If you’ve recently experienced Instagram freezing at the moment you attempt to engage with a reel, you are certainly not alone. A wave of reports from Android users on platforms like Reddit and X indicates a significant number of individuals encountering crashes when trying to access video content on the app.
The issue appears to be particularly pronounced when users navigate directly to the reels tab, click on reels shared by friends, or tap on video posts within their main feed. Many have attempted various troubleshooting methods, including clearing the app cache, reinstalling Instagram, and even switching accounts, yet the frustrating cycle of freezing and crashing persists.
Potential Solutions for Users
For those affected, several solutions have emerged. The most effective seems to be opting out of Instagram’s beta program if you are currently enrolled. To do this, navigate to Instagram’s page on the Google Play Store, scroll to the beta testing section, and select the option to opt out. After doing so, it is advisable to wait approximately 5-10 minutes before uninstalling the app completely. Following this, force stop the Play Store app, reopen it, and reinstall Instagram to ensure you are downloading the stable version rather than the beta build.
Interestingly, some users who were not part of the beta program found success by disabling the “early access to features” option within Instagram’s settings before proceeding with the uninstall and reinstall process. Conversely, a few individuals reported that joining the beta program actually resolved their issues, although this outcome appears to be less common.
For those who find themselves unable to leave the beta program due to error messages or other complications, another viable option is to download an older APK version of Instagram. Specifically, version 399.0.0.51.85 from September 23 has been noted to alleviate the crashing problem for some users.
In the meantime, a creative workaround while awaiting a permanent solution is to access reels through your notifications tab rather than the main reels section. If you receive a notification about someone liking or replying to your comment on a reel, tapping that notification may allow you to view and scroll through videos without triggering a crash.
As users navigate these challenges, there is hope that Instagram will address the issue in an upcoming release. Additionally, the platform is reportedly preparing for a significant user interface revamp, promising exciting changes on the horizon.
