If you have tried and failed to send messages via Instagram and Facebook this lunchtime you are not alone.
The popular photo and social media app had some serious issues with users being blocked from sending or checking their Direct Messages (DMs). The gremlins appeared to have begun at around 11:30am BST with angry users flooding the web in a bid to find out what's wrong.
Outage monitoring service Downdetector also showed a massive spike in reports of Instagram issues with the number growing by the minute. At the time of writing some 2,000 reports had been seen on Down Detector's servers, although the issue now appears to have been resolved.
As of this afternoon, dozens of reports were shared on Downdetector stating that they had issues using Facebook's services. There's currently no word on what caused the problems or when they will be fixed but the bug clearly affected a vast number of Instagram fans.
What are Instagram DMs?
As Meta explains, DMs are an easy way to communicate with other users privately.
"Instagram DMs are an in-app messaging feature that allow you to share and privately exchange text, photos, Reels, and posts with one or more people," Meta said.
"Instagram DMs are a space for you to connect and collaborate over shared interests with friends."
Reactions Over Outage
Many people took to other social media platforms to share their frustration at the situation. Several users took to X/Twitter with one user commenting: "Everyone coming to Twitter to check if Instagram is down."
One user named Min simply said: "Instagram is down.. can’t send messages to anyone." Whilst Sue added: "Is it just me, or is anyone else unable to send messages on Instagram?" And Cherry confirmed: "Instagram is down right? I'm trying to answer dms but they're not getting sent."
Another said: "Is it me...or Instagram DMs are down?" While one user, sharing a Joker clown meme, posted: "Me right now thinking it was my internet causing Instagram DMs to be slow."