Can’t Reply to Specific Messages on Instagram 2023? Try These 11 Fixes!

If you’re having trouble replying to a specific message on Instagram, don’t worry! This tutorial will provide you with easy-to-follow solutions to fix the ‘Why can’t I reply to a specific message on Instagram’ issue.

About ‘Reply to a Specific Message’ Feature

A few years ago in September 2020, Instagram announced the release of several new messaging features. Among them, replying to a specific message is a popular feature with which you can reply to direct messages (DMs) on Instagram.

However, since this feature is a recent addition to Instagram, many people are unable to use it. Also, there are some users who were able to use it earlier but will not be able to do so now. 

But why? Read on to know—

Why Can’t I Reply to Messages on Instagram?

If you are not able to use the reply feature and wonder, ‘why can’t I reply to a specific message on Instagram,’ know that there could be a few underlying reasons contributing to this situation. 

So, let’s find out all the possible reasons why you might be in this situation—

• Update Messaging: If you hadn’t updated messaging when the ‘Reply’ feature was introduced and were asked to update messaging, you cannot use the ‘Reply’ feature option on Insta until you manually update it.
• Internet Connection: If you have a weak or unstable Internet connection, it may prevent you from accessing certain features on Instagram, including the ‘Reply’ feature that offers the ability to reply to specific message.
• Technical Glitches: Instagram occasionally experiences technical glitches that may affect certain functionality of the app, including the ability to reply to messages.
• Older App Version: If you are using older versions of the app, it may prevent you from accessing the ‘Reply’ option when you tap and hold on a message, as older versions may have bugs or compatibility issues.
• Privacy Settings: You are also likely to face such issues if you have accidentally disabled message replies or limit who can send you messages while updating your privacy settings. 
• Private Account: If you’ve set your account to private, you’re limiting your ability to reply to messages of users who’re not following you.
• Device Compatibility: There are certain devices that have compatibility issues with the Instagram app, so if you are using any such device, it is possible that it may cause issues with specific functionalities of the app, including the ‘Reply’ feature.
• Message Restrictions/ Deletion: If the sender’s account has a restriction or if he deletes the message before you can reply, you may lose the ability to reply to that specific message.
• Temporary Server Outage: Since Instagram servers occasionally experience outages or maintenance, various features of the app may be affected, including your ability to send reply messages.
• Accumulation of Cache Data: Sometimes, the cache or data accumulated within the Instagram app can cause unexpected glitches that also affect your ability to reply to messages.
• Blocked or Restricted Contacts: If you have blocked or restricted a user, you will not be able to reply to their messages and vice versa.
• Account Restrictions: If you’ve recently violated any of Instagram’s Community Guidelines or Terms of Service, your account may be temporarily or permanently restricted from using certain features, including the ability to reply messages.

These are the top possible reasons a person could not reply to specific messages on Instagram. So, whenever you have difficulty replying to specific messages, it is important to consider these factors and troubleshoot accordingly.

11 Ways to Fix ‘Why Can’t I Reply to a Specific Message on Instagram’ Issue?

Now that you are aware of the reasons behind the issue of ‘Why can’t I reply to a specific message on Instagram,’ it’s time to explore the potential solutions that might assist you in resolving the problem—

Solution 1:  Update Messaging 

If you haven’t updated messaging yet, the ‘Reply’ option won’t appear when you tap and hold a message. Instead, you’ll only see the ‘Copy’, ‘Report,’ and ‘Save’ options. However, don’t worry. You can easily update messaging on the app by following these steps –

• Step 1: Open Instagram, go to your ‘Instagram Profile’ & open the ‘Menu.’
• Step 2: Inside the menu, tap on ‘Settings.’

  

• Step 3: From settings, tap on ‘Update Messaging’ option.

  

Note: If you don’t see the ‘Update messaging’ option, you’ll need to update the Instagram app instead.

• Step 4: Tap on the ‘Update’ button to confirm updating the messaging feature on the app.

  

In this way, you are likely to get rid of the problem and be able to reply to a specific message on Instagram.

Solution 2: Check Your Internet Connection

Whenever you face problems like this, you should check if your internet connection is slow. To do this, you can use Google’s Internet Speed ​​Tester.

After doing that, if you find any issues with it, you can try the switching method – that is, switch from cellular data to Wi-Fi or vice versa. However, if this is not possible, you can consider turning on and off Airplane Mode.

Solution 3: Check for Instagram Server Outages

Since billions of people use Instagram every day, there are times when the platform fails to provide services to each and every one of them, and keep in mind that if there is a server outage, you may not be able to reply to specific messages on Insta.

But how do you know there is a server outage? Well, you can use platforms like Downdetector.com or Twitter etc., to get updates about outages. If there is an outage, you can do nothing but wait until it is resolved.

Solution 4: Clear Instagram App Cache

Next, if the app’s cache data has accumulated, clearing it can eliminate any corrupt files or data that may be interfering with Instagram’s ‘reply to specific messages’ functionality. To clear cache data, follow these steps –

• Step 1: Go to ‘Settings’ on your mobile.
• Step 2: There, tap on ‘Apps & Notifications’.
• Step 3: Then, tap on ‘Show all apps’ and find ‘Instagram’ from the list. Alternatively, you can directly search for Instagram using the search option.
• Step 4: Once you find the ‘Instagram app,’ tap on it.
• Step 5: After that, hit the ‘Storage and Cache’ option. 
• Step 6: Lastly, you need to tap on ‘Clear Cache.’

  

Note: There is no direct option to clear cache on iOS devices, you need to delete the Instagram app to clear cache on iPhone.

