Instagram hashtags not clickable technical error

ou’ve crafted the perfect Instagram post—polished photo, witty caption, and hashtags carefully researched to maximize reach. You hit publish… and then it happens. None of your hashtags are clickable. They just sit there, dull and gray, offering no engagement boost, no extra reach, and no traffic to your profile.

Frustrating, right? If you’re nodding along, you’re not alone. Thousands of users, from casual posters to professional creators, have faced this mysterious “Instagram hashtags not clickable” problem.

But here’s the good news: it’s fixable. In this guide, I’ll break down why it happens, how to troubleshoot, and what strategies keep your hashtags working consistently. Think of this as your one-stop playbook for fixing hashtag errors and making sure your posts get the attention they deserve.

Why Instagram Hashtags Matter More Than You Think

Before we get into errors, let’s remind ourselves why hashtags are so important.

Hashtags are essentially Instagram’s search engine keywords. They group content into discoverable categories. When you add hashtags like #travelphotography or #foodie, you’re giving your post a chance to be seen by users who don’t follow you yet.

According to studies:

• Posts with at least one hashtag see 12.6% more engagement than those without.

• Brands using targeted hashtags can grow followers 2x faster than those who ignore them.

So when hashtags stop working—or aren’t clickable at all—it’s like having your SEO strategy vanish overnight.

Why Aren’t My Instagram Hashtags Clickable?

This is where it gets tricky. There isn’t just one reason; multiple factors can cause hashtags to break. Let’s walk through the most common culprits.

1. Formatting Mistakes

It sounds simple, but it’s the number one cause. Instagram hashtags only work if formatted correctly.

• ✅ #summerfun works

• ❌ #summer fun doesn’t (spaces break the tag)

• ❌ #beach-day fails (hyphens break it)

• ❌ #☀️sunny often fails (emojis + hashtag can glitch)

Even invisible formatting errors, like copying from Notes apps, can break hashtags.

2. Banned or Restricted Hashtags

Instagram regularly bans hashtags linked to spam, nudity, or misinformation. Sometimes they ban them temporarily if the tag gets overrun by bots.

Example: #beautyblogger and #kissing have both been banned in the past.

How to check?

• Search the hashtag in Instagram’s search bar.

• If you see no recent posts, it’s banned.

3. Overuse or Spammy Behavior

Using the same 30 hashtags on every post? Instagram notices. It may “shadowban” you—limiting reach, sometimes making hashtags unclickable altogether.

Tip: Rotate hashtags every week. Mix popular, medium, and niche tags.

4. Caption & Comment Glitches

Sometimes hashtags don’t work if:

• You put them after too many emojis.

• You paste them with odd line breaks.

• You edit captions too soon after posting.

Best practice: Post your caption, wait a few minutes before editing, and place hashtags on a clean line.

5. Temporary Instagram Bugs

Let’s face it—Instagram isn’t perfect. Technical errors happen. Sometimes hashtags stop working globally for a few hours. Checking Downdetector can confirm if it’s a wider outage.

6. Outdated App Version

Running an old Instagram version? Glitches are more likely. Always update from App Store or Google Play Store.

7. Account Restrictions

If you’ve violated Instagram’s community guidelines before, your account may face hidden restrictions. Hashtags might quietly stop working as part of the penalty.

Step-by-Step Fixes for Instagram Hashtags Not Clickable

Now, let’s roll up our sleeves. Here’s the practical action plan.

1. Fix Formatting Issues

• Remove spaces, punctuation, and emojis from hashtags.

• Type hashtags directly into Instagram instead of copy-pasting.

• Use line breaks carefully—keep hashtags grouped together.

2. Reduce Hashtags to a Sweet Spot

Yes, Instagram allows 30 per post. But research shows 9–12 well-chosen hashtags perform better and are less likely to glitch.

👉 Instead of blasting 30 generic tags, choose a mix of:

• 3 broad hashtags (#fitness, #travel, #food)

• 3 medium-niche hashtags (#veganrecipes, #solotravelgirls)

• 3 hyper-niche hashtags (#madridveganfood, #capetownhikers)

3. Check for Banned Hashtags

Search each tag before posting. If it shows no recent activity, drop it.

4. Test Caption vs. First Comment

• Option A: Place hashtags at the end of your caption.

• Option B: Post hashtags in the first comment. Both methods work.

This not only prevents formatting errors but also keeps captions cleaner.

5. Update and Refresh Instagram

• Update via App Store/Google Play.

• If issues persist, clear cache (Android) or reinstall the app (iPhone & Android).

6. Avoid Repetitive Copy-Paste Blocks

Change your hashtag sets weekly. Tools like Hashtagify help discover fresh, trending options.

7. Test From Another Account

Still stuck? Log into another account on the same device. If hashtags work there, your account may be shadowbanned or restricted.

Real-World Stories

• Influencer Case: A fashion creator’s hashtags stopped working after using the same 25 tags daily. Once she rotated tags weekly and trimmed them down to 10 per post, engagement jumped 45%.

• Small Business Case: A local café used #coffee on every post. But #coffee was flooded with millions of posts, causing low visibility. Switching to #localcoffeehouse and #coffeeloversnyc brought more targeted reach.

Advanced Hashtag Strategies

Fixing clickable issues is step one. Next, let’s maximize the power of hashtags.

Use Branded Hashtags

Create your own, like #CafeLunaNYC. Encourage customers to use it, building a UGC hub.

Combine with Location Tags

Pair hashtags with geotags. Example: #parisfoodie + “Paris, France” location tag.

Analyze Performance

Check Instagram Insights. Which hashtags drive the most impressions? Drop weak ones.

Curate with Tools

Platforms like Lunavistahub allow you to collect branded hashtag posts from fans and display them as social proof on websites.

Preventing Hashtag Errors in the Future

• Always check formatting.

• Rotate hashtag sets weekly.

• Avoid copying large blocks from Notes apps.

• Update Instagram regularly.

• Use hashtag research tools for fresh, safe tags.

Conclusion

Hashtags are Instagram’s secret sauce for discovery. When they stop working, it’s frustrating—but not permanent. By fixing formatting, avoiding banned tags, refreshing your app, and rotating hashtag sets, you’ll get clickable, engaging hashtags again.

And remember: hashtags aren’t just about reach. They’re about connection. The right hashtag brings your post to the right people—whether that’s future customers, collaborators, or fans.

So the next time your hashtags go gray, you’ll know exactly what to do.

FAQs

1. Why aren’t my hashtags blue and clickable?

It usually means a formatting mistake, banned hashtag, or app glitch. Check spaces, symbols, and test on another account.

2. Can I use hashtags in Instagram Stories?

Yes. Up to 10 hashtags per story. But don’t overload—use a mix of stickers and typed tags.

3. Why do hashtags sometimes work in comments but not captions?

Formatting or emoji issues in captions can break hashtags. First comments are “cleaner” and safer.

4. How many hashtags should I use per post?

Between 9–12 is ideal. Too many can feel spammy and may cause technical issues.

5. What’s a shadowban, and does it affect hashtags?

A shadowban reduces your reach without notifying you. Hashtags may stop working altogether if Instagram flags your behavior as spammy.

6. Do hashtags still work in 2025?

Absolutely. Hashtags remain one of Instagram’s best discovery tools—if used correctly.

7. How do I know if a hashtag is banned?

Search it in Instagram. If no recent posts appear, it’s banned. Use tools like IQHashtags for confirmation.