How to fix Snap Stories not loading on Snapchat

by
Snapchat stories

Sharing snaps on Snapchat is a fun way to share moments and memories with friends and family. So, realizing that stories are not loading on Snapchat can be very frustrating. Especially if you can’t identify the cause of the error, let alone how to fix it.

So, how do you solve an issue whereby Snapchat is not loading snaps?

We’ll look at possible reasons for the problem and the best solutions available. Keep reading to get all the details and restore your Snapchat’s functionality.

Why stories are not loading on Snapchat

  • Poor internet connection: Snapchat relies on a stable internet connection to send and load snaps. Therefore, if the network is poor, the Snapchat stories won’t show up. Instead, you’ll get a black screen or grey preview image.
  • Snapchat doesn’t have app permissions: Snapchat needs certain app permissions to function seamlessly. So, if the stories are not loading on Snapchat, certain permissions might be restricted.
  • Snapchat servers are down: Server outages and downtime are extremely rare. However, when they occur, your snaps won’t load.
  • Excess cache: Cache pileup also hinders the performance of your Snapchat app as it takes up storage space. Even worse if some of the cache files are corrupt.
  • Your Snapchat app is outdated: An outdated app is prone to bugs, glitches, and viruses that lead to system crashes and issues like your Snapchat not loading snaps.
  • VPN connection: Connecting to a VPN can help bypass certain geographical restrictions, but, it could also be the reason Snapchat stories are not showing up.

Fix Snapchat not loading snaps or stories

If Snapchat is not loading snaps or stories, do the following:

1. Restart Snapchat

The fastest and simplest way to solve the Snapchat not loading snaps or stories problem is to quit and relaunch the app. Especially, if the root cause is a temporary software glitch or the app didn’t initiate correctly.

To exit and close the app, you should do the following:

  • For Android, go to Settings > Application Management > Snapchat > App info > Force Stop. Or, you can press the recent apps shortcut at the bottom of your home screen, then swipe right or left to locate the Snapchat app and swipe it upwards to close it.
  • For iPhone X and later models, swipe up from the bottom of the screen and stop at the center to open the App Switcher. For iPhone 8 and previous models, you’ll have to double press the home button to open the App Switcher. Next, swipe right or left until you find the Snapchat app then swipe it upwards to close it.

After closing the app, wait a few minutes then go back to your home screen and tap on Snapchat to launch it.

READ: How to unsend messages or snaps on Snapchat

2. Reboot your device

If the app reboot didn’t work, you should restart the device. Doing so will relaunch the entire system and correct minor errors and bugs that prevent snaps from loading on Snapchat.

How to restart your Android phone

  • Simultaneously press and hold the power button and the volume down button until the shutdown menu appears on the screen.
  • Tap on the restart icon to reboot the device.

How to force restart your iPhone

  • For iPhone SE (2nd generation), 8, and later models, quickly press and release the Volume Up button then press and release the Volume down button. Next, press and hold the power button until you see the Apple logo on the screen.
  • For iPhone 7, simultaneously press and hold the power button and the Volume Down button until the Apple logo appears.
  • For iPhone SE (1st generation), 6 or earlier, simultaneously press and hold the power button and the home button until the Apple logo appears

2. Check the Snapchat servers

Go to DownDetector and check if there’s a Snapchat service outage.

If their servers are down due to maintenance or overload, you’ll have to wait until they fix the problem. Chances are, they’re already working on fixing the problem.

3. Check your internet connection

First, run a quick speed test to see the strength of your Wi-Fi network. If the speeds are slow, try and connect to another Wi-Fi or your cellular network. While at it, contact your ISP to find out the problem and if they could come and troubleshoot.

Also, you can reboot or reset the router and move your phone closer to it. If you’re using an institution’s Wi-Fi network (work or school), they might have blocked Snapchat, so you should just use your mobile data.

Other network solutions to try include:

  • Forgetting the Wi-Fi network and reconnect: Go to Settings > Wi-Fi > Select the Network you’re connected to > Forget this Network. Try to connect again and see if it works.
  • Disconnect your VPN.

