You open Instagram, scroll a bit, like a photo, but when you go to check the comments — nothing. Not a single reply. It looks like no one has commented, even though the post shows 200 of them.
This has happened to me once right after an update. I wasn’t fully logged out, but Instagram had quietly desynced my session. A quick logout and re-login brought every comment back within seconds.
That kind of bug isn’t uncommon. Especially when the app updates in the background or when Instagram pushes new backend changes. If your comments have vanished, logging out and signing back in should be your first move.
Your Connection’s There, But It’s Not Really Working
You might have three bars or even full Wi-Fi, but that doesn’t mean the data is flowing properly. Instagram loads comments only after everything else has loaded — meaning if your connection is weak or unstable, the comment section might stay blank.
Switching between mobile data and Wi-Fi too quickly can confuse the app. In some cases, I’ve had to put the phone in airplane mode, wait ten seconds, and come back online just to get it to refresh.
Before continuing with more complex fixes, always rule out a flaky internet connection.
Blocked, Muted, or Quietly Cut Off
Here’s the uncomfortable one. If someone has blocked you, you won’t see their comments anymore — not even on public posts. Same goes if you blocked them. That part of the conversation disappears entirely.
Even if you haven’t blocked someone, using Instagram’s “Restrict” feature on them will make their comments visible only to them. So they may think they’re part of the discussion, while to you, they’re just gone.
Privacy settings cut both ways. If you’re missing replies from a specific person, this could be why.
Filters Might Be Doing Too Much (Or Instagram Messed Up Again)
Instagram’s auto-filter tools are smart, but sometimes they’re too aggressive. Words you didn’t even think were offensive might be hidden. Emojis, too. Even entire replies can be flagged and filtered silently.
I once updated the app and suddenly my comment section was empty. After poking around, I found that my Hidden Words filter had been toggled on by default. I didn’t touch that setting. It just… flipped.
That situation led me to this breakdown of comments on Instagram, which explained how filters, moderation tools, and bugs combine. According to that resource, a significant percentage of users never realize comments are being hidden until someone else points it out. What’s tricky is that these filters often work silently — hiding replies that contain certain words, repeated emojis, or links without notifying the person who posted them.
For creators, this means you might be missing real engagement simply because Instagram’s system flagged it without warning. It’s a reminder to regularly check your own posts from a different account or ask your audience if they’ve had trouble seeing or leaving comments.
Your App Is Outdated and It’s Holding You Back
Instagram changes fast. If your app hasn’t been updated in the last two or three weeks, you’re probably running into bugs that have already been fixed on the current version.
Comment loading issues are especially common on older builds. If you’re seeing blank spaces where conversations should be, hit the App Store or Google Play and update immediately.
And if the issue still sticks around after updating, try deleting and reinstalling the app altogether. That clears out corrupted cache files that might be blocking comment loading.
Temporary Restrictions Are More Common Than You Think
You don’t have to be banned or reported to have your account limited. Instagram sometimes puts temporary restrictions in place based on weird behavior — like liking too fast, following too many people, or commenting on identical emojis.
When this happens, you might not even get a proper warning. But you’ll notice strange things, like not seeing your own comments or seeing fewer than expected.
To find out if this is happening, go into your settings and check your Support Inbox. If there’s a message from Instagram saying you’ve broken a rule, even mildly, that might be the cause.
It Might Be Instagram’s Problem, Not Yours
Sometimes Instagram’s servers just mess up. Even if everything looks fine on your end — stable internet, no filters, no blocks — the comment section might still glitch.
When that happens, it usually hits everyone at once. So, the fastest way to confirm is to visit down detector sites or type into Twitter “Instagram comments not loading”. If you see a wave of posts from others, it’s probably not just you.
The best fix in that case? Wait it out. Or restart the app after a few minutes and try again.
FAQs
Why do I see zero comments even when a post says it has 100+?
This usually points to a bug, app desync, or a filter hiding replies. Try logging out and back in or checking your comment controls under settings.
Can Instagram remove comments silently?
Yes. If a comment violates their content guidelines or triggers spam filters, it can be removed or hidden without the user being notified.
Does reinstalling the app really help with comment issues?
Often, yes. A fresh install clears out corrupted cache data and forces Instagram to reload content properly, including previously missing comments.