Tech
Major Outage Strikes Instagram and Facebook, Thousands Affected

NEW YORK, March 21, 2025 — Thousands of users of Instagram and Facebook reported significant disruptions Monday morning, with issues beginning around 9 a.m. ET. The outages primarily affected access to comments on Instagram and logging into Facebook, according to reports submitted to Downdetector.
Downdetector, a platform that tracks service disruptions, indicated that the issue has impacted tens of thousands of users across the United States. Early reports suggest that the interruptions are widespread, with users expressing frustration on social media platforms.
“It’s frustrating not to be able to connect with friends or see comments on posts. It feels like social media just went silent on me,” said Jessica Rivers, a long-time Instagram user. Many other users echoed similar sentiments as they sought updates about the outage.
As users turned to Twitter and other platforms to share their experiences, reports peaked around 9 a.m. ET, with many users unable to access features they typically rely on. By midday, some users reported the service returning, although issues persisted for many.
Meta, the parent company of Instagram and Facebook, has yet to issue an official statement regarding the outage. Historically, Meta has faced criticism for outages that disrupt communication for millions of users globally.
The issue comes at a time when social media connectivity is essential for users to communicate and share information. The ongoing reliance on these platforms raises concerns about their stability and reliability.
Downdetector’s statistics indicate that approximately 72% of reported problems pertained to the Instagram app itself, while 24% indicated server connection issue, underscoring how critical these platforms have become for everyday communication and media sharing.
As users await further communication from Meta, many are left wondering about the underlying causes of the technical difficulties and what measures will be put in place to prevent future disruptions.