How to Fix Instagram Security Code Not Sending

Hey there! Having issues getting Instagram to send you a security code? I totally get how frustrating that can be when you need the code to access your account.

Not to worry – I‘ve got you covered! I‘m going to walk you through exactly why Instagram security codes don‘t send sometimes, and what you can do to fix it. Just stick with me and you‘ll have that pesky verification code coming through in no time.

First up, let‘s quickly recap when Instagram requires security codes and why they‘re so important for protecting your account.

When and Why Instagram Needs Security Codes

Instagram will ask you for a special security code sent to your phone in certain situations, like:

When you login from a new, unrecognized device for the first time. This verifies it‘s really you trying to access your account.
If you get logged out of your Instagram account and need to log back in. The code makes sure it‘s you re-entering your own account.
When you change your password or update other sensitive info like your email or phone number. This confirms your identity and prevents unauthorized changes.
If you ever need to recover access to your lost or hacked Instagram account. The code proves the account belongs to you during recovery.

As you can see, these security codes act as two-factor authentication and are super important for keeping your Instagram account secure. Without them, it would be much easier for someone else to access your profile and pretend to be you!

So while security codes can be a nuisance, please know that Instagram requires them for your own safety and privacy. It‘s just part of how they protect all their billion+ users!

Now let‘s explore why these vital security codes sometimes don‘t get sent to your phone properly.

Common Reasons Your Instagram Security Code Isn‘t Sending

Based on my experience helping people troubleshoot this issue, here are the most likely reasons you aren‘t receiving the Instagram security code text message:

You Previously Blocked Instagram‘s Number

This is one of the biggest reasons. If you blocked Instagram‘s number in your phone contacts in the past, they can‘t send you any SMS messages – including security codes!

Keep in mind Instagram uses multiple different phone numbers to send out verification codes. So even if you didn‘t specifically block a contact named "Instagram", you may have blocked one of their various active numbers.

You Changed Your Phone Number

Did you change your phone number or get a new SIM card, but forget to update it on Instagram? If so, they will still try sending security codes to your old number that‘s on file.

Always make sure your current, active phone number is properly listed in your Instagram account settings.

You Entered the Wrong Phone Number

It‘s easy to accidentally typo a digit when entering your phone number into Instagram. If the number in your Instagram account profile is wrong, the security code text will fail to reach you.

Your Area Has Poor Cell Reception

You might not get Instagram‘s text messages if your phone lacks proper cellular reception where you are located. Try moving to an area with better signal strength and have Instagram resend the security code.

Instagram‘s Servers Are Down

During major Instagram server outages and downtime, security verification codes can fail to send. Check their system status page and try again later if they‘re experiencing issues.

Your Phone‘s Storage or Cache is Too Full

A phone with completely full storage or a cache overflowing with junk files can prevent proper SMS delivery. Clear your cache and free up space to fix it.

Now that you know why it happens, let‘s get into the solutions! Here‘s how to fix Instagram not sending security codes on both iPhone and Android devices.

Fixing Instagram Security Code Not Sending on iPhone

If you‘re an iPhone user, the problem is likely due to blocking Instagram‘s number. Here‘s how to unblock contacts on an iPhone to start receiving security codes from Instagram again:

Step 1: Open Your iPhone‘s Settings App

Swipe down from the top of your screen to open Search and type "Settings" to find the app.
Tap the Settings app icon to launch it.

Step 2: Go to Your Phone Settings

In Settings, scroll down until you see the "Phone" option and tap it.
This will open your iPhone‘s phone settings menu.

Step 3: Tap on "Blocked Contacts"

Under the "Calls" section in Phone settings, look for the "Blocked Contacts" option and select it.
This will show you all the current contacts blocked on your iPhone.

Step 4: Unblock All of Your Contacts

Tap the "Edit" button in the upper right corner.
Then tap the red minus "-" icon next to each blocked contact to remove them from the list.
Keep unblocking until all contacts are removed and the list is empty.
Tap "Done" to save your changes.

This completely unblocks all contacts that you had previously blocked on your iPhone. Now Instagram will be able to send security code text messages to your phone again.

Go back to Instagram, have them resend the security code, and check your SMS messages for the new code. It should come through this time around.

If you‘re still not receiving the Instagram verification code after unblocking contacts, don‘t worry – I‘ve got some more troubleshooting tips coming up to cover other potential issues.

First though, let‘s cover how to do this on Android.

How to Fix Security Code Not Sending on Android

If your Android phone isn‘t getting Instagram‘s security codes, you‘ll also want to unblock contacts as the first step.

Here is how to unblock contacts from sending you messages on an Android device:

Step 1: Open Your Android‘s Phone App

Find and launch the Phone app on your Android device – this is where your calls and messages are.

Tap the 3 vertical dots menu icon typically found in the top right corner of the Phone app screen.

Step 3: Select "Settings"

In the menu that pops up, choose "Settings" to open your phone settings.

