Top 7 Ways to Fix Snapchat Camera Not Working

Top 7 Ways to Fix Snapchat Camera Not Working

Whether you use the Snapchat app to stay in touch with friends and family or create memories for yourself, Snapchat’s camera is a key part of the process. And there is a lot to admire about those static filters and the unique AR animations that the Snapchat camera offers. But if you’ve been deprived of this fun camera because it doesn’t perform well, then this guide is for you.


Best Ways To Fix Snapchat Camera Not Working

If the Snapchat camera seems to be enlarged or is capturing poor quality photos, we’ve compiled some troubleshooting tips that should bring Snapchat’s camera back to its glory. So let’s get started.

1. Check the internet connection

Since the Snapchat camera relies on the internet to load these captivating lenses and AR stickers, you can check the internet connection on your phone first. To do this, Snapchat recommends that you switch between Wi-Fi and mobile data on your device. If that helps, the problem might be with the network you’re connected to.

2. Restart the application

Then you can try to restart the app. If Snap’s camera is not working due to a minor app glitch, you can try restarting the app.

To force close Snapchat on Android, press and hold the app icon and select the app info icon. Now tap on Force Stop to close the Snapchat app.

Open the Snapchat Info app


Open the Snapchat Info app

Force stop Snapchat on Android


Force stop Snapchat on Android

To close Snapchat on iPhone, bring up the app switcher by swiping your finger from the bottom of the screen (or double-tapping the Home screen button). Locate Snapchat and swipe up to close it.

Force stop Snapchat on my phone


Force stop Snapchat on my phone

3. Check the app permissions

If Snapchat doesn’t have permissions to access your phone’s camera, you might find it difficult to use Snapchat’s camera. You will need to check the permissions of the app again.

Snapchat on Android

Step 1: Open the Settings app on your phone and go to Apps & notifications.

Android apps and notifications


Android apps and notifications

2nd step: Scroll down or use the search tool at the top to locate the Snapchat app. On the app info page, tap Permissions.

List of apps on Android


List of applications on Android

Snapchat app permissions


Snapchat app permissions

Step 3: Now make sure Snapchat is allowed to use the camera and microphone.

Snapchat permissions


Snapchat permissions

Allow Snapchat app permissions


Allow Snapchat app permissions

Snapchat on iPhone

Step 1: Launch the Settings app on your iPhone and scroll down to tap Snapchat.

Settings on i Phone


Settings on i Phone

2nd step: Now activate the switches next to the camera and microphone.

Allow Snapchat permissions on i Phone


Allow Snapchat permissions on i Phone

After that restart the Snapchat app to see if the above changes help you.

4. Update Snapchat

If you’ve turned off automatic app updates on your phone, you’re probably using an older version of the Snapchat app. You can open the Google Play Store and check if the Snapchat app has any pending updates. If so, install them.

5. Clear lens data

Whenever you try different lenses in Snapchat camera, the app downloads a cache of that lens so that you can use it over and over again without having to download it again. If the Snapchat app fails to load these cached goals, it may display a black screen instead.

So, you can try clearing existing Lens data on Snapchat to see if that helps.

Step 1: Open the Snapchat app. Tap your profile icon in the upper left corner to view your profile. Now tap the gear icon in the top right corner to open settings.

Snapchat app


Snapchat app

Snapchat settings


Snapchat settings

2nd step: Scroll down to tap Lenses. Now tap on Clear local goal data option.

Snapchat lenses


Snapchat lenses

Clear local goal data


Clear local goal data

Once cleared, restart the Snapchat app to see if the camera issue is resolved now.

6. Clear cache data

If clearing the lens data doesn’t help, you can try clearing the entire cache data on Snapchat. Besides lenses, Snapchat also stores cache data for memories, stickers, stories, etc. If Snapchat encounters an error while loading this cached data, you might run into issues like this one. To remedy this, you can try clearing the cache data on Snapchat by following the steps below.

Step 1: Open settings on Snapchat.

2nd step: Scroll down to Account Actions and tap on Clear Cache option. Choose Clear when prompted.

Clear cache on Snapchat


Clear cache on Snapchat

Clear Snapchat cache


Clear Snapchat cache

Once cleared, go ahead and restart the app to see if you can send snapshots now.

7. Reinstall the app

If our solutions didn’t help, you have no choice but to reinstall the app. You will need to sign in after the app is reinstalled.

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Capture every moment

The Snapchat camera is filled with stickers and lenses that you might not get anywhere else. And such camera issues in the app shouldn’t prevent you from accessing it. Hope the solutions mentioned above make the Snapchat camera work again.

Love to use the Snapchat app but care about privacy? Find out the effective ways to secure your Snapchat account.

Last updated on December 14, 2021

The above article may contain affiliate links that help support Guiding Tech. However, this does not affect our editorial integrity. The content remains impartial and authentic.

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