Here is a little story about how my Instagram account was deactivated for 5 days and the steps I went through to get my Instagram back online! Stay calm, you got this!

It was a a typical Saturday morning. We slept in a little. We had a few errands to run, but was going to be an easy Saturday. My morning routine involves coffee first and then I typically check emails and social media like Instagram. Well, I had my hot cup of Joe and as I opened the Instagram app on my phone… I noticed I was logged out.

I typically always stay logged in, so that’s weird… OK no problem, let me just type in my username and password, pretty simple right?

‘user not found’… is the message I got when I typed in my Instrgam handle and password. I know I typed it in correctly… but I’ll try it again. Second try… same ‘user not found’ error. Ok… not time to panic yet.

So the next thing I did was click ‘forgot password’ on the Instagram homepage. It brought me the screen where you enter email, phone, or username and it will send you a pin to your phone number associated with the account. Wonderful, I had my phone right there, when I typed in my user name, it had the correct last four numbers on my phone… surely this is going to work!

I clicked send code to my phone… nothing. No pin sent. Tried it again… nothing. I went to check my email… no notices. CRAP!

No warning from Instagram when they deactivated

So ‘user not found’ with no warning and no explanation from Instagram. I knew I wasn’t hacked, because I would have received something saying ‘new device’ login or something to that effect. My account seemed to just be deactivated or deleted. What a bummer!

So the search for help began!

I will start off by saying the Instagram help center is a confusing circle of wild goose chases. There appears to be no way to contact an actual person, and I often say “hope is not a course of action”… but hope is all you have when trying to get help from Instagram.

Aimee and I spent some time over that Saturday and Sunday searching the help center, articles, and watching videos on youtube… one video actually asked you to pay for the help, ridiculous!

I sent numerous messages to Instagram via our LennyAimee Instagram account and sent Facebook messages from my account as well. We heard nothing all weekend. Ok, maybe they don’t work on weekends, I get that.

Monday rolls around and still nothing, but Aimee is still searching and while I’m at work she found a LINK! SPOILER ALERT…This link ultimately proved to be the answer… and for the low price of $4.99 I’ll send it to you… haha just kidding that would be terrible!

The LINK If your Instagram Account is Deactivated!

https://help.instagram.com/contact/1652567838289083

That’s it right up there! Don’t click just yet… there is a little more I need to tell you before you go so you are ready.

That link takes you to the following screen:

If you have a business Instagram account you will get different instructions than a personal Instagram account. Both will require additional documentation. You will need to provide your full name, IG account name, email address, and country.

After you submit this “form,” you will receive no follow up or confirmation. You will stare blankly at your computer or phone and wonder if you did it right and why you are even doing this! haha

Check your email!

Well a few hours after submitting the form I received the following email! Progress!

I did exactly as the email suggested and heard nothing for days. On Tuesday, I still had no success. I got home from work on Wednesday and… success!

I’m back in the game!

So that was it… pretty anti-climatic. I enjoy Instagram and was bummed for those few days that I may never get to maintain my connections and friendships made there, but it wasn’t the end of the world. Life did go on believe it or not, but I’m very happy to be back and could not have done it without Aimee. I had pretty much given up, but she kept searching.

I hope this helps if you find your Instagram account deactivated. Just remember its a process and takes time, but all is not lost! I’m sure the IG team has their hands full 24/7 and it just takes time. Patience is key. While you wait go enjoy the extra little bit of free time IG used to consume of your day or check out some more articles on my site!!