Tech
Why is Snapchat Not Working?: Common Problems and Quick Fixes

With over 500 million active users per month, Snapchat has remained one of the most prevalent messaging platforms in the crowded social media market. Although Snapchat developers had to completely redesign the app for Android users, it remains no match to its IOS counterpart. However, despite the company’s commitment to its users, the app sometimes still runs into issues and occasionally doesn’t even open on Android, prompting the question of why is Snapchat not working for some users.
In this article, we will help to answer some of the questions about why is Snapchat not working as expected on your device, as well as providing some tips for those seeking quick fixes to continue using the application again.
Why is Snapchat not working?
There’s no one straightforward answer to this question as reasons frequently vary between different users. Although the company provides services for hundreds of thousands of users worldwide, no social media application is completely flawless. One of the common reasons why Snapchat mightn’t be functioning for many users at the same time is because of power outages which could unexpectedly happen at any time. Other times, however, it’s a case-by-case basis that hinges mostly on the users’ devices.
The best strategy is generally to test the most common fixes one at a time, starting with the quickest or easiest to test, to diagnose the problem. Here, listed below are some of those recommended solutions in case one’s Snapchat doesn’t function properly.
Check If Snapchat Service Is Down
It’s always a good idea to see if Snapchat is down if it unexpectedly ceased functioning. Since Snapchat doesn’t have a live status page that updates in real-time, you could check Snapchat’s official support account on Twitter, where the company will constantly update on any downtimes and server failures. Another option is to lend service from sites such as Downdetector to see whether other users are having problems with the app.
Restart Snapchat
If the application isn’t functioning solely on your device, attempt to close and reopen the app again. Sign out of your account and log back in to see if the problem remains. This method could help troubleshoot the issue by resyncing your local snaps with the server. If you’re willing to go further, reinstalling the software after removing it could also resolve the issue. However, it would be ill-advised to do so immediately when you haven’t tried other simpler possible fixes.
Restart Your Phone
As goes for many other technical issues, restarting the device is also one of the most common fixes when Snapchat isn’t functioning properly. Restarting your phone will immediately cease Snapchat operation and potentially resolve any temporary bugs that were causing you problems with the app. Simply hold down the Power button while tapping on Restart.
Check your internet connection
As apparent as it seems, it’s crucial for Snapchat users must have good internet connections whilst on the app. You should have a strong cellular signal at the very least if a Wi-Fi connection isn’t available. Additionally, make sure you have enabled the cellular data permission if you’re using cellular data to access Snapchat. If you’re Wi-Fi isn’t operating properly, reboot your router and cable modem. Once you’re certain the issue is in your internet connectivity with no simple troubleshooting resolution, contact your internet service provider to seek help.
Check for Updates
It’s alright to run an outdated version, however, it can occasionally generate some problems, particularly when significant changes had been made to the app. Therefore, it’s recommendable for Snapchat users to check in on the latest updates not only to have access to new features but also to fix some of the software bugs that the later versions offer.
If you’re using IOS, you can have Snapchat automatically update to the latest version for you by enabling auto-update in the settings or manually do it in App Store by selecting the update next to the Snapchat icon on your profile page.
If you’re on Android, you also have the option of auto-update. However, if you wish to perform the update manually, open Google Play Store on your device and search for Snapchat on your info page. See if there’s an update pending status besides it and choose to download that update.
Enable Permissions
If your Snapchat remains largely functional but still has some functions being restricted then perhaps the problem here appears to be that you haven’t granted the app permissions to access all of your phone’s functionalities. Henceforth, certain features on the app such as capturing photos and applying filters will not be functional due to a lack of access to your device’s camera and media library. To resolve this problem, make sure all of the permissions are enabled in the permissions settings.
If you’re using an iPhone, open settings and select Snapchat among the list of apps on your device, then swipe the permission buttons beside the Snapchat icon to access your location, photos, camera, etc…
Similarly, if you’re using an Android device, go to “Apps & Notifications” in your control settings to find Snapchat and enable permission for each feature
Clear cache
The majority of apps download media and other sorts of external data onto your phone as you’re using them. However, if such files are damaged, Snapchat may also cease functioning. The simplest solution would be to delete these files to remove the corruption from your device. There is no need to be concerned because these files won’ affect any of your personal snaps or photographs.
To clear your Snapchat cache, open your profile page in Snapchat and select the settings icon in the top-right corner. Choose the “Clear Cache” under the Account Actions section to complete the activity and hit on the Continue button to complete the action.