Snapchat Not Working; 9 Common Problems & Solutions

Snapchat is a widely popular social media platform for sharing pictures and videos with friends and followers.

However, like any other app, it can run into various issues that can be frustrating for users.

In this article we walk through 9 reasons why Snapchat may not be working for you and explain how to fix each one:

1: Snapchat Crashes or Freezes

One of the most common issues Snapchat users face is the app crashing or freezing. This can happen due to outdated or corrupted app data.

Force closing and restarting Snapchat can often help resolve this.

To Force Close Snapchat On An Android Device:

1. Swipe up from the bottom of the screen to access the “Recent apps” menu, or tap the “recent Apps” button in the bottom right.
2. Locate the Snapchat app and swipe up to force close it.
   
3. Alternatively, you can tap the “Clear all” button to close all apps running in the background.
4. Open Snapchat again to see if the issue has been resolved.

To Force Close Snapchat On An Apple Device:

1. Swipe up from the bottom of the screen to access the “App Switcher” menu.
2. Locate the Snapchat app and swipe it up and off the screen to close it.
3. Alternatively, you can swipe right or left to locate the Snapchat app, then swipe it up and off the screen.
4. Open Snapchat again to see if the issue has been resolved.

If the problem persists, you can try uninstalling and reinstalling Snapchat.

Also, make sure that you have the latest version of Snapchat installed on your device. This can help resolve any compatibility issues and ensure that the app is optimized for your device.

2: Unable to log in or access your account

If you are unable to log in to your Snapchat account or access it, it may be due to incorrect login credentials or an unstable internet connection. To resolve this:

• Check your login credentials and make sure they are correct.
• Ensure that you have a stable internet connection.
• Try resetting your password or contacting Snapchat support for further assistance.

It could also be because your Snapchat account has been suspended or locked due to a violation of the platform’s community guidelines or terms of service.

To resolve this issue, you will need to contact Snapchat support for assistance and follow their instructions to unlock your account.

3: Cannot send or receive snaps

If you are unable to send or receive snaps on Snapchat, it could be because the app doesn’t have access to your device’s camera and microphone.

Here’s how to ensure that Snapchat has access:

For Android devices:

1. Go to “Settings” on your device.
2. Scroll down and select “Apps” or “Applications”.
3. Locate Snapchat and tap on it.
4. Under “Permissions”, make sure that both Camera and Microphone are toggled on.
   
5. Restart the Snapchat app and see if the issue has been resolved.

For iPhone devices:

1. Go to “Settings” on your device.
2. Scroll down and select “Privacy”.
3. Select “Camera” or “Microphone”.
4. Locate Snapchat and make sure the toggle switch is on for both Camera and Microphone.
5. Restart the Snapchat app and see if the issue has been resolved.

If Snapchat doesn’t have access to your device’s camera and microphone, you will need to grant it permission. When you open Snapchat for the first time, it will prompt you to allow access to your camera and microphone. If you accidentally denied access or want to change the settings, you can follow the steps above to grant permission.

In addition to ensuring that Snapchat has access to your camera and microphone, you can also try clearing the cache or reinstalling the app to resolve any app-related issues that may be causing the problem.

4: Camera not working

If you are having trouble sending or receiving snaps on Snapchat, it could be due to the app not having access to your device’s camera and microphone.

Here’s how to make sure that Snapchat has permission to access your camera:

For Android devices:

1. Open “Settings” on your device.
2. Scroll down and select “Apps” or “Applications”.
3. Find and tap on “Snapchat”.
4. Under “App permissions”, make sure that both Camera and Microphone are turned on.
5. If they are turned off, toggle them on and restart the Snapchat app to see if the issue has been resolved.

For iPhone devices:

1. Open “Settings” on your device.
2. Scroll down and select “Privacy”.
3. Tap on “Camera” or “Microphone”.
4. Find “Snapchat” and make sure the toggle switch is turned on for both Camera and Microphone.
5. If they are turned off, toggle them on and restart the Snapchat app to see if the issue has been resolved.

You can also try clearing the app’s cache or reinstalling it to fix any app-related issues that may be causing the problem.

5: Filters or lenses not working

If filters or lenses are not working properly on Snapchat, it may be due to an outdated app version or device compatibility issues. Here’s how to clear the cache to fix this issue:

1. Open Snapchat setting by tapping the cog in the top right of your profile page.
2. Scroll down to “Account Actions” at the bottom of the list.
3. Find and tap on “Clear Cache”.
4. Tap “Continue” to confirm.
   
