Having issues recording videos on Snapchat can be frustrating. There are a few common reasons why Snapchat may not be letting you record videos and some troubleshooting steps you can try to get it working again.
Quick Fixes
Here are some quick things to try that may fix Snapchat video recording:
- Close and restart the Snapchat app
- Force quit Snapchat
- Update to the latest version of Snapchat
- Check your device storage and clear space if needed
- Toggle your device’s airplane mode on and off
- Restart your device
Simply closing and reopening the Snapchat app or restarting your device can often resolve temporary glitches that prevent recording. Ensuring you’re on the latest version of Snapchat will make sure you have all the newest features and fixes. And checking your storage to make sure you have enough free space for videos is always a good idea.
Connection Issues
Problems with your internet connection are a common cause of Snapchat recording failures. Here are some connectivity troubleshooting tips:
- Check that your device has a strong WiFi, cellular data, or internet connection
- Try connecting to a different WiFi network or using mobile data
- Disable VPN or proxy connections that could interfere with Snapchat
- Reset network settings on your device
Switching networks or disabling VPNs can help isolate connectivity problems impacting Snapchat. Resetting network settings will clear out any incorrect or corrupted settings that could be preventing videos from uploading.
Permissions Issues
Snapchat requires access to your device’s microphone, camera, and storage to be able to record videos. Here’s how to check Snapchat’s permissions settings:
- On iPhone, go to Settings > Privacy > Microphone / Camera / Photos and check that Snapchat has permissions enabled
- On Android, go to Settings > Apps & Notifications > Snapchat > Permissions and check that permissions are enabled
- You can also reinstall Snapchat to reset all permissions
Granting microphone, camera, and storage permissions for Snapchat in your device settings is required for Snapchat to access your camera and microphone for recording videos.
Account and Device Restrictions
In some cases, restrictions on your Snapchat account or device could prevent video recording. Here are some things to check:
- Make sure your Snapchat account is not temporarily locked or restricted
- Check that any parental control or device restriction settings are not blocking camera/microphone access
- Try logging out and back into your Snapchat account
- As a last resort, try creating a new Snapchat account
If your account has been restricted in some way, creating a new account may be the only way to restore full functionality. Parental controls and mobile device management restrictions could also block access to the camera and microphone system-wide.
Camera and Microphone Issues
Faulty device hardware can prevent Snapchat from accessing your camera and microphone. Try these camera and mic troubleshooting steps:
- Inspect your microphone and camera hardware for damage or obstructions
- Use your device’s built-in Camera app to test if your camera/mic works normally outside of Snapchat
- Check for updates to device drivers and firmware
- As a last resort, get your device hardware serviced if faulty
If your device’s camera and microphone work in the native Camera app but not in Snapchat, it points to a problem with the Snapchat app specifically. But any physical damage to your microphone or camera modules would need to be repaired before Snapchat can access them again.
Snapchat Server Issues
Like any app, Snapchat relies on backend servers that can sometimes encounter downtime and technical difficulties. Some signs of Snapchat server problems include:
- Snapchat reporting issues on their status page
- Snapchat crashing immediately on launch
- Slow loading times in the app
- Features like Stories not loading at all
When Snapchat itself is having connection issues or crashing for everyone, it usually indicates wider problems with their servers that you’ll have to wait out. Check Snapchat’s status page or social media to see if they have posted about any known issues.
Update or Reinstall Snapchat
If you are still having trouble recording videos in Snapchat, updating Snapchat to the latest version can provide fixes for bugs that may be causing problems:
- On iPhone, update via the App Store
- On Android, update via the Play Store
- Or uninstall and reinstall Snapchat to force the newest version
A fresh reinstall can sometimes resolve odd issues that updating doesn’t fix. Just be sure to backup your Memories first as they can be lost when reinstalling.
Contact Snapchat Support
If all else fails, get in touch with Snapchat’s support team:
- Direct message @snapchatsupport on Twitter or Snapchat
- Start a live chat at support.snapchat.com
- Email Snapchat support at [email protected]
Snapchat’s dedicated support team may be able to provide personalized troubleshooting or identify any problems specific to your account that are preventing video recording.
Common Snapchat Video Recording Errors
Here are some of the common error messages you may see in Snapchat when trying to record a video and what they typically indicate:
| Error Message | Likely Cause |
|---|---|
| “Couldn’t access camera” | Permissions or hardware issue preventing camera access |
| “Couldn’t start recording” | Temporary glitch or network connection issue |
| “Storage space is running low” | Insufficient storage to record and save new videos |
| “Your account has been temporarily locked” | Account restriction prevents recording |
| “Can’t connect to Snapchat” | Internet connection problem or Snapchat server issue |
Checking the associated camera, storage, account, or network issues based on the specific error message can help narrow down the cause of the problem.
Preventing Snapchat Video Recording Problems
Here are some tips to avoid issues recording Snapchat videos in the future:
- Keep your device storage cleared out to have space for videos
- Allow Snapchat access to microphone, camera, and storage in your device settings
- Check for Snapchat updates regularly to get bug and performance fixes
- Use a stable, high-speed internet connection when recording videos
- Don’t block camera access with device covers or camera lens blockers
- Grant location access so Snapchat filters work properly
- Avoid questionable third-party apps or mods that could get your account locked
Following best practices for managing your device storage, app permissions, and account security will help ensure Snapchat can function and record videos smoothly.
Conclusion
Troubleshooting Snapchat video recording comes down to methodically checking for app crashes, network issues, account restrictions, hardware faults, or Snapchat server problems. The most common fixes involve restarting the app, updating Snapchat, checking app permissions, freeing up device storage, or switching networks. While frustrating, most recording failures can be resolved with a few troubleshooting steps to get Snapchat working properly again.