Instagram Direct Messages (DMs) enable users to have conversations with friends through text, photos, videos, and more.

It offers various ways to express yourself, including message effects, custom reactions, stickers, gifs, and polls.

When a user is typing a message, you’ll see a “Typing” indicator in the chat.

However, some users reported that the indicator is not working.

In other words, a message is sent even though there is no indication that the user typed the message.

In this guide, you’ll learn how to fix the Instagram typing indicator not showing, not working, or missing from your DMs.

Why is the typing indicator not working on Instagram?

The typing indicator is not working on Instagram because your internet connection is poor or unstable.

It can be also caused by a bug/glitch that will be addressed in a future Instagram update.

Otherwise, the Instagram direct messaging feature is down and you need to wait for it to be back up.

You can check if other users are facing the same issue as you by searching for it on Twitter.

How to fix Instagram Typing not showing

To fix Instagram Typing not showing, try downloading Instagram Lite from the Google Play Store.

Alternatively, you can try downloading an older version of Instagram (APK) from a third-party website.

Fix 1: Download Instagram Lite (Android only)

1. Open the Google Play Store.
2. Search for “Instagram Lite”.
3. Download Instagram Lite.
4. Open Instagram Lite.
5. Log in to your Instagram account.
6. Open your direct messages and check if the “Typing” indicator shows up.

Fix 2: Download an older version of Instagram (Android only)

1. Delete the Instagram app from your device.
2. Go to https://instagram.en.uptodown.com/android.
3. Select “Older versions” and install an older version of Instagram.
4. Open your direct messages and check if the “Typing” indicator shows up.

Fix 3: Other troubleshooting methods

If you still can’t see the “Typing” indicator on Instagram, try these troubleshooting methods:

• Update Instagram: Open the App Store/Google Play Store, search for “Instagram”, and select “Update”.
• Force exit and reopen: Swipe up from the bottom of your screen, navigate to the Instagram card, and swipe up.
• Clear Instagram’s cache: Force exit Instagram > open the Settings app > Apps > Instagram > Storage > Clear Cache > Clear Data > re-open Instagram.
• Log out and log in: Open the Instagram app > Profile > Menu > Settings > Log out > Log back in.
• Uninstall and reinstall: Tap and hold the Instagram app, delete it, and reinstall it from the App Store or Google Play Store.
• Wait it out: If Instagram is down, you need to wait for a few hours for the server-side issue(s) to be fixed.

Further reading

How to Fix Instagram Unsend Message Not Working

How to Fix Music Not Showing on Instagram Notes

How to Fix “Instagram closed because this app has a bug”