Snapchat is one of the most popular messaging apps, primarily thanks to its privacy-focussed and gamified approach to messaging. The platform seamlessly merges photography with messaging, and the app is a delight.
However, like everything tech, Snapchat isn’t immune to random bugs or glitches that may hamper the app’s functionality. In this article, we’re going over why your Snaps aren’t loading and what you can do to fix the problem.
Also read: Snapchat can’t find matching credentials: 5 Fixes
Why aren’t your snaps loading?
There are a lot of reasons why Snapchat might not load your snaps. Some of the most common reasons include:
- Internet connectivity issues.
- Snapchat is down.
- Corrupt cache files.
How to fix this?
Here are eight fixes you can try out to fix the problem.
Restart your phone and app
It doesn’t matter if you’re on iOS or Android; restarting your device can fix anything from app crashes to other system errors and seemingly random issues. So if Snapchat isn’t working on your phone, try restarting it to see if that resolves the issue.
Check your internet connection
Snapchat requires an active internet connection to function properly. Not having an active connection, whether via WiFi or cellular data, can cause all sorts of issues on the app, including but not limited to crashes, black screens or snaps not sending.
If you’re using mobile data, check if you’ve got proper signals and network coverage and enable mobile data. For users on WiFi, try turning it off and on again; make sure you have internet access, and the signal strength is good.
Is Snapchat down?
This doesn’t happen very often since Snapchat is built to support the hundreds of millions of users it boasts; still, you can check if its server is down, causing the Snapchat won’t open error.
One of the best ways to ascertain whether Snapchat is down is through their official Support Twitter handle, where the company is pretty active and puts out server error notifications. If you want to double-check Snapchat’s server, you can do so through third-party websites like Downdetector.
Avoid VPNs
A lot of features in Snapchat, including filters, are often geo-restricted. This means that if you’re using the app with a VPN, there’s a chance it might not work. Try disabling your VPN to see if that resolves the issue.
Update Snapchat
App updates bring bug fixes and improvements. If you haven’t updated your app in quite some time, your installation may be riddled with bugs that need fixing.
Go to the Play Store on Android or App Store on iOS and check for updates to the Snapchat app. If you find one, update the app and check if the issue is fixed.
Updating Snapchat on Android
Open the Play Store and follow the steps mentioned below to update Snapchat.
- In the Play Store, tap on the hamburger menu icon in the top-left.
- Tap on My apps and games.
- You’ll be able to see all apps that require an update here. If you see the Snapchat app, update it, and the Snapchat won’t open issue should be resolved.
Updating Snapchat on iOS
Open the App Store on your iPhone or iPad and follow the steps mentioned below to update the apps on your device.
- Tap on the profile icon at the top-right of your App Store’s homepage.
- Scroll down a bit to see a list of all the app updates available on the next screen.
- If you see an update available, tap on the Update button beside Snapchat.
Clear Snapchat app cache
App cache can often cause issues with the smooth functioning of an app. Follow the two methods below, which will help you clear Snapchat’s cache via in-app settings on iOS and Android, and via Android’s device settings.
Clear cache via app settings
Open the Snapchat app and follow the steps mentioned below to clear the app cache.
- Tap on the profile icon at the top-left of the screen.
- Then on the next page, tap on the Gear (Settings) icon at the top-right of the screen.
- On the next page, scroll down to the bottom and tap on Clear Cache under Account Actions.
Clear cache via Android settings
Open your Android device settings and follow the steps mentioned below to clear the Snapchat app cache.
- Tap on Apps & notifications
- On the next page, if you’ve recently used Snapchat, it will appear under Recently opened apps at the top. If it doesn’t, tap on the See all apps option. Then find and tap on the name of the app whose cache you want to clear.
- On the next page, tap on Storage & cache.
- Then tap on Clear Cache.
Remove and add the friend again
Sometimes, removing your Snapchat friends and adding them again can also fix the issue. Here’s how.
- Open Snapchat and head over to the snap you can’t open. Tap the bitmoji next to the snap.
- Tap the three horizontal dots.
- Tap Manage Friendship.
- Tap Remove friend.
Now add them again to see if you can see their snaps.
Clear the conversation
Last but not least, clearing the glitchy conversation can also help. Here’s how.
- Open Snapchat and head over to the snap you can’t open. Tap the bitmoji next to the snap.
- Tap the three horizontal dots.
- Tap Chat Settings.
- Tap Clear from Chat Feed.
Now restart the app and try again.
Also read: How to mute someone on Snapchat?
