Why Is My Instagram Temporarily Locked?

If you’ve been a reckless Instagram user, breaking guidelines and misbehaving on the platform, you can get your Instagram temporarily locked. Instagram takes the privacy and experience of its users very seriously. It is known to send errors to users. You might’ve seen the ‘Try again later’ error. So anyone violating the rules gets thrown off the platform as a warning.

So if you’ve recently logged into your account, and seen an ‘Instagram temporarily locked for suspicious activity’ message we will tell you how to get your profile unlocked. In this article, we will also see what might have caused your account to be locked and how you can avoid getting locked from Instagram again.

Let’s start with figuring out why you’re locked out of Instagram.

Why Has Instagram Locked Me Out?

Instagram has all these user policies in place to ensure a smooth social experience for its users. If it suspects you of going against any of its users’ policies it can lock you out of your Instagram account. So if your Instagram account is temporarily locked you might have broken the policy.

Now you might think, ‘But I haven’t done anything odd.’ In that case, it could either be an error from Instagram or you must have accidentally broken a rule. These are some common activities that can make Instagram suspicious of you:

Performing An Action Too Many Times

If you’re liking/unliking too much too quickly, or following/unfollowing in bulk your account might look like a bot to Instagram. And when IG thinks you are a bot your Instagram account is temporarily locked. Instagram is constantly on the lookout for bots and identifying you as a bot might get you locked out.

If not locked out you are still at the risk of getting shadowbanned on Instagram.

Third-party Apps

Instagram’ Term of use’ restrict users from using third-party apps on Instagram. So let’s say you’re using a third-party app to delete multiple pictures on Instagram, you could get an Instagram account is temporarily locked error. So if using any third-party apps for Instagram, make sure they are legit. Dont link any shade apps to your Instagram. This action, once detected, can get you locked out of Instagram.

Account Being Hacked

If your account gets hacked there is no telling what the hackers might be using your account for. If Instagram thinks whatever is happening from your account is an inappropriate activity your account can get locked temporarily.

To make sure your account isn’t hacked don’t add your Instagram credentials to any shady sites. Sometimes hackers use phishing methods to trick you into adding your Instagram info on their pages that look like the login page for Instagram. This gives them your account details and they can misuse your Instagram account.

If you think your account is hacked try these methods to recover your Instagram account.

How Long Will My Instagram Be Temporarily Locked?

A temporarily locked account is different than a banned Instagram account. If you are temporarily banned from Instagram it could mean you won’t get to use your Instagram for a few hours. An Instagram ban has to get lifted on its own there isn’t much you can do other than send a complaint and wait.

An Instagram locked-out situation is however different. The lock will last as long as you don’t unlock it.

So let’s see how to unlock a locked Instagram account?

How To Unlock A Locked Instagram Account?

If you’re panicking and calling up every friend like, ‘Hey! Instagram locked me out. What should I do?’ they might not know the answer and you might be wasting your time. The only thing that works to unlock a locked Instagram account is submitting a ‘My Instagram account has been deactivated’ form.

1. Search ‘My Instagram has been deactivated’ on Google or click on this link.
2. Select ‘I understand and wish to continue’ and fill the form will all your details.
3. In the big box explain how you think you should get your account back because it’s locked by mistake.
4. Once everything is properly filled, tick the ‘Terms of use’ and click Send.

Once this is done, you will receive a reply asking you to send a picture of yourself holding the confirmation code handwritten on a piece of paper. Follow all those rules and send the picture with your face visible. After you send the photo, it could take anywhere from a few days to weeks for them to unlock your Instagram account.

How To Fix Instagram Temporarily Locked Without Email ID Access?

If you made your Instagram account years back and since then you have stopped using your then email ID, you might not be able to use the code that Instagram sends you to retrieve your account. In that case, you will need to change your email ID on Instagram and then get your locked account unlocked.

Let’s see how to get your Instagram account unlocked without email access:

1. Uninstall the Instagram app and reinstall it.
2. Open Instagram and tap ‘Forgot password.’
3. Enter your username and DONT tap ‘Find account’; instead, tap ‘Need more help’ at the top.
4. Tap ‘Try another way’ and then select ‘The login code was sent to a mobile number or email that I don’t have access to’ as a reason for going through this procedure.
5. Tap Next and now select ‘Yes, I have a photo of myself in my account’ to proceed with a video selfie confirmation.
6. Again tap Next and enter your current email ID.
7. Tap Submit and go to the email to retrieve the code. Enter the code and tap Confirm.
8. Follow the onscreen instructions to take a video selfie, and once done, Submit the video.
9. Tap Done and wait for Instagram to contact you with your recovered Instagram account.

This is how you can get back your locked Instagram account without email. It will take 3-4 business days, but Instagram will email you regarding further actions, and you will be able to log into your Instagram again.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. How Long Does Instagram Temporarily Lock Your Account?

The Instagram account is temporarily locked lasts for 24 – 48 hours.

Q2. Why Did My Instagram Account Get Temporarily Locked?

You must have been breaking the Instagram policy if your account got temporarily locked.

Q3. How Long Does A Temporary Lock On Instagram Last For Phishing?

A temporary lock on Instagram for phishing could last up to 48 hours. If you do not get your account back in 48 hours try sending a report.

Q4. How Do You Unblock Temporarily Blocked On Instagram?

You have to send a request report to Instagram to get your temporary lock lifted.

Q5. How Do I Unlock My Instagram Account Without Email?

Unlocking your Instagram without email takes 3-4 days, but it is possible. You need to prove to Instagram that it is your account by submitting a video selfie. Also you need to give Instagram a new email ID they can contact you on. You will get a response from Instagram once you are done, and then your Insta account will be with you after a few days.

Conclusion

It is risky to have your entire brand on Instagram as it could get shadowbanned, locked, blocked, or banned anytime. You can get your account back if it’s only temporarily locked, but if you get permanently locked out you will lose everything from your profile. So make a backup account or have your presence on more than just Instagram so you can keep your followers updated in case something happens.

Instagram will temporarily lock your account when it sees some suspicious activity going on. So if you are phishing or active excessively on Instagram you can get locked.

If you get your Instagram temporarily locked now you know what to do about it. Figure out why your Instagram account is locked and work on getting it unlocked as soon as possible. Getting your Instagram unlocked is in your hands as opposed to getting your Instagram unbanned.