If you’re in a country where Instagram is banned, or if you’re somewhere where access to Instagram isn’t allowed, you’re probably aware that a VPN will help you get around these issues.
But, what if your chosen VPN stops working with Instagram? If Instagram is no longer working with your VPN, your ISP (Internet Service Provider) has managed to block your VPN as well.
This can be frustrating especially if it was working and now it isn’t. But don’t panic, there’s a number of fixes you can try to resolve this issue.
This article will explain how to fix Instagram not working with VPN.
See also:
- How to use Facebook in Russia: The CHEAP and EASY way! (May 2022)
- How to watch YouTube in Russia: The EASIEST and CHEAPEST way! (May 2022)
Instagram not working with VPN: Fixes
Try these fixes in order. If one doesn’t work, move onto the next until you can use Instagram with a VPN again.
Delete Cookies
Instagram uses Cookies to streamline your online experience. An example of this is Cookies are used to store your login information so you don’t have to login every time you open Instagram.
Cookies aren’t malicious files, they’re small files used to make your online experience better with Instagram. The problem is, these Cookies contain information about your location.
Your ISP can potentially access this information to determine if you’re using a VPN or not.
If the information stored on your Cookies shows a different IP address to the one your VPN has given you, your ISP knows you’re using a VPN and it will block it.
A good place to start when trying to fix Instagram not working with VPN is deleting your Cookies.
Change to a different server
If you’re still running into issues using Instagram with your VPN, try changing to a different server.
The reason you’re having trouble using Instagram with your VPN is because the current IP address your VPN has given you has been blocked by your ISP.
Changing to a different server will give you a new IP address and if this one hasn’t been blocked by your ISP, you’ll be able to use Instagram with your VPN again.
Upgrade to a better VPN
If changing servers and deleting your Cookies hasn’t resolved the problem, your ISP has managed to block all the IP addresses your VPN can provide.
From here there are two things you can do. You can wait for your VPN to release new IP addresses that haven’t been blocked by your ISP, however, this could take a long time and there’s no way of knowing how long it will take for your VPN to fix this issue.
The best way to fix Instagram not working with VPN is to upgrade to a VPN that’s still compatible with Instagram.
NordVPN ($3.49/month) or Ivacy ($1.33/month) are very good for using Instagram in places where it’s blocked.
Every VPN has the potential to be blocked by Internet Service Providers, it’s the way the best VPNs react to this that makes them the best.When your ISP identifies an IP address provided by NordVPN ($3.49/month) or Ivacy ($1.33/month) these VPNswill close that IP address and open a new unblocked one.
This will prevent you from running into the issues you’ve come across with your current VPN and it will allow you to use Instagram reliably anywhere in the world.
Does Instagram block VPNs?
No, Instagram doesn’t block VPNs.
The reason your VPN is no longer working is because your ISP (Internet Service Provider) has figured out you’re using a VPN and has blocked the IP address it has given you.
If you’re using a VPN to access Instagram, you’re probably in a location where Instagram is banned. You might be in an authoritarian nation like Russia or China where the government controls the internet, or it might simply be your workplace.
If you’re in a country where Instagram is banned, the internet is probably controlled by the government. If we use Russia as an example, the Russian communications authority, Roskomnadzor, controls the internet and it actively blocks anyone from accessing Instragram.
It also actively blocks VPNs so you can’t access Instagram using a VPN. This is what has probably happened to you. Your VPN has been identified by your ISP and blocked.

How do ISPs block VPNs?
ISPs block VPNs using three main techniques:
- The most common technique is to do with the IP addresses that your VPN can provide. VPN providers have more customers than the number of IP addresses they can provide; this means that customers can use the same IP addresses. Usually, only a household with a few devices uses the same IP address. When ISP sees hundreds or even thousands of connections coming through on the same IP address, it knows that it is a VPN and it blocks it.
- ISPs monitors for IP, DNS and WebRTC leaks that can tip the service off you are using a VPN.
- ISPs teams up with GeoIP databases like Maxmind to identify IP addresses. If the IP address your VPN provides is on one of these databases, ISP will be able to find out where in the world you are connecting to the internet from and it will block you.
Lesser VPNs struggle to get around these techniques and subsequently all of their IP addresses get blocked. This is what has most likely happened to your VPN and it’s why you cannot access Instagram with a VPN anymore.

Does Instagram still work with VPNs?
Instagram still works with VPNs, however, you need to use a VPN that can stay ahead of your ISP’s VPN blocks.
VPNs like NordVPN ($3.49/month) and Ivacy ($1.33/month) are very good at this.
These VPNs work reliably with Instagram because they play a game and cat and mouse with Internet Service Providers.
If an IP address provided by NordVPN ($3.49/month) and Ivacy ($1.33/month) is blocked by your ISP, NordVPN ($3.49/month) and Ivacy ($1.33/month) will close that IP and open a new one.
This means there will always be an IP address for you to connect to, allowing you to use Instagram from anywhere in the world reliably.
The best VPNs for using Instagram
1. NordVPN
The BEST VPN of 2022

Pro
- Fast servers
- No logs
- Thousands of IP addresses
- 6-simultaneous connections
- 30-day money-back guarantee
- Easy-to-use app
Cons
- No refunds for purchases from iTunes/App store
SPECIAL OFFER – $3.49/month
2. Ivacy
The BEST low-cost VPN

Pros
- Fast servers
- Thousands of IP addresses
- Dedicated streaming servers
- 5-simultaneous connections
- 24/7 Live Chat
- 30-day money-back guarantee
Cons
- Only 5 devices
- Sometimes runs slow
- Occasionally blocked by streaming sites
SPECIAL OFFER: 7-DAY TRIAL ($0.99)
3. ExpressVPN
A very reliable and fast VPN

Pros
- Fast servers
- Thousands of IP addresses
- 10-simultaneous connections
- 24/7 Live Chat
- 30-day money-back guarantee
- Easy-to-use app
Cons
- Expensive
SPECIAL OFFER – 3-MONTHS FREE!
4. Private Internet Access
The BEST mid-range VPN for streaming!
Pros
- Fast and reliable servers
- Thousands of IP addresses
- 10-simultaneous connections
- 24/7 Live Chat
- 30-day money-back guarantee
Cons
- Only 48 server locations
SPECIAL OFFER – SAVE 82%!
30-day money-back guarantee
5. CyberGhost

Pros
- 1-day free trial
- Reliable servers
- Thousands of IP addresses
- 7-simultaneous connections
- 30-day money-back guarantee
- Easy-to-use app
Cons
- Expensive
- Average speed scores
SPECIAL OFFER – 1-DAY FREE TRIAL
30-day money-back guarantee