Step 4: Choose "Blocked Numbers"

Scroll down and select the "Blocked Numbers" option to see your blocked contacts list.

Step 5: Unblock All Contacts

Tap the "x" icon next to each blocked contact to remove them from the list.
Unblock all contacts so the blocked numbers list is empty.

Now all contacts are unblocked on your Android device. Return to Instagram, have them resend the security code, and check your text messages for the code. Fingers crossed it comes through!

If you‘re still not receiving the Instagram verification code, don‘t panic. Try some of these additional troubleshooting steps.

What to Do If Security Code Still Isn‘t Sending

In some cases, the Instagram security code may still not show up even after unblocking all your contacts. If that happens, here are a few other things to try:

Double check your phone number – Log into Instagram and make sure your current, accurate phone number is entered properly in your account details. Update it if needed.
Restart your phone – Turn your device fully off and back on. This can help clear up software glitches blocking proper SMS delivery.
Reset network settings on iPhone – Go to Settings > General > Reset and tap "Reset Network Settings" to redo your network configs.
Clear cache and app data on Android – In your Android settings, find Instagram, tap Storage, and clear Cache plus Data. This wipes the app back to defaults.
Contact your cell provider – Reach out to your mobile carrier and ask them to check that text messages aren‘t being blocked on your number.
Try a different number – As a test, have Instagram send the code to another number you have access to. If it comes through there, something may be wrong with your main number.
Reach out to Instagram support – Explaining your inability to receive security codes, they may be able to further troubleshoot or override verification.

Hopefully one of those additional tips does the trick to get your Instagram security codes sending correctly again!

But what if you‘ve tried everything and it‘s still not working? Let‘s go over how you can recover your Instagram account access without needing the code.

Recovering Your Instagram Account Without the Code

If no matter what you do, you can‘t seem to get Instagram to send a security code, don‘t lose hope. You can request account recovery even without the verification code using this process:

In the Instagram app or go to instagram.com in your browser.

Step 2: Tap "Forgot Password?"

On the login screen, tap the "Forgot password?" link.

Step 3: Enter Your Instagram Username

Type in the username of the Instagram account you‘re trying to recover access to.

Step 4: Tap "Need More Help?"

After entering your username, tap the "Need more help?" link at the bottom.

Step 5: Choose "Can‘t Access This Email or Phone Number"

On the next screen, select the option for "I can‘t access this email address or phone number".

Step 6: Fill Out and Submit the Request Support Form

Provide your details and info about why you can‘t access your account.

Step 7: Wait for Instagram‘s Response

Once submitted, wait several business days for Instagram to get back to you via email. If approved, they can help you regain access without needing the code.

Now that you know how to recover your account, let‘s talk about how to avoid these issues in the first place!

Tips to Stop Security Code Problems Before They Start

Here are some recommendations to help prevent problems receiving Instagram‘s security codes going forward:

Never block Instagram‘s numbers in your contacts. Save them properly.
Keep your phone and Instagram app fully updated with the latest software.
Don‘t let your phone‘s storage and cache get too full. Delete old junk files regularly.
Make sure your current, correct phone number is always listed in your Instagram account details.
Contact Instagram support right away if you encounter any login issues or account access problems.
Set up secondary authentication methods like backup verification codes, just in case primary SMS codes fail.
Use a password manager app to generate and store strong, unique passwords for each account.
Turn on two-factor authentication everywhere you can, not just Instagram. It really helps secure your online accounts!
Monitor your accounts closely for any suspicious activity and review where you‘re logged in frequently.

Following those best practices will help avoid situations where you desperately need an Instagram security code in the first place. Prevention is the best medicine!

Now let‘s recap everything we covered today.

Let‘s Recap the Key Points

Instagram requires security codes during account logins and sensitive account changes to protect your account through two-factor authentication.
The main reasons you may not be getting the Instagram security code text messages are having previously blocked their numbers, using the wrong phone number, poor cell reception, or glitchy software.
On iPhone, go to Settings > Phone > Blocked Contacts and unblock all numbers. This allows Instagram to text you again.
On Android, open Phone app > Settings > Blocked Numbers and unblock all contacts to let Instagram send security codes.
If still not working, double check your phone number, restart your device, clear cache/data, contact your carrier, or reach out to Instagram support.
You can submit an Instagram account recovery request even without the security code by tapping Forgot Password > Need More Help and filling out the form.
Prevent issues going forward by saving Instagram‘s numbers properly, keeping updated software, monitoring account activity closely, and enabling two-factor authentication everywhere.

I hope this detailed guide gave you some "aha" moments and actionable steps to get Instagram sending those security codes reliably again. I know how much a pain it can be when the verification codes don‘t show up properly and prevent you from accessing your accounts. But now you‘re armed and ready to troubleshoot it!

Let me know if you have any other questions. I‘m always happy to help out and make sure you maintain secure access to your online accounts. Talk soon!