottom right > Settings in the top left > Notifications > Push Notifications.
- Make sure Pause push notifications is off.
Did it work? Pause push notifications is off.
Did Fix 1 solve it?
Great, you fixed it with Fix 1. Tell us it worked, or bookmark this page in case it happens again.
Fix 2: Check sleep mode (and Teen Account quiet hours)
Meta says sleep mode automatically pauses your Instagram notifications during the times you choose. If you have a Teen Account, Meta says you’re put into sleep mode from 10PM to 7AM every day by default.
iPhone & iPad
- iPhone: tap Profile or your profile picture in the bottom right > Menu > in Settings and activity, tap Time management > Sleep mode. Use the toggle or change the days and times, then tap the arrow in the top left (changes save automatically).
- iPad: tap your profile picture on the left > Menu > below How you use Instagram, tap Time management > Sleep mode. Use the toggle or change the times, then tap Save.
Android
- Tap Profile or your profile picture in the bottom right, then Menu in the top right.
- In Settings and activity, tap Time management, then Sleep mode.
- Check whether sleep mode is on, and which days and times it covers. Tap the toggle to turn it off, or change the times. Tap the arrow in the top left; changes save automatically.
Meta says that when sleep mode ends, you get a summary of notifications and messages you received during it. Sleep mode can be on for up to 24 hours a day. For Teen Accounts, a parent or guardian with supervision may also choose to block Instagram during sleep mode. Sleep mode isn’t available on computers.
Did it work? Sleep mode is off, or only covers the hours you want.
Did Fix 2 solve it?
Great, you fixed it with Fix 2. Tell us it worked, or bookmark this page in case it happens again.
Fix 3: Check which notification types are on
Meta says your notification settings let you choose what posts and interactions you’re notified about, and that tapping a setting below Pause push notifications lets you turn off those kinds of notifications.
- On the same Notifications screen, tap each setting below Pause push notifications.
- Turn on the kinds of notifications you want to get.
On a computer, Meta also gives a direct link to your notification settings (external site, opens in a new tab).
Did it work? The notification types you want are on.
Did Fix 3 solve it?
Great, you fixed it with Fix 3. Tell us it worked, or bookmark this page in case it happens again.
Fix 4: Allow Instagram notifications on your phone
Even if Instagram’s settings are on, your phone can block an app’s notifications.
iPhone & iPad
- Open Settings and tap Apps, then Instagram.
- Tap Notifications and turn on Allow Notifications. Apple says you can then customize sounds, placement and appearance.
Android
- Open Settings > Notifications > App notifications, and find Instagram (use the dropdown to see all apps if it isn’t listed).
- Turn Instagram’s notifications on, including the categories you want.
- Or swipe down, press and hold an Instagram notification, and tap Settings.
Google says menu names vary by phone, and older Android versions use App notifications > the app. Our tip: also check Do Not Disturb or Focus isn’t silencing Instagram.
Did it work? Instagram is allowed to send notifications.
Did Fix 4 solve it?
Great, you fixed it with Fix 4. Tell us it worked, or bookmark this page in case it happens again.
Fix 5: Still nothing? Update and restart
Meta’s general troubleshooting advice is to run the latest Instagram app and phone software, and to restart your phone first.
- Update Instagram from the App Store (external site, opens in a new tab) or Google Play (external site, opens in a new tab).
- Restart your phone or tablet.
- If it still doesn’t work, see Instagram keeps crashing for reinstall steps, or report the problem (external site, opens in a new tab).
Did it work? Notifications arrive again.
Did Fix 5 solve it?
Great, you fixed it with Fix 5. Tell us it worked, or bookmark this page in case it happens again.
Why you don’t get notified about everything
- Meta says an AI system automatically determines which posts or activity you’re notified about. Our note: so even with everything turned on, you may not get an alert for every like, comment or post. See Meta’s explanation of how Instagram notifications are ranked (external site, opens in a new tab).
- Meta lists notifications for when accounts like or comment on your posts, start following or request to follow you, tag you in a photo, or send you a message, and when accounts you follow mention you in a comment.
- Meta says your notifications are in the top right on Android, iPhone, Instagram Lite and the mobile browser, and on the left on a computer.
Get alerts when a specific account posts or goes live
- In the Instagram app, find the account and open their profile.
- Tap Notifications.
- Choose Posts, Stories, Reels or Live videos.
Meta says you can turn on content notifications from accounts you follow for Posts, Stories, Reels or Live videos.
How to know it worked
- You receive Instagram notifications again.
Still not working? Your next steps
- Problem with Facebook notifications instead? See Facebook notifications not working.
- Messages not arriving at all? See Instagram messages not sending.
Official help routes
SocialAppFix can’t see or change your account. For account decisions, recovery and appeals, only the platform’s own tools can help. These links go to the official sites.
- Instagram Help: Manage push notificationsInstagram Help Center (external site, opens in a new tab)
- Instagram Help: Mute push notificationsInstagram Help Center (external site, opens in a new tab)
- Apple Support: Turn notifications on or off for an appApple Support (external site, opens in a new tab)
- Android Help: Control notificationsAndroid Help (Google) (external site, opens in a new tab)
Frequently asked questions
Why don’t I get Instagram notifications at night?
Sleep mode may be on. Meta says it automatically pauses notifications during the times you choose, and Teen Accounts are in sleep mode from 10PM to 7AM every day by default. Check Menu > Time management > Sleep mode.
Why did my Instagram notifications stop?
Check that Pause push notifications is off in Instagram’s Notifications settings, that the types you want are on, and that notifications are allowed for Instagram in your phone’s settings.
Why don’t I get a notification for every like?
Meta says an AI system automatically determines which posts or activity you’re notified about. Our note: so you may not get an alert for everything, even with notifications on.
How do I get notified when someone posts on Instagram?
Open their profile in the app, tap Notifications, then choose Posts, Stories, Reels or Live videos.
How do I pause Instagram notifications?
Go to your profile > Menu > Notifications (below How you use Instagram), turn on Pause push notifications and choose a time.
Did this solve your problem?
Your answer stays in your browser — nothing is sent or stored. The “tell us” link opens your own email app.
Out of date or didn’t work? Email us — never include passwords or codes.
Sources and how we checked this guide
We base steps on the platforms’ own help pages and the phone makers’ official guides. Menu names change often and can differ by device, app version and region. Where a platform page could not be independently read, we link it so you can check the current wording yourself.
- Turn sleep mode on or off on Instagram (external site, opens in a new tab)
- Manage push notifications you receive on Instagram (external site, opens in a new tab)
- Mute push notifications on Instagram (external site, opens in a new tab)
- How notifications work on Instagram (external site, opens in a new tab)
- When Instagram sends push notifications to your device (external site, opens in a new tab)
- Turn notifications on or off for a specific app on your iPhone (external site, opens in a new tab)
- Control notifications on Android (external site, opens in a new tab)
- Troubleshooting (external site, opens in a new tab)
- Report a technical problem on Instagram (external site, opens in a new tab)
- Instagram on the App Store (external site, opens in a new tab)
- Instagram on Google Play (external site, opens in a new tab)
Last reviewed 28 October 2026 by the SocialAppFix editorial team against the sources above. Next scheduled review: 28 April 2027. How we write and review guides.
What changed
- 28 October 2026: First published.
SocialAppFix is an independent guide and is not affiliated with or endorsed by Meta or Instagram. We never ask for passwords, login codes or payment to fix an account.