Have you ever tried opening the Instagram app on your phone only to be greeted by a cryptic error message? One common error code readers encounter is the Instagram error code 6296.
This frustrating error features a white screen with the message "Oops, something went wrong" followed by "Please try again later. Error code: 6296". Understandably, this vague error is quite annoying if you‘re trying to access Instagram.
So what is error code 6296, and how do you get rid of it to access Instagram again?
In this comprehensive guide, we‘ll cover:
- What error code 6296 is
- Potential causes
- Fixes and troubleshooting steps for Android devices
- Fixes and troubleshooting steps for iOS devices
- Additional troubleshooting tips
By the end, you‘ll have in-depth knowledge of how to resolve error code 6296 so you can get back to browsing Instagram feeds and DMing friends. Let‘s get started!
What is Instagram Error Code 6296?
The "Oops something went wrong…Error code: 6296" message pops up when you attempt to open the Instagram app on your device. It can occur randomly without any action on your part or trigger if you try to carry out an activity like uploading a photo or viewing Stories.
Basically, this error message indicates some issue is preventing Instagram from loading properly on your device.
Potential causes can include:
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Instagram server outages – If Instagram‘s servers are down or experiencing technical issues, the app may show error 6296 across many users until the problems are addressed.
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App glitches – Sometimes if the Instagram app hasn‘t been updated or needs a refresh, obscure glitches can happen causing errors like 6296.
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Device conflicts – The Instagram app may struggle to integrate with some device settings, storage permissions, or changes made in device updates.
Now that you know what error code 6296 is, let‘s move on to the fixes! We‘ll start with resolving the error on Android devices first.
Fixing Instagram Error Code 6296 on Android Devices
Here are the top troubleshooting tips to address error code 6296 if using Instagram on an Android device:
1. Check If Instagram Is Down
Before trying other fixes, rule out an Instagram server outage being the culprit. The Downdetector site tracks Instagram‘s status and user-reported problems in realtime.
Visit the site and check if multiple new comments confirm Instagram outages and errors. If there‘s a major ongoing outage (which happens more than you‘d think!), unfortunately all you can do is wait 2-3 hours for Instagram‘s engineers to get it back online.
Constantly reloading the non-functioning app will only worsen frustration in the meantime, so go do something else! Once Instagram‘s status page reports things are operational again, error 6296 should disappear upon loading the app.
2. Reinstall or Update Instagram
If Downdetector reports everything is fine on Instagram‘s end, move on to troubleshooting your device and the Instagram app itself.
A common way to remedy inexplicable app errors is reinstalling the app. Uninstall Instagram first, restart your device, then download Instagram again from the Google Play Store. When re-opened, logging back into your account often resets weird errors picked up along the way.
Similarly, ensure you have the most up-to-date version of the Instagram app itself. Open the Play Store, go to the Instagram listing, and if an "Update" option appears, tap it to download the latest available version. The update may provide critical backend fixes for errors like 6296.
3. Download an Older Version of Instagram
If updating Instagram or reinstalling the app doesn‘t help, another option is downloading an older version. Something in recent Instagram updates could be conflicting with your specific device model and Android OS version.
Try installing Instagram version 235.1.0.20.110 or earlier, as tracked on sites like APKMirror. Older versions that previously worked well on your phone before error 6296 popped up may make the problem disappear.
4. Give Instagram Lite a Shot
Instagram Lite is an optimized, lightweight version of Instagram made for older phones and devices with less RAM/storage. It retains core functionalities like viewing Stories and posting photos. As a streamlined app, it also tends to suffer fewer intermittent bugs.
You can install Instagram Lite for free from the Google Play Store. Log into your account and check if error code 6296 still shows up or has been resolved! The lightweight architecture may avoid the issue entirely.
Fixing Instagram Error Code 6296 on iPhones & iPads
For iOS users encountering Instagram error 6296 on an iPhone or iPad, try these approaches to fixing the annoying issue:
1. Update iOS Software & Instagram App
As with Android devices, one of the first troubleshooting steps is ensuring you have the latest iOS software on your device along with the most updated version of the Instagram app itself:
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On your iPhone/iPad, open Settings > General > Software Update to download the most recent iOS package if available
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Next, open the App Store, go to Updates, and check if Instagram is listed there. Tap Update to download fixes and patches to the Instagram app.
New iOS and app versions often contain crucial bug and optimization updates required to keep Instagram humming along. Updating both is an easy fix to try first.
2. Force Quit and Relaunch Instagram
If software updates don‘t resolve things, try force quitting Instagram to clear it out of your device‘s memory and refreshing things.
To force quit the app on iPhones and iPads running iOS 13 or later:
- Swipe up from the bottom edge of your device screen to access your apps
- Locate the Instagram preview and swipe up on it to close the app
- Press your device‘s power button to lock the screen
- Wait 10-15 seconds, then unlock your device and reopen Instagram
Force resetting Instagram essentially gives the app a fresh start, which can knock out odd error issues like #6296.
3. Clear Instagram‘s Cache and Data
Over time, cached data and login credentials stored by the Instagram app can get overloaded and corrupted, causing access failures. Wiping this data gives Instagram a clean slate to work with.
Here are the steps to clear the cache and login data:
- Force quit Instagram first (steps above)
- Open your iPhone/iPad Settings
- Scroll down and tap Instagram
- Tap Clear Cache to delete temporary Instagram files
- Then tap Log Out and confirm logging out
- Lastly, tap the Delete App button to uninstall Instagram before redownloading it
Once you reinstall Instagram from the App Store, restoring your login should operate on a fresh, glitch-free foundation without error 6296 crashing the party.
Additional Troubleshooting Tips
If all else fails in resolving Instagram error code 6296, a few other helpful troubleshooting steps include:
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Toggle Airplane mode on and off – This refreshes device connectivity and flushes DNS issues that can interfere with Instagram loading.
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Reboot your Android device or iPhone/iPad – Power cycling devices resets system processes that may have conflicts with Instagram.
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Contact Instagram support – While they likely can‘t resolve app errors directly, reporting error 6296 helps Instagram improve functionality.
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Update router firmware – Out-of-date router firmware versions can cause widespread device and app connectivity problems due to DNS flaws.
And there you have an A-to-Z guide on tackling error code 6296 when trying to access Instagram! To recap, first pinpoint where the issue originates – Instagram servers, your device software, or the Instagram app itself. Then apply the tailored troubleshooting fixes outlined here.
With some diligent trial-and-error applying various solutions, that pesky Error 6296 preventing Instagram loading will eventually be banished for good!
