If you are experiencing issues with Snapchat shortcuts not working properly, there are a few troubleshooting steps you can take to try and resolve the problem. Snapchat shortcuts allow you to quickly access certain features in the app by swiping in different directions on the camera screen. Some common shortcuts include swiping left to go to chat, swiping right to access memories, and swiping up to access stories. Here are some potential reasons why your Snapchat shortcuts may not be working and how to fix them.
Ensure You Have the Latest Version of Snapchat
One of the first things to check is whether you have the latest version of the Snapchat app installed on your device. Snapchat frequently releases updates that contain bug fixes and improvements to features like shortcuts. If your app is out of date, some shortcuts may not work properly or at all. Open your device’s app store (the App Store on iOS or the Play Store on Android), search for Snapchat, and see if there are any pending updates. Install the latest version of Snapchat and then test your shortcuts again.
Check Your Snapchat Settings
It’s possible your Snapchat settings need to be adjusted to re-enable shortcuts. Open Snapchat and tap your profile icon in the top left corner. Go to Settings > Additional Services and make sure Shortcuts is toggled on. If it was disabled for some reason, switching it on should restore Snapchat shortcut functionality. You can also toggle on or off individual shortcuts here like Chat, Camera, Stories, and Memories if only some are not working.
Close Out of Snapchat Completely
A simple reboot of the Snapchat app can occasionally fix issues with shortcuts not responding. Completely close out of the Snapchat app on your device – swipe it away from the app switcher on iOS or hit the X in the corner of the app on Android. Then reopen Snapchat and try your shortcuts again. This refreshes the app and reconnects the shortcuts. If the shortcuts work normally again, a fresh restart is all that was needed.
Update Your Device Software
Having the latest software version installed on your device is also important for Snapchat shortcut functionality. Software updates contain bug fixes, security patches, and improvements that can affect how apps like Snapchat work on your device. Make sure your iPhone, iPad, or Android device is updated to the most recent OS version available. On iPhone, go to Settings > General > Software Update. On Android, go to Settings > System > Advanced > System Update. Run the update if one is available.
Check If Snapchat Is Up to Date
In rare cases, it may not be your device or app causing Snapchat shortcuts to fail – the Snapchat server itself could be having issues. Check third-party sites like Downdetector to see if other users are reporting widespread problems with Snapchat. If the service seems to be having server outages or other issues, you’ll just have to wait for Snapchat engineers to resolve the problem on their end before shortcuts will work again.
Reinstall the Snapchat App
If you’ve tried updating Snapchat, rebooting your device, and updating software with no improvement, the next step is to uninstall and reinstall Snapchat. This wipes the cache and data for the app and essentially gives you a fresh install, which can fix shortcut problems. On an iPhone, hold down the Snapchat icon until it starts wiggling, then tap the X to delete. On Android, go to Settings > Apps & Notifications > Snapchat and select Uninstall. After uninstalling, re-download Snapchat from the app store and log back in.
Restart Your Device
A simple device restart can also refresh the operating system and get shortcuts working again in the Snapchat app. Power your iPhone or Android device completely off, leave it off for at least 30 seconds, then turn it back on and open Snapchat. The restart will clear out any glitches or processes that may have been causing issues with Snapchat shortcuts.
Update Your Phone Carrier Services
On Android devices specifically, updating your phone carrier services app can help fix Snapchat shortcut problems. Carrier services allow your device to communicate properly with your cellular network. Open the Play Store, search for “Carrier Services”, select the app, and update it if an update is available. This ensures full compatibility with your carrier and can resolve mobile app issues caused by connection problems.
Check for App Conflicts or Bugs
In some cases, a conflict with another app installed on your device could be preventing Snapchat shortcuts from working properly. If you’ve recently installed a new app, try uninstalling it as a test to see if Snapchat shortcuts start working normally again. This helps identify if the other app is interfering with Snapchat’s functionality. You can also check Snapchat user forums and help boards to see if other users are reporting bugs that might be impacting shortcuts and wait for fixes.
Clear the App Cache and Data
Over time, cached data and files can build up in Snapchat and potentially affect shortcut reliability. On an iPhone, go to Settings > General > iPhone Storage, select Snapchat, then tap Offload App. This clears the cache while saving your data. On Android, go to Settings > Apps & Notifications > Snapchat > Storage > Clear Cache and Clear Data. Be aware this also deletes login info, so you’ll have to sign back in.
Check If You’re Running Compatibility Mode
Android devices include a compatibility mode that can be enabled to resolve issues with apps crashing or improperly displaying. However, compatibility mode also disables certain features like Snapchat shortcuts. Go to Settings > Apps & Notifications and see if any apps like Snapchat have Compatibility mode toggled on. If so, disable compatibility mode and check if shortcuts work again.
Contact Snapchat Support
If all else fails, reach out to the Snapchat Support team either through email or via live chat on their support site. They may be able to provide personalized troubleshooting tips based on your exact device, app version, and the specifics of the shortcut problems you are encountering. Make sure to provide detailed information to the support rep about when shortcuts stopped working and what troubleshooting you’ve already tried.
