How do you fix Snapchat music not working?

ByJael Lawler

Snapchat is a popular messaging app that allows users to send photo and video messages called Snaps. One common issue many Snapchat users face is problems with music and audio not working in Snaps. This can affect various Snapchat features including viewing Stories, opening Snaps, recording video Snaps with music, and more. Essentially, if you notice no sound or audio when trying to play music or videos on Snapchat, the app’s music and audio features are likely not working properly.

Confirm the Issue

Before troubleshooting, it’s important to confirm that Snapchat music and sounds are not working properly on your device. Here are some ways to reproduce the problem:

  • Try playing a Snap or Story that should have music or sound – if there is no audio, then the issue is reproduced.
  • Record a new Snap video and playback – if it has no sound, the problem is confirmed.
  • Check both received Snaps/Stories and your own recorded Snaps to confirm the issue affects audio playback universally in the app.

This appears to be a widespread problem affecting many Snapchat users across platforms like iOS, Android, etc. It’s not an isolated incident. Confirming the scope of the issue will help guide troubleshooting steps.

Basic Troubleshooting

Here are some basic troubleshooting steps to try if Snapchat music is not working properly:

Force close and restart the Snapchat app. On iPhone, double click the home button and swipe up on the Snapchat app to force close it. On Android, open the app manager in settings and force stop Snapchat. Then restart the Snapchat app and see if music starts working again.

Update to the latest version of Snapchat. Go to your device’s app store, search for Snapchat, and install any available updates. The developers may have fixed music issues in newer versions.

Clear the Snapchat app cache and data. On iPhone, go to Settings > General > iPhone Storage, select Snapchat, then tap “Offload App” (this keeps documents and data but deletes cache). On Android, go to Settings > Apps > Snapchat > Storage, then tap “Clear Cache” and “Clear Data”.

Check Settings

One of the first troubleshooting steps when Snapchat music is not working is to check your device’s settings. First, confirm that cellular data and/or WiFi is enabled on your device. Snapchat requires an internet connection to stream music, so if you are disconnected, music playback will fail.

You’ll also want to check that background app refresh is enabled for Snapchat. This allows Snapchat to refresh content like music playlists in the background even when you aren’t actively using the app. To enable background app refresh on iPhone, go to Settings > General > Background App Refresh and turn it on for Snapchat. On Android, go to Settings > Apps & notifications > Advanced > Background app refresh and enable it for Snapchat.

Checking these basic connectivity and background settings can often resolve music not working in Snapchat.

Update Device Software

One potential solution is to make sure your device has the latest software updates installed. It’s possible that a bug in an outdated version of iOS or Android is causing issues with Snapchat music.

For iPhone users, go to Settings > General > Software Update and install the latest iOS update released by Apple. As noted in this Snapchat forum thread, software updates can fix issues with Snapchat functionalities like music.

Similarly, for Android users, open the Settings app and tap on System > System update. Install the latest system update available for your device. Make sure to keep your phone’s operating system updated to get any bug fixes related to Snapchat or other apps.

After updating the device software, check if Snapchat music is now functioning properly. A new software update might have addressed any issues with the music feature in Snapchat.

Reinstall Snapchat

One potential solution is to uninstall and reinstall Snapchat. This can resolve any corrupted data or software files that may be causing audio issues in the app.

Before uninstalling, make sure to back up your Snapchat data so you don’t lose conversations, memories, stories, etc. You can do this by going into Snapchat’s settings and tapping “My Data” then “Download My Data.” This will let you save your data to your device’s storage.

Once your data is backed up, go ahead and uninstall Snapchat. On iOS devices, hold down the Snapchat icon until it starts wiggling, then tap the X icon to uninstall. On Android devices, go to Settings > Apps > Snapchat and tap Uninstall.

After uninstalling, download Snapchat again from the app store and log back into your account. With any luck, reinstalling a fresh version of Snapchat may resolve the audio issues you were experiencing. You shouldn’t lose any of your backed up data after logging back in.

If the audio problems persist even after reinstalling Snapchat, you may need to try some of the other troubleshooting steps in this guide.

Check Regional Restrictions

Snapchat’s music library has certain licensing limitations depending on your country. There are certain countries where Snapchat has not been able to secure all the necessary music rights. The Snap Commercial Content Policy explains:

“The content provided through Snap may be different in different geographies due to the various licenses we have negotiated.”

So if music is not working in Snapchat, you may be experiencing regional restrictions. The Snapchat subreddit community speculates certain countries are affected by this, like Australia, the United States, and Brazil.

Options in this case are limited. You can try using a VPN to switch to a country that has full Snapchat music licensing, or else contact Snapchat support to confirm the restrictions, voice your concerns, and request support for your country’s music licensing.

Use a VPN

One possible way to fix Snapchat music not working is by trying a VPN (virtual private network). A VPN allows you to change your virtual location and access content as if you were in a different country.

Connect to a VPN server located in a country where Snapchat music works, such as the United States or Canada. Then try opening Snapchat again while your VPN is enabled. The change in virtual location may allow sounds and music to start working properly in Snapchat.

However, free VPN services often have data limits, speed reductions, privacy concerns, and don’t always work reliably. Consider trying a paid premium VPN service which generally offers better performance, more server locations, greater data allowances, and improved privacy. Just make sure they have servers available in countries that support Snapchat sounds.

Contact Snapchat Support

If you’ve tried all the troubleshooting steps and Snapchat music is still not working, it’s time to contact Snapchat Support directly. You can contact Snapchat Support through the official contact channels:

Snapchat Support will analyze the bug report and determine root cause of music issues in Snapchat. They can also provide timeline or suggestions for any upcoming fixes or troubleshooting steps you can take.

Alternatives

If Snapchat music is still not working after you have tried the troubleshooting steps listed above, you may want to consider alternative social media platforms for music. Numerous apps allow music sharing and listening, potentially offering a better experience than Snapchat. Some top options include:

  • YouTube – The world’s largest video platform which also doubles as an audio music player.
  • TikTok – Popular for short form videos but also has music integration features.
  • SoundCloud – Specifically designed for streaming music and audio content.
  • Instagram – Music stickers and Stories integration allow music sharing.

Changing to a platform built for music may provide a better experience if you are unable to resolve the issues with Snapchat. Consider migrating some or all music uses to apps with deeper integration like the options above.

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