Snapchat Filters Not Working – Here’s What To Do

There’s a lot to love about Snapchat, but one of our favorites is the ability to use filters. If you use Snapchat, you’ve probably made fun of your friends, swapped faces, or added bunny ears to your pictures. However, some users have encountered issues with Snapchat filters and lenses.

If you find that your Snapchat filters are not working, there are a few things you can try to fix the problem. Let’s take a look at how you can fix Snapchat filters so you can get back to having fun with the app.

Snapchat Filters Not Working: How to Fix

If your Snapchat filters are not working, it may be because of a software issue on your phone or your Snapchat app is not updated.

Here are a few troubleshooting methods you can try to get Snapchat filters working for you again.

Update Your Device

Snapchat filters may not appear in the app if you are using an older version of your phone’s software. Older versions of your phone’s software and newer versions of Snapchat will not work well together and vice versa. This issue affects both Android and iOS users and a simple software update is one of the fastest ways to fix this issue.

If you are on an iOS deviceHere’s how to update your software:

Settings > General > Software Update

If there are pending updates, they appear in the Software Update window. The Settings app widget also has a red notification icon if an update is available.

After you finish updating your device, launch Snapchat to see if you can use filters.

If you are using an Android deviceDo this:

Tap Settings > Software Update > Check for Updates > Tap ‘OK’ > Install Update if Available.

OR

Menu > Settings > About Phone > Software Update

Depending on the version, one of the two options above will point you to the latest version of Android if you don’t already have it.

Once the software is up to date on both models, check if your Snapchat filters are working. If not, continue to follow the steps listed below.

update Snapchat

Your mobile device may not be the only thing that needs updating. You should know that Snapchat usually updates the app monthly, so keeping up with the latest is essential to keep the app running smoothly.

For our Android users, check the Google Play Store to see if you are using the latest version of Snapchat. Once in the Google Play Store, you can type “Snapchat” in the search bar or tap on the “Updates” option at the top.

iOS users will need to check the App Store for new Snapchat versions. From the App Store, tap “Updates” at the bottom right. Go to Snapchat and tap “Update”.

Enabling Snapchat Filters

If you still cannot access the filters after making all the necessary updates, chances are they are disabled in the Snapchat app itself. This is an option on iPhones only.

Here’s how to enable filters on Snapchat:

1. Launch Snapchat.
2. Tap your profile in the upper left corner.
3. choose Settings.
4. Access the Settings menu by tapping the red icon in the upper right corner.
5. choose Additional services.

Select “Manage” under Additional Services to get more options. In the Manage menu, make sure the “Filters” option is turned on. If not, just tap the button to activate the filters.

After turning on the filters, return to the main Snapchat window and check if you can use them.

Other Reasons You Can’t Use Snapchat Filters

You should know that only a handful of Snapchat filters are permanent. The company releases new filters every few days, weeks or months. So if you are looking for a specific filter and it is not there, the problem is not software related – the filter is no longer available.

For example, there were some really cool promotional filters featuring the likes of Superman, Deadpool, and Batman, to name a few, but these were only temporarily available to coincide with the releases of their respective movies.

Your Phone Is Running Very Slow

If you are using an Android device, you can clear your system cache to speed up your phone. Android phones also have an external storage device. Make sure your Snapchat app is stored in system memory and not on an external SD card.

You can clear the cache in an iPhone’s Settings under the Safari option. You’ll also want to make sure your phone’s device memory isn’t full. If you are getting messages that you are running out of space, it may cause your phone to run slowly.

Your Internet Connection Is Weak

Whether you’re using cellular data or WiFi, if your phone’s connection isn’t fast enough, you may experience issues with Snapchat filters.

Try these options:

1. Turn off WiFi if it’s on.
2. Connect to WiFi if your cell phone data connection is weak.
3. Reset your network settings in iPhone or Android settings

Turn On Location Services

Some filters only work in certain locations. On the app’s home screen, tap the location indicator in the lower left corner, then tap “Allow”.

Snapchat Lens Problems

Aside from filter issues, Snapchat lens-related issues are surprisingly common. One of the main reasons why you may not be able to use some or all of the lenses is technical requirements. If you are running Snapchat on an older device, it may not support the basic requirements for Snapchat lenses.

Unlike filters, Snapchat lenses include animation and facial recognition features that might be a bit too powerful for some older devices. you can always check Snapchat website for basic technical requirements that allow you to use lenses.

final thoughts

If you notice that the filters on your Snapchat are gone, you don’t have to worry. The methods listed above will help you get the filters back in no time. Also keep in mind that you need to run regular software updates to keep your Snapchat running smoothly.

Do you have any other methods to restore filters on Snapchat? Let us know in the comments below!