Could Not Refresh
Snapchat Software
Severity: MinorWhat Does This Error Mean?
Snapchat shows 'Could not refresh, tap to try again' on the Stories or Discover screens when the app cannot pull fresh content from Snap servers.
Cause is usually a weak network or Snapchat's servers being briefly slow.
Tap as instructed and the app retries.
Most cases clear within seconds on a working connection.
Affected Models
- Snapchat iOS app
- Snapchat Android app
Common Causes
- Weak network signal
- Captive WiFi blocking some Snapchat endpoints
- Snapchat server slow under peak load
- App permissions revoked after OS update
- Device clock significantly wrong (TLS rejects)
- VPN routing breaking Snapchat's connection
How to Fix It
-
Tap to retry.
Tap anywhere on the 'Could not refresh' message.
The app retries.
On a working connection, fresh content loads within a couple of seconds. -
Pull down to refresh.
Pull down on the Stories list.
This forces a fresh content fetch.
If the connection has come back, content loads.
If it stays in the loading state for over 30 seconds, the network is the issue. -
Check internet on another app.
Open a web browser, load a page.
If pages do not load, the network is the issue.
Fix WiFi or switch to mobile data first. -
Disable VPN.
Some VPN services route Snapchat traffic in ways that break the connection.
Disconnect the VPN temporarily.
If Snapchat works without VPN, your VPN is the cause — switch servers or providers. -
Check device time.
If your phone's clock is wrong by more than a few minutes, TLS connections fail.
Settings → Date and time → Set automatically.
Refresh attempts succeed once time is correct. -
Force-quit and reopen Snapchat.
Close Snapchat completely.
Reopen.
Many stuck-refresh states clear with a fresh app launch. -
Switch networks.
Try mobile data if WiFi is failing, or vice versa.
This isolates whether the issue is one network or the broader internet.
Captive WiFi at coffee shops and hotels often interferes with Snapchat. -
Check Snapchat status.
If multiple users on social media report the same issue, Snapchat servers are slow.
No client-side fix — wait for Snap to resolve.
Most outages clear within an hour.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does this happen mostly in the evening?
Peak Snapchat usage is in the evening — servers run hotter, ISPs throttle harder, and home WiFi is more congested.
The same network that worked at noon may not work at 9 PM.
Try mobile data during peak hours if WiFi gets unreliable.