Update: July 23, 2020 at 4:45 PM ET: Many people have been experiencing issues with Snapchat today. Snapchat issues started at around 1:45 PM Eastern according to reports on Downdetector.
Snapchat is a fun way to keep in touch with friends and family, and if it’s not working you could be left out of the loop. For those unfortunate occurrences when Snapchat isn’t working, we put together a list of ways to fix it. Follow the troubleshooting guide below and you’ll be able to fix any Snapchat problems you might be having.
- Check if Snapchat is down
- Restart and update Snapchat
- Restart your phone
- Check your connection
- Check app network permissions
- Clear the app cache
- What to do when snaps aren’t sending
Check if Snapchat is down
If Snapchat isn’t working for you, the first thing to consider is that it isn’t working for anyone. There are two places to check whether or not Snapchat is down.
Down Detector is a site that tracks all kinds of services and whether or not they are down. Head to Down Detector’s Snapchat page and it will display No problems at Snapchat or Problems at Snapchat. You can also check the Live Outage Map to see if the issue is restricted to specific regions.
The second option is the official Snapchat Twitter support account. It will always have the latest about any Snapchat outages and how long it might be until it’s back up and running, so follow it if you want to stay up to date.
Restart and update Snapchat
If Snapchat is up and it still isn’t working for you, close the app and reopen it. If the issues persists, try logging out of your account and logging back in. This will resync your local snaps with the server, and may fix the problem.
While the app is closed, it might be worth checking for updates. Open up the Google Play Store or App Store and check for updates. When you log back into Snapchat, any snaps you missed will be waiting for you.
Read also: How to update apps on the Google Play Store
Restart your phone
Like many tech problems, the simplest solution is to restart the device. When Snapchat isn’t working, the same logic applies.
Reset your device and it may instantly solve your Snapchat woes. If that doesn’t do the trick, move on to the next fix.
Check your connection
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.
For those of you using a VPN, you may need to disable it while you use Snapchat. Snapchat might stop working if it detects any third-party apps, occasionally including VPNs.
Read also: What to do if your phone won’t connect to Wi-Fi
Check app network permissions
If your internet connection is strong and works in other apps, Snapchat may not have the correct permissions to function. Necessary permissions can include Phone, Location, Storage, and others. There is a simple way to check Snapchat’s permissions from inside the app.
How to edit permissions in Snapchat
- Open Snapchat
- Open your profile
- Tap Settings
- Tap Permissions
- Missing permissions will display Tap to enable. This will open the system settings to adjust all permissions for the app.
Clear Snapchat app cache
Most apps download media and other types of data onto your phone, and if those files are corrupted it can cause Snapchat to stop working. Clearing out these files won’t make you lose any data or snaps, so there’s nothing to worry about.
How to clear Snapchat cache
- Open Snapchat
- Open your profile
- Tap Settings
- Scroll to the bottom and tap Clear Cache
Read also: Force stop and clear cache explained
What to do when snaps aren’t sending
If you’re not able to send snaps to your friends even though your network is fine, there are a few options left. First try restarting your phone as mentioned above.
If that doesn’t work, try clearing the conversation. This will remove all Snaps sent and received, so any unopened Snaps will be lost.
How to clear a conversation in Snapchat
- Open your profile
- Tap Settings
- Scroll down and tap Clear Conversation
- Select the conversation to clear and confirm
If you’ve cleared the conversation and the snaps still aren’t working, your best option is to remove your friend and add them back. This will also delete any Snaps send and received with that friend, but it may fix the issue.
How to remove a friend in Snapchat
- Open your profile
- Tap Add Friends
- Tap My Friends
- Select the friend to remove
That’s it for our guide on what do when Snapchat isn’t working. If none of these manages to fix the problem, all hope is not lost. You can contact Snapchat directly by clicking on the link below.