Instagram user not found error

Have you ever tried to reach your friend’s profile on Instagram and suddenly faced “user not found instagram” error. As you know, it is frustrating to see this error message that says the user’s page couldn’t be found. But what does user not found mean on instagram? Keep reading and learn more about the details of “user not found on ig” error, its reasons and how can you solve it.

What does “user not found Instagram” mean?

Are you wondering what does user not found mean on instagram? Generally speaking, the user not found instagram is an error that happens when the Instagram profile of your friend is unavailable to you or others. This error can be the result of different cases. For example, the account in question may be disabled or deleted, also it may have been banned, or you have blocked that user.

Now, if you want to know more about how to solve the instagram user not found issue, go on and find the possible solutions.

Why can’t I find someone on Instagram, if I’m not blocked?

If you are sure that the targeted account did not block you, but still you see the user not found on instagram error. It can be the result of 4 other possible reasons.

• First, the user might have either changed their username.
• They might have deleted their account.
• Their account might have been suspended.
• Insta might have disabled their account.

Why can’t i find someone on Instagram?

Are you wondering what does user not found mean on instagram, or are you asking yourself why can’t i find someone on instagram? This error is a common case that might happen to any Instagram user because of the below points: 

1. Username has changed
2. You’re blocked
3. Account is deleted
4. Account is suspended
5. Disabled account

If you want to know more about what does user not found mean on instagram, continue reading and learn more about each of these cases.

Why does it say user not found on Instagram?

Instagram, as one of the most popular social media of the current era, sometimes become confusing and complicated with its errors, that we have no idea from where they appear. Imagine that you have opened your account, surfing the Instagram, and you click on someone’s username, and you face the error “user not found.” At first, you might think that the person has blocked you, but this is not the only case. Here I would explain the possible reason why you would see the error, user not found on instagram, and what does user not found mean on instagram.

• User not found on ig because of username mistyping  

You might find some username, which is tagged or mentioned, or its written in the caption. Clicking on the written username, and suddenly you see the user not found ig error. You might think that you got blocked, but this is not the only case. So, one possible reason would be the mistyping of the username. You better check the spelling or ask the admin to see if the username is written correctly.

• User not found on ig because the username is changed  

If you are going to reach some account, but you face the error, changing the username by the account holder might cause this issue. You should contact them (if possible) to ask about the new username. However, some of Instagram profile holders would do this action to keep their privacy, and if you have no opportunities to ask about the new username, unfortunately, you can’t reach the account.

• User not found on ig because this is a temporary disabled account

Someone temporarily might disable the Instagram account. In this case, you won’t be able to see the profile on Instagram DM, or in any other place. If you tap on the username, you will see a user not found ig.

• User not found on ig because this is a deleted account

If the person deletes the account, you would see the same error over and over. If the account was deleted permanently, you should no longer be able to see the profile or the posts.

• User not found on ig because it is banned by Instagram

It might happen that Instagram limit, or disable some of the accounts due to violating their terms and conditions. Some of the Instagram accounts also get reported, and they would limit access to those accounts. If this happens, you are not able to reach the profile until the Instagram remove disabling, or limitation. If the account got permanently deleted by Instagram, you could not see the profile anymore, and you might face a user not found ig error.

Is there any way to fix “user not found Instagram”?

Now that you know what does user not found mean on instagram and why did you face instagram user not found error, you should like to know about the solutions. Unfortunately, there are no straightforward solutions, because Instagram does not tell you what is the exact reason and it all depends on you. If you can find the exact reason, it means you have a higher chance to find the solution. Also, I have to mention that in some cases, actually there is nothing that you can do. Keep reading and learn more about some of these possible solutions.

How to fix “user not found instagram”?

As I said in the above paragraph, the reason why you see no user found instagram might vary, so the solutions would be different. Below, I will tell you some possible solutions, which might help you.

• First, I want to say that sometimes, all you need to do is close and reopen the app to refresh the functions and see if it solves the user not found on instagram error.
• If you think they have changed the username, check other social media channels of that special person, because they might have mentioned their updated bio on other social media too.
• If the account has blocked you and not deactivated or deleted his account, the only way is to access their Instagram account from other profiles.
• Sometimes you see users delete their account, but it might be the result of poor internet connection, so we suggest trying it again or changing your internet source.
• But if someone decides to deactivate his account, unfortunately, you can not do anything.

Is “user not found” error common on other socialmedia?

Now that you know all the details about user not found on instagram, and why does it say user not found on instagram, I want to state another important point. Here, I want to mention that  user not found is a common Instagram error which will happen only for Instagram users and you will not find it on any other social media channel. But you might find other states with the same meaning but in different words on other social media.

Conclusion

These days many people choose Instagram as their favorite app and try it to connect with their friends, and see their photos and videos. But what will happen if you see an error like “no user found instagram”? What does an instagram user not found mean? Is there any way to solve this problem? Do not worry, because you can find the answer to all these questions in the above text. Also, I have gathered other important details about users not found on ig that might be helpful for you.

If you’re trying to log in to your Instagram account and get the Instagram user not found message, there may be something not quite right with your account.

With so many possibilities of why you are unable to login into your account, we have compiled a list of the most common errors on Instagram and how to fix them.

Wrong username

If you are typing in your username incorrectly, you will get this error. Be sure to double-check you’ve not accidentally added any additional characters or made any spelling errors. If you are still unable to gain access via your username, we’d recommend trying to login in using your email address.

Also, be sure to make sure that you’ve not included the @ in your username.

