Snapchat is one of the most popular social media apps across the world. Because of its infamy, many users expect the app to always work. However, some users encounter issues with the Snapchat app that cause it to shut down randomly or malfunction.
You can resolve Snapchat issues by restarting your phone or the app, updating the software, clearing your cache, and ensuring you have a stable internet connection. Most issues are on the user end, but the Snapchat Network can sometimes go down due to maintenance or technical difficulties.
Don’t panic if you can’t open Snapchat, send Snaps, or log into the app. These issues are common and straightforward to resolve. We cover all the troubleshooting methods you need to know in the article below. Read on for more information.
What Causes Snapchat to Shut Down?
Like any other app, Snapchat can encounter issues that cause it to malfunction or randomly shut down. Some common causes for problems with the Snapchat app include:
- Poor internet connection
- Outdated software
- Minor software bugs
- Cache issues
- Incorrect smartphone permissions
- Issues with specific message threads
- Snapchat network issues
Most issues with apps like Snapchat are on the user side, but there are some cases where the Snapchat network is down. Either way, you can use troubleshooting techniques to resolve technical difficulties with Snapchat.
How to Troubleshoot Snapchat
There are usually several reasons why Snapchat can become unresponsive. Fortunately, you can resolve the problem through various troubleshooting methods.
The easiest way is to try one solution at a time until the issue is resolved. Here are a few techniques you can try if Snapchat isn’t working.
Restart the App
One of the fastest methods for fixing minor software bugs is to “reboot” the Snapchat app. To put it simply, shut down Snapchat and restart it.
Closing and restarting applications can fix minor bugs or errors, causing the app to work normally.
Restart Your Phone
Alternatively, you can restart your smartphone if closing and rebooting Snapchat doesn’t fix the issue. In many cases, rebooting your phone can resolve minor app issues and bugs. Here’s how to restart your device, depending on the model:
- For Android devices, hold down the power button until a prompt appears on the screen asking you to shut down or restart the device—hit Restart.
- For the iPhone 8 and earlier, press and hold the power button to restart the device.
- For the iPhone X and newer, press and hold the side button and volume button. Hold these buttons until the Slide to Power Off notification appears.
Make Sure Your Snapchat App is Updated
Sometimes, Snapchat won’t automatically update, and you might be using an older version. Older software versions can have bugs or be incompatible with your device.
You can search for Snapchat on your device’s App Store to see if any updates are available. If you notice a new software version, click download and see if the issue is resolved.
Log in and Out of Your Account
Another troubleshooting method for technical issues with Snapchat is to log in and out of your account. If you can boot the app, simply:
- Log out of your account by clicking your Profile icon.
- Afterward, click the Gear icon and scroll down until you see the Log Out button.
- You’ll need to confirm your choices and log back in afterward.
If your issue isn’t resolved, move on to the troubleshooting methods below.
Clear Your Snapchat Cache
Sometimes, issues with Snapchat can arise from corrupted files in the Snapchat app data cache. Luckily, you can quickly clear the cache to resolve these errors. Here are the steps to remove cache data on most Android devices:
- Launch the Settings App.
- Click Apps and Notifications.
- Navigate to the list of applications and select Snapchat. You may need to click See All Apps to view the entire list.
- Select Storage and Cache.
- Finally, click Clear Cache and confirm your choices.
Unfortunately, there isn’t a way to clear the Snapchat cache on iPhone devices. Instead, you’ll need to uninstall Snapchat and reinstall it via the App Store.
Check Your Internet Connection
Although it might seem obvious, be sure you have a stable internet connection. You’ll need to check your WiFi is working if you’re connected. Alternatively, you can use your cellular data to access Snapchat if you have the feature enabled.
To troubleshoot your WiFi, reboot your router and modem. Then, turn off the devices for at least two minutes and reboot them. If issues with Snapchat aren’t resolved, you may have a local service problem and need to contact your internet service provider for additional assistance.
Adjust Your Snapchat Permissions
In some cases, Snapchat can encounter technical difficulties due to errors with your smartphone’s permissions.
For example, permission issues might cause errors with taking photos or using filters. You haven’t granted the app access to your phone’s features in these cases. You can efficiently resolve these issues with the following instructions:
For iPhone:
- Launch the Settings App.
- Navigate toward the list of apps and select Snapchat.
- Enable each permission via the button swiped to the right. Essential permissions include Location, Photos, Camera, Cellular Data, and Microphone.
For Android:
- Launch the Settings App.
- Next, click Apps and Notifications.
- Locate Snapchat from the app list. Click Sell All Apps if you can’t find it.
- Click Permissions.
- Finally, inspect each permission and enable them.
Check if Snapchat is Down
Although Snapchat is a reliable app, there are some situations where errors occur on Snapchat’s end. Most issues will be on the user’s end, but you can check to see if Snapchat’s network is encountering problems.
To do so, view Snapchat network status at DownDetector or look up “Is Snapchat down” on Google.
Delete Conversations to Resolve Snapchat Issues
Are you having trouble sending Snaps to one or more users? You might have an uncommon issue with Snapchat’s conversation cache. You most likely have this issue if you restarted the app, reinstalled it, or cleared the cache.
Luckily, you can delete the conversations associated with the problematic users to resolve the issues. You’ll lose the whole conversation and any unopened Snaps, however. Here’s how:
- From Snapchat, click your account profile near the top left of the app.
- Next, click the Settings Icon that looks like a gear near the top right-hand corner of the app.
- Select Clear Conversations.
- From the list of friends, click the X on the right side of the conversation you want to delete.
This will delete the entire conversation thread, including any unopened Snaps. However, the issue should be resolved. If the problem isn’t fixed, you may need to contact Snapchat Customer Support at https://support.snapchat.com/en-US.