Pinterest loading problems usually come from your browser cache, a weak internet connection, or outdated browser software
When Pinterest stalls or refuses to load, the culprit is rarely Pinterest itself. Most of the time, something between your computer and Pinterest's servers is blocking the connection or corrupting the data. Your browser might be holding onto old, broken versions of the site. Your internet connection might be dropping packets. Your browser software might be months out of date. Or a browser extension you installed might be interfering. The good news is that you can test and fix most of these in under ten minutes, without calling anyone.
Key Takeaways
- Clear your browser's cache and cookies first—this fixes the majority of Pinterest loading problems and takes two minutes.
- Restart your router and computer to reset your internet connection, which often solves intermittent loading failures.
- Update your browser to the latest version, since outdated browsers cannot load modern websites correctly.
- Disable browser extensions one at a time to find which one is blocking Pinterest, then remove it or switch browsers.
- If Pinterest loads in a different browser on the same computer, the problem is your main browser, not your internet or computer.
Clear your browser cache and cookies
Your browser stores copies of websites you visit so they load faster next time. Sometimes these stored copies become corrupted or outdated, and your browser tries to load the broken version instead of fetching a fresh one from Pinterest's servers. Clearing the cache forces your browser to read a new, working copy.
In Chrome, press Ctrl+Shift+Delete (or Cmd+Shift+Delete on Mac). A window opens. Make sure "All time" is selected at the top, check both "Cookies and other site data" and "Cached images and files", then click "Clear data". Close the window and reload Pinterest.
In Firefox, press Ctrl+Shift+Delete (Cmd+Shift+Delete on Mac). Click "Clear Now". Then reload Pinterest.
In Edge, press Ctrl+Shift+Delete (Cmd+Shift+Delete on Mac). Make sure "All time" is selected, check "Cookies and other site data" and "Cached images and files", then click "Clear now". Reload Pinterest.
If Pinterest loads after you clear the cache, you are done. If it still does not load, move to the next step.
Restart your router and computer
Internet connections sometimes get stuck in a bad state where packets are dropped or routes are broken. Restarting your router and computer clears these temporary problems and forces a fresh connection to Pinterest's servers.
Unplug your router (the box that broadcasts your Wi-Fi) from power. Wait 30 seconds. Plug it back in and wait for the lights to stabilize—usually 1 to 2 minutes. Then restart your computer: shut it down completely, wait 10 seconds, and turn it back on. Once your computer is fully booted and connected to the internet again, try Pinterest.
This step fixes many intermittent problems where Pinterest loads sometimes but not others. If it works now, you are done. If Pinterest still will not load, continue to the next step.
Update your browser to the latest version
Websites like Pinterest are built with modern web code that older browsers cannot understand. If your browser is more than a few months out of date, it may not be able to load Pinterest correctly, even though the site works fine for everyone else.
In Chrome, click the three vertical dots in the top right corner, then click "Help" and "About Google Chrome". Chrome automatically checks for updates and installs them. You may need to restart the browser.
In Firefox, click the three horizontal lines in the top right, then click the question mark icon at the bottom, then "About Firefox". Firefox checks for updates automatically.
In Edge, click the three horizontal dots in the top right, then "Help and feedback", then "About Microsoft Edge". Edge checks for updates automatically.
After updating, close the browser completely and open it again. Then try Pinterest. If it loads, you are done. If not, move to the next step.
Disable browser extensions to find the culprit
Browser extensions are small programs you install to add features—ad blockers, password managers, VPNs, and so on. Some extensions interfere with how websites load, especially if they are old or poorly made. The fastest way to learn about an extension is the problem is to disable all of them at once, test Pinterest, and then re-enable them one by one until Pinterest breaks again.
In Chrome, click the three vertical dots in the top right, go to "More tools", then "Extensions". You will see a list of all installed extensions. Toggle off the switch next to each one. Reload Pinterest. If it loads, you found the problem: one of those extensions is blocking it. Now toggle extensions back on one at a time and reload Pinterest after each one until it breaks again. That extension is the culprit. You can remove it by clicking the trash icon, or switch to a different browser if you need that extension.
In Firefox, type about:addons in the address bar and press Enter. Click "Extensions" on the left. Click the three dots next to each extension and select "Disable". Reload Pinterest. If it loads, toggle extensions back on one at a time until Pinterest breaks. Remove the culprit by clicking the three dots and "Remove".
In Edge, click the three horizontal dots in the top right, go to "Extensions", then "Manage extensions". Toggle off each extension, reload Pinterest, and re-enable them one at a time until you find the one that breaks Pinterest. Click the three dots next to it and select "Remove".
Test Pinterest in a different browser
If Pinterest loads in a different browser on the same computer but not in your main browser, the problem is definitely your main browser, not your internet connection or computer. This tells you to focus on browser settings, extensions, or outdated software in that one browser.
read and install Chrome, Firefox, or Edge if you do not already have it. Open it, go to Pinterest.com, and try to load a page. If it works in the new browser, your main browser has a problem. Go back to the steps above: clear the cache, update the browser, and disable extensions. If Pinterest does not load in any browser, the problem is your internet connection or computer, and you should move to the next section.
Check your internet connection and firewall
If Pinterest will not load in any browser, and restarting your router did not help, your internet connection itself may be the problem. Test your connection by opening a different website—Google, YouTube, or your email. If those load fine, Pinterest's servers may be temporarily down. Wait a few minutes and try again.
If other websites also will not load, restart your router again and check that your Wi-Fi or ethernet cable is connected. If you are on Wi-Fi, try moving closer to the router or switching to a wired ethernet connection if possible.
Some workplace or school networks block Pinterest. If you are on a work or school network, try Pinterest on your phone using mobile data (not the work Wi-Fi) to see if it loads. If it does, your network administrator has blocked it intentionally, and you will need to use a personal device or network to access Pinterest.
If you have a firewall or antivirus program installed, it may be blocking Pinterest. Temporarily disable it and try Pinterest. If Pinterest loads, add Pinterest.com to your firewall's whitelist so it is not blocked in the future. If you do not know how to do this, contact the software's support team or switch to a different security program.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does Pinterest load on my phone but not my computer?
Your phone and computer use different browsers and internet connections. If Pinterest works on your phone's mobile data but not on your computer's Wi-Fi, the problem is your computer's browser or your Wi-Fi network, not Pinterest. Try the steps above: clear your browser cache, update your browser, and disable extensions. If Pinterest still will not load on your computer but works on your phone, try a different browser on your computer.
Does clearing my cache delete my passwords?
Clearing the cache removes stored website files and images, not passwords. Your saved passwords stay in your browser unless you specifically check the "Passwords" box when clearing data. To be safe, uncheck "Passwords" when you clear the cache so you do not have to log back into every site.
What if Pinterest loads very slowly but does not time out completely?
Slow loading usually means a weak internet connection or a browser extension that is slowing things down. Try disabling extensions one at a time and reloading Pinterest to see if one of them is the culprit. If that does not help, move your computer closer to your router, restart your router, or contact your internet provider to check your connection speed.
Can a virus prevent Pinterest from loading?
Viruses and malware can interfere with internet connections or block websites, but this is rare. If you suspect malware, run a full scan with your antivirus software. If you do not have antivirus software, read and run Malwarebytes (free version) or Windows Defender (built into Windows). If a scan finds nothing and Pinterest still will not load, the problem is almost certainly your browser or internet connection, not malware.