Instagram is down

This is an error that occurs quite frequently on Instagram due to the site being down. When the site is down, it usually appears normal, but none of the site functions work. If you are trying to log into your account when the server is down, you will not do so. This can result in the Instagram ‘user not found’ error.

Some other troubleshooting ideas to try:

• Check your internet connection is working
• Use a different device and see if the issue still occurs!

Why am I getting a “user not found” error on Instagram?

When searching for an account in Google or on Instagram, you may find the account’s username but then be greeted with a ‘user not found’ error. There are two reasons this tends to happen – the account has been deleted, or the user has blocked you.

Has my Instagram account been hacked?

Furthermore, if you think your account may have been hacked, This may have resulted in your account being disabled or you being unable to gain access altogether. To find out if there are any apparent signs your account has been hacked, ask a friend to take a screenshot of your username to check it matches up.

If the account has been hacked, there are several ways in which you can recover your account. Here are some of the steps you can take to regain access to your account:

How to regain access to my account

Check your email account for further information.

Instagram advises that if you receive an email from [email protected] saying you’ve changed your email and this is not correct, you can revert the change within that message. However, if your password was also changed in the hack, you may not be able to gain access at all.

Request a login link from Instagram

The next step is to request a login link from Instagram; the link will be sent to your email address or phone number. You can request a link using the following steps:

• Head to the login screen and click forgot password?
• Enter the username, email address (or phone number) associated with the account and click next.
• Then choose either your email address or phone number to send the link to.
• Click the link and then follow the onscreen instructions.

Ask Instagram for a security code.

Should this not work, the next step is to request support from Instagram for a security code. Be sure to enter a secure email address only you can access to receive the next steps for getting into your account.

Verify your identity

If you cannot gain access, Instagram will need to verify the account is yours before providing access.

If your account doesn’t have photos of you

The first step will be to respond to an automated email from the Support Team at Facebook. You will need to provide the details you used to sign up – email address or phone number and the device you used when joining.

If your account has photos of you

Instagram support will ask you to provide a video selfie of you turning your head in different directions, which helps Instagram to verify your identity. If the video isn’t clear enough, Instagram may ask you to submit another.

Why has Instagram deleted my account, and how do I fix it?

Can I get my account back if Instagram has deleted it?

Unfortunately, if you’ve broken any of the Instagram T&Cs, then they have the right to take down your account. This is usually the case when a policy is violated, such as illegal activities on the platform. Usually, Instagram will prewarn of a violation of their terms. However, Instagram can delete your account. It is unlikely you will be able to get your account back if this is the case. But you can appeal the decision here-

What other reasons may my Instagram account be deleted for?

There are numerous reasons why your Instagram may have been deleted. These include:

• Inactive account for a long time
• Inappropriate content – if your content is reported and found to be inappropriate, Instagram may take down the account.
• High amounts of spam
• Instagram may have done it in error – if you’ve not broken any of the above policies, it may have been a genuine error.

Assuming that none of the above has helped you regain access to your account, you still require further help. Please get in touch with Instagram support here.

Did you recently viewed someone’s profile and got the “User not found error” on Instagram?

Maybe you’ve direct messaged someone recently but when you visit their profile, you get the error message.

Or maybe you searched for someone on Instagram but their user is not found.

Either way, there are multiple causes for the error, and it doesn’t always mean that you’re blocked.

In this article, you’ll learn 5 different reasons why you got the “User not found error” on Instagram.

By the end of the article, you should have a clear understanding of why you saw the error.

Table of Contents

1. What does “User Not Found” mean on Instagram?
2. How can you tell if you have been blocked on Instagram?
3. Why can’t I find an Instagram user?
4. Why can’t I find someone on Instagram if I’m not blocked?

The “User Not Found” error on Instagram either means that the user has changed their username, blocked you, deleted their account, their account is suspended, or their account is disabled.

If the user blocked you, the “User Not Found” error will show up when you try to visit their profile.

Similarly, if a user changed their username, deleted their account, or if their account is suspended/disabled, their profile will no longer exist on Instagram.

Below are the 5 reasons why you got the error message on Instagram.

1. Username has changed

The first reason why Instagram says “User not found” is because the user has changed their username.

When someone changes their username, you will be unable to find them using their old username.

Visiting someone’s profile using their previous handle may result in the “User not found” error.

This is because their old username is no longer in use.

So, you need to search for the person’s new username if you want to find them on Instagram.

If you search for their old username, you’ll not be able to find them on Instagram.

But if you happen to find them on the search results using their old username, visiting their profile may result to a “User not found” error.

In order to find the person on Instagram again, you may need to get in touch with them.

Ask them for their new username, and search it on Instagram.

Once you do, you should be able to visit their profile without receiving the error message.

2. You’re blocked

Next, if you receive the “User not found” error when you’re visiting someone’s profile, there’s a high chance that you’re blocked.

This is one of the most common reasons why you received the error.

The most common reason for the “User not found” error on Instagram is because the person has blocked you.

If someone blocks you on Instagram, you will receive the “User not found” error if you’re still able to visit their profile.

When someone blocks you on Instagram, you won’t be able to find them on Instagram.

This means that if you search for their username, their profile won’t show up on the search results.

However, this is an exception if you have direct messaged them before, or if their profile is in your recents.

For example, if the person just blocked you while you’re direct messaging them, their profile is still visible from your direct messages.

But when you visit their profile from your direct messages, you’ll receive the “User not found” error.

Additionally, if their profile is in your recent search results, you’ll still be able to visit their profile.

Similar to visiting their profile from your direct messages, visiting their profile from your recents will result in the “User not found” error as well.

