Filters are a considerable part of the Instagram experience. They’re fun, creative, and can make your photos look amazing. But some users are reporting that they’re suddenly missing their filters. So, what’s going on?
Well, there are a few plausible explanations. First, if you live in Illinois or Texas, Instagram has removed a few filters from its app for legal reasons. Alternatively, you may be running out of space on your phone or need to update your Instagram app.
Instagram has constantly been evolving since it first launched in 2010. And as the app has grown, so have the number of filters available. In fact, there are now over 30 filters to choose from. But the filter experience isn’t the same for everyone.
We’ll explain what’s happening with Instagram filters and how you can fix it.
Texas and Illinois Instagram Saga
Texas and Illinois have laws that require companies to get explicit consent from users before collecting and storing their biometric data, such as facial recognition. Some Instagram face filters use facial recognition to map out your face, which means it’s technically collecting biometric data.
Following the law enactment in 2018, Meta, the parent company of Instagram, faced multiple lawsuits in both states. And as a result, Instagram had to remove those specific filters from its app in both states. However, Meta still maintains that the face filters do not violate the law, and they only removed the filters to prevent unnecessary legal issues.
If you live in either of those states, you might see the “This filter is not available in your region” error message when trying to use a specific face filter. However, you can use all filters as long as you’re outside these states.
The good news is that some Instagram filters have been back in Texas since May this year, but now users have to explicitly permit the app to use their camera before using any filters that use facial recognition.
How To Fix the Instagram Filters
You can do a few things if you’re not from Texas or Illinois and still having trouble with filters.
Method #1: Clear The Cache
Clearing the cache will remove all of the temporary files and data that might be causing the glitches in your Instagram.
To clear the cache:
- Go to your device’s Settings -> App Settings -> Instagram.
- Tap on Storage and then tap on Clear Cache.
Method #2: Update/Reinstall the App
Ensure you’re using the latest version compatible with your device. To do this,
- Go to the App Store or Google Play Store and check for updates.
- If there’s an update available, install it and see if that fixes the problem.
If that doesn’t work, try uninstalling and reinstalling the app. This way, you’ll have a refreshed version of the app with updated filters.
Method #3: Clear Up Space on Your Device
When you don’t have enough space on your device, it can cause all sorts of problems, including glitches with filters. It also slows down your device in general.
So if you’re running low on space, try deleting some unnecessary files or apps to free up some space.
Method #4: Restart Your Device
Restarting is a basic troubleshooting step that closes all the background apps and clears any RAM. This can help fix all sorts of problems, including slow app performance and glitches.
So if other methods haven’t worked, try restarting your device and see if that fixes the problem.
Method #5: Check Internet Connection
You must load filters before using them, which requires a stable internet connection. Even if you’ve already loaded a filter, it may need an update, or you may need to re-download it if you’re using it for the first time in a while.
So make sure you have a stable internet connection. If you’re on a cellular network, try switching to a strong Wi-Fi connection. If you’re already on a Wi-Fi connection, try restarting your router.
Conclusion
If Instagram filters are not working for you, it could be because of your location, a problem with the app, or an issue with your device. You can try to fix the issue by clearing the cache, updating the app, or restarting your device. Along with those solutions, ensure you have enough space on your device and a stable internet connection.
FAQs
To use Instagram filters, you’ll need to opt-in to allow the app to use your camera. Once you’ve done that, you’ll be able to use any filters that require biometric data.
Instagram faced some lawsuits because the filters were using biometric data. So Meta, the parent company of Insta, decided to remove the filters until they found a solution to avoid legal trouble.