5. Restart the Snapchat app to see if the issue has been resolved.

Clearing the cache can help free up space on your device and remove any temporary files or corrupted data that may be causing issues with filters or lenses on Snapchat.

If clearing the cache doesn’t resolve the issue, you can try updating the app or using a different filter or lens.

Additionally, it’s important to check your internet connection and device compatibility to ensure that they meet the requirements for using filters and lenses on Snapchat.

6: Stories not loading

If stories are not loading on Snapchat, it may be due to an unstable internet connection or corrupted app data. To fix this issue:

• Check your internet connection and ensure that it is stable.
• Try clearing the cache (as explained in point 5) or updating the app.
• If the problem persists, contact Snapchat support for further assistance.

7: It keeps logging out

If Snapchat keeps logging you out, it may be due to app data corruption or an unstable internet connection. To fix this issue:

• Check your login credentials and ensure that they are correct.
• Ensure that you have a stable internet connection.
• Try clearing the cache (see point 5) or updating the app.
• If the problem persists, try reinstalling the app or contacting Snapchat support.

8: Snap Map not working

If Snap Map is not working on Snapchat, it could be because your device’s location services are not enabled. Here’s how to check and enable location services:

For Android devices:

1. Open “Settings” on your device.
2. Scroll down and select “Location” or “Location services”.
3. Make sure that location services are turned on.
   
4. Scroll down to find Snapchat and make sure that it has permission to access your device’s location.
5. Restart the Snapchat app to see if the issue has been resolved.

For iPhone devices:

1. Open “Settings” on your device.
2. Scroll down and select “Privacy”.
3. Select “Location Services”.
4. Make sure that location services are turned on.
5. Scroll down to find Snapchat and make sure that it has permission to access your device’s location.
6. Restart the Snapchat app to see if the issue has been resolved.

If location services are not enabled or Snapchat doesn’t have permission to access your device’s location, you will need to enable it in order to use Snap Map.

Aside from checking and enabling location services, you can also try clearing the app’s cache or updating the app to fix any temporary issues or compatibility problems that may be causing the problem. If the problem persists, try reinstalling the app or contacting Snapchat support for further assistance.

9: Notifications not working

If notifications are not working on Snapchat, it may be due to device settings or corrupted app data. Here’s how to make sure notifications are enabled:

For Android devices:

1. Open “Settings” on your device.
2. Scroll down and select “Apps” or “Applications”.
3. Find and tap on “Snapchat”.
4. Tap on “Notifications”.
5. Make sure that notifications are turned on for Snapchat.
   
6. Restart the Snapchat app to see if the issue has been resolved.

For iPhone devices:

1. Open “Settings” on your device.
2. Scroll down and select “Notifications”.
3. Find and tap on “Snapchat”.
4. Make sure that notifications are turned on for Snapchat.
5. Restart the Snapchat app to see if the issue has been resolved.

If notifications are not enabled for Snapchat, you may not receive alerts when you receive a new snap or message.

Make sure to turn on notifications so that you don’t miss anything.

In addition to checking and enabling notifications, you can also try clearing the app’s cache (see point 5) or updating the app to fix any temporary issues or compatibility problems that may be causing the problem.

If the problem persists, try reinstalling the app or contacting Snapchat support for further assistance.

---

In addition to the solutions mentioned above, it is important to keep your device up-to-date with the latest software updates.

This can help prevent compatibility issues and ensure that your device is optimized for Snapchat. It is also a good idea to regularly clear your device’s cache to free up storage space and improve app performance.

If you continue to experience issues with Snapchat even after following the above solutions, you may need to contact Snapchat support. They can provide you with more specific and advanced solutions to help resolve your issue.

Remember to always use Snapchat responsibly and follow the platform’s guidelines to ensure a positive user experience for yourself and others.

Check Snapchat Isn’t Down

It is also important to check if Snapchat is experiencing any downtime or outages. This can happen due to maintenance or server issues and can cause temporary disruptions in the app’s functionality.

One way to check if Snapchat is down is by using Downdetector.

Downdetector is a website that tracks and reports outages and service disruptions for various platforms, including Snapchat. It provides real-time updates from users around the world, allowing you to see if others are experiencing similar issues.

If Downdetector shows that Snapchat is down, the best course of action is to wait for the issue to be resolved on Snapchat’s end. You can also check Snapchat’s official Twitter account or website for any announcements or updates on the issue.

In conclusion, checking Downdetector can help you determine if Snapchat is experiencing downtime or outages. If this is the case, it is best to wait for the issue to be resolved on Snapchat’s end.