All in all, there’s a high chance that the person has blocked you if you got the “User not found” error when you visit their profile.

3. Account is deleted

Thirdly, the account might be deleted by the user.

Whenever someone deletes their account, their profile will be gone, along with all of their posts.

When you visit the profile of someone who recently deleted their account, you’ll see a “User not found” error.

This means that their username no longer exists on Instagram.

So, if you were to visit their profile, you will receive the “User not found” error if they deleted their account.

If an account is deleted, it can no longer be found on Instagram.

However, if you happened to have direct messaged them before, or you have their profile in your recents, you’ll still be able to visit their profile.

But if you do visit their profile, it’ll show the “User not found” error.

4. Account is suspended

Fourthly, the account that you’re searching for might be suspended/disabled.

In other words, the account is permanently banned by Instagram.

When an account is suspended, their profile will no longer exist on Instagram.

When an account is suspended, its profile will no longer exist on Instagram.

The most common reason why an account is suspended by Instagram is that they have violated one or more of Instagram’s guidelines.

For example, they might have posted inappropriate content which resulted in a permanent ban.

Instagram gives little to no warning to accounts that violates their guidelines or terms of use.

If an account gets multiple reports for violating Instagram guidelines, or the AI detects it, the account will be suspended.

If that’s the case, visiting someone’s profile that was recently suspended will show the “User not found” error.

5. Disabled account

The final reason why you got the “User not found” error when visiting a profile is that the person has disabled their Instagram account.

Disabling an account is temporary; unlike deleting it.

If someone disabled their account, their account will be hidden from Instagram until they re-enabled it.

When someone disabled their account, their profile along with their interaction with posts will be hidden.

This means that their profile will be hidden from Instagram until they re-activate it.

So, when you visit someone’s profile that just got disabled, you will see the “User not found” error.

How can you tell if you have been blocked on Instagram?

If you have been blocked on Instagram, you will not be able to search for their profile.

However, you can still visit their profile if you’ve direct messaged them before or if they’re in your recents.

If you’ve direct messaged them before, you can still visit their profile from your direct message list.

But you’ll receive the “User not found” if you are blocked by them.

In addition, you can still visit their profile if they happen to be in your recents (in Instagram search).

Similarly, you’ll receive the error if you are blocked.

Why can’t I find an Instagram user?

You can’t find an Instagram user because they might have blocked you.

To confirm that you’re blocked on Instagram, you can utilize an alternate account.

Firstly, go to your main account and search for their username.

If you’re blocked, their account will be hidden from you.

Then, use an alternate account to find the person’s profile.

If you’re able to find it, then your main account is blocked.

Why can’t I find someone on Instagram if I’m not blocked?

If you’re not blocked, you can’t find someone on Instagram because of 4 reasons.

The user might have either changed their username or deleted their account.

Otherwise, their account might have been suspended or disabled.

Conclusion

The “User not found” error is quite common on Instagram.

In this article, you’ve learned 5 different reasons why you got the error.

To summarize, here are the reasons:

1. The user has changed their username.
2. You’ve been blocked.
3. Their account is deleted.
4. Their account is suspended by Instagram.
5. The user has disabled their account.

Don’t jump into conclusions and verify the correct reason with the person first.

Further Reading

How to Introduce Your Business on Instagram: A Step-by-Step Guide

Why Am I Getting no Likes From Hashtags on Instagram?

Your Post Goes Against Our Community Guidelines Instagram (How to Fix)

Author: Lim How Wei is the founder of Followchain. Feel free to follow him on Instagram.

Over the past decade, the growth of social media has allowed for greater connectivity amongst people worldwide. You can search for a person on different social media, including Instagram, with just a name or nickname. However, there can be an instance where Instagram throws the “User not found” error despite the sophistication of the platform’s search algorithms.

When such instances occur, you will get an error code telling you that the Instagram user couldn’t be found. This error is one of the many ways the social media app regulates how its platform operates. In this post, we will examine the meaning of this error and the reasons for it.

What does the “User not found” error mean on Instagram?

That moment when you type a username on Instagram, and you see the user not found error, you may be confused. The first thing that comes to the mind of many people is that such a user has blocked them. Fortunately, while this may be true, it is not always the situation. Several other reasons can cause the error to appear, but we should start with the meaning of the error code itself.

When Instagram displays the error, it means that the profile of the person you are trying to view is not available on the platform. As a result, Instagram cannot display the user and throws that error. It may be a temporary problem or a permanent one.

Why does Instagram show User not found message?

This is the question that many Instagram users have which is why I’ve decided to write a post to answer it once and for all.

The user not found issue can be caused due to various reasons such as typos in a username. There are also situations whereby the issue is from Instagram itself. Here are the most common reasons for this error.

1. Username has changed

When you click on a tagged account from a post, and you see “user not found”, it is likely that the person has changed their username. Unfortunately, people often change their usernames on Instagram, and if you search for an old one, you will not be able to see the person’s profile.

You can try searching for the person’s name instead of their handle through the search feature and see if that works. If not, you should try to reach out to the person and ask for their new username.

2. Account is disabled

Some people disable their accounts when they are about to go offline for a long time. This is a temporary situation, but Instagram will display the user not found message for anyone searching for such an account during that period. Of course, this problem will be over once the person reactivates their account.

3. The account has been deleted

This is a more permanent alternative to an account being disabled. When users delete their accounts, all their posts and activities are deleted. Thus, you will see that error message when you search for the person’s account on Instagram. Unfortunately, there is nothing you can do about that except to try and contact the person outside of Instagram if necessary.