Conclusion
With shortcuts being such a core part of the Snapchat user experience, having them suddenly stop working can certainly be frustrating. Fortunately, a few simple troubleshooting techniques typically resolve shortcut issues in the app. Updating Snapchat and your device software, restarting your device, reinstalling the app, clearing cache and data, and checking for conflicts with other apps or bugs are good first steps. If the problems persist, reach out to the Snapchat support team for additional personalized troubleshooting assistance to get your shortcuts working properly again.
| Troubleshooting Step | Details |
|---|---|
| Update Snapchat App | Get latest version in app store which may fix shortcut bugs |
| Check Snapchat Settings | Ensure Shortcuts option is enabled in settings menu |
| Restart Snapchat App | Completely close app and relaunch to refresh shortcuts |
| Update Device Software | Install newest OS updates which include app compatibility fixes |
| Reinstall Snapchat App | Delete and reinstall Snapchat to wipe cache and refresh shortcuts |
| Restart Your Device | Power device off completely then back on to refresh OS |
| Check for App Conflicts | See if newly installed apps are interfering with Snapchat |
| Clear Cache and Data | Wipe built-up Snapchat files that may affect shortcuts |
| Disable Compatibility Mode | Android compatibility mode can block shortcuts |
| Contact Snapchat Support | Get personalized help directly from Snapchat |
Snapchat’s swipe shortcuts for quickly accessing features like chat, memories, stories, and more can occasionally stop functioning properly. There are a number of troubleshooting techniques to try if your Snapchat shortcuts are not working on either iPhone or Android. Begin with simple steps like closing and restarting the app, installing app and device software updates, and reinstalling Snapchat. If the problem persists, dig deeper by clearing cache/data, checking for app conflicts, disabling compatibility mode, and contacting Snapchat support for assistance. With a few targeted troubleshooting steps, you should be able to get Snapchat shortcuts working reliably again.
Additional Troubleshooting Tips for Snapchat Shortcuts
Beyond the basics already covered, here are some additional tips for troubleshooting when Snapchat shortcuts are not functioning:
Check for Overheating Issues
If your device feels hot when Snapchat is open, overheating could be impacting shortcut functionality. Close background apps, remove your phone case, and turn down screen brightness to cool your device.
Toggle Airplane Mode Off and On
Flip airplane mode on, wait 15-30 seconds, then turn it off again. This resets mobile connections and can fix shortcut glitches.
Try Disabling VPN or Proxy Settings
VPN apps and proxy server settings you may be using can sometimes interfere with Snapchat shortcuts.
Check App Permissions
Make sure Snapchat has all necessary permissions enabled for your camera, contacts, storage, etc.
Wipe Phone Cache Partition (Android Only)
On Android devices, wiping the cache partition can clear out system-level issues with shortcuts.
Factory Reset Device (If Needed)
For serious system issues, a full factory reset will get your device and Snapchat app back to original settings.
Preventing Snapchat Shortcut Problems
Once you’ve resolved your Snapchat shortcut issues, there are some steps you can take to avoid potential problems recurring in the future:
- Keep Snapchat updated always – enable auto-update if possible.
- Install device software updates promptly when available.
- Reboot your phone fully once a week.
- Limit number of apps installed to reduce memory issues.
- Close background apps not in use while Snapchat is open.
- Clear Snapchat cache/data occasionally – about once a month.
- Monitor device temperature and close resource heavy apps if overheating.
- Back up Snapchat data in case more troubleshooting is needed.
Staying on top of app updates, regularly restarting your device, limiting background processes, and proactively clearing cache/data help keep Snapchat shortcuts working smoothly. Implementing preventative maintenance best practices reduces the chances of shortcuts malfunctioning.
Alternative Snapchat Access Options
If Snapchat shortcuts remain problematic even after troubleshooting, there are a couple alternative options for accessing core Snapchat features:
Use Voice Commands
Instead of swiping for shortcuts, you can press and hold the camera button to activate voice commands. Say “next story” or “memories” to navigate Snapchat.
Tap Top Menu Buttons
Icons for Chat, Stories, Camera, Map, etc are available in the top menu. Tap these icons as an alternative to swiping shortcuts.
Access Friends from Contacts
You can open chats directly from your device’s main contacts list instead of needing the Snapchat friends shortcut.
While not as quick as Snapchat’s swipe gestures, using voice commands, the top menu, and contacts list are handy workaround options if you are continuing to struggle with getting shortcuts functioning again after troubleshooting.
When to Call Snapchat Support
Contacting Snapchat’s customer support team is recommended if you experience any of the following:
- Shortcuts not working after trying ALL basic troubleshooting steps
- Shortcut issues lasting more than 2-3 days
- Other Snapchat features also malfunctioning
- Error messages appearing related to shortcuts
- Problem began after Snapchat or device OS update
- You need step-by-step guidance tailered to your device
- Other users reporting same issues on Snapchat help forums
Snapchat’s support specialists have additional tools and diagnostics at their disposal for identifying stubborn shortcut bugs. They can walk you through customized troubleshooting specific to your case. Reach out to Snapchat sooner rather than later if fundamental steps don’t quickly resolve your shortcut problems.
Summary of Key Points
- Ensure Snapchat app is updated to latest version
- Check that Shortcuts are enabled in Snapchat settings
- Close and restart the Snapchat app
- Update your device software/OS
- Try reinstalling Snapchat completely
- Restart your iPhone or Android device
- Watch for overheating issues while using Snapchat
- Toggle airplane mode off and on to reset connections
- Clear app cache/data if shortcuts still not working
- Call Snapchat support if basic steps don’t resolve problem
With shortcuts being a key way Snapchat is navigated, it’s important to get them functioning again if they start acting up. Follow the step-by-step troubleshooting guide outlined here to diagnose and fix any issues with Snapchat shortcuts not working properly. Consistently update Snapchat itself along with your device software and reboot your device regularly to prevent problems. Contact customer support sooner than later if basic troubleshooting doesn’t get shortcuts working properly again.