Many of us love indulging in discussions on the “front page of the Internet,” as both the Redditors and the platform itself like to call it. But if you can’t access Reddit, there may be several reasons for it, but also just as many solutions.
If a user can’t access Reddit, there can be various causes for it. Either the internet connection they are using has issues, or the platform itself is down. Other causes may be that the application isn’t updated, the data cache needs to be cleared, or the device that runs the platform needs to be restarted. These fixes can help get the website up and running in no time.
The website’s content and discussions remain to be in the very top of popularity among internet users, with over 430 million people regularly visiting it. That’s an impressive number of people that follow it with a tremendous amount of loyalty, and, naturally, it may feel overly frustrating when it’s not working.
Table of Contents
What to Do When You Can’t Access Reddit? Check if the Platform Is Down
Reddit’s on the 7th place of most popular websites in the US and the 19th among the globally hottest platforms. For a website as popular as this one, it can feel like a catastrophe for Redditors not to reach it. When that happens, you’re probably wondering, “why can’t I access Reddit?”
The first and foremost thing that you should do is check if the platform itself is facing some issues. You can run a check through Redditstatus.com, and it will show you the current status of your favorite platform.
Have You Tried Turning It Off and On Again?
Not being able to load an internet address or an app is one of the essential issues a user can face. It can be due to a problem with the application or the browser. Most of the time, the problem can be solved by restarting the application itself, but it may be wise to try and restart the device, too.
Put Off All Other Related Solutions Until You Check the Internet Connection
Another important step is to examine whether your internet connection is working correctly. It can be due to your WiFi, the mobile data plan, or DSL. There’s a simple way to run this check, and it is by opening another address. If nothing is loading, reset your router, and if it doesn’t help, contact your provider.
Why Can’t I View Anything on Reddit? Check for Updates Next
Using a somewhat older version of the application usually isn’t an issue, but it can cause problems in certain situations. It may be the case when newer versions of the application have major changes so that the old app won’t work properly. In this case, you may want to try reinstalling it and opening it again.
An Important Option to Try Is to Clear Cache
If you have a problem with your application and you’re wondering why is Reddit app not loading, you should probably try and clear the cache in order to get it to work. If you have never cleared the cache on an Android device before, here’s what you should do:
- Find the Mobile settings application on your smartphone and open it,
- Look for Apps and notifications,
- Among other apps, find the Reddit application,
- After additional application settings open, tap on Storage and cache,
- Tap on Clear data cache.
Additionally, if this doesn’t solve your problem, you can also tap on “Clear storage” for a fresh start. If you’re using an iPhone, check out the following video to help you solve the issue.
If You’re Visiting Through a Browser Like Microsoft Edge or Opera, Here’s What You Should Do
If you follow your favorite social news aggregation site on a desktop, and it won’t work, you should also try to clear the cache in your browser. This option is usually found in the settings, probably through a menu reached by clicking in the right corner of the browser. The option is probably listed in the privacy and security section, and once you find it, click on the “Clear browsing data” option. You can choose to delete only the cache, but it would probably be best if you delete other data, such as the cookies and history.
How Do I Use Reddit Without the App and Go Around the Advertisement in It?
So, why is Reddit forcing me to use the app? While the platform is not actually forcing you to do this, the official application is beneficial to them because of the ads. But there’s a way around it because you can choose to view it in the browser, even if you’re on your mobile device. On Reddit’s mobile website, you should open the menu at the top right, where you’ll be shown a number of options. Then, you can tap on “Settings” and uncheck the box “Ask To Open In App.”
Some Countries Block the Free Use of Reddit
Throughout the years, some countries have initiated a ban on Reddit. If you like to travel, keep in mind that you may be visiting a country that has this website blocked.
Indonesia | The website has been banned in this country since 2014 for providing content that contains nudity. |
Russia | Since 2015, the site’s been banned in the country after investigating this network by Russia’s Federal Drug Control Service. It was declared that it promotes discussions about psychedelic drugs. The ban was later removed. |
China | This nation banned the site for the first time in 2015 and later unblocked it. However, another ban was put into effect in 2018 and has not been lifted. |
India | While the country hasn’t initiated a ban on the social news website, some ISPs are sporadically blocking traffic over it in some areas. |
Even if These Tips Don’t Help, Avoid Despair and Report the Issue
Even the most simple tricks can help a Redditor in need, while some other tips can give us a helping hand when handling more complex issues. However, sometimes even the best advice won’t help with a problem, and that is the right time to report a bug on r/bugs or report a persistent problem directly to the developers. The community is tightly knitted and has a policy of politeness, so you will receive some form of help in no time.