Instagram: How to Unlock a Temporarily Locked or Disabled Account

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Troubleshooting tips to get back into your Insta ASAP

Written by Hannah Dillon

Last Updated: August 5, 2024 Fact Checked

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Why was my Instagram account locked?

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Fixing "Your Account Has Been Temporarily Locked"

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Fixing "Your Account Has Been Disabled"

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Are you seeing a message that says "Your Account Has Been Temporarily Locked" when you try to get on Instagram? Whether your account is temporarily locked or disabled for violating Instagram's terms, this wikiHow article will show you how to get back into your locked Instagram account.

How to Get Instagram Account Back

Return to the login screen and tap "Forgot password?"
Enter your Instagram username.
Select your email address or phone number and tap "Send security code."
Tap "Try another way" and then "No longer have access to these?" to gain access to your account if you don't have access to the email you signed up with.

Section 1 of 3:

Why was my Instagram account locked?

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If you were using an app that automatically likes, follows, unfollows, or performs other actions on your account, Instagram may think the app's activities are too bot-like or otherwise suspicious.^{[1]
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If you've entered the wrong password too many times while trying to sign in, Instagram may think someone is trying to hack your account.^{[2]
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Instagram's algorithm might think you're spamming users if you're commenting the same thing under multiple posts.^{[3]
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If a hacker was able to get your password through phishing or other shady means, the hacker may have been using your account to spam, scam, or do other things that violate Instagram's terms.

Section 2 of 3:

Fixing "Your Account Has Been Temporarily Locked"

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Delete any third-party apps you were using with your Instagram account. For example, if you were using an automatic liking, following, or commenting tool, you'll want to remove that from your phone or tablet.
- Additionally, visit https://www.instagram.com/accounts/manage_access in a web browser, log in with your Instagram account, and remove any of the apps listed under "Active" to revoke their access to your account.
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Try to log in to Instagram. If your account is temporarily locked, you will see a message that says "Your Account Has Been Temporarily Locked" when you try to sign in to your account.
- If you are getting an error that says your account has been disabled or deactivated rather than locked, the recovery process is different. See Fixing the "Your Account Has Been Disabled" Error.
Now you'll be asked to confirm your account. You'll see your email address or phone number on the screen.
In a few moments, you'll receive the code via email or SMS text message.
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Enter the code to confirm your account. Once the code is confirmed, you should be able to use your Instagram account normally.
- If you don't receive a code right away, wait a few hours before trying again.
- If you don't have access to the email address or phone number on file, continue to the next step.
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Don't have access to the email address or phone number for your account? You won't be able to receive a confirmation code, but you can follow Instagram's process for proving your identity.^{[4]
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- Tap Forgot password? on the login screen.
- Enter your account's username or email. You can also tap Search by mobile number instead or Log in with Facebook.
- Tap Try another way when Instagram says it will send a code to your email.
- Tap No longer have access to these? at the bottom of the screen.
- Tap Try another way at the bottom of the next screen, unless one of the emails listed is one you recognize and still have access to.
- Choose to take a selfie video or get help from your friends. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the account retrieval process.
It may take several days to a few weeks for you to receive a reply from Instagram support. Check your email account regularly, and double-check your Spam or Junk folder to make sure it isn't mistakenly categorized as such.

Section 3 of 3:

Fixing "Your Account Has Been Disabled"

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If your account was deactivated or disabled for not following Instagram's guidelines and you believe this is a mistake, open the Instagram app and log in, then follow the on-screen instructions.^{[7]
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Select Yes to provide your ID. This will be required for reactivating your mistakenly-terminated account.
- You will need to provide a form of government-issued ID that clearly states your name, birthdate, and photo. The ID must be a color ID.^{[8]
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- For a full list of accepted ID forms, visit https://www.facebook.com/help/159096464162185.
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Fill out the form. After filling out each form field, click or tap Chose Files and select your scanned or photographed ID.
- Before you continue, you will need to check the box next to "I understand I can't get help with my account if I haven't uploaded a valid ID."
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Click or tap Send. This sends your request to Instagram's support team. Instagram's support team will review your appeal and contact you via email with their decision.
- It may take several days to a few weeks for you to receive a reply from Instagram support. Check your email account regularly, and double-check your Spam or Junk folder to make sure it isn't mistakenly categorized as such.
- If your appeal doesn't seem to be making any headway, go to https://help.instagram.com/contact/505535973176353 and select Data access > I have an Instagram account but I can't access my data, then fill out the required information. Once Instagram sends you an email with a confirmation number for your request, reply to the email explaining that your account was wrongfully disabled. You may have to do this multiple times.
  - Some users have found that sending emails to their state's attorney general or local authorities seemed to get Instagram to reply more quickly.^{[9]
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