What Does Pending Mean on Snapchat?

Have you ever sent a Snap and seen a confusing pending symbol instead of the usual delivered arrow? As a fellow active Snapchat user, I totally understand how worrying that can be!

But don‘t stress – a pending status is a common issue that most of us on Snapchat have dealt with at one point or another. In this detailed guide, I‘ll clearly explain what pending means on Snapchat and why you see that status.

We‘ll also dig into the various causes of pending messages, plus how you can troubleshoot and fix them. Consider me your Snapchat pending status expert, here to lift the cloud of confusion!

What Does the Mysterious Pending Symbol Mean?

Let‘s start by decoding exactly what Snapchat means when they mark a Snap as "pending."

On Snapchat, the pending symbol – typically an hourglass or loading icon – indicates that your Snap has not been delivered to the recipient yet. It‘s still waiting to be sent.

Here are the key facts to understand about Snaps with pending status:

The recipient won‘t see or be notified about pending Snaps. They are basically stuck in limbo until they can be successfully delivered.
Pending does not definitely mean you‘ve been blocked. While it can indicate a block, it‘s primarily just a sign of a delivery failure.
Pending messages will either eventually send when the underlying issue is fixed, or they will disappear after 30 days of consistently pending status.
If the pending symbol goes away, that means your Snap was finally delivered successfully. No pending symbol = delivered Snap.

So in a nutshell, a pending Snapchat is one that has failed to deliver for some reason, and is essentially waiting in a queue for retry. I know the pending signal can be unsettling, but try not to assume the worst! There are many reasons besides blocking that can cause pending Snaps.

Why Does My Snapchat Keep Saying Pending?

Now you know generally what a pending status means, but why does Snapchat mark Snaps as pending in the first place? There are a number of possible reasons a Snap may fail to deliver and get stuck in pending purgatory:

1. Poor Internet Connection

One of the most common reasons for pending Snaps comes down to plain old spotty Internet access. From WiFi deadzones to areas with poor mobile data signals, Internet disruptions are by far the #1 cause of pending messages.

According to Snapchat‘s own FAQ page, "a Pending snap typically means there‘s an issue with your connection." Always check your WiFi and cellular data connectivity first when those pending symbols pop up!

2. Problems on Snapchat‘s Servers

While less frequent than local connection issues, centralized problems with Snapchat‘s backend systems can also cause widespread pending Snaps.

Server outages, downtime for maintenance, or other technical hiccups on Snapchat‘s end could result in large numbers of undelivered messages marked pending.

You can check Snapchat‘s server status on third-party sites like Downdetector to see if service disruptions are causing your pending Snaps.

3. Recipient Hasn‘t Added You Back as a Friend

Here‘s an easy mistake to make – trying to Snap someone who doesn‘t even have you added as a friend yet!

If you send a Snap to a user who doesn‘t have you on their friends list, your Snap will float endlessly in pending purgatory with no way to be delivered. Always add each other as friends first before you start snapping back and forth.

4. You‘ve Been Blocked by the Recipient

Unfortunately, one possibility for a pending Snap that just won‘t send no matter what is that the recipient has blocked you, or deleted their account altogether.

Since blocked accounts obviously can‘t receive your Snaps, they end up permanently stuck in pending status. Not cool, but it happens.

5. Your Snapchat Account is Restricted From Sending

In some cases, Snapchat may impose restrictions on accounts from sending messages. This could occur if you violate Snapchat‘s terms, or due to security concerns.

If your account has been limited in its ability to send messages, your outgoing Snaps would bounce back with a pending status when trying to deliver. Check your notifications just in case Snapchat has informed you of a restriction.

6. The Recipient‘s Account is Restricted

It‘s not just restrictions on your own account that could cause pending Snaps. If the account you are sending to has limitations in place, your messages to them may not get delivered and remain pending.

7. App Issues Like Crashes, Bugs or Glitches

Sometimes the apps we rely on every day hit snags. App crashes, weird bugs, freezes…you name it, the bane of the digital world.

Problems with the Snapchat app on your end, or the recipient‘s end, could interfere with the delivery process and cause pending messages as a result.

