The Instacart grocery delivery app is immensely popular, allowing customers to order groceries and household essentials from local stores to be delivered straight to their door. However, even the most robust apps can experience technical issues from time to time that prevent access or cause malfunctions. In the past day, users have reported problems with the Instacart app not working properly, including inability to log in, browse, checkout, and more.

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll cover the recent Instacart app outages, issues and problems users have been facing over the past 24 hours. We’ll also provide troubleshooting tips to try and get the app working again, as well as examine what may be behind the Instacart technical difficulties.

Overview of Current Instacart Outages and App Issues

According to down detector and user reports on social media, the Instacart app has been experiencing functionality problems over the past day. The main problems being reported include:

Inability to log into the Instacart app
App failing to load or open
Blank pages and errors when trying to browse and shop
Orders and payment not going through
Issues accessing account and order history
Delays with order delivery times

These types of errors point to a wider problem with either the Instacart servers, API, or a software update causing conflicts and glitches.

When Did Problems Begin?

Based on user reports, issues with the Instacart app not functioning properly seemed to begin around 7:30 PM ET on November 23, 2023.

Over the last 24 hours, there have been over 3,200 reports of problems accessing Instacart on Downdetector alone.

Instacart down reports over past 24 hours (Downdetector)

Monitoring sites show the majority of issues originating from major cities like Los Angeles, New York, Chicago, Houston, Phoenix and Seattle.

However, users nationwide seem to be facing login, browsing and checkout failures regardless of location.

What’s Causing the Instacart App Outage?

Instacart has not provided an official response on the cause behind the recent app issues over the past day. Judging by the types of errors though, it seems to be server-side problems causing widespread failures.

Potential causes could include:

Issues with Instacart’s API and server infrastructure
Overload on systems due to high demand around Thanksgiving
Conflicts from a recent app or server software update
Domain name system (DNS) configuration problems
Database failure leading to missing order data
DDoS cyber attack on Instacart servers

Most likely, Instacart engineers are frantically working behind the scenes to identify and fix whatever is causing the app outage.

Complex systems like Instacart have many dependencies and integrations that can unexpectedly fail. Hopefully services will return to normal shortly as problems are resolved.

Troubleshooting: How to Fix Instacart App Issues

If you are encountering issues with using the Instacart app over the past day, try the following troubleshooting steps to attempt fixing any errors you encounter:

1. Check Instacart Service Status Pages

Your first step should be to check Instacart’s Twitter account and status pages to see if they have posted any notifications about an ongoing outage:

This will confirm if others are facing widespread issues that require fixes on Instacart’s end.

2. Force Quit and Re-Launch the App

If your Instacart app is stuck loading, unresponsive or won’t open, try force quitting the app completely and re-launching to see if it starts working normally.

On iPhone, double press the home button and swipe up on the Instacart preview to force quit. On Android, open Settings –> Apps –> Instacart –> Force Stop.

Then open the Instacart app again to see if the issues persist.

3. Reboot Your Device

If force quitting does not resolve problems with the Instacart app, next try rebooting your iPhone, Android or tablet completely:

iPhone – Hold Power and Home button together until powered off. Turn back on and reopen app.
Android – Hold down Power button and tap Restart when prompted.

Rebooting will clear any glitched memory or processes that could be preventing Instacart from working correctly.

4. Check App Permissions

Using your device Settings, check that Instacart has all the required permissions enabled to function properly:

Location access
Notifications
Microphone (for voice search)
Photos (for uploading additional item information)
Storage (for caching data)

Enable any permission prompts if they appear when launching Instacart.

5. Update the Instacart App

Go to the App Store (iPhone) or Play Store (Android) to check if any Instacart app updates are available.

Install the latest update if possible. New versions often contain critical bug fixes and performance improvements. Updating could resolve any glitches caused by an old, incompatible version.

6. Restart Your Internet Router

Connectivity issues between your device, router and Instacart’s servers could also be the culprit behind problems.