4. You may have been blocked

It could be that the person you are trying to search for has blocked you. For example, when an Instagram user blocks you, you will see the “user not found” message every time you try to view their account. This is a very common reason but is not always the case.

5. Account is suspended

Instagram has a set of policies and community guidelines users are expected to follow while using the platform. If you break any of these rules, your account will be suspended. That profile you are trying to view might have broken one of these rules, leading Instagram to suspend the account. If this happens to you or another person, you can contact Instagram support for help recovering your account.

6. Mistyped Username

This is the most common reason for the error. Therefore, check that you have entered the username correctly. A change as simple as putting a capital letter where there ought to be a small letter will lead to you not finding the account you are looking for.

7. Instagram not updated

This is not common, but when your Instagram app is outdated, you may be unable to enjoy some features of Instagram, such as searching for other users. First, go to the App Store to check if your app is up-to-date. If not, update it and see if the problem is resolved. If it persists, you should check for other reasons explained in this section.

8. Slow internet connection

Slow internet connectivity or an unstable network is also one of the reasons why Instagram displays this error. Therefore, make sure that you have proper internet connectivity when using Instagram.

How to know if someone blocked me on Instagram?

When you get the “user not found” error on Instagram, it is one of the major pointers that the user has blocked you. However, this is not always the case, as we have explained above. To be sure someone has blocked you on Instagram, you can start by searching for the user through another Instagram account you have access to.

It is simpler if you have another account. You can switch from your main account to the other one and search for the user. If it shows, there is no doubt that the person has blocked your main account. You can also ask a friend or another person to search for the person with their account to be entirely sure. If they can view the account, you have your answer; you have been blocked.

On another note, if you have chatted with the person previously, you can try sending them a message. If the message goes through, but you are still unable to view their profile, it is another pointer that the person has blocked you. This is the same for an account you recently searched for and saw, which no longer displays the profile.

All these are signs that the person has blocked your account. You can do nothing about this other than ask the person to unblock you if you feel it was done mistakenly. Of course, you would have to use another account to get through to the person.

Wrapping Up

When Instagram tells you that a user cannot be found, there is no reason to jump to the conclusion that the person has blocked you. It could be that the person has changed their username or is currently not on Instagram due to one reason or another. The problem can also be from your end, as you may have realized now. You should identify the problem, as that is the key to knowing how to get out of the situation.

User Not Found is a common problem for Instagram users. It usually happens when you’re looking up someone’s profile or searching for their username.

If you’re experiencing this issue, note that you’re not alone.

In forums and Facebook groups, Instagram users have complained of seeing this error message.

There are various reasons why user not found error occurs on Instagram. But believing that you’ve been blocked isn’t always true.

If you’re wondering what does user not found mean on Instagram, this article will answer all of that and how you can fix user not found on IG.

So, without any further ado, let’s get started

See Also: How to Fix Instagram Not Loading Pictures

What Does it Mean When Instagram Says User Not Found?

The User not found error on Instagram means the user either blocked you, changed the IG username, the user temporarily disabled or deleted the account or the account is under suspension.

This error shows up each time you try to visit the user’s Instagram profile or try to check out their Instagram post.

There are a few cases where user not found might not mean that you have been blocked. But the chances are always slim.

Reasons Why Instagram Says User Not Found 

Besides knowing what user not found mean on Instagram, it is important to understand the exact reason for this error.

Knowing why Instagram user not found is the first step to having the issues resolved.

Below are the reasons why Instagram says user not found:

• Username changed by the user.
• Username typographical error.
• The user has blocked you.
• The Instagram account is suspended.
• The account has been deleted permanently.
• The Instagram account has been temporarily disabled by the user.
• Instagram is down.

Any of these could be the reason why you are getting the user not found error on Instagram, so let’s examine each of these in detail.

See Also: How to Reply to a Specific Message on Instagram

Username Changed by the User

When you see this message, it’s most likely because the user has changed their username or Instagram handle.

Users can change their username on Instagram. Most times when this happens, the previous data associated with the old Instagram username are deleted.

This means that if you search the user by looking up the username in the search bar, you will get an error message saying that user not found.

To make sure that is not the case, you can check the user out on other social media channel to find out if there’s any update on their info.

Also, if you have a mutual follower, you can use your friends account to look them up. You might not see their previous username but you can still recognize their display picture or name.

Perhaps you have had a DM conversation with the person before, you can also navigate to the profile through this means.

But if you visit the DM and you are welcomed with the same user not found Instagram error message, it therefor means that the person has blocked you or you have entered the wrong username due to typo.

Username Typographical Error

When you enter a wrong username due to typo error, Instagram will show user not found.

It is best to check that you have entered the correct Instagram handle. If you have done that, then it could be due to other reasons.

The User Has Blocked You

If you’re having issues with finding a user’s profile in Instagram’s search results, the second thing to check is if that user has blocked you.

How then do you know if someone has blocked you on Instagram?

When a user block you on Instagram, you will not be able to view their profile, post or stories. And if try to search their profile in Instagram’s search results, it will not display.

Another way to confirm if you’ve been blocked on Instagram is to view the profile from another account.

If you’re able to see the users profile and post, it means that you have been blocked hence the reason why Instagram says user not found.

The Instagram Account is Suspended

Instagram has strict rules regarding posting content. If your account is flagged as being inappropriate, your posts may be removed and your account may be suspended.

If a users account gets suspended, the you won’t be able to view or comment on their content.

Also when you search such account, you will see user not found instead.

Note: it is possible to appeal your suspension on Instagram, but the user needs to do so within 48 hours of the suspension being issued. After that, it might be too late.

