Why is Snapchat Not Working & How To Fix It

Snapchat not working? Don‘t worry, you‘re not alone. As one of the most popular social media apps, with over 280 million daily active users, Snapchat has revolutionized how we communicate. However, the app isn‘t perfect and users frequently encounter issues from glitches to the app not opening at all.

In this comprehensive troubleshooting guide, I‘ll provide insight into the most common Snapchat problems users face and walk you step-by-step through how to fix Snapchat issues on both iPhone and Android. As a social media expert and tech geek, I‘ll tap into my knowledge to help get your Snapchat working again!

What‘s Causing Snapchat Outages?

Before we dive into troubleshooting, it‘s helpful to understand what causes Snapchat to stop working in the first place. Here are some of the most common culprits behind Snapchat outages and issues:

• New feature bugs – Snapchat is constantly releasing new filters, lenses, and features. But new updates sometimes contain bugs that cause crashing and glitches.

• Server outages – Like all apps, Snapchat relies on servers to function. Server outages result in the app not working globally.

• Connection issues – Poor internet or weak cellular data will cause Snapchat problems loading and sending snaps.

• App needs updated – An outdated version of Snapchat can cause everything from camera issues to the app not opening.

• Phone software needs updated – An outdated OS version on your phone can wreak havoc on apps like Snapchat.

• Storage full – If your phone storage is full, apps can crash and freeze. Snapchat requires free space to operate smoothly.

• Restrictive settings – If you have notifications, location services, or other permissions disabled Snapchat won‘t work properly.

• Account banned – Violating Snapchat‘s rules can get your account banned, resulting in you being logged out repeatedly.

Understanding the "why" behind Snapchat issues goes a long way in resolving them quickly. So keep these common causes in mind as we walk through how to troubleshoot the app.

Top 12 Snapchat Problems and How to Fix Them

Here are the most common Snapchat issues users report along with step-by-step solutions to get Snapchat working again:

1. Camera Not Working

One of the most frustrating Snapchat issues is when the camera shows a black screen or simply won‘t open. A non-working Snapchat camera prevents you from taking any new snaps and stories.

Potential solutions:

• Check app permissions – Ensure Snapchat has access to your camera in phone settings > apps > Snapchat > permissions.

• Clean camera lens – Wipe iPhone or Android camera lens clean of any dust, fingerprints, or debris.

• Update Snapchat – Upgrade to the latest version of Snapchat in the app/play store. Updates often contain camera bug fixes.

• Restart phone – Fully power down your iPhone or Android phone then power it back on. This reboot can solve camera glitches.

• Clear app cache – Open phone settings > apps > Snapchat > storage > clear cache. This frees up storage space and clears corrupt camera data.

• Reinstall Snapchat app – Deleting and reinstalling Snapchat can reset camera issues caused by software bugs.

2. Stories And Snaps Won‘t Load

Seeing the loading wheel spin endlessly can prevent you from viewing stories or snaps from friends. Here‘s how to get Snapchat loading again:

• Check internet connection – Switch between Wifi and cellular data. Connect to a stronger Wifi network or move closer to a cell tower.

• Update the app – Install the latest Snapchat update from the app/play store. Updates fix loading bugs.

• Clear cache – Open Snapchat settings > clear cache > reinstall app. This often resolves loading issues caused by corrupt cached data.

• Free up storage space – Delete unused apps, photos, and videos to ensure your phone has enough storage for Snapchat to operate.

• Reset phone network settings – On iPhone go to Settings > General > Reset > Reset Network Settings to refresh connectivity issues.

• Delete and reinstall – Uninstalling and reinstalling Snapchat can fix stubborn loading problems.

3. App Freezes or Crashes

Having Snapchat freeze and crash unexpectedly can be incredibly frustrating. Luckily, there are a few techniques to stop the app malfunctioning:

• Force close the app – On iPhone double tap home button and swipe up on Snapchat to force close. On Android open settings > apps > Snapchat > force stop.

• Restart your phone – Fully power down then back on. Restarting refreshes the phone‘s memory and stops app crashes.

• Check for app updates – Install the latest Snapchat update which typically includes crash and freeze fixes. Keep the app updated.

• Free up storage space – Low storage causes apps to crash. Delete unused files and clear Snapchat cache to open up storage.

• Reset app preferences – On Android go to settings > apps > Snapchat > reset app preferences. This resets caches causing crashes.

