instaloader: Stuck in Password Reset Loop

I’m trying to use instaloader -l USERNAME to save a session that I can then use with my own python script. But every single time I get checkpoint required and it requires me to make a new password.

I’m connecting from the same machine and same wifi and click “It was me” every time but it still warns that someone might have access to my password and forces the password change.

I’m tentative to try anymore times incase I get blocked completely.

Is there a step i’m missing?

All i’ve done so far is instaloader -l USERNAME and it worked the first time and then never again since.

Running this python script from the guide: https://instaloader.github.io/codesnippets.html#likes-of-a-profile-ghost-followers fails with the following error which is why I was trying to do the session again:

Traceback (most recent call last):
  File "app.py", line 9, in <module>
    L.load_session_from_file(USER)
  File "/Users/rob/Library/Python/3.8/lib/python/site-packages/instaloader/instaloader.py", line 618, in load_session_from_file
    with open(filename, 'rb') as sessionfile:
FileNotFoundError: [Errno 2] No such file or directory: '/var/folders/kg/ggvcmr3j6f743btcvrjl_0yr0000gn/t/.instaloader-myname/session-myname'

About this issue

Original URL
State: closed
Created a year ago
Comments: 15

Most upvoted comments

I’m having this same issue. This script is essentially useless at this point.

SpartacusIam on Mar 8, 2023

UPDATE: I’m using the desktop exe and did the 615_import_firefox_session.py workaround, which worked. I had to install the python instaloader first, then I just uninstalled it afterward.

ORIGINAL: I’m having a similar issue, and no session is saved:

Fatal error: Login: Checkpoint required. Point your browser to https://www.instagram.com/challenge/action/[redacted] - follow the instructions, then retry.

I then attempt to access that page, which is unusable and redirects me to instagram.com. I attempt to login via web and succeed but receive this, which then requires a password reset: instaloader

Jon8RFC on Jan 30, 2023

Same here… They force you to change it everytime I was like: IT IS ME THOOOOO

SirFahr on Jan 30, 2023

Yeah I don’t think it should be ignored or auto-closed by a bot. The script can’t be used in this state.

ipaqmaster on Mar 9, 2023

Tried the same python script on the troubleshooting page. Mine also isn’t being saved nothing in “\AppData\Local\Instaloader”.

Did you try to run the script in cmd-window and admin rights? worked for me

Yeah just retried. It says it’s being saved in that directory, but nothing is there. Ran with admin rights.

you surley use firefox? the script only works with firefox

Yeah I used firefox. I think my python installation might be a mess. It was saving the session files in “C:\Users\USER\AppData\Local\Packages\PythonSoftwareFoundation.Python.3.10_qbz5n2kfra8p0\LocalCache\Local\Instaloader” I then created the directory “C:\Users\USER\AppData\Local\Instaloader” and moved the session file there. It worked. 👍

BeefBaby on Feb 4, 2023