The Complete Guide to Fixing "Action Blocked" on Instagram

Hey there! Have you ever tried to like or comment on an Instagram post, only to see the dreaded “Action Blocked” message? I feel your pain. I’ve been there too.

Getting blocked from taking actions on Instagram is super frustrating. But don’t stress too much. By the end of this guide, you’ll understand exactly why Instagram blocks accounts, how to get unblocked quickly, and tips to stop it from happening again.

Instagram Blocked Action

Let’s start at the beginning – what does “Action Blocked” even mean?

What is an “Action Blocked” on Instagram?

Essentially, an “Action Blocked” means Instagram has temporarily restricted your account from doing certain activities like:

Following other accounts
Liking and commenting on posts
Sending direct messages
Making new posts

So when you try to perform one of those actions, instead of it going through you see a message like:

“Your action has been blocked. Please try again later. To protect our community we restrict certain actions to prevent spam.”

This means you’ve been flagged for “suspicious activity” and lost access to key features temporarily.

Why Would Instagram Block My Actions?

Instagram is blocking accounts as part of their ongoing efforts to reduce spammy behavior and bot activity on the platform.

Their goal is to keep Instagram an authentic community where real people connect and engage. So they are constantly monitoring for signals that look automated and placing restrictions when accounts seem bot-like.

Some of the most common triggers for getting action blocked include:

Following or unfollowing too many accounts in a short time: Instagram limits you to following about 60 accounts per hour as a precaution. Going way over that amount can appear bot-like.
Liking or commenting too quickly: Exceeding the limits for likes or comments per hour (roughly 60 per hour) may also get flagged as automation.
Using third-party services or apps: Anything promising automatic followers or engagement could get your account blocked.
Repeating the exact same actions: Copy-pasting comments or following accounts in alphabetical/numerical order seems spammy to Instagram.

Basically, if your activity looks fake or spammy in any way, their systems will temporarily restrict your account as a precaution.

But how long do these annoying action blocks last?

How Long Does an Instagram Action Block Last?

The duration of an Instagram action block can vary anywhere from a few hours to a few days.

Several factors impact how long it lasts:

Severity of violation: Doing way more actions than allowed will get you blocked longer than minor oversights.
History of violations: 1st offense is usually shorter than if you’re a repeat offender.
Type of violation: Using 3rd party apps often causes longer blocks than simple overactivity.

Based on reports from Instagram users, it seems most first-time offenses last about 24 hours. But I’ve seen some last 3-7 days in more serious cases.

The best way to get an action block lifted quickly is to immediately stop the activity that caused it.

Now let’s go over how to fix action blocked on Instagram for good.

How to Fix “Action Blocked” on Instagram

If you see the dreaded action blocked message, here are some tips to get your account back in good standing:

⏹ Stop using any automation, bots, or services

Uninstall any suspicious third-party apps that promise followers or engagement. Using them is likely what triggered the block.

⏹ Take a break from account actions for a couple days

Completely stop activity like liking, following, and commenting for 48-72 hours. This gives Instagram time to review your account and lift restrictions.

⏹ Log in from a different device or network

Try connecting to Instagram from a new wifi network or switching from wifi to cellular data. Instagram sometimes blocks based on device or IP address.

⏹ Link your Instagram account to Facebook

Linking to an authenticated Facebook profile helps prove your account is run by a real person, not a bot.

⏹ Appeal the block if it lasts longer than expected

If the action block sticks longer than a few days, request a review through the app in Settings > Help > Report a Problem.

Let’s look at some of these tips in more detail.

Stop Using Any Automation Tools

This is the most critical step. If you were using any third-party services, bots, or apps to boost engagement, stop immediately.

Not only do these violate Instagram‘s terms, but they’re likely what triggered the activity block in the first place. Uninstall any suspicious apps and commit to only doing actions manually going forward.

Take a Break From Account Activity

The most reliable way to get Instagram to lift restrictions is to take your account offline for a couple days.

Avoid liking posts, commenting, following, sharing Stories, or doing anything on Instagram for at least 48-72 hours. This gives Instagram’s systems time to review your account behavior and remove the action block.