See Also: How to Turn Off Read Receipts on Instagram

The Instagram Account Has Been Deleted Permanently

User not found usually happens when users delete their Instagram account.

Deleting your Instagram account, will remove all your data from the platform including posts, videos, stories and all associated account data.

If an Instagram account is permanently deleted, a search on that username will return user not found error.

This could also mean that the user has temporarily disabled their Instagram account as detailed below.

The Instagram Account Has Been Temporarily Disabled

Users can temporarily disable their account by using the Settings tab to take a break from Instagram.

When an Instagram account is temporarily disabled, the profile and all of it’s data remain invisible on the platform.

This means that, when you search for the account on Instagram, it will return user not found error.

Once the user has reactivated their account, it will be displayed on the platform and users can access all of their data again.

Note: You can only temporarily disabled Instagram account on the Instagram web or using your desktop.

Instagram is down

If you’re an active user on Instagram, then you probably noticed that the service can be down at some time.

When the Instagram server down, it can result to user not found error.

To confirm if Instagram is down, you can use site detector like is it down right now and  Downdetector.

If you’re having issues with user not found on Instagram, there are a couple of fix to have the issue resolved.

Below are the various ways to fix Instagram user not found:

• Check to make sure that you have not  blocked by the user.
• Ensure that your Instagram account is not having action block.
• Enter the correct username.
• Use another Instagram account to view the Instagram profile.
• Verify if Instagram server is down.
• You may consider contacting Instagram support to help you resolve the issue.

User Not Found Instagram FAQs

When someone blocks you on Instagram does it say “User not found”?

Blocking you on Instagram is not the only reason for user not found. But when someone blocks you on IG, it says user not found when you view the profile from the app.

However, when you view the Instagram profile on desktop, it will display “Sorry, this page isn’t available.” In other instances it will show link you followed may be broken, or the page may have been removed.

Why can’t I find an Instagram user?

You can’t view an Instagram user profile if the account is disabled, deleted, username changed or your profile blocked.

When you’re blocked on Instagram, you’re restricted from certain activity on the profile. The Instagram account will be hidden from you.

If you try to search it, it will return username not found.

User Not Found Instagram Login Error. What Does it Mean?

If you try to login Instagram and your get user not found error, it could mean that you entered the wrong login details.

But if you’re sure that you have entered the correct login information, then it could mean that your Instagram account has been hacked and deactivated.

You can contact Instagram support to fix it or follow the Instagram account hack recovery process.

Why can’t I find someone on Instagram if I’m not blocked?

Perhaps you have confirmed that you’re not blocked on Instagram, and still you can’t find someone on Instagram, there could be other reasons.

It could be that the user have change their Instagram username. If that’s not the reason, then it might be that the user have temporarily or permanently deleted their IG account or even suspension on the account.

To be sure that the account is very much active, you can reach out to a mutual friend or use another Instagram profile to view the account.

If it appears, then it’s a confirmation that you have been blocked by the user.

Can You Still Message “User not found” on Instagram?

It is possible to DM “User not found” on Instagram if you already have history of chat with the user.

You will can view and send messages. But the recipient won’t see them.

Does User Not Found on Instagram Mean They Blocked You

User not found errors on Instagram are usually caused by a typo, but they can also be caused by an account being blocked. Either way, it can leave users feeling angry and confused.

Conclusion

There are various reasons why you can’t find someone on Instagram or Instagram says user not found error.

The first step is to ensure that the username has not been changed and that you have entered the correct username.

Entering the correct username can be a simple fix to user not found.

I hope that this article help you to resolve the issue that you’re experiencing with Instagram user not found error.

Also Read:

• How to Fix We Limit How Often You Can Do Certain Things on Instagram
• What Does OP Mean on Instagram | Facebook | TikTok
• How to Unread Instagram Messages
• How to Fix Instagram Couldn’t Refresh Feed
• Your Account Has Been Temporarily Locked – Instagram [FIXED]

• If you see a «user not found» message on Instagram, it could be one of several issues with an account.
• The account in question may be disabled or deleted, or it may have been banned.
• It’s also possible you have been blocked by that user.

If you’ve ever tried to reach a user’s profile on Instagram and instead gotten an error message that says the user’s page couldn’t be found, it’s frustrating — made worse by the fact that there’s no shortage of reasons why this might have happened. 

What ‘user not found’ means on Instagram

The «user not found» error in Instagram’s mobile app means that the user whose profile you’re attempting to visit is unavailable to you or others for one of several reasons, which we’ve outlined in the sections below.

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.

Table Of Contents

1. What Does It Mean By User Not Found On Instagram?
2. Why Am I Getting The Error Of Instagram User Not Found?
3. Conclusion
4. FAQs

TL;DR

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

1. The user changed their username.
2. You have been blocked by the respective user.
3. The user has permanently deleted their account.
4. The user has temporarily disabled their account.
5. The user’s account is suspended.
6. Error in typing the username.
7. 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:

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.

Социальная сеть Instagram существует уже несколько лет и, казалось бы, все знают ее особенности и «фишки». Но это не так. Иногда даже у бывалых инстаграмеров возникает вопрос — что делать, если пользователь не найден в системе, однако его страница существует. Сейчас мы поговорим на эту тему и постараемся обсудить вопрос максимально подробно.

Что значит, если в Инстаграм пользователь не найден, но страница или фото существует

Иногда бывает так, что вы видите страницу пользователя или его фото в социальной сети Instagram, можете зайти на нее, но при этом поисковая система самой сети не находит этого человека. Это возможно в нескольких случаях.

