Snapchat filters have been all the rage for the past few years. They are wacky and fun. However, it can be quite tricky when they accidentally stop working. This article will walk you through the whole troubleshooting process of making your Snapchat filters work. We will also take a look at Snapchat, it’s mechanisms, and take a deep dive into the topic of “Why Snapchat filters not working?“.
How Snapchat has changed the game?
Snapchat is a popular multimedia messaging mobile application that serves a very unique purpose. While Instagram and Facebook have a “wall” system that indefinitely displays your posts until you delete them, Snapchat turns this formula upside down on its head. All the pictures and videos that you post are only available for a time period of 24 hours. It has evolved from being a medium of private messaging to full-fledged social media service.
This allows users to post “Stories” on their Snap accounts. As you probably can tell Snapchat focuses a lot on short term content so you don’t have to think twice about posting an embarrassing video clip or just photo where you might be having some fun. Once it’s gone, it’s gone. In a way, it is quite relieving to know that your stalkers won’t be able to go through your Snapchat and find all of your highlights. It’s a safe and robust service in this respect.
Snapchat Filters
One of Snapchat’s revolutionary features has been its inclusion of “Filters”. One of Snapchat’s landmark contributions in the world of social media and photo sharing, in general, is the use of filters. Filters are tools that enhance, alter, and add character to a plain photo. Imagine taking a selfie-and absolutely hating the way your hair looks.
A filter can not only rectify it but, you have the freedom to give yourself a virtual pirate cap. If a pimple is really popping out on your face, there’s always a filter that can fix it. However, filters are not limited to only helping you look better in photos, they have other uses as well.
In 2015, Snapchat totally changed what we mean by filters. Now the app allows users to add real-time effects into their snaps. This is done by incorporating powerful “face-detection” technology. Using bits and pieces from “Augmented reality” and clever programming, users have been able to add all kinds of details to their snaps. A typical dynamic filter can contain particle effects such as confetti, gold dust, and snowflakes.
Furthermore, it also supports elements that allow a user to attach virtual facial hair that is simulated and rendered along with their movements. Any discussion about Snapchat filters is incomplete without mentioning its famous “face-swap” feature. The face swap feature allows you to swap your face with another person, illustration, and even sometimes animals.
There are endless possibilities to navigate through. The effects are not only limited to visual elements. Snapchat offers you to record your video with a myriad of vocal filters. You can increase your pitch, lower it, and alter it any way you want to.
All in all, Snapchat is the best tool you can use to make sure that every photo is unique, creative, and eye-catching. Whether you want to be a pirate who sails the seven seas or have the ‘infamous’ dog filter, you can do so with Snapchat’s powerful face detection technology.
Technology is amazing as long it works perfectly. However, the real problem arises when it stops working. Did you recently open up your Snapchat, with the intention of taking perfect snap along with a funky filter and found out that it doesn’t work for some reason? Worry not! This article will help you troubleshoot all your problems away.
New Snapchat filters not working
Now that we have established why and how Snapchat filters are the most awesome aspect of Snapchat, it can be very frustrating when all the bright and shiny Snapchat filters just stop working. Let’s diagnose this problem and work towards a solution.
Weak Internet Connection
A weak internet connection is a problem that disrupts the functions of a lot of apps. Snapchat is a very demanding app when it comes to using the internet. It can eat up your bandwidth really quickly. If your internet connection is poor, that means some filters might have a problem loading up in your app.
Due to the very dynamic nature of Snapchat and how it needs a continuous internet connection, filters need an active internet connection to load properly. One tell-tale sign is the constant “loading” icon being displayed on top of the filter icons. This means that they are in the process of being downloaded.
However, if your connection is too slow it might take a while. It might actually never happen if your internet connection keeps on getting disconnected. So before you play around with new filters, make sure that you have a decent internet connection. Keep the bars up!
On iPhone
First and foremost, if you are on iPhone then chances are that the new Snapchat filters might have been disabled. You’ll first need to go to the “Settings” menu of Snapchat. Once you do that, you’ll see a few options. Press “Access Additional Services”. Once you tap on this, you will see a “Manage” option. You need to press it.
There should be an option that allows you to toggle filters on or off. This is a very handy feature and allows you to only use filters when you need them. However, it can be irritating to find no filters when they are automatically toggled off. Worry not, your problem is now solved.
Why Snapchat location filters not working?
Snapchat location filters are another revolutionary feature of Snapchat. For example, if you are to share a snap in Cape-town, you will be able to see different geo-filters as compared to Dubai. This allows businesses and individuals to personalize filters according to the culture of the place. They are a blessing only when they work. They allow you to add location-based filters to your snaps.