Think of it as a “time out” to let your account reset.

Log In From Different Devices and Networks

One sneaky fix is to access Instagram from new devices and networks.

Instagram’s systems track blocks based on IP addresses, devices, and locations. So logging in from a new wifi network, switching to mobile data, or using a secondary device can make your account appear fresh.

You can also try clearing your browser cookies and cache for a similar effect.

Link Your Instagram to Facebook

Linking your Instagram account to an authenticated Facebook profile helps signal to Instagram that your account is legitimate.

Bots rarely take the time to link accounts, so having that Facebook connection is a strong indicator you‘re a real human.

To link accounts:

Go to your Instagram Profile
Tap “Settings” in the top right
Select “Accounts”
Tap “Linked Accounts"
Enter your Facebook login info

Linking only takes a minute, so it‘s worth doing!

Appeal the Block as a Last Resort

If you’ve stopped violations and taken a break but are still blocked after a few days, you can request a review from Instagram directly through the app:

In Instagram, tap your profile pic > Settings > Help > Report a Problem
Tap “Something Went Wrong”
Select the issue as “Action Blocked”
Explain your case of why restrictions should be lifted

The appeal process has mixed success, but it’s worth a shot! Having your Facebook linked helps demonstrate legitimacy.

How to Prevent Getting Action Blocked Again in the Future

Once you get your account back up and running, you’ll want to be cautious to avoid further blocks. Here are some tips:

Pace your activity slower – Don‘t follow, like or comment too aggressively. Take breaks.
Avoid automation – Do actions manually rather than with bots or services.
Vary your comments – Leave unique, relevant comments instead of copy-pasting.
Maintain a natural follower-to-following ratio – Having way more followers than who you follow raises red flags.
Use multiple devices – Switch between phone, tablet and computer to appear more human.
Link Facebook accounts – This continues to signal your legitimacy over time.

The key is to act naturally and vary your behavior, so you don’t appear bot-like. Here are some more specific limits to keep in mind:

Follow limit per hour: Roughly 60 follows per 60 minutes
Unfollow limit per hour: About 60 unfollows per 60 minutes
Like limit per hour: Around 60 likes per hour
Comment limit per hour: Approximately 60 comments per hour

Staying under these rough thresholds will help you avoid limits. I also recommend spacing out your activity over the day rather than cramming it all into one rush.

Can You Get Banned for Too Many Action Blocks?

You might be wondering – could getting action blocked repeatedly lead to a permanent ban?

The good news is that occasional blocks here and there will not get you banned. Having your actions limited temporarily is pretty common.

However, you could potentially face a suspension if your account shows an extended pattern of:

Repeated automation and spam violations – Consistently going over activity limits looks highly suspicious.
Violating community guidelines – Things like posting prohibited content can expedite deletion.
Ban evasion – Trying to open new accounts to bypass restrictions will get you shut down.

Essentially, you would need to display a prolonged history of bad behavior to actually get banned. An isolated block every once in a while is not going to make Instagram delete you.

As long as you course correct when action blocked and stick to organic engagement, you should be fine. But repeated blocks are a warning sign to change your habits.

What to Do If You Get Suspended or Banned

I hope it never comes to this, but if your account does get banned, you can submit an appeal to Instagram.

Here’s how:

Login to Instagram from a desktop web browser.
Go to the Help Center
Click “My Account” then “Appeal Disabled Account.”
Select “I think my account was disabled by mistake.”
Explain why your account should be reinstated.

Having a connected Facebook account helps demonstrate legitimacy in the appeal process.

Unfortunately though, the appeals process has mixed success. Some accounts get restored, while others remain banned. But it’s worth a shot!

The Bottom Line

Hopefully this guide gave you a better understanding of why Instagram blocks actions, how to get unblocked, and tips to prevent future issues.

Getting an occasional activity block isn’t the end of the world. Just take a break, stop any sketchy behavior, and let your account reset.

By being patient and mimicking natural human behavior, you can continue growing your Instagram without interruptions.

But if you do run into restrictions again, come back to this guide for troubleshooting! Let me know in the comments if you have any other tips for fixing action blocked. Good luck!