Из-за общей блокировки

Первый вариант, из-за чего поиск не срабатывает, — общая блокировка.

Это бывает при нарушении правил сервиса, и только Instagram может заблокировать аккаунт навечно. В этом случае, понятное дело, никакой поиск не сработает и не позволит найти пользователя в рамках системы.

Отметим, что «бан» может прилететь на спам, распространение вирусов, угрозы и прочие непотребства. При этом есть мизерный шанс, что «провинившегося» разблокируют, но для этого надо запастись железобетонными аргументами и временем. А еще крайне желательно использовать один и тот же IP-адрес. Если аккаунт «сидел» с одного адреса, а пользователь просит разблокировать его с другого — ничего не выйдет.

Из-за занесения вас в блок

Другой возможный вариант — вас заблокировал сам пользователь. Это немного проще, ведь с ним можно связаться по другим каналам, однако с точки зрения системы это похоже на предыдущий вариант.

В случае, если вас заблокировали или добавили в «черный список» (что, по сути, одно и то же), вы точно так же не сумеете найти профиль через поиск Instagram.

Само собой, есть способы зайти на страницу, даже если вы заблокированы. О них мы поговорим позднее. Но если это произошло, то поиск самой социальной сети не поможет, так он настроен и организован, потому придется действовать иначе.

Неправильное введение ника

Пожалуй, еще один довольно распространенный вариант – неверно набранный ник вследствие опечатки или изменения имени самим хозяином аккаунта:

• Ошибка в нике. Обычная опечатка, пропущенный символ, русская «С» вместо английской «C» и тому подобные вещи. Чаще всего такие ошибки имеют место на компьютерах, поскольку пользователь может быть невнимателен и попросту не заметит ошибки. В этом случае нужно просто остановиться и перечитать ник.
• Ник изменился. Иногда владелец страницы может изменить ник, если ему так захочется. Фактически, это его полное право. В этом случае нужно связаться с человеком по другим каналам или поспрашивать общих друзей. Вероятно, они знают новый ник.

Нужно понимать, что пользователь может свободно менять ник, удалять страницу и так далее. Его подписчикам и друзьям никаких уведомлений приходить не будет, так что о проблеме можно узнать лишь постфактум.

Как найти профиль пользователя

Мы рассмотрели все основные варианты, теперь давайте перейдем к практике — как можно найти пользователя в случае, если его не находит сама поисковая система Instagram. Итак, блокировка разных видов, удаление страницы, ошибка в нике — все это может привести к ситуации, когда поиск самого Instagram не срабатывает. Как оказалось, для выдачи  «потерявшегося» контакта тоже есть несколько способов.

Через никнейм

Самый простой и базовый способ поиска — через зарегистрированное имя. Разумеется, его можно изменить, тогда система не увидит его. Однако социальная сеть — это часть интернета, а значит все ники, в том числе старые, проиндексированы поисковыми роботами Google, «Яндекса» и других поисковых систем. Потому есть шансы, что данные остались в кэше поисковой системы.

Если мы говорим о Google, то алгоритм такой:

1. Запускаем браузер.
2. Заходим на главную страницу Google.
3. Вводим ник в поисковую строку.
4. В результатах поиска кликаем по подходящему результату и переходим к нужному аккаунту.

Важно отметить, что такой метод позволит перейти даже на страницу с измененным ником, поскольку система будет отслеживать изменения. Также можно будет зайти в «сохраненную копию», если профиль удален.

Через Facebook

Эти две социальные сети связаны и принадлежат компании Meta, потому логично, что данные можно найти через Фейсбук, если человек, которого вы потеряли, есть в вашем фейсбучном списке друзей.

Поступаем следующим образом:

1. Заходим в Инстаграм.
2. Заходим в раздел «Интересные люди».
3. Выбираем соответсвующую функцию, чтобы подписаться на друзей в Фейсбук.
4. После этого пройдите авторизацию и увидите список друзей, зарегистрированных в Фейсбук.

Пока что ничего сложного, правда?

Через кэш браузера

Еще одним способом является поиск данных через кэш браузера. Учитывая, что все браузеры кэшируют данные, легко выудить нужные сведения из сохраненной на ПК информации.

Для анализа подойдут, к примеру, такие утилиты, как:

• BrowsingHistoryView;
• IEHistoryView;
• MozillaHistoryView.

В описании все понятно, это программы для поиска паролей, конкретных типов файлов и прочего в самых разных браузерах. Многого, конечно, мы не найдем, но закэшированный адрес странички, фотографии и видео — вполне возможно. Само собой, метод актуален при условии, что вы ранее посещали на ПК или смартфоне (но обязательно через браузер) страницу пользователя в Instagram.

Самый простой способ

Есть еще один вариант. В конце концов, можно попросту связаться с человеком по другим каналам и спросить его, удалил ли он страницу или заблокировал вас, или может просто сменил ник. А может он рассылал спам и его забанили в Instagram навечно. Удивительно, но иногда достаточно просто спросить.

Таким образом, мы рассмотрели самые простые, но действенные способы поиска пользователей через социальную сеть Instagram. Попробуйте эти способы один за другим — должен какой-то сработать.

Are you wondering why Instagram says users were not found whenever you are visiting someone’s profile or searching for them?

Instagram is the most popular social media platform you can find right now. It has recorded over 500 million daily active users. You can post pictures, send and receive messages, watch IGTV, sell products and also find new people.

But when it comes to searching for someone on Instagram, you may sometimes see a “User Not Found” error message. It’s not a big issue but can be boring to see that.

