Snapchat has been growing a lot over the years, and its streak feature is one of the main reasons people keep coming back to the app every day. Even if you are not a big fan of Snapchat itself, the streaks and the way friends stay connected through snaps make it hard to completely ignore. Many people also use it mainly because their friends are more active there compared to other platforms.
Personally, I am not too interested in Snapchat, but I still use it to maintain streaks with some friends. Lately, more of my friends have started using Snapchat actively and sometimes even prefer to chat with me there. Earlier this week, I faced a strange issue. I received a video on Snapchat, but when I tried to play it, it just would not load. At first, I did not bother much since I was not that interested in watching it. But my friends kept asking if I had seen their video and even started calling me about it. That is when I realized I needed to fix the problem as soon as possible.
After looking into different solutions, I found that many users are also facing the same issue with Snapchat videos not playing. In this guide, I will share the fixes I tried myself and also include other methods that can help you solve the problem.
11 Quick Fixes for Snapchat Not Playing Videos on Android and iPhone
Check Your Internet Connection
Many times, Snapchat videos stop playing just because the internet is too slow or keeps dropping. First thing you can do is see if your Wi Fi or mobile data is working fine. Try turning on airplane mode for a few seconds and then turning it off again. You can also try switching from Wi Fi to mobile data or the other way around to see which one works faster.
In my case, the internet was the issue, and I was able to fix the problem once my connection was working properly. After that, Snapchat videos started playing without any trouble. If you are still unsure, you can run a speed test to see how fast your connection is.
Restart Your Phone
The next thing you should try is turning the device off and then switching it back on. The steps to restart depend on the phone you are using.
On most Android phones, you need to hold the power button for a few seconds and tap restart or power off. On iPhones, press and hold the side button and then slide to power off. Once the phone has restarted, open Snapchat again to check the received video.
Check App Permissions
Snapchat needs access to a few parts of your phone to play and send videos. If those permissions are turned off, the app may not load videos at all.
On Android
- Press and hold the Snapchat app icon.
- Tap the little info button or “App info” option.
- Go to “Permissions” and check them one by one.
- Make sure important ones like “Camera, Storage, Microphone, and Mobile data” are set to Allow.
On iPhone
- Open the Settings app and scroll down until you see “Snapchat” (Under Apps on iOS 18 & above).
- Tap on it and switch on all the needed permissions.
- For Photos, tap and select “All Photos” so Snapchat can load videos saved on your phone.
- Also, check that “Mobile Data” is turned on for Snapchat.
Clear Snapchat Cache
One handy thing about Snapchat is that it actually has its own clear cache option inside the app. This is really useful for iPhone users too, since iOS normally does not allow you to clear cache for apps because of the way it handles storage. Snapchat makes it easy by giving you the option right there in the settings.
Cache is just temporary files that the app saves so things load faster. Over time, it can pile up and cause small issues. Clearing it does not delete your chats or memories; it only removes those temporary files.
Here is how you can do it inside Snapchat:
- Open Snapchat.
- Tap your profile picture, then tap the gear icon to open “Settings.”
- Scroll down and tap “Clear Cache.”
- Hit “Continue” to confirm.
If that does not fix it, Android users can also clear the cache from the phone settings like this:
- Open “Settings.”
- Tap on “Snapchat” under the Apps or Manage Apps section.
- Tap on “Storage.”
- Select “Clear cache.”
Free Up Storage Space on Your Phone
When your phone runs out of storage, apps can behave strangely. I have noticed on my own phone that the moment storage gets very low, some apps stop working normally.
The fix is simple. Just look through your phone and clear out what you do not need. Delete old photos or downloads, remove apps you have not opened in months, and clear junk files that are just sitting there. If you have large videos or files, you can also move them to cloud storage to make a good amount of space.
Update Snapchat App
Often, the problem is caused by a bug in the app itself. Updating Snapchat to the latest version can fix it.
- On Android: Open Google Play Store > tap your profile icon > Manage apps and devices > Updates available > Update Snapchat if listed
- On iPhone: Open App Store > tap your profile icon > scroll to see pending updates > tap Update next to Snapchat
Instead of going through these steps, you can directly check the update option on the Snapchat app page here: Android | iOS.
Turn Off Data Saver in Snapchat
Snapchat has a data saver feature for people who like to use less mobile data. It sounds useful, but sometimes it can prevent some feature to work in the way they should.
To switch it off:
- Open Snapchat.
- Tap on your profile picture, then the gear icon to open Settings.
- Scroll down until you see Data Saver and tap on it.
- If the box is ticked, untick it.
Turn Off VPN for a While
If you use a VPN on your phone, it might be the reason Snapchat videos are not loading. A VPN changes your IP address and routes your internet through another region. It is great for unblocking content, but sometimes apps like Snapchat do not work well with it.
To check if this is the issue, just turn off your VPN for a bit and then open Snapchat again. Try playing the video that was stuck before. If it plays fine without VPN, then you know what was causing the problem.
You can always turn the VPN back on later when you need it, but for Snapchat it is better to keep it off if videos are not playing.
Check if Snapchat is Down
In some cases, the problem has nothing to do with your phone or internet. Snapchat’s servers can have issues too, and when that happens, videos might not load. It is rare, but it can happen.
If you want to check, head over to a site like Downdetector and see if other people are having trouble with Snapchat at the same time. You can also ask your friends if they are facing the same issue or check social media platforms like X, Facebook, or Reddit, where people often share their frustrations and post about ongoing problems.
If the site or your friends confirm a problem, then it is just a matter of waiting until Snapchat fixes it.
Check Your Phone’s Software
Sometimes the problem is with your phone and not Snapchat. If your device is old or the software has not been updated in a while, it can cause apps to misbehave.
Check if there is a system update available for your phone. On Android, go to Settings > About > Software Update. On iPhone, open Settings > General > Software Update. 
Reinstall the Snapchat App
If Snapchat videos are still not playing, try deleting the app and installing it again. On Android, long-press the icon and tap “Uninstall”, then download it from the Play Store. On iPhone, remove the app and reinstall it from the App Store. After that, log in with your details to check the received video.
RELATED GUIDES:
- 11 Ways to Fix Snapchat Notification Sound Not Working on Android & iPhone
- How to Fix Updating Messages on Snapchat
- How to Fix Snapchat Not Showing Messages [8 Easy Ways]
These are some easy ways you can try if Snapchat videos are not playing. They usually work for received videos, stories, or posts from friends. If none of these fixes work, you may need to contact Snapchat for help.
If you found this guide useful, share it with others. And if you know any other tricks that help, let us know too!
