How to Fix “checkpoint_required” Error in Instagram?

Instagram’s “checkpoint_required” error mainly occurs due to issues with the Instagram app or inconsistent network. The following error also occurs if Instagram’s cache files are corrupted or it’s installed from a third-party source.

The following issue occurs in different scenarios, such as when you launch the Instagram app, try to post a story, or perform an action in the app, like seeing a person’s story.

Now that we know the potential causes of this issue. Let’s move straight into fixes. We have different approaches for iOS and Android.

1. Start Instagram using the ‘View Activity’ Button (iOS only)

It’s possible that due to a corrupted cache, Instagram isn’t working as intended, which can lead to this error. Therefore, try opening Instagram using the ‘View Activity’ button. This might bypass the error you are facing. Follow these steps:-

1. Tap and hold the Instagram icon on your iPhone, and press the ‘View Activity’ button.
2. Check if the error is cleared now, if it’s not or if you can’t see the ‘View Activity’ button. Press the ‘Camera’ button from these extra options.

   

3. Repeat this process 3-4 times and check to see if the issue is resolved or not.

2. Clear Cache and Storage Instagram (Android only)

Clearing the cache and storage of the Instagram app may resolve the checkpoint issue. Before proceeding, make sure you have the credentials of your Instagram account available, as they will be required to sign in to the Instagram app.

1. Open the “Settings” app on your android phone.
2. Find a setting called “Apps”
3. In apps, now select Instagram and press the Force Stop button. 
4. Then confirm to stop the Instagram app and open its Storage Settings.

   

5. Then tap on the Clear Cache button and afterward, launch the Instagram app to check if it is working fine.
6. If not, again open the Storage settings of the Instagram app by following steps 1 to 2 and then tap on the Clear Storage button.
7. Then confirm to clear the storage of the Instagram app and restart your phone.
8. Upon restart, launch the Instagram app and log in using your credentials to check if it is clear of the checkpoint error.

2. Grant Permissions Required by Instagram (Android only)

If the Instagram app does not have the required permissions, then that could result in a checkpoint error as the essential app modules are barred from accessing essential phone resources (like the camera).

Here, giving the Instagram app the required permission on your phone may solve the problem. For illustration, we will go through the process of giving Instagram permission on an Android phone. 

1. Open your Android phone Settings and select Apps or Application Manager.

   

2. Now tap on Instagram and open Permissions.

   

3. Then enable all the required permissions by toggling their respective switches to on and, afterward, launch the Instagram app to check if it is clear of the checkpoint required error.

3. Disable VPN and Reset the Network Settings

You can also encounter this issue using any proxy or VPN. Disabling the VPN of the phone and resetting the network settings of your phone to the factory defaults may resolve the issue. For illustration, we will discuss the process for an iPhone. Before proceeding, note down the info required to re-set up the network on your phone (like Wi-Fi credentials).

1. Open the Settings of your iPhone and select General.

   

2. Now open the VPN and disable it by toggling its status switch to off.

   

3. Then hit the back button and in the General Settings of the iPhone, open Reset.

   

4. Now tap on Reset Network Settings and afterward, confirm to reset the network settings of your iPhone.

   

5. Once done, restart your phone, and upon restart, re-set up the network on your iPhone, and afterward, launch the Instagram app to check if its checkpoint required error is cleared.

   

4. Try Another Network

This issue also occurs if your ISP hinders Instagram’s communication with its servers and restricts the app from accessing an essential online resource. Here, trying another network may clear the Instagram error. For illustration, we will discuss the process for an iPhone.

1. Go to your iPhone Settings and open Wi-Fi.

   

2. Then disable it by toggling its switch to off and afterward, press the back button.
3. Now open Mobile Data or Cellular and enable it.
4. Now launch the Instagram app and check if it is clear of the checkpoint required error.
5. If not, disable Cellular and enable Wi-Fi.
6. Now connect the iPhone to another network (like a hotspot from another phone but using a different cellular network) and then launch Instagram to check if it is clear of the issue.
7. If that did not work, check if connecting your phone through a VPN and then launching the Instagram app resolves the issue.

5. Update Instagram to the Latest Build 

Updating the Instagram app to the latest build may clear the checkpoint error.

1. Launch the Google Play Store and search for Instagram
2. Now open the result of Instagram and check if an update of the app is available.
3. If so, tap on Update and wait till the update installs.

   

4. Then tap on the Open button and check if Instagram is clear of the checkpoint error.

6. Reinstall the Instagram App 

This issue might also occur if the installation of the Instagram app has gone corrupt and due to this corruption, the app is failing to execute its essential modules, hence the error.

In such a case, reinstalling the Instagram app may clear the error under discussion. For illustration, we will discuss the process of reinstalling the Instagram app on an Android phone.

1. Go to your Android phone Settings and open Apps or Application Manager.
2. Now select Instagram and tap on Force Stop.
3. Then confirm to Force Stop the Instagram app and afterward, press the Uninstall button.

   

4. Now confirm to uninstall the Instagram app and restart your Android phone.
5. Upon restart, launch the Google Play Store and search for Instagram.
6. Then tap on Install and wait till the app installs.
7. Once done, launch Instagram and give the permissions required by the app.
8. Then log in using your credentials.
9. If you are asked to submit a video or photo, submit it, and then check if it is clear of the checkpoint required error.

7 . Use “Get Help Logging In” to Reset the Account Password

Using the Get Help Logging in option on the Instagram app may clear the glitch on the server side. Before proceeding, make sure you have the credentials of your Instagram account available and any recovery options 

1. Launch the Instagram app and select Login.
2. Then tap on Get Help Logging In and follow the prompts on your screen to complete the process. Make sure to reset the password during the process.

   

3. Once done, relaunch the Instagram app and check if its checkpoint required error is cleared.

7. Use the Desktop Version of Instagram 

If none of the above worked, then using the desktop version of Instagram may solve the problem as the servers might have been blocking access from a non-trusted device because they “think” that the device is a suspicious one.

1. Launch a web browser and head to the Instagram website.

   

2. Now log in using your credentials and follow the prompts on the screen to complete the process. If the verification code is not received through SMS, you may opt to use the E-Mail option.

   

3. Once you have successfully logged into Instagram, check if the Instagram app works fine on your phone.
4. If not, then disable 3^rd party apps’ access to your Instagram account on the desktop website and then check if the checkpoint required error on your mobile phone app is cleared.

If none of the above works, then you may use the Instagram website (till the issue is resolved) or may try an older version (strictly not recommended) of the Instagram app.