Troubleshooting

Instagram restricted my account for automation. Now what?

Three different problems look alike. Here is how to tell them apart.

Updated September 23, 2026 · By the FameChamp team

Quick answerThere are three kinds of Instagram limits. A rate limit (API error 4 or 613) is temporary and clears on its own within the hour. An action block (error 368) stops sending for a day or more after spam signals. A policy restriction appears in Account Status in the app and needs an appeal. Pause automations, clean up messages, and resume slowly.

Which one do you have?

SignWhat it isWhat to do
Errors 4 or 613, sends resume laterRate limitNothing. Good tools queue and retry.
Error 368, "temporarily blocked"Action blockPause 24 to 48 hours, then resume slowly
Warning in Settings, Account StatusPolicy restrictionRead the reason, remove the content, appeal

Why it happens

  • People report your DMs as spam.
  • The same public reply posted under hundreds of comments.
  • Links to domains Instagram flags.
  • A tool that logs in with your password.

How to recover

  1. Pause all automations.
  2. Check Account Status in the Instagram app.
  3. Rewrite DMs so they deliver what was promised in the first message.
  4. Rotate 3 to 5 public replies.
  5. Resume one automation at a time.

Frequently asked questions

How long does an Instagram action block last?

Usually 24 to 48 hours. Repeat blocks last longer.

Can an official-API tool get my account banned?

Not by itself. What you send, and how people react, is what Instagram judges.

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