Pinterest is a visual aid tool, where you can discover things from recipes and clothing styles to travel destinations, and collate your favourite pins into thematic moodboards.
Though sometimes, users report issues with the Pinterest app crashing. If you find that the app has crashed or Pinterest has stopped working in general, here’s what you should do.
Why is my Pinterest not loading? – What to do
The most likely reason that your Pinterest app has stopped working as it should is because of an internet connection, though it can also be down to the data you’ve stored on your device.
A quick clear cache and resetting the network usually does the trick to resolve the loading issue, as this will clear temporary files your device has stored.
Pinterest not working is a fairly common issue, and like with all social media apps, the fix is fairly straightforward.
If you are having these types of issues, then run through the troubleshooting steps below. Then, you can go back to browsing pins and making moodboards.
Internet Issues
Your Pinterest app may be having issues loading properly. This could be due to internet issues.
Firstly, try using something that requires a steady internet connection – e.g. a YouTube video.
If the video continuously buffers or doesn’t play, then try disconnecting and reconnecting to the internet on your device.
If the video still struggles to play well, then check your router to see if the indicator light is red.
If so, there is an issue with your internet or router. Try turning it off and on again, before playing the video once more.
If the issue persists, then you can check if there are any problems with your internet provider by going on https://downdetector.co.uk/ and searching for your broadband.
Click on your broadband to see their recent outage reports. If there’s a high amount of reports, then there your internet broadband is having problems. These issues are usually solved within a few days.
Server Issues
Ensure that the issue lies in your Pinterest app rather than Pinterest’s servers.
You can find out whether this is the case by going on the Pinterest website and seeing if you can access it – if you can’t, then the Pinterest server may be down.
If so, try logging in. If you can log in fine, then there should be no issues with Pinterest’s servers. The problem lies with the app.
Alternatively, if you find that you cannot access Pinterest’s website or you want to ensure that there are no server issues, you can go to https://www.isitdownrightnow.com/pinterest.com.html to check Pinterest’s server status.
If the status is ‘up’, it means the server is not down at the moment.
Restart Device
Your Pinterest app may not be working due to an issue with your device. Try restarting your device, and using the app again.
For Laptop/PC users:
Click on the Start menu > Power Button > Restart.
For Apple users:
Hold down the lock button on the right side of your phone until the option to ‘power off’ appears on the screen. Slide the switch to shut down your phone.
Then, after about 10 seconds, hold the lock button until the apple logo appears on the screen to start your phone again.
For Android users:
Hold down the lock button on the right side of your phone until the option to restart your phone appears on the screen. Press ‘restart’ to restart your phone.
Update Device
Your Pinterest app may not be working due to your device using outdated drivers or systems.
Check for updates and download any that are available. Then, after updating your device, try using the Pinterest app again.
For Laptop/PC users:
First things first, go into the Settings option on your laptop or computer
When you’re on the Settings page, head down to Update and Security
Once there, click on the Check for Updates button to see if there are any updates currently available for your device.
If there’s an update to download, there should be a ‘restart’ option under the update. Click the ‘Restart’ option to update windows.
For Apple users:
Go to Settings > General > Software Update. If there’s an available update to download, press ‘download and install’ to update your phone.
For Android users:
Go to Settings > Software Update > Download and Install, to check for updates. If there’s an available update, download it to update your phone.
Restart Pinterest
If you find Pinterest not working, there may be an issue with the app itself.
Like with other social media apps, you can try restarting it to resolve the issue.
For Laptop/PC users:
Open your task manager by pressing ‘Windows-key + ‘x’, and clicking ‘Task Manager’ from the list of options that appear.
This should open the task manager, which shows a list of all apps that are currently running in the background.
If Pinterest is on that list, click on it, and press ‘end task’ to close it.
Then, try opening the Pinterest app again.
For Apple users:
Go to Settings > General > Background App Refresh.
This should show what apps are currently running in the background.
Find Pinterest, and turn off background activity by pressing the green switch.
Then, open the Pinterest app again.
For Android users:
Go to Settings > Apps.
Find Pinterest and press on it. Then, click ‘force stop’ in the bottom-right corner.
Then, open the Pinterest app again.
Update App
Your Pinterest app may not be working because you have an outdated version of the app.
Try checking to see if your app needs updating, and update the app if it does.
For Laptop/PC users:
Go to the Microsoft store and click on the three dots next to your account icon to showcase the options. Then, click on ‘downloads and updates’.
Click on ‘get updates’ to update any apps that have available updates.
For Apple users:
Go to the app store, press on your Profile Picture, and press ‘purchased’. This will show you a list of all the apps you’ve downloaded.
Find the Pinterest app and see if there’s an update option for it. If there is, press on it to update the app.
For Android users:
Go to the play store, and press on your profile icon. Then, press ‘Manage apps and devices’ to show a list of all your apps.
Press updates available to see if there are any updates for your apps.
If there’s an update available for the Pinterest app, press the update option for it to update the app.
Reinstall App
If none of the solutions above made your app work again, try uninstalling and reinstalling the Pinterest app. Then, try using the social media app again.
For Laptop/PC users:
Search ‘pinterest’ in the start menu. This should show the Pinterest app as the first suggestion, along with a list of options. Click on the ‘uninstall option’ to uninstall the app.
Click ‘uninstall’ on the notice that pops up to confirm the uninstallation.
To reinstall Pinterest, go to the Microsoft store and search ‘pinterest’ in the search bar. Click on the first suggestion to go to the Pinterest app page.
Click on the ‘install’ option to reinstall the app.
For Apple users:
Press and hold the Pinterest app icon on your home screen. This should make a list of options appear. Press ‘remove app’ to uninstall the app.
This will cause another set of options to appear. Press ‘delete app’ to confirm the uninstallation.
A final set of options will then appear. Press ‘delete’ to start the uninstallation.
Finally, go on the app store, press on your profile picture, and press purchased to see a list of apps you’ve downloaded.
Find the Pinterest app and press on the cloud icon to reinstall the app.
For Android users
Press and hold the Pinterest app to make a row of options appear. Press the uninstall option.
A notice should then appear. Press ‘ok’ to confirm the uninstallation.
Finally, go to the play store store and type ‘pinterest’ in the search bar.
Press the first search suggestion, which should lead you to the app’s page. Press ‘install’ to reinstall the app.
Contact Customer Service
If none of these solutions worked, then try using Pinterest’s help centre for some more personalised help. Follow the steps on the site to detail your issue to customer support.
Conclusion
To conclude, the cause for your Pinterest app not working may be due to an external party, such as Pinterest’s servers being down.
If the reason your app isn’t working is due to your device, then a more specialised solution would be best. Working through the above should resolve your Pinterest app not loading.
