Snapchat not working? Fix Snapchat with these 7 simple hacks

Snapchat is one of the most popular instant messaging apps in the world, with over 300 million active monthly users. Its ‘ephemeral messaging’ and fun filters appeal to a younger audience and are a big reason for its popularity. But, like every other app, Snapchat also has the tendency to stop working from time to time. In this article, we show you the 7 simplest ways to fix Snapchat if it isn’t working.

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Check your internet connection

If you’re having trouble sending and receiving snaps from your contacts, you may have a network connection issue. Even when your connection is down the Snapchat app opens up and you can view some of the pre-loaded stories. But as soon as you send a message, it will get stuck on pending. In order to check your internet connection, use another app to see if you’re able to send messages, or open a webpage on your phone’s web browser to check if the internet is still working. 

Check if Snapchat is down

If your internet connection is fine but Snapchat still isn’t working, the issue may lie on Snapchat’s end. It is not uncommon for Snapchat’s servers to go down, leading to an outage. To check Snapchat’s running status, log on to www.downdetector.in and search for Snapchat to see if any outages have been reported.

Update the Snapchat app if it isn’t working

If you haven’t updated Snapchat in a while, the current version may no longer be compatible with your smartphone. Snapchat rolls out new updates frequently and the older versions are slowly phased out. It is also possible that the current version of the app may have developed some bugs which would be erased in the updated version. It is a good idea to keep updating the app every once in a while. To update the Snapchat app, go to the Google Play Store, search for Snapchat and select ‘Update’.

Check the app permissions

Snapchat needs certain permissions to work on your phone. You need to give the app access to your phone’s camera and microphone to use the basic functions. If you want to send an image from your gallery, Snapchat requires Files and Media access as well. If you’ve removed certain permissions for Snapchat, the app may not function as desired. Depending on what issue you’re facing, grant the necessary permission to Snapchat. For instance, if you’re not able to update your location on the app, you need to give it location access. In order to send a snap, you need to give the app the camera and microphone access. In order to check which permissions you’ve given to Snapchat, go to Settings>Apps>Snapchat>Permissions. You can select which permissions you want to give to Snapchat.

Clear app cache to fix Snapchat if it isn’t working

The cache is temporary storage on your device where certain apps store files and data that is immediately needed as soon as you open the app. This reduces the load time and elevates the user experience. When certain files stay too long in the cache, they may get corrupted and affect the functioning of the app. It is always a good idea to clear the cache from time to time. In order to clear the cache open the Snapchat app and go to your Profile>Settings>Clear Cache.

Force Stop and Restart the app

You’d be surprised how often restarting the app can fix any minor issues that may be keeping it from working. Force-stopping the app shuts down any background activity as well, so you can perform a total reboot while restarting the app. In order to Force Stop Snapchat go to Settings>Apps>Snapchat and tap the ‘Force Stop’ option at the bottom part of your phone’s screen. In order to restart, simply open Snapchat from the app drawer again.

Disable VPN to fix Snapchat if it isn’t working

If you’re using a VPN to access Snapchat, try disabling it and trying again. The VPN may be connected to an IP address from a country where Snapchat is not available or outright banned. Connect to a different IP address and see if it works. 

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These are the 7 simple ways to fix Snapchat if it stops working. If you’ve tried all of the above-mentioned techniques and Snapchat is still down, the app may be corrupted. You can try deleting the app and reinstalling it again. Deleting the app will not clear your snap streak or saved messages and media.