There are several reasons why a Snapchat account might be locked, and this can result in either a temporary or permanent ban from the app. This is often down to Snapchat detecting activity on the account that goes against its community guidelines, but in some cases, it might be due to the account’s security being compromised. Fortunately, there are often simple solutions that allow someone to rectify the situation and get their account unlocked again.
When someone discovers their Snapchat account is locked, it can be a frustrating experience. However, Snapchat offers several reasons as to why this might be happening. A common reason why someone might be locked out of their Snapchat account is because they’ve been sending spam – in other words, sending out multiple Snaps and Stories one after the other, without any indication that the recipient actually wants them – or other behavior that goes against community guidelines. This includes impersonating someone else, bullying another user, posting sexually explicit content or hate speech, making threats, and using the platform for illegal or criminal activity.
Other Reasons Why A Snapchat Account Is Locked
An account also might get locked if someone has added too many friends before they have verified their account. To avoid this, users should verify their email or phone number. For email, tap the gear icon located at the top of the Profile screen, then tap the email address found in Settings. A verification email will be sent to that address. Alternatively, they can tap on their phone number, also found in Settings, and a verification code will be sent via text message.
Another reason why an account may be locked is if the user is utilizing a third-party app while using Snapchat. A third-party app is often used to add extra features to Snapchat, some of which might not be authorized by the app. While some third-party apps are recognized by Snapchat, others aren’t – and using one of these apps could result in the account being locked. This is due to third-party apps accessing the user’s login information without using a secure connection, thereby putting the account, as well friends’ accounts, at risk. If the account is locked because of a third-party app, uninstalling the app and waiting 24 hours before attempting to log in again should fix the issue.
Ways To Unlock Your Snapchat Account
If a Snapchat account has been temporarily locked, users should try logging in from the app or the web, and then clicking on ‘Unlock.’ Snapchat advises users to check why their account might have been locked to prevent making the same mistakes and end up being permanently banned from the platform. A permanent ban means users will not be able to create any new accounts, and Snapchat might even ban the user’s device in more serious cases.
If a Snapchat user has reason to believe that their account has been compromised, the first thing they should do is change their password, if possible. In this case, the user may have been trying to log in and keeps getting a message that the credentials are incorrect. If so, tap ‘Forgot your password?’ on the login screen. The user will then be given the choice to get reset instructions via email or text message. If the user’s email address and phone number haven’t been changed by the hacker, they’ll be able to follow the steps as normal to change their password and get their account back.
If a user still can’t access their account because it’s been compromised, Snapchat says they should contact its support team and fill out the form. Snapchat will respond via email, and might ask for additional information, including the account username and when the user lost access. It’s important to note that Snapchat only provides support if an account has been compromised. If an account is permanently locked, there’s no way to regain access. It’s also worth mentioning that only the user or Snapchat can unlock an account, and any third-party service promising a fix is most likely a scam.
Source: Snapchat 1, 2