When Instagram shows users not found message then either a person has deleted their account or blocked you or deactivate their account or changed their username or Instagram suspend his/her account.

So, today you will learn to fix Instagram user not found problems in the most simple way possible. In addition, we will also talk about different things that cause this issue.

What Does “User Not Found” Mean on Instagram?

There are many things that you need to look after if you see a “User not found” message while finding people on Instagram or stalking their profile.

One reason can be different from another and also have a different meaning of it.

But one of the common reasons why you can’t find a profile on Instagram is because of a changed username, deleted account, disabled account, suspended account, and blocked account.

So, now let’s see how do these reasons are linked with user not found the problem.

Reason 1: Person Has Deleted their Account

The first reason is when you see the “User Not Found” error whenever searching for someone’s Instagram profile then a person has deleted his/her account.

When someone deletes their Instagram account then you will get a “user not found” error message.

One of the most simple ways to find if someone has deleted their Instagram account or not is to search for their username. You can also go to your followers and following section and check their username if only a person is following you or you are following his/her.

So, if you can’t locate the account from the “Following” or “Followers” section then a person has deleted their account.

Other than this, if you search for their username from the search bar then you again can’t find their account.

But, if someone’s account is tagged somewhere or you’ve messaged them before then you will see a “User not found” error whenever you try to visit their profile if a person has a deleted account.

Reason 2: Person Changed their Username

The username of your Instagram is like an identity. When someone wants to see your profile then they first click on your username.

If your account is matched with your username then he/she can easily view your account or profile.

But, if the username which you’ve linked to your account is wrong or changed over time then nobody can locate your old Instagram account.

You don’t have to make huge changes to your username like creating a new one. Simply slightest the change in character will disconnect your current account with your old username.

For example, if you change your password of your Instagram then you can’t access your account with an old password. Your account is there which you can access but you have to enter a new address (password).

So, it works similar to your Instagram account too. If someone changed their username then you can locate their actual account using the old username instead you will see “user not found”.

Reason 3: Person Has Blocked You

Another reason why Instagram says users not found when you are visiting someone’s profile is because they have blocked you.

When someone blocks you on Instagram then you can’t view their profile if you are searching their username from the search bar.

However, if you are talking to that person and his/her profile is still in your DMs or chat section then you can visit their profile but you can’t access their content. It means you can see their post, followers, following, or anything that person has on his/her account.

Other than this, if a person is still in your recent section then you will again encounter a “user not found” error message.

So, unless a person unblocks you on Instagram, you can’t chat with them or view their profile.

Reason 4: Person Has Deactivated his/her Account

Another possible reason what does “User not found” in Instagram means is because of the deactivated account.

If someone disables or deactivates his/her account then their profile will be hidden from Instagram.

Once their profile is hidden then nobody can view their profile and its content.

For example, if you don’t want to delete your Instagram account but also don’t want someone to view your profile then you can disable the account. It will usually hide your profile and shows an error message “User not found”.

In this way, you can re-active your account anytime you want without creating a new one.

The same thing also goes for the Facebook account. When you deactivate your account then users can’t view your profile pictures or any posts from your account.

Reason 5: Instagram Has Suspended his/her Account

If you see a “User not found” error while looking for someone then maybe his/her account is suspended by Instagram.

In other words, Instagram permanently bans a person’s account for violating their community guidelines and policy.

When someone works away from the guidelines of Instagram such as posting inappropriate content, bullying someone, disturbing by sending unwanted messages, spreading violence or terrorist act or harmful content then it will lead to a permanent ban.

Likewise, you can’t actually receive a message regarding your ban because Instagram rarely notifies or give a warning about it.

If it records multiple reports about your breaking policy action then your account will be deleted (which means suspended forever).

So, if a person’s account is suspended which you are searching for then you will likely see “User not found”.

If you can’t find user on Instagram then there are a few things that you can follow to make sure that you find the right account or profile which you are looking for.

So, take a closer look at the following important things to fix “user not found” on Instagram.

1. Use Valid Username

First thing you have to make sure that you are using the correct username of a person. If you searching for someone with the wrong username instead of their real one then you can’t find their account or profile.

Instagram does show the profile that matches to your search result or the name which you are looking for. But sometimes, it doesn’t totally show all the profile or account that matches to your searched name.

In this case, you have to use the username to find the real account of someone on Instagram.

So, if a person has changed his/her username then go find it first.

2. Search Username through Your Mutal Friend

Another thing you can do if you can’t real account of a person on Instagram is to ask your friend who is connected to that person.

If your friend is following that person but you can find their account then let them know their real profile.

Sometimes, when a person changes their username for some reason then it will be difficult for people to search for them. So, if someone is already linked to the person which you are looking for then ask them about their username.

3. Search Profile Through other Social Media

The next thing you can do if you see the “user not found” error message on Instagram is to search for a person through their other social media account.

A person to whom you are looking for may have a Facebook or Twitter or Snapchat. So, basically, when they changed their username then they will update their account info in other social media accounts too.

So, if you know any of the social media accounts of that person then simply visit one of them and find out their actual Instagram account.

4. Send a New Message

This is the trickiest part of all of the above solutions to fix the “user not found” issue.

Now, if you’ve previously chatted with that person then you can find your conversation in the “Direct Message” section.

So, whenever you try to view their profile and see a “user not found” message then there is a high chance that person has changed their username or blocked you.”

Therefore, simply send them a new message and let them know that you are looking for their account.

But remember, your message may be transferred to that person or may not reach to his/her inbox.

