Snapchat not working with VPN: 5 ways to solve the problem

Snapchat is used by millions, but it’s still locked in some parts of the world – that means you sometimes need a VPN to disguise your location. If your VPN isn’t working with Snapchat, read our list of fixes so you can log in again.

The VPN servers you have available to you through your current VPN could well be blacklisted by the messaging app. Luckily, you can troubleshoot the problem in just a couple of minutes.

Which VPNs work with Snapchat?

Why you can trust GadgetMouse: Our content is written by a team of humans and we refuse to use AI. Plus, we own (and use) every VPN that we write about. For more details, see our editorial policy.

Why is my VPN not working with Snapchat?

If you’re trying to message friends from a restricted territory, your connection could be blocked. Other social media apps such as Twitter and Instagram work in the same way.

However, a reliable VPN (we really like ExpressVPN) can help you access them from anywhere in the world. Your current VPN is probably failing to hide your location if you’re outside an allowed location.

How does Snapchat know I’m using a VPN?

If your current VPN isn’t hiding your real location, Snapchat could interfere with the server you’re using. Bad VPNs take a long time to replace blacklisted servers, which means you have no way of sending pictures and videos through Snapchat. The best VPNs for Snapchat aren’t affected.

Common issues with Snapchat:

• The app has blacklisted your VPN servers
• You have a bad network connection that stops you from sending and receiving Snaps
• Your VPN is broken and revealing your IP address

Snapchat fixes

1. Update your VPN

If you can’t send Snaps while you’re abroad, make sure you’re using the most recent version of your VPN.

• From a computer, go to VPN Settings. Look for the Update option, which will likely redirect you to the VPN provider’s website.
• From an Android, update your VPN using the Play Store. Start by tapping on your profile icon in the corner and then select Manage apps and devices. If you tap the name of your VPN, you’ll see notes from the devs confirming what has changed in the newest version.
• From an iPhone, open the App Store and, in the top-right corner, tap on your user profile. From there, you can easily check for and install any available updates. Check the update notes if you want to know what changed.

2. Swap server

Stop using your current server and trying another that’s based in a country that supports Snapchat – the UK or US, for example.

Exact steps for this vary depending on the VPN service you’re using. If you’re using ExpressVPN, you can select the three dots to access a list of servers within the same country.

3. Use Customer Support

The VPN services we’ve highlighted further down the page have customer support teams that can help with technical issues. If Snapchat isn’t working, reach out.

4. Reset your VPN

If switching servers didn’t work, completely uninstall your VPN, then reinstall the software. After the reinstallation, open both your VPN and Snapchat and try again. If you can log into the app and send a Snap, you know that the reset worked.

5. Speed test your internet

Disconnect from your wi-fi, reconnect and then try your VPN one more time. If that doesn’t help, you can perform a thorough reset by restarting your router. A hard reset like this can wake up Snapchat.

You can also assess your internet connection by running a free internet speed test, such as Ookla. This test will allow you to compare the results with your Internet Service Provider’s ‘minimum guaranteed speed’ promise.

Best VPNs for Snapchat

ExpressVPN

• 1-month subscription: £10.53 per month
• 6-month subscription: £8.12 per month
• 1-year subscription + 3 months free: £5.42 per month (49% off)

🌎 Number of servers	160
📈 Bandwidth	Unlimited
🗣️ 24/7 live chat service	Yes
📱 Number of devices	5
⏱️ Our speed test results	-8.7% download, -5.5% upload (London)

To message contacts on Snapchat from anywhere, use ExpressVPN today. It’s user-friendly, fast and effective for accessing region-restricted apps. With ExpressVPN, all you need to do is connect to a server in a supported country and you can easily use Snapchat from anywhere.

ExpressVPN hides your real IP address, making it impossible for apps to see that you’re using them from outside a specific area. With servers available in more than 90 countries, every ExpressVPN user can benefit from global coverage. ExpressVPN is compatible with various devices including Mac, Android, and iOS smartphones.

Pros: Smartphone app lets you connect in seconds, 'favourite' most-used VPN servers for quick access, performed remarkably well in our chat support speed test

Cons: Rival VPNs are cheaper, can't use many devices at once

Try ExpressVPN today

Ivacy

• 1-month subscription: £8.62 per month
• 1-year subscription: £3 per month (65% off)
• 5-year subscription + FREE password manager: 80p per month (90% off)

🌎 Number of servers	5,700
📈 Bandwidth	Unlimited
🗣️ 24/7 live chat service	Yes
📱 Number of devices	10

Ivacy is an excellent choice if you want a VPN that works with Snapchat. It uses 256-bit encryption to keep cybercriminals at bay, also featuring public wi-fi security to safeguard your devices from viruses when connected to public hotspots.

Ivacy is one of the most popular VPNs that works with Snapchat. If you try it out today, you get instant access to over 3,000 VPN servers worldwide. A single subscription is valid for up to 10 devices at once.

Pros: Connection is steady when using multiple devices, notifications mention if Ivacy is disabled, server locations split by country and city

Cons: We think the ExpressVPN mobile app is faster, below-average results in our chat support speed test

Try Ivacy today

NordVPN

• 1-month subscription: £10.49 per month
• 1-year subscription: £3.99 per month (40% off)
• 2-year subscription: £2.79 per month (58% off)

🌎 Number of servers	5,200+
📈 Bandwidth	Unlimited
🗣️ 24/7 live chat service	Yes
📱 Number of devices	6
⏱️ Our speed test results	-14% download, -7% upload (London)

NordVPN is another exceptional VPN that lets you use region-locked apps including Snapchat. It has servers worldwide, protected by military-grade encryption. Plus, NordVPN’s advanced technology keeps you secure on public wi-fi networks without wrecking your streaming and download speeds.

With NordVPN, you can use Snapchat from anywhere within minutes. Simply connect to a VPN server and go from there. Note that NordVPN offers a 24/7 live chat service to assist you whenever necessary.

Pros: Built-in internet kill switch works well, profile page on app includes 'Security score' with privacy tips, takes less than a minute to reach a live chat agent (based on our tests)

Cons: Other VPNs tested are cheaper, some streaming services require multiple resets to work

Try NordVPN today

PureVPN

• 1-month subscription: $10.95 per month (12% off)
• 1-year subscription: $3.74 per month (70% off)
• 2-year subscription + 4 extra months: $1.96 per month (84% off)

🌎 Number of servers	6,500+
📈 Bandwidth	Unlimited
🗣️ 24/7 live chat service	Yes
📱 Number of devices	10

PureVPN is one of our top recommendations for unlocking Snapchat. With optimised servers designed to reduce load times, it’s easy to use and provides a great streaming experience.

With over 6,500 servers in more than 75 countries worldwide, PureVPN provides ample opportunities for unlocking Snapchat. If you’re not completely satisfied after trying it out, the brand offers a 31-day money-back guarantee.

Pros: Surprisingly affordable considering features, lots of UK and US-based servers, generous with simultaneous devices

Cons: Takes a couple of minutes to reach live chat agents (based on our tests), performs better on iOS compared to Android (in our experience)

Try PureVPN today

How to use a VPN with Snapchat

1. Pick one of our suggested VPNs – we’ll use ExpressVPN for this example.
2. Once you’ve created your ExpressVPN account, sign in.
3. From your device, download and open the ExpressVPN app and select a server in a country that supports Snapchat – the UK, for example.
4. Once you’re connected, open up Snapchat.
5. Log in to your Snapchat account and enjoy.

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