Thanks to the mobile phones’ introduction, numerous apps were created and developed to change the way people communicate with each other. Such apps include Snapchat, Instagram, WhatsApp, and many more, which are incredibly popular all over the world.
Now, many Snapchat users have been experiencing issues with the app lately. Snapchat is a fun way to keep in touch with people you know, and if the app is not working, you could be left out of the loop.
For those users, we put together a list of ways to fix the issues. Follow the troubleshooting guide below to be able to address any Snapchat issues you might be having.
Check if Snapchat is Down
If the app is not working, the first thing to think of is that it could not be working for anyone. There are two places to verify whether or not Snapchat is down.
Down Detector is a website that tracks all types of services and whether or not their servers are down. Visit Down Detector’s Snapchat page, and you’ll be informed about the situation. You can also check the Live Outage Map to see whether or not the issue is limited to particular regions.
The second option you have is the official Snapchat Twitter support account. It always has the latest news about the app outages and how long developers consider it will take until the servers are back and running, so follow it to stay up to date.
Restart and Update Snapchat
If Snapchat is up but still not working for you, close the app and reopen it. If the issues continue, try logging out of your account and logging back in, as this will resync your local data with the server and may address the issue.
While the app is closed, you should check for updates. Launch the Google Play Store or App Store and verify whether the app rolled out any updates and install them.
Restart Your Smartphone
Similar to many tech issues, the simplest solution is to restart the device. When Snapchat is not functioning, you should apply the same logic. Restart your device, and it may immediately address your Snapchat issues. If that doesn’t work, move on to the next solution.
Check Your Internet Connection
If Snapchat or certain snaps are not loading, it might involve your Internet connection. Try disabling data and switching to Wi-Fi. In case the signal is weak or nonexistent, resetting the router may solve the issue, even if the connection looks fine on other devices.
For those using a VPN, you may have to turn it off while you use Snapchat because the app might stop working if it detects any third-party apps, sometimes even VPNs.
If the app or specific snaps aren’t loading, it may have to do with your internet connection. Try turning off data and switching to Wi-Fi. If the signal is weak, move closer to your router. Resetting the router may also solve the issue, even if your internet works on other devices.
Check App Network Permissions
If your Internet connection is not at fault and works in other apps, Snapchat may not have the right permissions in order to run. Necessary permissions include Phone, Location, Storage, and so on.
Here’s how you can edit permissions in Snapchat:
- Launch the app and head to your profile
- Tap on ‘Settings’ and then on ‘Permissions’
- Missing permissions will show the ‘Tap to enable’ option – this will open the system settings to change the permissions for the app
Clear Snapchat App Cache
Most apps download content and other kinds of media onto your device, and if those files are corrupted, it can make Snapchat stop functioning. Removing these files won’t get rid of any data or snaps, so you can proceed with this solution without worries.
Here’s how to clear Snapchat cache:
- Open the app and head to your profile
- Tap on the ‘Settings’ option and scroll to find the ‘Clear Cache’ section
- Open it and get rid of the unnecessary files
What to Do When Snaps Aren’t Sending
If you cannot send snaps, although your network is fine, there are a few solutions left. Try restarting the device as mentioned above – if that doesn’t work, clear the conversation. This will delete all snaps send and received, so any unopened snap will be lost.
Here’s how to clear a conversation in Snapchat:
- Head to your profile and tap on ‘Settings’
- Scroll down to find ‘Clear Conversation’ and tap on the option
- Select the chat you want to clear and confirm
If this fix is not working either, the best you can do is removing that friend and adding them back. This will also remove any snaps send and received with that person, but it might solve the issue.
Here’s how to remove a friend on Snapchat:
- Open your profile and tap the ‘Add Friends’ section
- Tap ‘My Friends’ and select the one you want to remove
This is all for our guide on what to do when Snapchat is not working. If none of these solutions work for you, contact the Snapchat team directly by clicking on this link.