Try unplugging your router and cable modem for one minute before reconnecting to refresh the connection. Then reopen Instacart to see if accessibility improves.

7. Reset Network Settings

If you have already tried rebooting your device and router with no improvement, reset your network settings entirely as a last resort:

iPhone

Go to Settings –> General –> Reset
Choose Reset Network Settings
Agree to reset and reconnect to WiFi

Android

Go to Settings –> System –> Reset Options
Select Reset Wi-Fi, Mobile & Bluetooth
Choose Reset Settings and reboot

Resetting will clear any problematic network configs or instability that could be interfering with the Instacart app functioning normally.

8. Contact Instacart Customer Service

If all else fails, contact Instacart Customer Happiness directly to report any persistent problems with app errors preventing usage:

Live Chat Support: Open the Instacart app (if accessible), tap your profile icon > Help > Contact > Chat
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 1 (888) 246-7822

Their technical team may be able to provide individual troubleshooting guidance or compensation if the issues are on Instacart’s end.

To summarize, over the past 24 hours, Instacart shoppers and customers alike have reported frustrations with the app failing to work properly, including inability to log in, access accounts, shop for products or schedule deliveries.

The outage seems to have started around November 23 7 PM ET, likely from server overload, software update bugs, or other technical causes.

Unfortunately with apps as complicated at Instacart, resolutions can take time as engineers diagnose root causes. For now, affected users will need to patiently wait as Instacart works to restore services.

In the meantime, try basic troubleshooting steps like reinstalling the app, rebooting devices, resetting networks and updating Instacart to see if it resolves any personal device issues. Also watch Instacart’s System Status page and Twitter for updates on outages in your region.

Hopefully Instacart will provide an update on what triggered this outage shortly and get solutions implemented soon. But some patience may be required as their team tackles repairs on such a large, complex platform.

For help managing Instacart app issues, contact their Customer Happiness team via phone, email or in-app chat for troubleshooting. They may also be able to provide shopper incentives or customer refunds for orders affected by the disruption.

We’ll update this Instacart outage guide as any new information or fixes emerge. Let us know in the comments if any other troubleshooting tips resolve app problems on your end!

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are answers to some common questions regarding recent problems with Instacart over the past day:

Is Instacart Down Right Now?

Yes, Instacart has been experiencing outages over the past 24 hours. Based on downdetector stats and user reports, issues seemed to start around 7 PM ET on 11/23, primarily impacting app login, browsing, checkout and ordering functionality. Their systems could still be recovering.

Why is My Instacart App Not Working?

If your Instacart app is currently unable to load, checkout or process orders, it is likely related to server errors on Instacart’s side affecting nationwide availability. Rebooting your device, reinstalling the app, and checking for updates could help. But underlying problems will need to be fixed by engineers.

What is Causing the Instacart Outage?

Instacart has not provided an official update, but the server-side errors point to either overloaded systems, a software bug from a recent update, DNS failure, or partial outage from technical causes. Holiday high demand combined with a glitch could be preventing full stability.

How to Fix Instacart App Loading Problems?

If your Instacart app won’t load or open, troubleshooting steps like force quitting the app, rebooting your device, reinstalling Instacart, clearing app caches/data, or resetting network settings could help resolve any crashing or freezing issues.

Why Can’t I Log in to My Instacart Account?

Login failures and account access issues point to broader connectivity problems between Instacart’s API and databases. If you can’t log into Instacart across devices, it suggests an outage. Trying again later or resetting passwords generally will not resolve server-side functionality problems.

Is Instacart Having an Outage in My Area?

Instacart outages over the past 24 hours have affected users nationwide, but seem especially prevalent in urban areas like LA, NYC, Houston, Chicago, Phoenix and Seattle. If the app is inaccessible, your local region is likely impacted by the ongoing technical disruptions.

How Long Will the Instacart Outage Last?

It is unclear when Instacart app functionality will return to normal. Complex apps can take hours or days to fully recover from technical failures across interconnected database, servers and infrastructure. Check Instacart’s System Status page for updates on any resolved issues.

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