When Someone Blocks You on Instagram Does It Say “User Not Found”?

Yes, if someone blocks you on Instagram then you will see “User not found” whenever you visit their profile. It appears that you are not allowed to see their profile then they restrict you.

But if you try to see someone’s profile who has blocked you through the Instagram web on PC then you will see an error message “Sorry, this page isn’t available. The link you followed may be broken, or the age may have been removed.”

How to Unblock Someone on Instagram to Fix “User Not Found” Error?

If someone has blocked you on Instagram then you can’t see any of their post along with the followers and following.

When a person can’t see any content then they usually think that they have landed on the wrong account.

But it’s not.

So, if you can’t find a real account of a person or see “No posts” then a person has blocked you. Likewise, there is no way to unblock if an Instagram user is not found.

However, if you’ve blocked someone then you also can’t see their post or content.

So, in this section, you will learn to unblock people on Instagram so that you can view their posts, IGTV, and more.

Step 1: Open Instagram

First of all, open the Instagram app and access your account using login credentials.

Step 2: Go to Your Profile

After that, Tap on your “Profile” icon from the bottom right corner of the screen.

Step 3: Tap on Three Lines

Next, tap on “Three Lines” from the upper right corner.

Step 4: Tap on Settings

Now, select the “Settings” option from the drop-down menu.

Step 5: Select Privacy Option

After accessing the settings section, now tap on the “Privacy” option.

Step 6: Tap on Blocked Accounts

Next, scroll down and tap on the “Blocked Accounts” option under the Connection section.

Step 7: Tap on Unblock Button

Finally, tap on the “Unblock” button on the right side of the user.

Now, you can easily what a person is posting these days on his/her account. In addition, you can also view their stories from now on.

Why Can’t I Find Someone on Instagram If I’m Not Blocked?

If someone hasn’t blocked you on Instagram but still you can’t find their profile or user then maybe they have disabled or deleted their account. Besides, they can also change their username that is different from the previous one.

Moreover, when Instagram suspends someone’s account for a certain time then you can’t find their profile.

Therefore, the best thing you can do in this condition is to visit a mutual friend and search for their main profile.

How to Check If Someone Blocked You on Instagram?

The most simple way to check if someone blocked you on Instagram is to visit their profile. If you see the “User not found” error message then they have blocked you.

On the other hand, if you are still not sure about the block then you can check their account profile from another account. If you can see their post or profile then you have your answer.

However, if you can see their profile but you can’t like or comment on their post then they have blocked you.

Why Can’t I Find an Instagram User?

When you can’t find a user on Instagram then they have blocked you or changed their username. Besides, they can also disable or delete their account which is why you can’t access their account.

If you are not sure about the correct username then visit their Facebook or Twitter profile. There you may find the actual username of their Instagram account.

Why “User Not Found” on Instagram But Can Still Message?

If you see “User not found” but can message them then a person has blocked you. When someone blocks you on Instagram then you can’t see their posts, stories, following, and followers but you can send them a message.

Other than this, if you have previously talked with that person through direct message then you can still chat with them even though you can’t find their profile.

When someone changed their username or has a suspended account then it won’t affect your chat messages. The only problem is that they can’t see your new message when you send it them in case of account deletion and suspended.

Why Instagram “User Not Found” But Can See Profile Picture?

If you see a “user not found” error while searching for someone’s profile but can see their profile pictures then maybe they have changed their username or have a suspended account or disabled their account.

But, if a person has deleted their account then you won’t even see a profile picture.

What Does It Mean “User Not Found” on Instagram with No Posts Yet?

When you see a “No Posts Yet” along with the “user not found” message then a person has blocked you on Instagram.

When someone blocks you then you can’t view any content or post or stories.

Other than this, “No Posts Yet” is also a sign of not uploading any post on the account. So, if you can see a person following or followers as well as bio then a person didn’t have published any pictures on their account.

What Does It Mean “User Not Found” on Instagram When Logging in?

When you receive an error message “User not found” during the login time then you may have entered the wrong username or password.

If you provide the incorrect login credentials then Instagram can’t recognize your account and leave an error message.

So, make sure that you have the correct username as well as password while accessing your account.

Frequently Asked Questions

How to Find a ‘User Not Found’ on Instagram?

You can search for an Instagram user by their exact username from the search bar. If you can’t find their account and see “User Not Found” then the user has permanently disabled their account.

How Do You Know If You Have Been Blocked on Instagram?

If someone blocks you on Instagram then you can’t see their any posts or following or followers on their account.

Can the Person Who Blocked Me on Instagram Still See My Profile?

Yes, if someone has blocked you on Instagram then they can still see your profile but can’t view your posts.

What Does It Mean When Instagram User Not Found But Can See Bio?

If Instagram says “user not found” but you can see someone’s bio then a person has blocked you.

Does the User Not Found Means Blocked on Instagram?

User not found on Instagram means a person has deleted their account or disabled their account or changed their username or blocked you or has a suspended account.

Conclusion

It can be a really frustrating thing to not find someone’s account when you are searching for them. You may have been thinking about viewing their posts but “user not found” came in the way.

So, don’t lose your temper too fast, and first, start to search for their changed username. If the username is not the issue then you just have to forget his/her account in case they have deleted it or disabled it or suspended it.

If you have any queries then feel free to ask in the comment section. Also, visit Fixing Guides for more Instagram-related articles.

Related Articles

• How to Call Someone on Instagram 
• How to Remove Phone Number from Instagram
• Send Message to Private Account On Instagram
• How to Change Your Profile Picture On Instagram
• Create A New Group Chat On Instagram