This can happen regardless of whether you have an Android phone or an iPhone and can be annoying. However, there are simple solutions that you can employ to fix the issue. Here are some of the best ways to fix the Reddit app not working on your smartphone.
1. Check Reddit Server Status
If the Reddit app is not loading on your phone, start by checking the Reddit server status to see if the website is facing any downtime. You can do so by visiting redditstatus.com and checking if everything is operational. Another way to check if there’s an issue with Reddit’s servers is to try loading a different webpage in your phone’s browser or opening a different app. If they work fine and Reddit is the only app facing problems, you’ve zeroed in on the issue. Wait for the servers to come back on to be able to use Reddit normally.
2. Quit the App and Relaunch It
This might sound like a basic solution but it is more effective than you would think. Sometimes, an app may not be responsive; so quitting it and relaunching it might help. If you can’t access Reddit on your mobile, quit the app and kill it from the recent apps section too. Then, wait for a few seconds before relaunching the app.
3. Force Stop the Reddit App
All you Android users out there, this one’s exclusive to you! Some processes running in the background may cause an app to stop or crash. This can in turn lead to the Reddit app not working on Android. So, force stop the Reddit app once to kill all its processes and launch it again. Step 1: Open the Settings app on your Android phone. Navigate to the Apps section. Step 2: Tap on See all apps. Step 3: Scroll down and select Reddit from the list of apps. Step 4: Now, tap on Force Stop. Optionally, you can restart your phone after this step and launch the Reddit app again.
4. Ensure You’re Connected to the Internet
Reddit is an online client which means you need internet access to use it. If your phone is not connected to a Wi-Fi network or does not have mobile data, the Reddit homepage will not load. Of course, other features in the app won’t work either. If there is an available Wi-Fi network, connect to it and try reloading the Reddit app. If you’re outside, enable the mobile data on your smartphone. If you’re already connected to a network but Reddit still won’t load, try visiting other websites via your phone’s browser to see if the internet connection is functional. If it’s not, connect to a different network.
5. Force Restart Your Phone
It’s possible that there’s a software glitch on your device preventing the Reddit app from working. To solve this, just force reboot your phone and then try launching the Reddit app. This should also eliminate the possibility of another app/service hindering the functioning of the Reddit app.
How to Force Restart Your iPhone
If you have an iPhone, follow these instructions. For iPhone 6s or lower: Press and hold the Home button and the Power button at the same time. Release them when you see the Apple logo on the screen. For iPhone 7 and 7 Plus: Press and hold the Volume down key and the Power button. Release them when you see the Apple logo on the screen. For iPhone 8 and higher: Press and release the Volume up key, press and release the Volume down key, and then press and hold the Side/Power button till you see the Apple logo on the screen.
How to Force Restart Your Android Phone
Here’s how you can force reboot an Android device. Step 1: Unlock your Android phone and go to the home screen. Step 2: Press and hold the power button on the side until the phone turns off and you see your manufacturer’s logo on the screen. Step 3: When you see the logo, let go of the power button and allow the phone to boot into the OS.
6. Update the Reddit App
Some versions of an app, at times, may contain bugs or glitches that cause the app to stop working all of a sudden. So, it’s best to keep your apps updated to the latest version at all times. Try updating the Reddit app on iPhone and Android to see if a newer version fixes the issue.
How to Update Reddit on iPhone
Step 1: Open the App Store on your iPhone and tap on your display picture in the top-right corner. Step 2: Scroll down to see a list of all pending updates. Select the Update option next to the Reddit app. Or, you can tap on Update All to update all the apps together.
How to Update Reddit on Android
Step 1: Open the Google Play Store on your phone and tap on your profile in the top-right corner. Step 2: Now, select ‘Manage apps and device’. Step 3: You will now see a section that says Updates available. Tap on See details under it. Step 4: Either select the Update option next to the Reddit app or tap on Update all to update all the listed apps.
7. Clear App Cache on Android
Once again, this step is restricted to all you Android users out there. You’ve probably cleared the cache of an app before since this is a rudimentary step that can fix several issues with apps on an Android device. Deleting the app’s cache will clean up any residual files that may be causing issues with the Reddit app not loading posts or images. Here’s how to do it. Step 1: Open the Settings app on your Android phone. Navigate to the Apps section. Step 2: Tap on ‘See all apps’. Step 3: Scroll down and select Reddit from the list of apps. Step 4: Now, select the Storage and cache option. Step 5: Tap on Clear Cache. Once done, open the Reddit app and it should be back to normal.
8. Disable Autoplay for Videos
While this feature doesn’t impact the functioning of the Reddit app on your phone, it can slow down the rate at which you see posts or navigate through different subreddits. This is especially true if you have a slow internet connection, in which case the app may not even load.
How to Disable Autoplay on Reddit for iPhone
Step 1: Open the Reddit app on your iPhone. Tap on your profile picture in the top-right corner. Step 2: Select the Settings option. Step 3: Select Autoplay settings under View Options. Step 4: Change the setting to Never.
How to Disable Autoplay on Reddit for Android
Step 1: Open the Reddit app on your Android device. Tap on your profile picture in the top-right corner. Step 2: Select the Settings option at the bottom. Step 3: Tap on AutoPlay under View Options. Step 4: Change it to Never.
9. Uninstall and Reinstall Reddit
Sometimes, even updating an app to the latest version does not fix an issue. In such scenarios, you can try uninstalling the app and reinstalling it to see if it makes a difference. Here’s how to do it.
How to Uninstall and Reinstall Reddit on iPhone
Step 1: Find Reddit on your iPhone’s home screen. Press and hold on to the icon to bring up the contextual menu and select the Remove App option. Step 2: Tap on Delete App to uninstall it from your iPhone. Step 3: After that, head over to the App Store. Tap on the Search icon in the bottom-right corner. Step 5: Use the search bar at the top to look for Reddit. Step 6: Install Reddit and set it up on your iPhone.
How to Uninstall and Reinstall Reddit on Android
Step 1: Find the Reddit app in your phone’s app drawer and long-press on it to bring up the contextual menu. Tap on the App Info button. Step 2: Select Uninstall. Step 3: Tap on OK when prompted. Step 4: Head over to the Play Store and search for Reddit using the search bar at the top. Step 5: Install the app and use it as you would on your phone.
10. Use Reddit Alternatives
If none of the solutions worked for you, this is your best bet. There’s probably a server-side issue leading to the Reddit app not working on your phone. Or, it’s probably because the app is buggy and there’s no update available yet. In that case, you’re forced to use an alternative Reddit client. Check out some of the best Reddit apps for iPhone and iPad that you can use instead of the official app on your iOS device. If you have an Android device, you can consider using Reddit apps that consume less memory which is beneficial if you have a low-end phone.
Don’t Let the Memes Stop
If your Reddit app is not working, it probably means you’re cut off from your daily dose of memes and entertainment. Don’t let it last for too long, though, as you can fix the problem by following a few simple steps on your iPhone or Android device. Happy Reddit-ing. The above article may contain affiliate links which help support Guiding Tech. However, it does not affect our editorial integrity. The content remains unbiased and authentic.
