Quick Answers
Here are some quick answers to why Snapchat may say it can’t find your account:
- You entered the wrong username or password
- Your account was deactivated
- Your account was temporarily locked
- There is a technical issue on Snapchat’s end
You Entered the Wrong Login Info
The most common reason Snapchat can’t find your account is because you entered the wrong username or password when trying to log in. Here are a few things to check:
- Make sure you are entering the correct username. This is case-sensitive, so make sure autocorrect didn’t change it.
- If you can’t remember your username, try using your email or phone number to log in instead.
- Double check that you are entering the right password. If you can’t remember it, use the “Forgot password” option to reset it.
- Make sure you aren’t using an old or inactive account. If you created a new account, log in with those details.
If you’re certain you have the right login credentials, the issue likely isn’t on your end. Keep reading for other possible reasons Snapchat can’t find your account.
Your Account is Deactivated
If you voluntarily deactivated your Snapchat account, you will need to reactivate it before you can log back in. Here’s how to reactivate a deactivated account:
- Go to Snapchat.com and click “Log In” in the top right corner.
- Enter your username and password. If it says your account was deactivated, click the link to reactivate it.
- Select your birthday to verify your account. Snapchat will then send a 6-digit confirmation code to your email or phone number on file.
- Enter the confirmation code and your account should be successfully reactivated!
However, if Snapchat says your account was permanently deleted, it cannot be recovered. You will have to create a brand new account.
Your Account is Temporarily Locked
Snapchat will temporarily lock accounts if there is suspicious activity, such as:
- Entering the wrong password multiple times
- Logging in from a new device or location
- Violating Snapchat’s Terms of Service
A locked account prevents access for anywhere from a few hours up to a few days. Here are ways to unlock your temporarily locked account:
- Wait patiently. Most locks expire after 6-12 hours.
- Reset your password if you think that is the cause.
- Contact Snapchat Support if it has been over 72 hours.
There are Technical Issues
In some cases, Snapchat’s servers may be having technical difficulties on their end. This can prevent users from accessing their accounts even with the correct login details. Here are some signs it’s an issue on Snapchat’s end:
- You see error messages when trying to log in or use Snapchat
- Other users are also reporting login issues on social media or Downdetector
- The Snapchat Support Twitter account confirms technical difficulties
If Snapchat is having a widespread outage, the best option is to wait until their engineers fix the problem. Follow Snapchat Support on Twitter for updates. You can also check third-party sites like Downdetector for reports from other users experiencing issues.
Here is a table summarizing the main reasons Snapchat may not be able to find your account and solutions for each issue:
| Reason | Solution |
|---|---|
| Wrong username or password | Reset password or try logging in with email/phone number |
| Deactivated account | Reactivate account through Snapchat.com |
| Temporarily locked account | Wait 6-12 hours or reset password |
| Technical issues on Snapchat’s end | Wait until outage is fixed |
How to Retrieve a Lost or Forgotten Snapchat Username
If you can’t remember your Snapchat username, you have a few options to try retrieving it:
- Friends or Contacts – Ask people you snap or chat with if they remember your username. They may have it saved in their contacts.
- Email Snapchat – Email Snapchat Support from the email associated with your account. They can look up your username.
- Phone Number Login – Try logging in with your phone number instead. This will reveal your username.
- Account Recovery – Fill out the account recovery form through Snapchat.com providing details like your name, email, birthday, etc. Snapchat can use this info to identify your account and remind you of the username.
As a last resort, you may have to create a new Snapchat account and start fresh if none of those methods succeed in recovering your lost username.
Solutions When Snapchat Says Your Account is Temporarily Locked
If Snapchat has temporarily locked your account, here are some troubleshooting steps you can take:
- Wait it out – Most temporary locks last 6-12 hours before your account is automatically unlocked. Be patient during this time.
- Reset your password – If you think you triggered the lock by entering the wrong password too many times, resetting it may help.
- Avoid suspicious activity – Don’t try bypassing the lock through third-party apps or continually logging in, which can extend the lock.
- Contact Snapchat – If your account has been locked for over 72 hours, reach out to Snapchat Support for help.
- Check login notifications – Tap the notification icon in the app to see details on why your account was locked.
- Update your app – Make sure you’re running the latest version of Snapchat. An outdated version can cause issues.
With some patience and avoiding suspicious login attempts, your Snapchat account should be unlocked within 24 hours max. If not, persist in contacting Snapchat Support to regain access.
What To Do If You’re Locked Out of Your Snapchat Account
Here are the steps to take if you find yourself inexplicably locked out of your Snapchat account:
- Try closing the app and logging back in again. A simple reboot can sometimes resolve temporary glitches.
- Double check you are using the correct password. Reset it if needed.
- Check if your account was temporarily locked by Snapchat. Most locks last 6-12 hours.
- Seek help from Snapchat Support if your account has been locked for over 72 hours.
- Submit an account recovery request form at Snapchat.com by providing personal details.
- Reach out to Snapchat Support on Twitter for quick help if your account was wrongfully locked.
- If you’re locked out permanently, you’ll have to accept the loss and create a new account.
- Enable two-factor authentication once you regain access to better secure your account.
With persistence and patience, you should be able to recover a locked Snapchat account in most cases. But act swiftly, or risk losing your account and memories permanently.
Recovering Your Memories From a Deleted Snapchat Account
If your Snapchat account was permanently deleted, whether by yourself or through being locked out, here are a few ways you may be able to recover memories like Snaps and Chats:
- Friends and Recipients – Whoever you sent Snaps and Chats to may still have them saved in their inbox if not opened yet. Ask them to send you screenshots.
- Local Storage – If you had some Snaps and Stories saved locally on your device, check your camera roll and folders.
- Snapchat Memories – If you backed up your Snapchat Memories before account deletion, you can download and save them to your device.
- Google/iCloud Backups – Your device may have auto-backups of Snapchat data stored in the cloud that you can restore.
Unfortunately, if you didn’t utilize any of the above options, your Snapchat memories are likely gone forever when your account is deleted. So be sure to regularly back up your Snapchat data somewhere safe!
Conclusion
Trouble logging into your Snapchat account can be immensely frustrating, but the issue is often temporary and recoverable. Take the appropriate steps based on why Snapchat can’t find your account – whether it’s from entering the wrong password, your account being deactivated or locked, or technical difficulties. With some patience and using effective solutions like password resets and reaching out to Snapchat Support, you should be able to regain access to your account in most cases.
Moving forward, be sure to frequently back up your Snapchat data and enable extra security like two-factor authentication to avoid getting locked out again. With the right troubleshooting approach and preventative measures, you can get back into Snapchat and keep your treasured memories safe.