As you can see, there are quite a few reasons why your Snaps get stuck in limbo with that dreaded pending status symbol, ranging from the minor to the more concerning. In most cases, it comes down to technical delivery failures due to poor connections or temporary errors. But sometimes, perpetual pending can signify you‘ve been blocked by the recipient.

How Can I Troubleshoot and Fix Pending Snapchats?

Alright, those pending Snaps can be really annoying, but don‘t flip your lid. Here are some steps you can take to diagnose and resolve pending Snapchat messages:

Check Your Internet Connection

Since network issues are likely the #1 cause of pending Snaps, first double check that your phone has a stable WiFi or mobile data connection right now.

Try force quitting Snapchat, turning Airplane mode on briefly, then turning it off again to reset your network connectivity. Move to an area with better reception if needed.

Restart Your Phone

An easy but often effective first troubleshooting step – simply power your phone off completely, wait a few minutes, then turn it back on.

Restarting your device will clear out any gremlins causing app crashes or performance hiccups that could interfere with Snap delivery.

Update to the Latest Snapchat Version

Bugs and glitches in apps are a tale as old as time. The companies behind our favorite apps are constantly working to squash them.

Head to your phone‘s app store and download any available Snapchat updates, which typically contain fixes for known bugs and issues. Up-to-date apps = healthy apps.

Clear Local Snapchat Data and Cache

Over time, corrupt temporary data and problematic cached files can accumulate within apps on your phone, potentially causing performance issues.

On Android phones, go to Settings > Apps > Snapchat > Storage, then hit "Clear Cache" and "Clear Data." On iPhones, delete and reinstall the Snapchat app to wipe its local data.

Uninstall and Reinstall the Snapchat App

If you‘ve tried other basic troubleshooting steps to no avail, the nuclear option is to completely uninstall Snapchat, then download and login again for a 100% fresh start.

This gives you a clean slate from an app perspective, removing any corrupt data that may be causing delivery issues and pending Snaps.

Contact Snapchat Support

For ongoing pending Snap problems that you simply can‘t resolve on your own, you may need to reach out to the pros.

The Snapchat Support team can look under the hood at your account specifics to diagnose elusive technical issues that we can‘t spot on the user end.

Following these troubleshooting tips will resolve most garden variety pending Snap issues. But in some cases, perpetual pending status points to you being blocked or restricted by Snapchat itself.

What Does Pending Mean If You Haven‘t Been Blocked?

Almost always, if your Snaps to a particular friend perpetually remain stuck in pending purgatory, it means you‘ve been blocked or deleted by that person (more on that below).

But in rare instances, ongoing pending Snaps may indicate:

Your account is restricted from sending Snaps (check notifications from Snapchat)
The recipient has you added, but is restricted themselves
An exceedingly rare technical issue is affecting your account

Try thoroughly troubleshooting your device and app before drawing conclusions. But if you‘ve eliminated all other possibilities, these unusual scenarios could explain unsendable Snaps. The Snapchat support team can help investigate further.

Does Pending Status Mean I‘ve Been Blocked on Snapchat?

Brace yourself, because this is the news no one wants to hear: most often, if your Snaps to a specific friend consistently show as pending, then you have likely been blocked or deleted by that person.

Unfortunately Snapchat provides zero notification when someone blocks you. So perpetual pending when messaging only one particular Snapchat friend is the clearest indicator that you‘ve been blocked.

In addition to pending Snaps, here are other subtle signs that you may have gotten the block:

Your chat history with them has disappeared
Their Snapscore suddenly stops increasing
They abruptly stopped opening your Snaps
You can no longer view their Stories or profile
You‘ve vanished from their Friends list

If you suspect you‘ve been blocked or deleted, honestly your best recourse is to reach out on another platform and kindly ask if they are still seeing your Snaps. Snapchat won‘t directly confirm blocks, so you need to do a little sleuthing.

I‘ve Been Blocked! Now What?

Discovering you‘ve likely been blocked can feel upsetting or embarrassing. Here are some healthy tips on handling it with grace:

Reflect – Have an honest think about whether you may have done or said anything to upset them. Could their blocking be justified? Take it as a learning experience.

