▶ View as Web Story

Updated July 3, 2026, 12:30 p.m. ET

Yes — Instacart is down right now, and it's the second day in a row. Outage reports spiked again on the morning of Friday, July 3, 2026, with more than 1,800 reports on Downdetector.com as of 11:30 a.m., according to local news coverage. Users say the app won't load, orders won't go through, and the shopper app is failing too. "Is Instacart down" is trending on Google as shoppers scramble to figure out what's going on before the July 4th weekend.

Is Instacart Down Right Now?

Yes. As of midday ET on July 3, users across the US are reporting that Instacart is not working. Per reports from the Asbury Park Press and other USA Today Network outlets, nearly all of the reported problems are with the app itself, while some users are also having trouble with ordering and checking out.

The key facts so far:

  • 1,800+ outage reports on Downdetector as of 11:30 a.m. on July 3
  • Second consecutive day of problems — July 2 saw a spike of 800+ reports before things briefly settled
  • Main issues: app not loading, orders failing, checkout errors
  • The Instacart Shopper app is also affected, per news reports

If the app spins forever, kicks you out, or your cart won't check out — it's not your phone, it's Instacart.

What's Causing the Outage?

Instacart has not published an official explanation yet. As of this writing, the company has not said what's behind the two-day string of failures, and no cause has been confirmed by any outlet covering the outage.

What we do know is the pattern: reports surged on July 2 (800+ on Downdetector), eased off, then came back even bigger on July 3 (1,800+). A repeat spike like that usually points to a backend or infrastructure issue that wasn't fully fixed the first time — but that's inference, not confirmation. We'll update this article if Instacart issues a statement.

Are Shoppers Affected?

Yes. This isn't just a customer-side problem. News coverage of the July 3 outage specifically flags the Instacart Shopper app going down, which means the people who pick and deliver orders are getting locked out too.

For shoppers, that can mean batches not loading, active orders freezing mid-delivery, and no way to confirm drop-offs. If you're a shopper mid-batch, screenshot everything (order details, timestamps, any error screens) so you have a record if earnings or ratings get tangled up by the outage.

How Long Will Instacart Be Down?

There's no official ETA. Instacart hasn't posted a restoration time. The only guide we have is yesterday: the July 2 outage eased within hours, and major app outages like this are typically resolved the same day.

The safest move is to check back every 30–60 minutes rather than repeatedly reinstalling the app — reinstalling won't fix a server-side outage and you may lose saved carts or login sessions.

What to Do While Instacart Is Down

  • Don't delete the app. The problem is on Instacart's end, not yours.
  • Try the website (instacart.com) — during app-heavy outages the site sometimes still works for ordering.
  • Check your order status later — if an order was placed before the outage, it may still be processed once service recovers. Don't panic-reorder, or you may end up with duplicates.
  • Watch for double charges. If checkout failed mid-payment, verify your card statement once Instacart is back before ordering again.
  • Have a backup for July 4th supplies: Walmart, Target, Kroger and most grocery chains run their own delivery/pickup apps, and DoorDash and Uber Eats both offer grocery delivery.
  • Shoppers: document any interrupted batches with screenshots and report issues through shopper support once it's reachable.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Why is Instacart down?

Instacart has not given an official reason. Reports show the app, ordering and checkout failing for thousands of users on July 3, 2026 — the second straight day of problems — but no cause has been confirmed.

Is Instacart still down today?

As of midday ET on July 3, 2026, yes — Downdetector logged more than 1,800 outage reports as of 11:30 a.m., and users are still reporting app and checkout failures. Check the app periodically, as service could return at any time.

Is the Instacart Shopper app down too?

Yes. News reports on the July 3 outage specifically note the Instacart Shopper app being down, meaning delivery workers are affected alongside customers.

How long will Instacart be down?

No official ETA has been given. The similar outage on July 2 eased within hours, so a same-day fix is likely — but with problems recurring two days in a row, keep an eye on Downdetector and Instacart's social channels for updates.