I've had an issue with Instagram for a long time now. When I start scrolling through my feed on my desktop computer, the feed will sometimes hit a snag and keep scrolling back up to the previous post. I can usually give the mouse a strong spin and get past it, but today, it was bugging me so much that I began to investigate.
I first tried Googling the problem, but I found nothing. I only saw advice to fix scroll problems with mobile devices. If you have issues on your mobile device, go to settings and turn off "Auto Scroll." I learned that much. But for desktops, I found zero results.
So, I loaded up the developer console in Chrome and scrolled to see if anything stuck out. It turns out it glitched when my ad blocker encountered an ad on the feed. So, I disabled my ad blocker for Instagram, and voila, no more glitching.
Not that it's a great fix because you will have to see some ads, but it's a small price to pay not to have the feed glitch out every few seconds while scrolling your feed.
After some more digging, I realized that this issue might not just be about ad blockers alone. When using the Opera GX browser, I don't seem to have the issue as I do in Chrome. I've been thinking about switching to the Opera browser altogether. It has come along way in recent years.
Instagram, like many other websites, constantly updates its code and features. Sometimes these updates can cause unexpected issues, especially when combined with third-party extensions or custom browser settings.
Clearing Cache and Cookies: Often, accumulated cache and cookies can cause various issues with website performance. Clearing them might provide a smoother experience. To do this, go to your browser's settings, find the section for clearing browsing data, and select cache and cookies.
Using a Different Browser: Sometimes the problem might be specific to the browser you are using. Try accessing Instagram on a different browser, like Firefox, Safari, or Edge, to see if the issue persists.
Updating the Browser: Ensure that your browser is up to date. Developers often release updates to fix bugs and improve performance, which might resolve the glitch.
Disabling Other Extensions: If you have multiple extensions running, they might conflict with each other. Try disabling all other extensions except the ad blocker to see if the problem continues.
Checking for Instagram Updates: Occasionally, the issue might be on Instagram's end. Check if there's any news about updates or ongoing issues from Instagram's official channels.
If none of these solutions work, consider reaching out to Instagram support. While this might seem like a long shot, providing detailed feedback about your problem can sometimes lead to a quicker fix. Include information about your browser, operating system, and any extensions you are using.
I'll update this post if I can figure out a way to avoid the glitch without turning off ad blockers. If you figure it out before me, let me know!
