Common causes of social media outages

Social media outages can result from a range of technical and human errors, impacting platform reliability. These outages are often caused by issues such as software bugs, hardware failures, misconfigured server settings, and even human mistakes like accidental data deletions.

Technical errors, such as software bugs or incorrect server configurations, can disrupt service. Hardware failures in servers or network equipment are also frequent culprits, while problems with internet infrastructure and misconfigured Border Gateway Protocol (BGP) routes can lead to disruptions.

Human errors, including misconfigurations or accidental deletions by network administrators, can further complicate service stability. Additionally, factors like unexpected high demand, routine maintenance, security vulnerabilities, natural disasters, and issues with Internet Service Providers (ISPs) can all contribute to social media outages.

Instagram and Facebook users report widespread outage issues

More than 500 Instagram accounts have been affected by an outage, with many users experiencing issues such as being unable to view or interact with comments on posts. At the same time, Facebook users have reported problems logging in and experiencing issues with their feeds.

The outage has caused a surge in user complaints over the past 24 hours, with Instagram appearing to be the most impacted of the two Meta-owned platforms. Although Facebook users have been affected, the disruption on Instagram has garnered the most attention.

Meta has not yet provided an official statement regarding the cause or resolution of the outage. Newsweek has reached out to the company via email, however, for comment.

Facebook website takes brunt of issues

According to Downdetector, Facebook’s website seems to be most affected by the outage with 42% of reports being about its functionality.

Another 34% has reported issues with login and 25% with the Facebook app.

Comments are the main issue with Instagram outage

Instagram users are complaining of trouble seeing the comments on posts they come across on their feeds.

Major outage slams Facebook and Instagram

Meta platforms Instagram and Facebook are facing a major outage with thousands of reports flooding Downdetector.

Users have reported trouble accessing the comments on Instagram.