Respect their wishes – As hard as it may be, do not try contacting them from other accounts or platforms. That will only make the situation worse in most cases.

Move forward – Remind yourself there are tons of potential new friends out there. Try not to dwell on someone who didn‘t appreciate you.

Wait and retry later – After a long cooling off period, you may want to send a heartfelt apology Snap and humbly ask if they are willing to start fresh. But only with sincere reflection.

Rejection is always tough. But the less energy we put into feeling hurt, and the more we learn from it, the quicker we can shake it off. Keep your head up and eyes forward!

Step-By-Step Guide to Troubleshooting Pending Snaps

To recap, here are the key steps to methodically troubleshoot pending Snapchat messages:

1. Check your Internet connection – Ensure WiFi and mobile data are solid on your device. Switch between them and move locations if needed.

2. Restart your phone – Power it off completely, wait a few minutes, then turn it back on to clear out any software glitches.

3. Update Snapchat to the latest version – Download any available updates from your device‘s app store. Updates often fix bugs causing issues.

4. Clear Snapchat‘s cache and data – On Android go to Settings > Apps > Snapchat > Storage, on iOS delete and reinstall the app.

5. Uninstall and reinstall Snapchat – Delete the app fully, then freshly download and login again to wipe the slate clean.

6. Ask your friend if they still see your Snaps – Message them through another app to ask if they can see your pending Snaps.

7. Contact Snapchat Support if needed – Explain your issue clearly and comprehensively. Support can investigate.

Meticulously following this troubleshooting game plan will help narrow down the cause of most pending Snap mysteries. But remember, unresolved pending statuses often trace back to a block, so have patience and grace if that seems likely.

Answers to Faqs About Pending Snapchat Messages

Here are some quick answers about pending Snaps to common questions from understandably perplexed Snapchatters:

Does pending on Snapchat definitely mean I‘m blocked?

Not always! But often perpetual pending to one person means you have likely been blocked or deleted by that user. It‘s the main indicator since Snapchat doesn‘t directly notify about blocks.

Can someone see a pending Snap you sent them?

Nope, pending Snaps are stuck in limbo land and are not visible to the recipient at all. They only potentially get delivered if and when the pending status clears up.

Why doesn‘t my Snap score go up when pending?

Your Snap score only increases when Snaps are opened by recipients. Since pending Snaps haven‘t been successfully delivered, they won‘t increase your score.

What‘s the best way to tell if a friend deleted me on Snapchat?

If your Snaps to one particular friend indefinitely stay pending, that likely signals they deleted or blocked you. Other hints are disappeared chat, stopped Snapscore, loss of ability to view their profile/Stories, etc.

What does a gray arrow mean on Snapchat?

A gray arrow indicates your Snap has been delivered and sent to the recipient, but not opened yet. Once they view it, the arrow will turn blue. Gray is good – it means progress beyond pending!

Why does it say pending when we‘re still friends on Snapchat?

If you‘re still friends, a pending Snap is probably just due to technical issues like bad Internet or app glitches. Troubleshoot connectivity and restart your app/device to try fixing.

I hope these answers help provide clarity on some of the most frequently asked questions around the pending Snapchat phenomenon!

The Takeaway: Don‘t Freak Out Over Pending

In closing, here are the key points to remember when you see the dreaded pending status on Snapchat:

Pending means your Snap hasn‘t been delivered yet and is stuck in retry queue – take a chill pill!
It‘s not definitive proof you‘re blocked, though that‘s a possibility – stay calm and troubleshoot.
Troubleshoot your phone and app before assuming the worst – it‘s likely a technical issue.
But if pending only happens with one friend, blocking may be the reality – embrace patience and grace.
Redirect energy spent overanalyzing pending Snaps into nurturing new connections and friendships instead.

With less pending panic and more positive perspective, you‘ll stay cool as a cucumber when pending rears its ambiguous head. Keep on snapping on!

I hope this guide has armed you with clarity and comfort regarding pending Snapchat statuses. If you have any other questions drop them below, I‘m happy to chat more! Wishing you healthy Snapchat friendships.