4. Change DNS settings

Changing the DNS servers is a network solution that has helped various people to fix snap stories not loading on Snapchat. Here’s how it works:

  • Go to Settings.
  • Select Wi-Fi.
  • Tap on your Wi-Fi connection.
  • You may have to select Advance Options on some devices.
  • Under IP Settings Change DHCP to Static.
  • Tap on Configure DNS.
  • Under DNS Servers tick Manual.
  • Change DNS1 and DNS 2 to 8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4 respectively.
  • Tap Save in the upper-right corner.

READ: How to fix login errors on Snapchat

5. Check the app permissions

Ensure you enable Snapchat app permissions on your phone. Use the following guides:

How to enable app permissions on Android

  • Long press the Snapchat app icon on your home screen.
  • Tap on the info icon from the menu that pops up.
  • Tap on Permissions.
  • Enable all the Permissions.

How to enable app permissions on iOS

  • Open Settings on your device.
  • Scroll down and tap on Snapchat.
  • Enable all the permissions from the window that opens up.

Restart your Snapchat app to snap stories will load successfully.

6. Clear conversations

If you’re unable to load snaps on a specific chat, you should try and clear the conversation to see if it works. Here’s how to do it:

  • Open Snapchat on your phone.
  • Tap on your profile.
  • Tap on the gear icon in the top-right corner to open settings.
  • Scroll down to the Privacy section.
  • Select Clear conversation.
  • Tap the X icon next to the conversation that you want to clear.
  • Tap Clear to confirm that you want to delete the conversation.
  • Ideally, you can launch Snapchat > swipe right to access Chats > find the person whose chats you want to clear and Long Press their Profile ID > Select More > Tap Clear Conversation > Tap Clear to confirm.

Close your Snapchat app and relaunch it to see if the problem is gone.

7. Remove and re-add a contact

Still, Snapchat stories are not loading for a specific chat? You should remove the friend and re-add them again. Use the following guide:

  • Open Snapchat.
  • Tap on your Profile.
  • Tap on My Friends.
  • Select the Friend’s Name.
  • Tap on View Friendship,
  • Tap the three-dotted icon on the top-right corner.
  • Select Remove Friend.
  • Tap on Remove to confirm.
  • Close the application.
  • Launch Snapchat again.
  • Go to your profile and tap Add friends.
  • Search for your friend’s name and add it.

8. Clear cache

Removing the app cache can help to free up space for the seamless performance of the app, and eliminate corrupt cache files infecting the system.

How to clear Snapchat cache

  • Open Snapchat on your phone.
  • Tap on your profile followed by the gear icon to open settings.
  • Scroll down to Account actions.
  • Tap on Clear cache.
  • Select Continue when prompted to confirm.

iOS users will have to reinstall the app to clear its cache since there’s no option to do it directly.

READ: Why the gender swap filter won’t work on Snapchat

9. Update your app and device

You need to use the latest version of Snapchat to avoid bugs, glitches, and even viruses that trigger the Snap stories failure. Use these guides to update your app and device OS:

How to update Snapchat

  • Open your App Store (iOS) or Play Store (Android).
  • Search for Snapchat and tap on it.
  • If there’re any available updates, tap on Update.
  • To avoid the manual update process, turn on Auto-update.

After updating Snapchat, you must update your device’s OS to maintain compatibility. Plus, new updates come with advanced security and bug fixes. Use the following guide:

  • For iOS, Open Settings > General > Software Update > Download and Install available updates.
  • For Android, Open Settings > About Device > Software Update

10. Re-install Snapchat

By now, if your Snap stories are not loading on iPhone or Android, you need to uninstall and reinstall them. Use the following steps:

  • Find the Snapchat app on your home screen.
  • Tap and hold the Snapchat app icon until the apps start to wiggle.
  • Tap the Remove icon or Uninstall.
  • Tap Delete App.
  • Tap Delete to confirm.
  • To reinstall the app, go to your App Store (IOS) or Play Store (Android).
  • Search for Snapchat and tap on it.
  • Tap on Install.
  • Open the app and login into your account to see if Snap stories are loading.

11. Get in touch with Snapchat

Lastly, Snap stories isn’t loading after these steps, you can always contact Snapchat and let them know about your problem. They’ll look into it and give you a way forward.

Hopefully, one or a combination of our troubleshooting solutions above helped to fix your Snap stories loading problem. You can tell us about your experience and any further questions in the comment section below.