What Does User Not Found Instagram Error Mean? [Explained - 2024]‍

Written by: Hrishikesh Pardeshi, Founder at Flexiple, buildd & Remote Tools.
Last updated: Mar 04, 2024

Ever viewed somebody’s profile on Instagram and seen a ‘User not found’ error on your screen?

You probably tried to look up someone’s profile by searching for their username or tried to send a direct message but couldn’t connect with them. This could have happened due to a variety of reasons.

Please note that such a message does not imply that you have been blocked. If you are wondering why you saw such an error in the first place, we are here to clarify.

What Does It Mean By User Not Found On Instagram?

Why Am I Getting The Error Of Instagram User Not Found?

Conclusion

FAQs

TL;DR

The broad reasons why you get the 'user not found' error on Instagram are:

The user changed their username.

You have been blocked by the respective user.

The user has permanently deleted their account.

The user has temporarily disabled their account.

The user's account is suspended.

Error in typing the username.

Outdated Instagram version.

What Does It Mean By User Not Found On Instagram?

User not found on Instagram means different things in different scenarios. Here, we have listed all the possible scenarios for you to clearly understand what it means in your situation:

1. User Not Found On Instagram But The Profile Picture Is Visible.

This should happen when you visit the profile of the user when it just got disabled/suspended.

But, if you visit the same profile after a few days you will not be able to see the profile picture too along with the user not found on Instagram error.

2. User Not Found On Instagram But The Posts Are Visible.

This should happen as a result of a technical glitch by Instagram when you were actually blocked by the other person.

But, this glitch will go away on its own once you restart your Instagram application in a small amount of time.

3. User Not Found On Instagram But You Can DM The User.

You are able to DM the person but you should know that the messages are not received by the user. Also, the messages would not reflect even if the user's account is found someday.

So, do not waste time sending DMs, because you are watering a dead plant here.

4. User Not Found On Instagram But The Bio Is Visible To You.

This is a result of a technical glitch that should go away in a few amount of time. Do not take the availability of a bio as a sign of the user's existence in your friends' list.

Why Am I Getting The Error Of Instagram User Not Found?

There are seven broad reasons why this may have happened. Take a look at each of them below and understand why you are seeing the User Not Found Instagram error:

1. The user changed their username

This is one of the most common reasons why you’d be seeing a user not found Instagram error.

It is worth noting that Instagram allows users to change their usernames at their will depending on the availability of such a username at any time.

Searching with their old username will appear like the profile you are trying to find no longer exists. So, here is how can you be assured of them changing their username:

You may simply look them up on their social media platforms and check if they have updated their profile information there.

You could also find their new username by scrolling through your mutual friends’ list of followers.

Alternatively, open your chats with the user and Instagram will show you their updated profile information right away. However, if you see the error user not found in this step, it implies that you have been blocked.

2. You have been blocked by the respective user

When someone blocks you on Instagram, you will not be able to see their profile.

You might see their profile in recent searches, but you will come across the message of the user not found Instagram error.

Now, before jumping to any conclusions, we advise you to perform a final check. The respective user’s profile should still be viewable to others.

If it is viewable to your friends, you can then be certain that they have blocked you.

3. The user has permanently deleted their account

When a user deletes their profile on Instagram, all the content they have uploaded and shared, along with their comments would be removed.

Furthermore, their account will not appear among other users’ lists of followers.

So, the best way to cross-check whether the user has actually deleted their account is by looking up their profile from another account.

If you see the user not found Instagram error from the second account as well, it is likely that the user has deleted their account permanently.

4. The user has temporarily disabled their account

Instagram users often take breaks and try to detoxify their routine. It is thus very common nowadays for people to put their profiles on temporary hold.

When they do so, their account will stop showing both in search results and in the followers’ list of your mutual friends.

Please note that the results, in this case, are similar to when the user permanently deletes their account. The only way to confirm which of the two cases is to wait for the person to reactivate their account.

5. The user's account is suspended

Instagram has over one billion monthly active users and naturally, the platform aims to maintain great community standards. It has enlisted several rules and guidelines for the users to follow.

However, when certain users do not follow the set rules, they might risk their account getting suspended.

Try to recall if the person you are trying to connect with could have possibly violated community guidelines on Instagram.

It is worth noting that users with banned profiles on Instagram can appeal to have their accounts reinstated.

6. Error in typing the username

Although this is a very simple error, make sure that you type the username of the person with the right spelling on the search bar. Because it is often humane to make such typos!

Verify if the username is spelled right or just type the name of the user you are looking for. This may help you in easing out the process of searching for the right user.

7. Outdated Instagram version

Instagram not being updated has caused some people in the past the problem of user not found error on Instagram. Also, note that this is not a very common problem but worth a try. This method has been quite useful for a good number of people.

Conclusion

There you go! These are all possible reasons why you are getting Instagram user not found error. Hence, don't jump to a conclusion before you check every possible reason why it could have happened as discussed.

FAQs

1. Why can't I find an Instagram user if I know that I am not blocked?

Ans. If you are perfectly sure that you have not been blocked, the user might have changed their username handle, may have deleted their account or the account might have been suspended by Instagram.

2. How can I find out if someone blocked me on Instagram?

Ans. The best way to quickly find if you have been blocked by the user is to check their profile out from another account. Alternatively, if you are sure they have not deleted the message, you can check your chat history to see if the user exists or not.

3. Will I be able to send a message to the user not found?

Ans. Although in some cases you will be able to send or reply to messages, you should understand that the messages do not reflect on their side. Even if someday you are unblocked or the user restores their account, your messages would not reflect. Hence, it is a waste of time.

4. Will updating the application resolve the 'user not found error' on Instagram?

Ans. In some cases, the out-of-date application may be the reason you are facing such errors. You can give it a try and check it out. However, note that it is a rare occurrence with updates being the factor why you receive such an error.