It’s clever how Snapchat gets them to work. Snapchat uses the location services of your mobile to enable geo-filters to work. That’s also where the problem can lie. If your location services are disabled for Snapchat, your Geofilters will not be able to work. For them to function, you’ll have to enable your location services.
Quick Fix for Snapchat location filters not working
On iPhone –
If you’re on iPhone, what you need to do is go to Settings > Privacy > Location Services. Then you need to toggle the location services on and then scroll down to the individual Snapchat app option. Toggle it on as well. For the next step, you need to open Snapchat and tap the settings in the top right corner. Choose the “Manage” option and then toggle on Filters. This will allow you to also enable Geofilters.
Finally, you can use location filters on your Snapchat.
On Android –
The process is somewhat similar to android devices. You need to go to Settings > Apps & Notifications > Snapchat App > Permissions and then simply toggle on “location”. This allows you Snapchat to access the locations services on Android.
Finally, you will be able to enjoy Snapchat’s powerful location filters feature.
Read: Why Facebook Marketplace Not Working?
Why Snapchat filters not working in Android?
There a myriad of reasons why Snapchat filters might not be working on your android device. Since the features and core architecture of an android device is totally different from an Apple one, it is bound to face different kinds of issues. One key reason could be that your phone is too slow. If your phone is bogged down with memory issues, slow processor, or outdated tech, it might cause Snapchat filters to load after a long time or not load at all. This can be quite the bottleneck as Snapchat is a very demanding app.
Unfortunately, until you fix these issues on your android device, you won’t be able to enjoy Snapchat to its fullest potential. Make sure your device is in good health before using Snapchat filters. So let’s have a look at these possible issues and their fix.
Faulty Phone Camera:
One other issue could be a faulty camera. As Snapchat uses facial detection and needs pinpoint accuracy for this feature, a faulty camera could really be a big hindrance. You’ll need to test your camera out and make sure that it is absolutely spotless. Perhaps, you can wipe it a couple of times, and take some photos to see if there are any spots obstructing its lens.
Lack of Adequate Lighting:
Another issue could be a lack of adequate lighting. Lighting plays a key role in making sure that your face gets detected. If the lighting isn’t good, it will seriously affect Snapchat’s facial detection features. If you are set on using its filters make sure you are in a well-lit location where Snapchat can see every part of your face. Under these optimal conditions, the filters are bound to work.
Outdated Snapchat App:
Lastly, make sure that your app is actually updated. Sometimes Android users turn off automatic updates for their app due to memory issues. This causes apps to update occasionally. This also means that any bug fixes or patches don’t get installed in due time. Perhaps, the reason your filters might not be working is simply that you haven’t pressed the update button for your Snapchat.
Hopefully, these tips should iron out any issues that you might have with Snapchat’s filters. Stick around for more troubleshooting.
Why doesn’t my Snapchat have filters?
Oh no! Did you just open Snapchat with the expectation of taking a few snaps wearing a virtual sombrero? Were you disappointed to see that there is no such filter on your version of Snapchat? This can be very irritating and an absolute buzzkill. Worry not, we will try to hash this out.
Some of Snapchat’s filters are temporary. They keep experimenting and adding new filters all the time. However, to save the memory real estate, they also have to remove the old ones. Your favorite filter could actually have been a temporary one.
However, it’s not all bad news. Once a filter gets used a lot by the community, there are chances that Snapchat might make it permanent. One trick to keep your favorite Snapchat filter is to not update the app for some time. This will keep your favorite filter safe in your app. It’s a good idea and the last resort option.
If the issues are still showing up, you can also just uninstall and reinstall the app. This will ensure that the latest version of Snapchat is installed on your phone. If there were any issues on Snapchat, they’ll probably be fixed after a clean reinstall.
How to get Snapchat filters back?
Do you miss your favorite Snapchat filter? Do you occasionally glance in your photo gallery to find photos with the perfect filter?
Due to Snapchat’s system of making certain filters temporary, it’s impossible to get your filters back. The good news is that this only applies to filters supplied by Snapchat exclusively. This means that any filter that you created for yourself will remain safe with you. Now you can combine both of these elements and come with a smart and clever solution.
By using Snapchat’s tools for making your own filter, perhaps you could simply make a filter that resembles the one which was removed by Snapchat. Not only this but you can customize it even further and make sure it’s more appealing compared to the one that Snapchat provided. In almost no time, you will be able to access your own library of custom filters that are tailored according to your needs and wants. Who needs Snapchat’s temporary filters when you can make your own?
In Conclusion
Snapchat’s filters are amazing until they stop working. Hopefully, this article was able to guide you in the troubleshooting process for “Snapchat filters not working“. Any foreseeable issue that you might have faced regarding Snapchat’s filters will likely have been solved, thanks to this article. Have a happy snap session and make sure that you include your friends in the crazy and wacky pictures that you take!