3 Ways to Fix Snapchat Not Playing Videos on Android and iPhone

Try Basic Fixes

• Check if Snapchat is down: At times, server congestion or other related issues can impact Snapchat’s performance and trigger various errors. You can visit a website like Downdetector to see if there’s an issue with Snapchat’s servers.
• Temporarily disable VPN: Using a VPN connection can sometimes lead to connection issues with apps like Snapchat. When this happens, Snapchat may fail to load or play videos on your Android or iPhone. You can temporarily disable your VPN connection to see if that solves the problem.
• Update the app: An outdated or buggy Snapchat app could cause issues when loading or playing videos on your phone. Consider updating the Snapchat app from the Play Store or App Store and see if that helps.

Fix 1: Review App Permissions

A lack of relevant permissions could prevent the Snapchat app from playing videos stored in the camera roll or loading videos in chats. To avoid such issues, ensure that Snapchat has all the necessary permissions.

On Android

Step 1: Long-press the Snapchat app icon > tap the info icon from the menu > select Permissions.

Step 2: Go through each permission one by one > set them to Allow.

On iPhone

Step 1: Open the Settings app on your iPhone > scroll down to tap Snapchat. Then, use the toggles in the following menu to enable all the necessary permissions.

Step 2: Tap on Photos > select All Photos in the following menu.

Fix 2: Turn Off Data Saver Mode in Snapchat

Snapchat offers a data saver mode that can be helpful if you’re on a limited data plan. However, this feature can sometimes freeze or lag videos repeatedly on Snapchat. Hence, disabling Snapchat’s data saver mode is best when you don’t need it.

Step 1: Open the Snapchat app > tap the profile icon at the top left > tap the gear-shaped icon at the top right.

Step 2: Scroll down to tap on Data Saver > clear the Data Saver checkbox in the following menu.

Fix 3: Clear Snapchat App Cache

Cache files are helpful for ensuring faster app and content load times. However, if the Snapchat cache files on your phone somehow become inaccessible, they could disrupt app processes and cause problems.

Luckily, Snapchat makes it easy to remove these problematic files by allowing you to clear the cache within the in-app settings menu.

Step 1: In the Snapchat app, tap on your profile icon > tap the cog icon to open Snapchat settings.

Step 2: Scroll down to Account Actions > tap the Clear Cache option > select Continue when prompted.