• Delete and reinstall the app – If crashes persist, uninstalling and reinstalling Snapchat provides a clean slate.

4. Can‘t Log In

Being unable to log into your Snapchat account prevents you from accessing any of the app‘s features. Here are tips to get logged back in:

• Confirm internet connection is working – Connect to reliable Wifi or switch to cellular data to rule out connectivity issues.

• Restart phone – Powering down and back on can correct temporary software glitches causing login fails.

• Update Snapchat to latest version – Ensure you have the most up-to-date version of Snapchat which may contain login bug fixes.

• Clear app cache and data – Open phone settings > apps > Snapchat > clear cache/data. Then reinstall Snapchat.

• Reset phone network settings – On iPhone, reset network settings in case connectivity issues are preventing login.

• Change account password – If repeatedly logged out, change your Snapchat password in case your account is hacked.

5. Snapchat Keeps Logging Out

Having to constantly re-login to Snapchat gets old really fast. Here are a few ways to stop Snapchat repeatedly logging out your account:

• Update Snapchat app – Install the latest update which often includes security patches for login issues.

• Clear app data/cache – Wipe corrupt Snapchat data and cache causing repeated logouts by going to phone settings > apps > clear data.

• Change account password – Getting constantly logged out could signal your account is hacked. Change your password for added security.

• Restore phone to factory settings – Completely wiping your device can erase any deep-rooted software bugs causing logouts.

• Check account status – Contact Snapchat to check your account status hasn‘t been suspended, resulting in automatic logouts.

6. Can‘t Send Snaps

A big reason people use Snapchat is to send disappearing photo and video snaps to friends. But if Snapchat won‘t let you send snaps, here are some fixes:

• Confirm friend hasn‘t blocked you – You won‘t be able to send snaps to friends who have blocked your account.

• Check internet connection – Connect to a stable Wifi network or strong cellular signal. Weak connections disrupt sending snaps.

• Reset phone network settings – On iPhone, reset network settings which refreshes internet connectivity.

• Clear conversations – Open recent conversations and tap "Clear Conversation" which often resolves sending issues.

• Update Snapchat – Install the latest app update which typically contains bug fixes for sending snaps.

• Check account status – Contact Snapchat to confirm your account hasn‘t been locked or restricted from sending snaps.

7. Notification Problems

Since Snapchat notifications alert you to new snaps and messages, issues with notifications can be frustrating. Try these troubleshooting tips:

• Check notification settings – Open phone settings > notifications > Snapchat. Make sure all alerts are enabled.

• Update Snapchat – Old versions of Snapchat sometimes have notification bugs fixed in newer updates.

• Enable Do Not Disturb permissions – If using Do Not Disturb, allow Snapchat notifications in phone settings.

• Reset advertising ID – On Android open Google settings > ads > reset advertising ID. This fixes notification issues.

• Reset network settings – On iPhone, reset network settings to refresh connectivity issues affecting notifications.

8. Overheating Phone

Excessive overheating when using Snapchat can signal bigger issues. Here are some ways to cool down your phone:

• Close background apps – Force close all apps running in the background overtaxing your phone‘s processor.

• Lower screen brightness – Dim your screen‘s brightness to reduce battery and GPU strain.

• Clear app cache – Delete cached Snapchat files taking up RAM and causing overheating.

• Update phone software and apps – Older, outdated software can strain your phone. Install updates.

• Check battery health – If your phone battery is degraded, it will work harder and heat up faster. Consider a battery replacement.

• Use phone cooling accessories – Accessories like cooling pads pull heat away from your phone.

9. App Freezing and Lagging

Slow freezing and lag within the Snapchat app can make it difficult or impossible to use. Here are some optimizations to speed up Snapchat:

• Close all apps in the background – Apps running in the background compete for resources slowing Snapchat down.

• Update Snapchat – Install the latest Snapchat update which often contains performance improvements.

• Update device software – Make sure your iPhone or Android OS is updated to the newest version for speed.

• Lower video quality – Streamlining Snapchat video quality in settings can lessen freezing and lag.

• Clear app cache/data – Removing cached Snapchat files frees up storage and RAM for better performance.

10. Won‘t Let You Log In on New Phone

When upgrading to a new iPhone or Android, you may run into Snapchat not letting you log into your account on the new device. Some steps to fix this:

• Update Snapchat – Download latest Snapchat version on your new phone.

