Is Snapchat not working on your iOS or Android device? No matter what problem you’re facing, the fix is usually something relatively simple. In this article, we take a look at the most common issues behind your Snapchat not working and the easy fixes to remedy the situation.
Common Snapchat Issues You Could Be Facing
There are multiple reasons Snapchat would stop working. Just a few of the most common are:
- Snaps aren’t sendingThe app isn’t loadingSnapchat showing black screenNotifications not working
Easy Snapchat Fixes for Common Issues
Below are several ways you can possibly fix the Snapchat issue you are having.
1. Check App Permissions
If you have set up your Snapchat with the wrong permissions – or you have mistakenly changed some app permissions – the app could stop working like it should or fail to work altogether (such as a black screen).
For example:
- Not granting camera access can lead to a black screen error.Not granting microphone access means you cannot use the mic when in Snapchat, preventing you from getting ambient sound in videos or sending voice messages.Not granting storage access prevents you from importing files into Snapchat and could also mean you cannot save files from the app either.
If you are an Android user, find the Snapchat app permissions with these steps:
Close the Snapchat app and open your device’s “Settings.”Scroll down the Settings dashboard to click on “Apps’ and find “Snapchat.”
Click on Permissions.
Allow or deny permissions you need/don’t need for your Snapchat.
For iOS and iPadOS users, follow the steps below:
Close your Snapchat app and access your iOS device Settings.Scroll down the screen to the apps section and click on “Snapchat.”
You will be faced with many permissions here. Check and uncheck the necessary ones for using the app.
Restart the Snapchat app.
Depending on the specific issue, this fix may work alone or in combination with others on this list.
2. Update Your Device
Make sure you install the latest software updates to keep your device safe and efficient. Sometimes apps may start malfunctioning on your device because you’ve failed to perform the latest update.
When it comes to OS updates, you will most likely receive a device notification to let you know an update is available for your device. Follow the prompts from that notification to update your device. You can also manually check for new available software by going to “Settings -> System -> System update.”
3. Update Your App
If you’re an Android user, follow this guide to learn how to update your apps. For iOS device users, do the following:
Long-press on the App Store icon from your device’s homepage.
Click on “Updates” and look for Snapchat in the app list on the resulting screen.Tap on the “Update” icon next to the app.
If there is not and available update for Snapchat, it could mean the issue you are facing is not a general one to warrant a developer update. It could also be that the issue is a new one and the app developers are still working on a fix for it.
4. Log Out (and Log In Again)
Logging out of Snapchat on both iOS and Android is easier than you think. Here’s what you have to do:
Open the Snapchat app on your iOS or Android device.Click on the icon on the top-left corner of the screen. This could be your bitmoji, generic icon of a person, or a story you’ve recently posted.
On the resulting screen, click on the gear/settings icon on the top-right corner.
Scroll to the very bottom of the page where you’ll find the “Log Out” option.
Logging in is easy, as the app takes you back to the necessary screen. Before you log in again, though, you may want to clear the app cache first.
5. Clear App Cache
To clear your Snapchat app cache on Android:
Go to your device’s “Settings” and scroll down to the “Apps” section.
Click on “Snapchat.”
Scroll down and click on “Storage.”
Click the option to “Clear Cache.”
iOS devices handle caching differently and more efficiently, so you may not need to do that here.
6. Switch to Mobile Data or Wi-Fi
What if your Snapchat itself is working but your Internet connection is the issue? An extension of this problem is when your Internet connection works for every other thing but doesn’t seem to be compatible with Snapchat at the moment. We never can be too sure, so it’s logical that you would troubleshoot by checking your Internet connection.
If you are on mobile data, switch to another mobile data network or connect to a nearby Wi-Fi network to test. Be wary of public Wi-Fi networks so that you don’t fall into the wrong hands.
If your mobile network is the culprit, you may want to switch to another ISP or Wi-Fi network when using Snapchat. If you have not had issues using the app on the mobile or Wi-Fi network in the past, it may be a temporary glitch that will get resolved soon, so there’s no need to panic.
7. Check Your Internet Connection
A good way to determine whether your Internet connection is poor is to launch a speed test. You can also test YouTube or try and perform other Internet-related tasks to be sure your Internet connection is both active and robust.
Otherwise, review your connection settings, renew your data subscription (in case the previous one is exhausted/has expired), or contact your ISP.
8. Check for Geo-restriction
For those who have just moved to a new location, you may have become a victim of geo-restriction in that region. Some countries (like China) ban many services and websites, making it almost impossible to use them out of such locations.
Ask around to confirm if you are not sure or look it up online to know if you are in a region where Snapchat is restricted.
Should that be the case, all hope is not lost. You can do either of the following:
- Wait until you are out of such a place to continue using Snapchat.Choose a secure VPN service to bypass the geo-restriction and use your Snapchat normally.
Note: make sure you are not breaking any laws by using a VPN, as some regions have legal standing against using VPNs.
9. Restart Your Phone
Your phone also has a cached memory (which you can clear manually) but is maybe best handled with a restart.
This might sound like such a simple fix that many people ignore it, but it works just fine. When an app starts misbehaving, as your Snapchat is in this case, try a simple restart of your phone to see if it works. Chances are it will.
10. You’re a Beta User
If you are a beta user, you should expect that your Snapchat will crash, stop working, and might even interfere with other apps on your phone at some point.
Beta software is not stable yet, as developers are testing new features and getting feedback from the beta community. This way, they know what works and can package that for the stable build going out to all users.
For those who aren’t comfortable with possible lags, unexpected crashes, and other uncertainties present in the beta software, it’s best to stick with the stable build. The only price you’ll pay is having to wait for the robust update to roll out before you get all the new features that the beta testers have access to.
On the upside, you don’t have to deal with the headaches of your Snapchat not working randomly.
11. Check Snapchat Servers
This rarely happens, but Snapchat itself may be down for a moment. It has happened to the biggest tech companies like Facebook, WhatsApp, and Google before, and we know it can happen to Snapchat.
If you’re experiencing issues, you could check a site like isitdownrightnow.com and see if the Spanchat servers are working. If they’re down, there isn’t much else you can do other than wait for the company’s engineers to fix their internal problems.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What app permissions do I need for Snapchat?
The permissions you would need for your Snapchat are dependent on how you use the app.
If you send voice messages or calls (video or voice) on Snapchat, you want to enable your microphone. Your camera settings should also be enabled if you want to take pictures and videos while in the app.
For users who would like to update their friends list with possible Snapchat users already on your contact list, you would also have to grant Snapchat access to your contacts.
Make sure you are not giving Snapchat – or any other app for that matter – too much access than it needs to your device.
2. What does Snapchat store in your cache?
Whenever you use additional features such as stickers, Memories, and Lens, Snapchat creates a cache so that you can easily access these features the next time you want to use them. This also helps you to see your frequently used in-app features and preferences show up first.
On clearing the cache, all those preferences are purged from the system. You would, thus, have to start building up new preferences, as the system learns how to make your time on the app better, faster, and more efficient.
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