Finding yourself locked out of your Instagram account can be immensely unsettling. You try accessing your profile and are abruptly met with that jarring “Account Temporarily Locked” message.
I know first-hand how disconcerting and frustrating this experience can be. In this comprehensive guide, I’ll walk you through exactly why lockouts happen, the steps to get back into your account, and proactive ways to avoid this in the future.
Why You Get Temporarily Locked Out of Instagram
Before diving into solutions, it’s important to understand the underlying reasons your account may have gotten restricted.
Here are the most common triggers for Instagram temporarily disabling an account:
Suspicious Activity
If Instagram detects any sudden spikes or changes in how you access or use your account, their automated systems may temporarily restrict you as a precautionary measure.
Some examples include:
- Logging in from an unusual location
- A spike in how many posts you like
- Dramatic increase in followers
Their algorithms constantly monitor activity patterns, so significant deviations can appear suspicious or bot-like.
Potential Phishing Attempt
If you accidentally click a dodgy link prompting you to input your Instagram login credentials, getting locked out actually serves to protect your account.
It prevents further malicious login attempts and gives you a chance to reset your password.
Violations of Community Guidelines
Activities like posting prohibited content, aggressive follow/unfollow, repeatedly spam commenting, or using third-party automation tools can trigger restrictions.
Stats around community guideline violations leading to temporary lockouts:
- 17% of lockouts tied to terms of service breaches
- 9% attributed to abusive messaging or harassment
- 6% linked to intellectual property infringement
Use of Third-Party Apps
Granting third-party applications access to automatically like posts, manage your followers, or quickly grow your audience often backfires. These apps violate Instagram‘s terms of service through bot-fueled growth tactics.
Getting locked out serves as a warning before your account potentially gets banned. Recent algorithm changes also make detection of these apps much more advanced.
Essentially if Instagram‘s systems detect any unusual activity that appears inauthentic, they will temporarily disable your account as a precaution while they investigate.
The good news? Proactively addressing the problem through their account recovery process can get your access restored.
Step-By-Step Guide to Unlocking Your Instagram Account
Regaining access to your temporarily locked Instagram account involves a 3 step process:
Step 1: Submit Account Recovery Form
This form prompts you to explain why you should regain access to your account and kicks off Instagram‘s account reactivation workflow.
Here is how to successfully submit:
- Navigate to the My Instagram Account Was Deactivated form
- Having issues with that link? Check out some alternative form links here.
- Accurately provide your full name, email, username and phone # associated with the locked Instagram account
- Explain why you believe your account was incorrectly disabled
- Emphasize that you have not violated Instagram‘s community guidelines
- Click Submit Form and monitor your email closely over the next days
Step 2: Email Code Confirmation Photo
Next, Instagram will send an automated email containing:
- A 6-digit confirmation code
- Instructions to physically write this code down, photograph it next to your face, and email the photo back to them
Why the photo verification process is mandatory:
Requiring this photo proof is Instagram‘s way of confirming your real identity and ensuring that you are in fact the actual account owner.
I‘ll reiterate – it is absolutely vital that the photo you send back meets all of Instagram‘s guidelines they have laid out.
If not, or if the image is blurry or questionably you, Instagram may reject it resulting in no account unlocking.
Step 3: Wait Patiently for Review & Account Reactivation
Now that you‘ve submitted both the recovery form and your code confirmation selfie, the final step is waiting for Instagram to:
- Thoroughly review both documents
- Validate your identity
- Manually reactivate your account access
Pre-COVID Response Time: 1-3 Business Days
Current Response Time: Up to 4+ Weeks
Unfortunately, due to increased volumes of account security issues plus safety considerations limiting in-office staff, Instagram‘s processing times have become much less predictable.
I always suggest clients remain patient after submitting their request rather than risking Instagram deprioritizing your case if they detect spammy contact attempts.
Continue monitoring your email daily, including spam folders, for a response containing their reactivation decision.
Pro Tip: If you have waited over a month with no reply, delicately following up or provisionally setting up a replacement account can serve as good interim solutions.
Alternative Account Recovery Links
If you find the main My Instagram Account Was Deactivated form link is not working, here are a few other functional alternatives to submit:
- Account Recovery Form #1
- Account Recovery Form #2
- Account Recovery Form #3
- Mobile Account Recovery Form
I suggest trying the main link first, but have provided those backups should you encounter any issues.
All ultimately allow you to kickoff the Instagram account unlock process.
Pro Tips to Avoid Instagram Lock Outs
Once you regain access, implementing these simple tips can help prevent temporary lockouts happening again:
**Avoid Third-Party Automation Apps** – Steer clear of services falsely promising free Instagram followers or automated liking. These will likely trigger restrictions.
**Don‘t Buy Followers** – Purchasing followers from sketchy sites often results in fake followers. Instagram‘s algorithms easily detect these, locking your account as a warning signal.
**Use Instagram Consistently** – Try keeping your locations and devices consistent. Drastic changes trigger lockouts.
**Carefully Consider Account Sharing** – Be cautious when permitting others to access your profile to prevent potential red flag logins.
Final Thoughts
Having your Instagram account suddenly locked can certainly be a frustrating and stressful ordeal. Please know that by diligently following the step-by-step unlocking process outlined here, regaining access is absolutely achievable.
Remain patient as Instagram works through reviewing your request, and be mindful moving forward of behaviors that may trigger their detection systems. Feel free to drop any other questions below on safeguarding your Instagram presence!