Solution 5: Download & Install the Latest Version of Instagram App

If you are running an outdated app, be aware that not using an up-to-date version of Instagram can cause problems, including the one you are facing right now. That is why it is recommended to update the Instagram app on a regular basis. To do this –

• Step 1: Head over to your respective phone’s ‘App Store.’
• Step 2: There, simply check for the latest ‘Instagram Update.’
• Step 3: If an update is available, ‘Download & Install’ it to improve the functioning of the platform.

  

• Step 4: Now, using the latest version of your Instagram app, try ‘Reply to the specific message’ again.

Solution 6: Check Your Privacy Settings

It is also necessary to check your privacy settings on Instagram to make sure you haven’t accidentally disabled message replies or limit who can send you messages. To do so –

• Step 1: Open your Instagram app and go to your ‘Profile.’
• Step 2: On your profile page, tap the ‘Three horizontal lines’ in the top-right corner of the screen to open the side menu.
• Step 3: In the side menu, scroll down and select ‘Settings.’
• Step 4: Under the Settings menu, tap on the ‘Privacy’ option to access your privacy settings.

  

• Step 5: Now, within Privacy Settings, you’ll find several options that allow you to control who can see your posts, interact with you, and more. So, here you can make the necessary ‘Changes’ that allow you to reply to specific messages on Insta.

Solution 7: Switch from Private to Public

If you’ve set your account to private, consider switching to ‘Public’ so you can also reply to messages from users who aren’t following you. To do so –

• Step 1: Open your ‘Instagram app.’
• Step 2: Go to your ‘Profile page.’
• Step 3: There, you’ve to tap the ‘Three horizontal lines’ in the top-right corner of the screen to open the menu.
• Step 4: Inside the menu, scroll down and select ‘Settings.’
• Step 5: After that, under the Settings menu, you’ve to tap on the ‘Account Privacy’ option.
• Step 6: Now, you can turn off the toggle for ‘Private’ account to switch it to “Public.”

  

Solution 8: Remove the Instagram App Bug /Glitches

Since the Instagram bug or its temporary glitches may prevent users from the ability to reply to a specific message, it is best to follow this three-step-strategy to remove the bug and glitches from the Instagram app –

• Step 1: Uninstall the Instagram App.
• From Android: Navigate to ‘Settings > Apps > Instagram > Uninstall.’
• From iOS: On your home screen, touch and hold the Instagram app icon until the icon wiggles, then tap the ‘X’ on the Instagram app to uninstall it.

• Step 2: Reset the Phone.
• Step 3: Reinstall the Instagram App.
• On Android: Tap on the ‘Play Store’ icon in your app drawer, search the official Instagram app and tap the ‘Install’ button
• On iOS: Tap on the ‘App Store’ icon on your home screen, search the official Instagram app and tap the ‘Download’ button to reinstall the Instagram app.

Solution 9:  Log in to Your Instagram Account Again

At times, the simple method of logging in again proves to be effective in resolving this encountered issue. So, to log in to your Instagram account again, you have to –

• Step 1: Launch the ‘Instagram app’ on your mobile device.
• Step 2: Go to your ‘Profile page.’
• Step 3: Navigate to ‘Settings.’
• Step 4: In the Settings menu, scroll down to find and tap on the ‘Log Out’ option.

  

• Step 5: Once you’re logged out, remove the ‘Saved Password’ (if you have saved it).
• Step 6: Now, access the login screen and simply log in again by entering your credentials, i.e., the “Username and Password” associated with your Instagram account, and tapping the ‘Log in’ button.

  

Solution 10: Use a VPN

Moving on, it is also possible that Instagram has not introduced a message reply feature in your specific region. So, if this is the case with you, many suggest using VPN. 

This will help you to hide your real location and replace it with the one where the platform has introduced this feature.

Important Tip: Remember, using a VPN to bypass regional restrictions may be against the Platform’s rules and may be considered a form of ‘proxy use.’ Instagram actively monitors suspicious account activity, including VPN use, and may take action against violating accounts. Therefore, use it only at your own risk.

Solution 11: Contact Instagram Support Team

Last but not least, if none of the other solutions work for you, you can contact Instagram’s support team to report concerns regarding the platform’s features and seek help. Here’s how – 

• Step 1: Go to ‘Settings’ of your Instagram account.
• Step 2: There, tap on the ‘Help’ option.

  

• Step 3: Followed by that, tap on ‘Report a Problem.’
• Step 4: Now, you can simply report the problem to the ‘Customer Support Team of Instagram’ in whichever way you wish. 

So, if replying to specific messages on Instagram is not working for you, these above-discussed solutions can easily help you fix it.

How to Reply to Specific Messages on Instagram?

If the ‘Why can’t I reply to a specific message on Instagram’ issue is resolved in your case, then you reply to specific messages on Instagram by following these steps—

• Step 1: Open Instagram, go to the ‘Homepage’ and tap on the ‘Messenger’ icon.
• Step 2: Then, open the ‘Conversation’ that you want to reply to.
• Step 3: After that, you simply tap and hold the ‘Message’ and select the ‘Reply’ option.

  

• Step 4: Now, ‘Type the message’ and hit ‘Send’ to give a reply to the message.

  

Wrapping Up!

That’s all. Hope you’ve found these solutions helpful in fixing ‘can’t reply to a specific message on Instagram’. Although it can be frustrating when you can’t reply to specific messages, don’t let it dampen your spirits! With a little effort and ingenuity, you can quickly fix the problem and resume connecting with your friends and followers on Instagram. 

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