• Remove Snapchat account from old phone – Open Snapchat on your old phone > tap Bitmoji > settings > remove account.

• Clear app data – On new phone, wipe Snapchat app data in settings > apps > Snapchat > storage.

• Contact Snapchat – Reach out to Snapchat support to unlink your account from the old device.

11. Account Locked or Suspended

If your account gets locked or suspended by Snapchat, you‘ll be logged out and unable to access your account. Here‘s what to do:

• Review community guidelines – Read Snapchat‘s rules to determine what behavior may have violated them.

• Change password – Change your Snapchat password in case your account was hacked which can trigger suspensions.

• Contact Snapchat – Reach out to Snapchat support to confirm if your account is locked and appeal the suspension.

• Wait it out – Temporary suspensions may last anywhere from 12 hours to 30 days.

12. Battery Draining Fast

Excessive Snapchat battery drain shortens the life of your phone‘s battery. To optimize:

• Close background apps – Apps running in the background contribute to battery drain. Force close all unused apps.

• Lower screen brightness – Having maximum screen brightness uses more battery. Dim to 25-50% brightness.

• Enable low power mode – Low power mode pauses background activity preserving battery life.

• Delete and reinstall – A clean reinstall removes corrupted files that can drain battery.

• Limit notifications – Disable non-essential Snapchat notifications preventing battery drain.

• Stop auto-playing stories – Stories playing nonstop burn battery life. Pause them.

How to Troubleshoot Snapchat on iPhone

Beyond the universal fixes above, here are some additional steps to troubleshoot Snapchat problems specifically affecting iPhone users:

• Update to latest iOS – Ensure your iPhone is updated to the newest iOS version to resolve bugs affecting Snapchat. Go to Settings > General > Software Update.

• Reset iPhone – For stubborn issues, reset your iPhone to factory defaults by going to Settings > General > Reset > Erase All Content and Settings.

• Check app restrictions – See if any restrictions are enabled blocking Snapchat functionality under Settings > Screen Time > Content & Privacy Restrictions.

• Toggle on/off Airplane Mode – Turn on Airplane mode for 30 seconds, then turn it back off to refresh connections.

• Uninstall/reinstall app – Deleting and re-downloading Snapchat from the App Store removes any corrupted files.

• Contact Apple support – For hardware-related issues, contact Apple support to troubleshoot your iPhone model.

Troubleshooting Snapchat Problems on Android

For Android users, here are some additional troubleshooting tips for fixing Snapchat:

• Restart in safe mode – Restart your Android phone in safe mode to isolate issues stemming from third party apps.

• Reset app preferences – Open phone Settings > Apps > Snapchat > Reset app preferences. This resets app data to default.

• Check for Android OS updates – Install latest Android OS updates which contain fixes benefiting apps.

• Free up storage space – Lagging and crashing can stem from low storage space on your Android. Delete unused files.

• Clear Google Play Services cache – Apps like Snapchat rely on Play Services. Clear its cache by going to Settings > Apps > Google Play Services > Storage > Clear Cache.

• Contact Snapchat support – The Snapchat troubleshooting team can help diagnose Android-specific issues.

When to Contact Snapchat Support

If you‘ve tried all the troubleshooting steps and are still experiencing Snapchat problems, it‘s time to contact their support experts.

You can reach out to Snapchat support through:

• In-app support – Open Snapchat > tap profile icon > settings > support > contact Snapchat support

• Snapchat website – Visit Snapchat‘s support page and submit a request describing your issue

• Twitter – Tweet your issue to @SnapchatSupport

Snapchat‘s team can help uncover more complex underlying issues and get your account functioning properly again.

Conclusion

I hope this deep dive into the most common Snapchat issues along with troubleshooting tips has helped provide some clarity on how to fix problems you may encounter with Snapchat.

As a quick recap, here are the key troubleshooting steps:

• Update the Snapchat app
• Update your phone‘s software
• Reset your phone
• Force close and reopen the app
• Clear cache and data
• Uninstall and reinstall Snapchat
• Check Snapchat server status
• Contact Snapchat support

Following this guide, you should be equipped to get Snapchat working again in no time. Snapchatting your friends should be easy and fun – not a constant tech headache! Let me know if any issues persist after trying these fixes. I‘m happy to help get you back to sending those fun disappearing snaps.