Have you ever sent someone a follow request on Instagram, only to notice later that your request mysteriously disappeared and the button went back to “Follow”?
It’s confusing, frustrating, and often makes people wonder whether they were blocked, their account glitched, or Instagram silently cancelled their request.
This deep-dive article explains exactly why that happens, what each scenario means, how to fix follow-request glitches, and what you should do if you suspect someone rejected your request.
What Does It Mean When an Instagram Follow Request Goes Back to “Follow”?
When a follow request reverts to the default Follow button, it indicates that your previous request is no longer pending. This can happen due to several reasons:
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The person declined your request
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The user removed your request
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The user accepted your request but later removed you
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Instagram flagged your action as spam-like behaviour
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A technical glitch or account bug
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The user switched their account privacy or deactivated their profile
Understanding each scenario helps you know what actually happened on the other side of the screen.
1. They Declined Your Follow Request (Most Common Reason)
When a user declines your request, Instagram does not notify you.
Instead:
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Your pending request disappears
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The button switches back to Follow
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You can now send a new request again
Some users decline requests without even checking profiles, especially if they receive a lot of them.
2. The User Deleted or Reset Their Account Activity
If the person removes your follow request manually, you’ll also see the button reset.
This happens when:
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Someone wants to keep their followers limited
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They don’t recognize your account
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They accidentally removed it while managing requests
Both outcomes look identical on your end.
3. They Accepted Your Request but Later Removed You
Yes, this happens too.
If you briefly gained access and didn’t notice it, the person may have:
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Accepted your request
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Reviewed your profile
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Then removed you as a follower
When they remove you:
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You lose access to their private content
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The button goes back to Follow
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You can send a new request
This situation is common with users who accept everyone initially, then clean their follower list.
4. You Were Blocked or Unblocked
If someone blocks you after you send a request, you won’t see their account at all.
But if they block and later unblock you, your request is wiped automatically.
This resets your status with them, so the follow button becomes active again.
5. Instagram Detected “Suspicious Activity”
Instagram automatically removes actions that look like spam, including:
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Sending too many follow requests at once
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Using automation tools
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Following/unfollowing rapidly
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Interactions from new accounts without profile info
The platform may silently cancel your follow request to protect the community.
Signs this is happening:
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You can’t send new follow requests temporarily
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Your follow requests vanish after a few seconds
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Other actions like liking or commenting are limited
6. Temporary Instagram Bugs or App Glitches
Even the biggest platforms glitch sometimes.
A follow request can reset if:
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Instagram servers are unstable
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You’re using an outdated app version
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Your network is unstable
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Cache data is corrupted
This is especially common after Instagram updates or during server outages.
7. Their Account Privacy Changed
If someone switches from public → private, any follow request behaves differently.
And if they switch:
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Private → Public → Private again
→ previous requests reset automatically.
So the button may revert even if they didn’t touch your request manually.
8. The User Temporarily Deactivated Their Account
When someone deactivates their Instagram:
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Their account becomes invisible
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Their pending activity (including requests) resets
If they reactivate it later, your follow request won’t reappear.
How to Fix the “Follow Request Resetting” Issue on Your Side
If you believe the issue is a technical one, try these proven solutions:
✅ 1. Clear Cache (Android) / Reinstall App (iPhone)
Corrupt data can cause buttons to reset automatically.
✅ 2. Update Instagram
Most glitches vanish after installing the latest update.
✅ 3. Log Out and Log In Again
Refreshes your account session.
✅ 4. Avoid Sending Too Many Requests
Instagram may think you’re a bot.
✅ 5. Turn Off VPN
Some VPN IPs are flagged by Instagram for spam behavior.
✅ 6. Try From a Web Browser (instagram.com)
If the web version works, the glitch is in your app.
How to Know If Someone Declined Your Follow Request
Unfortunately, Instagram doesn’t provide a direct notification.
But these signs help you make an educated guess:
Signs They Declined Your Request:
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The button goes back to Follow
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The request never shows as Requested again
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You can immediately send a new one
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Their account is still private
Signs Instagram Removed the Request (Not Them):
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The button resets automatically
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You frequently see “Action blocked” or “Try again later”
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Other interactions also behave strangely
FAQs
1. Does Instagram notify when someone declines your follow request?
No, Instagram never notifies.
2. Can I see a list of declined requests?
No, Instagram does not show rejected requests.
3. Why can’t I send a follow request again immediately?
Your account may be rate-limited or restricted.
4. Is it a glitch if the button goes back to Follow instantly?
Yes this is usually a technical or server issue.
5. If someone blocks me, will my follow request disappear?
Yes, blocking wipes all pending follow requests.
6. Can follow requests expire automatically?
No, Instagram does not expire them but privacy changes and deactivations can reset them.
Conclusion
When your Instagram follow request returns to the Follow button, it almost always means the pending request no longer exists. The cause might be:
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The user rejected it
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Instagram removed it
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A glitch reset it
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The account changed privacy or was deleted
While it can be awkward or confusing, it’s a normal part of how Instagram manages requests.
If the issue keeps happening repeatedly, it’s likely a technical problem, not personal.
