10 Fixes for Snapchat Videos Not Working Issue

Snapchat has become one of the most popular social media platforms, especially among younger users. A big part of Snapchat's appeal is the ability to send fun, spontaneous videos to your friends. However, what do you do when those videos won't load or play? If your Snapchat videos aren't working, it can be incredibly frustrating.

This comprehensive guide will walk you through all the common reasons Snapchat videos may not be working properly and show you step-by-step how to troubleshoot and fix the issues. Whether the issues are on your end or Snapchat's end, we've got you covered. Read on to learn how to get them up and running again quickly!

Before we dig into fixes, let's go over some of the most common Snapchat video problems users experience:

• Videos get stuck on the loading screen and never start playing

• Black screens instead of videos

• Videos only play the sound but no visuals

• Can't open or view received Snapchat videos

• Snapchat crashes or freezes when trying to watch videos

• Poor video quality and constant buffering

If you're encountering any of these issues, the solutions below should help get your Snapchat videos working again.

Without further ado, here are the top 10 troubleshooting tips for resolving Snapchat video problems:

1. Check Your Internet Connection

Slow, unstable internet connection speeds, WiFi problems, and cellular data issues can all interfere with sending and viewing Snapchat videos. Videos require more bandwidth than regular Snapchat photos, so any network connectivity problems will be even more pronounced.

Turn airplane mode on and off to reset your network connection, or try switching from WiFi to cellular data or vice versa to see if your connectivity is the culprit. Then close and re-open Snapchat to re-establish the internet connection.

2. Force Close and Restart the Snapchat App

One of the simplest fixes for glitchy apps is to force close and restart them. This refreshes the app and clears out any corrupted data that could be causing issues.

On iOS:

• Double tap the Home button to bring up your recent apps

• Locate Snapchat in the app carousel and swipe up on it to close

• Open Snapchat again and try watching a video

On Android:

• Open your Android settings

• Tap on Apps or Application Manager

• Select Snapchat

• Tap Force Stop to force close the app

• Start Snapchat again

Restarting Snapchat resets the app and often resolves temporary bugs.

3. Clear Cache and Data

Over time, corrupted app cache and data files can accumulate and cause Snapchat video not working and other performance issues. Clearing the Snapchat app cache and data may help resolve video problems. Here are the steps:

Tap Snapchat > Tap Gear in My Profile to open Settings > Scroll down and tap "Clear Cache" > Tap "Clear" on iOS, or tap "Continue" on Android.

Reopen a freshly cleaned app and try again.

4. Update or Reinstall Snapchat

Outdated apps are prone to bugs and issues. Make sure you're running the latest version of Snapchat with all the newest fixes and optimizations.

Just go to the App Store or the Google Play Store and search for Snapchat. If an update is available, you'll see an "Update" button next to Snapchat, tap on it to install the latest version.

If updates aren't fixing app glitches, you can also try fully uninstalling and reinstalling the app. This wipes the app data clean, removing any corrupt files that could be interfering with videos. Log back into your account and test videos again.

5. Restart Your Phone or Update Phone Firmware

A simple restart your phone can solve a lot of issues. Besides that, make sure your iPhone or Android firmware is up to date too. Operating system updates include bug fixes, security patches, and optimizations that can improve app performance. Use the latest OS version to avoid compatibility issues.

On iOS:

• Navigate to Settings > General > Software Update

• Install any iOS updates that are available

On Android:

• Navigate Settings > System settings or About device > System update

• Follow any prompts to download and install system updates if there is an update available

6. Disable Battery Saver/Power Saving Mode

Some power-saving modes intentionally limit background data usage and app performance to conserve battery life. If enabled, try turning off any battery/power saver settings temporarily to see if that fixes Snapchat video loading.

• On iOS: Go to Settings > Battery > Make sure Low Power Mode is off

• On Android: Open Settings > Battery > Power saver > Toggle off power saving/battery saver mode

With power saving disabled, Snapchat should have unrestricted network and data access.

7. Grant Snapchat Access to the Necessary Features

Snapchat needs access to your phone's storage, camera, microphone, etc. to save and load video files properly. If you have restricted permissions, it can cause problems with videos. Make sure Snapchat is allowed access to the necessary features.

• On iOS, go to Settings > Snapchat > toggle on each option.

• On Android, go to Settings > Applications > Snapchat > Permissions.

• Snapchat app: Tap your profile picture > gear icon > Manage > Permissions.

8. Free Up Storage Space

If your phone is critically low on storage space, apps can struggle with loading videos and large files. Free up some space by deleting unnecessary apps, photos, videos, and files from your device. Make sure you have ample free storage available.

• On iPhone: Go to Settings > General > iPhone Storage, delete unused apps, photos, and media to free up space.

• On Android: Access Settings > Storage > Tap Free up space to delete unneeded files and apps to clear storage.

9. Try a Different Device Entirely

Hardware issues like a bad camera lens or microphone can definitely cause problems recording and sending videos. Software bugs and glitches, outdated operating systems, and other device-specific issues may also interfere with Snapchat playing videos properly.

If you've tried all other troubleshooting tips, attempt accessing Snapchat on a completely different device if possible to isolate a device-specific problem. Use a friend's smartphone or tablet and see if videos work properly there. If they do, then an issue with your specific device is likely the root cause.

10. Contact Snapchat Support

Snapchat won't play video can also be caused by the server or app problems on Snapchat's End. Like any app, Snapchat can suffer from occasional server outages or app glitches. When this happens, there's not much you can do besides wait for Snapchat to fix the issues on their end.

If all else fails, reach out to the Snapchat Support team through their contact form online or Snapchat's Twitter account or other social media pages to see if they've posted about any known problems.

They may be able to provide advanced troubleshooting tips or confirm whether Snapchat is having widespread technical difficulties. Official Snapchat support can further assist you if needed.

With any luck, one of those troubleshooting tips should have gotten your Snapchat videos working again! For additional help, be sure to check Snapchat's Help Page or contact their support team. Persistent app issues may require waiting for a future update with performance improvements and bug fixes.

Now get out there and start Snapping those videos! Just be prepared to troubleshoot again if you encounter more playback or loading problems. We hope this guide gave you all the tools to quickly resolve Snapchat video not working issues.