Why is my snap stuck on sending?

Having your Snapchat snap get stuck on the “sending” screen can be annoying and prevent you from using the app as intended. There are a few potential reasons why this happens and some troubleshooting steps you can try to resolve the issue.

Common Reasons for Snap Stuck on Sending

Here are some of the most common reasons your snap may get stuck on the sending screen in Snapchat:

Poor internet connection – If you have a weak WiFi signal, limited mobile data, or are in an area with no service, your snap will have a hard time sending. This is one of the most common reasons for stuck snaps.

Server issues on Snapchat’s end – Snapchat’s servers could be down or overloaded, which can delay sent snaps from going through.
Outdated app – An outdated version of the Snapchat app may have bugs that prevent snaps from sending properly.
Recipient has you blocked – If the recipient has blocked you, your snaps to them will remain in a sending state indefinitely.

Snap limit reached – Snapchat limits how many snaps you can have pending at once, so new ones won’t send until old ones are opened.
Device compatibility issues – Very old or unsupported devices may have trouble sending snaps reliably.
App needs to be force closed – A glitch may cause the app to freeze up with snaps stuck sending.

Troubleshooting Steps for Stuck Snaps

If your snap is stuck on sending, try these troubleshooting steps:

Force close and restart the Snapchat app – Completely close out of Snapchat from your app switcher or settings menu, then reopen it. This refreshes the app.
Check your internet connection – Make sure you’re connected to a strong WiFi or fast mobile data network that allows Snapchat to function.

Update Snapchat to the latest version – Go to your device’s app store and download any available updates for Snapchat.
Toggle your device’s Airplane Mode on/off – Turn Airplane Mode on, wait a few seconds, then turn it off again to reset the network.
Clear the Snapchat cache – Delete old Snapchat files stored locally on your device to free up space.

Delete old sent/received snaps – Remove any pending sent or received snaps to open up capacity to send new ones.
Restart your mobile device – Power your device completely off and back on to clear out any glitches.
Check Snapchat server status – Go to Snapchat’s support site to see if there are any known outage or issues with their servers.

Contact Snapchat support – If all else fails, reach out to Snapchat’s customer service for additional help.

Preventing Snaps From Getting Stuck Sending

To help avoid having your Snapchat snaps stuck in the future, keep these tips in mind:

Maintain a stable internet connection on your device when using Snapchat.

Update to the latest version of Snapchat as soon as updates are available.
Clear out old/already viewed snaps regularly to free up capacity.
Avoid backgrounding the Snapchat app or multitasking while snaps are sending.

Check Snapchat’s server status page if you’re having widespread issues.
Don’t force quit or close the app while you have a snap pending.
Use Snapchat within your device’s recommended specifications.

Delete and reinstall Snapchat if persistent glitches occur.

What to Do If Your Snap is Permanently Stuck

If you’ve tried all the troubleshooting steps but your snap remains stuck on sending indefinitely, here are some last resorts:

Contact the recipient through another method – Let them know your snap is stuck so they can try reloading it on their end.

Block and unblock the recipient – Blocking them on Snapchat resets the connection so stuck snaps may send.
Delete conversation history with the recipient – Wipe your chat history with the contact to remove any glitched snaps.
Change your username – Switching up your username essentially gives you a clean slate on Snapchat.

Factory reset your device – As a last resort, a full factory reset will eliminate any problematic app data.
Use Snapchat on a different device – See if the stuck snap sends normally when using a different phone.
Submit a bug report – Officially notify Snapchat through their support site or app.

Why Snaps Get Stuck on Sending

To better understand why Snapchat snaps get stuck on sending, here is a more technical overview of what’s happening behind the scenes:

Uploading the Snap

When you take and send a snap, the Snapchat app on your phone first uploads the photo or video to Snapchat’s servers in the cloud. This upload can fail if:

You have a bad internet connection.

Snapchat’s servers are down or overloaded.
The app is force closed or crashes during the upload.
Your account is temporarily blocked from sending snaps.

Processing the Snap

Once uploaded, the snap goes through processing which encrypts it for private viewing. Processing issues can happen if:

The snap’s file format isn’t supported.
There’s lag time on Snapchat’s servers.

The encryption keys are corrupted.

Downloading the Snap

Finally, your snap has to successfully download on the recipient’s device. The download can be interrupted if:

The recipient has a poor internet connection.

The recipient’s app is force closed or crashes.
The recipient’s account or device is unable to decrypt it.

So in summary, there are a number of technical points of failure that can lead to stuck snaps in the uploading, processing, and downloading phases.

When to Worry About a Stuck Snap

In most cases, having a snap stuck on sending is just a minor annoyance that gets resolved in a matter of minutes. However, there are some circumstances where a persistently stuck snap could potentially be a concern:

If the snap contains sensitive, illegal, or dangerous content.
If the recipient urgently needs to view time-sensitive content.

If you’re worried the recipient will screenshot a snap that was meant to be private.
If the stuck snap prevents you from sending or receiving any other snaps.
If you rely on using Snapchat for your business or work.

If the issue keeps recurring and prevents normal use of Snapchat.

In these cases, it’s more important to aggressively troubleshoot and resolve the stuck snap situation. Reaching out to Snapchat support may also be warranted.

FAQs About Snaps Stuck on Sending

Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about dealing with stuck snaps on Snapchat:

Why does the arrow turn gray when sending a snap?

The gray arrow indicates your snap has been sent to Snapchat’s servers, but hasn’t been opened by the recipient yet. It stays gray until viewed.

Can a recipientscreenshot your snap if it’s stuck and won’t send?

No, the recipient can’t view or screenshot the snap until it shows as delivered on their end.

Is there a time limit for how long a snap can stay stuck?

There’s no official time limit, but snaps generally fail to send after 24-48 hours.

Will deleting old snaps help a new snap send?

Maybe – deleting old snaps can free up capacity to send new ones if you’ve hit your pending snap limit.

Does airplane mode fix a snap stuck on sending?

Toggling airplane mode can force Snapchat to re-establish the network connection, so it’s worth a try.

Can recipients see when you screen record a stuck snap?

No, the recipient won’t get a notification since the snap remains in pending status.

Conclusion

Having your Snapchat snap stuck on sending can certainly be frustrating. However, there are a number of practical troubleshooting tips you can try to get it unstuck. Make sure to maintain a strong internet signal, keep the app updated, and delete old snaps regularly. If the issue persists, a reboot, reinstall, or contacting Snapchat support may be necessary. With some patience and effort, you should be able to get your snaps sending smoothly again.