We all probably spend far too much time on TikTok, so what are we supposed to do when TikTok is not working? The platform is known for its almost perfect uptime record, recording practically no server outages. This means that if TikTok isn’t working, it’s probably something on your end.
The good news is that you can follow the steps in this guide to understand why TikTok is not working for you and get back to watching videos in a matter of minutes. Here are the common reasons for TikTok not working:
- Your internet connection is too slow or unstable for videos
- There’s a problem with the TikTok app or your phone
- You’re trying to access TikTok from a country where it’s banned
- You need to clear your cookies and cache
- You have been banned from TikTok, or blocked from a specific profile
Below, we will explain how to troubleshoot and understand which of these problems are causing TikTok issues. Simply follow the steps outlined to get back online in no time.
Your Internet Connection is Too Slow or Unstable
The first step is to check your internet connection. This may sound obvious, but many people don’t realize that TikTok requires a strong and stable internet connection to work properly. If you see the ‘loading’ message frequently and videos keep skipping, your network is probably the cause.
If you’re using a mobile data connection, move to a different location or switch to WiFi if the mobile network is weak. If you’re on WiFi, try restarting your router. If this doesn’t work, contact your internet service provider for help.
There’s a Problem With The TikTok App or Your Phone
First, make sure that you have the latest version of the TikTok app installed. If you’re not sure, you can check the App Store or Google Play Store to see if there’s an update available. If there’s no update available, or updating the app doesn’t fix the issue, restart the app and then try restarting your phone. This can often fix small glitches that are causing problems.
You will also need to check that TikTok has proper permissions on your phone, allowing it to access the internet and your media library. It could even be that access to the app is completely blocked. Follow these steps to give TikTok permissions on your device:
On iPhone:
- Open the Settings app and tap ‘Screen Time’
- Tap ‘Content & Privacy Restrictions’
- Tap ‘Allowed Apps’ and make sure that TikTok is turned on
On Android:
- Open the Settings app and tap ‘Apps & notifications’
- Tap ‘Advanced’ and then ‘Special app access’
- Tap ‘Usage data access’ and make sure that TikTok is turned on
If you’re still having problems, you may need to uninstall and reinstall the TikTok app on your phone. This will delete any corrupt files that may be causing the issues and could fix the problem.
You’re Trying to Access TikTok from a Country Where it’s Banned
Unfortunately, TikTok is banned in some countries due to government regulations. If you’re trying to access TikTok from one of these countries, you will not be able to use the app or watch any videos.
The list of countries where TikTok is banned includes:
- China
- North Korea
- Iran
- Vietnam
- Belarus
If you’re in one of these countries and still want to use the TikTok app, you will need to use a VPN to connect to a server in a different country. This will allow you to bypass the ban and access TikTok by changing your device location.
You Need to Clear Your Cookies and Cache
Cookies and cache are small pieces of data that are saved on your device (including your phone) when you visit websites. They help the website load faster by storing some of the data locally on your device, so it doesn’t need to be downloaded from the internet every time you visit.
However, over time these files can become corrupt or outdated, which can cause problems with websites. If TikTok isn’t working properly, it could be because your cookies and cache are causing issues. The best way to fix this is to clear them from your device.
How to clear cache and cookies on your iPhone:
- Click on ‘Settings’
- Tap ‘Safari’ on the list
- Tap ‘Clear History and Website Data’
- Confirm by tapping ‘Clear’
How to clear your cookies and cache on Android:
- Open the Chrome app and tap the menu icon (three dots in the top right-hand corner)
- Tap ‘History’
- Tap ‘Clear Browsing Data’
- Check the ‘Cookies and Site Data’ and ‘Cached Images and Files’ boxes
- Tap ‘Clear Data’
If this doesn’t work, you may need to try using a different web browser. Safari and Chrome are the most popular options, but there are many others available.
You Have Been Banned From TikTok or Blocked From a Specific Profile
If you’ve been banned from TikTok, it means that your account has been permanently suspended and you will not be able to access it again. This is usually because you have violated the terms of service, such as by posting inappropriate content or spamming other users. Such bans mean you won’t be able to post or repost on TikTok, you also won’t be able to follow or unfollow people, or save any videos.
If you’ve been blocked by a specific user, it means that they have chosen to no longer allow you to view their content or interact with them. This is usually because of something you’ve done that they didn’t like, such as spamming their comments or messaging them too frequently. The biggest sign of somebody blocking you on TikTok is a completely blank profile like the user no longer exists.
The TikTok App Is Down For Everybody
It’s rare, but at times, TikTok goes down or isn’t working properly for everybody. This is usually because of technical difficulties on their end and there’s not much you can do to fix the problem.
The best thing to do in this situation is to wait a little while and then try again later. Twitter is a great place to check for reports of TikTok not working. If you see many other users reporting problems, it’s likely a problem at the TikTok end.
TikTok Not Working After Troubleshooting?
Tried all of our potential solutions and tips? If you’re still having problems with TikTok, the best thing to do is to contact their customer support team to report the problem. They will be able to help you troubleshoot the issue and find a solution to get TikTok working again.
You can either contact the team through the TikTok website or through social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter.
Related: A Guide to Going Live on TikTok
