Why Is TikTok Not Working?

Are you experiencing issues using the TikTok app on your iPhone, iPad, or Android device? There’s a good chance the app is facing a minor glitch, but there can be other reasons. This tutorial will help you understand why TikTok isn’t working and how to fix the issue.

Reasons Why TikTok Might Not Be Working

Social media apps, including TikTok, often malfunction due to internet connectivity issues, corrupt cache data, and server downtime. Running an outdated version of the TikTok app can also cause performance issues. Similarly, you might experience issues using TikTok if your device’s operating system isn’t up to date.

Finally, the TikTok app won’t work in countries where TikTok is banned or temporarily suspended. So, don’t be surprised if your TikTok stops working when you travel to these countries—India, Nepal, Jordan, etc.

However, if TikTok is available in your current location but the app doesn’t work, we’ll show you how to troubleshoot and fix the issue.

How to Fix TikTok Not Working?

You can get TikTok working again by updating the app, clearing its cache data, or reinstalling it from scratch. Restarting your device and updating its operating system can also resolve the issue. These are all straightforward troubleshooting fixes and we’ll walk you through the steps for each.

1. Force Stop and Relaunch TikTok

Smartphone manufacturers and app developers often recommend force-stopping an unresponsive app. This process restarts and refreshes the app, sometimes resolving glitches and minor problems that cause it to malfunction. Follow the steps to force-stop TikTok on your smartphone.

How to Force Stop TikTok on iPhone and iPad

1. Swipe up from the bottom of your device’s screen and pause in the middle. If your iPhone or iPad has a Home button, double-press the Home button to open the App Switcher.
   
2. Find and swipe up on TikTok to close the app.
   

Relaunch TikTok from your Home Screen or App Library and check if it works.

How to Force Stop TikTok On Android

1. Tap and hold the TikTok app icon and tap the Info (i) icon on the pop-up menu.
   
2. Tap the Force stop icon in the bottom corner of the screen.
   
3. Select OK on the confirmation pop-up.
   

Reopen TikTok and check if it works without any issues. Proceed to the next troubleshooting step if the app still isn’t working properly.

2. Check Your Internet Connection

TikTok is an internet-enabled app, meaning it connects to the internet to fetch new content. Hence, TikTok won’t work without an internet connection. Review your phone’s cellular or Wi-Fi connection and verify that it’s connected to the internet.

There are quick ways to test and verify your device’s connection status. Visit multiple websites in any web browser or check if other social media apps (like Instagram) work. If your browser and other apps throw network-related errors, there’s likely an issue with your device’s connection.

Put your phone in and out of airplane mode to refresh your connection. If you’re using cellular/mobile data, switch to a Wi-Fi connection and check if TikTok works. If the same issue persists, contact your cellular carrier or internet service provider for assistance.

We also recommend going through these troubleshooting tutorials on fixing mobile internet issues:

• Mobile Data Not Working: How to Fix
  
• Wi-Fi Keeps Disconnecting on Android? 11 Ways to Fix
  
• Mobile Data Not Working on Your Samsung Phone? Try These 12 Fixes
  

3. Reboot Your Phone

Rebooting your mobile device has many benefits, such as fixing many system glitches and technical issues. Close all open applications before restarting your device to avoid losing unsaved work/data.

How to Restart Your iPhone/iPad

1. Press and hold your iPhone’s Side + Volume Up/Down buttons for 3-5 seconds. To shut an iPad, press and hold the Top + Volume Up/Down buttons. If your iPad has a Home button, press and hold the Top button until you see the power off screen.
   

Alternatively, head to Settings > General > Shut Down.

2. Drag the slider to the right to power off your iPhone/iPad.
   

3. Wait 15-30 seconds for your device to shut down completely. Then, press and hold the Side button (or Top button—for iPads) to turn it back on.
   

How to Restart Your Android Device

1. Press and hold down your phone’s Power until the power menu pops up. For some Android devices, pressing and holding the Power + Volume Down buttons reveals the power menu.
   

2. Choose Restart in the menu to reboot your device.
   

Launch TikTok when your device restarts and check if the app works. If you still can’t watch TikTok videos, proceed to the troubleshooting steps below.

4. Use a VPN

A Virtual Private Network (VPN) can help you access TikTok in regions where it’s banned. VPNs transmit your device’s internet connection through a middle server, allowing you to bypass your country’s TikTok restrictions.

Install a VPN app, select a country where TikTok is available, and you should be able to access TikTok without any restriction.

5. Check TikTok’s Server Status

Sometimes, TikTok malfunctions due to no fault of yours or your device. Like many online services, TikTok’s servers can go down, causing a platform-wide outage. It’s possible TikTok isn’t working properly on your device because there’s temporary service downtime.

Use service monitoring tools like Downdetector to check if TikTok is experiencing a regional or global outage. If TikTok is down and other users are facing similar problems, you’ll have to wait until TikTok restores the service. If TikTok is not down, try the troubleshooting steps below to diagnose and resolve the issue.

6. Clear the TikTok App Cache

Does TikTok open but fail to load content? Clearing the app’s cache might resolve the problem. Android applications sometimes stop working properly when their cache data becomes corrupt. Factors like malware infection or software bugs can cause an app’s cache data to go corrupt.

In this case, you can resolve temporary app malfunction by clearing its cache files. Deleting these files doesn’t sign you out of TikTok or delete the app’s settings. Follow the steps below to clear TikTok’s cache on your device.

How to Clear TikTok Cache (iOS and Android)

TikTok for Android and iOS has an in-app option to clear the application’s cache files. Here’s how to find the option:

1. Tap and hold the TikTok app icon and select Clear cache on the pop-up menu.
   
2. Select the Clear button in the cache section and tap Clear on the confirmation screen.
   

Close and reopen TikTok and check if you can use the application without issues.

How to Clear TikTok Cache (Android Only)

If TikTok won’t open, clear the app’s cache from your device’s settings menu.

1. Tap and hold the TikTok app until the pop-up menu appears.
   
2. Select the Info (i) icon to proceed.
   
3. Next, tap Storage (or Storage usage), select Clear cache, and relaunch TikTok.
   

7. Update the TikTok App

Outdated apps usually have bugs that cause them to malfunction or crash. If the TikTok version installed on your device is buggy or out-of-date, the app may not open or work correctly. Open your device’s app store (Play Store or App Store) and update TikTok to the latest version.

8. Update Your Phone

Some applications won’t work if your phone’s operating system (OS) is outdated or unsupported. TikTok, for instance, requires at least Android 5.0 and iOS/iPadOS 12 to work on Android and iPhone/iPad, respectively.

Check your phone’s settings menu and install any available software and security updates. Software updates can fix bugs, security loopholes, and other system glitches causing issues with TikTok and other apps.

How to Install Software Updates on iPhone/iPad

Go to Settings > General > Software Update and tap Download and Install or Update Now.

How to Install Software Updates on Android

The steps for updating Android devices vary depending on the manufacturer, OS interface, and other device.

If your device runs stock Android, go to Settings > System > Software update(s) to update its operating system.

If your device uses the manufacturer’s custom user interface (UI), head over to Settings > Software update > Download and Install or Settings > About Phone > Check for Updates.

9. Reinstall TikTok

If TikTok keeps crashing or won’t launch on your device, the app’s core files might be corrupt. You can’t access or modify these files, so the only resolution is to delete and reinstall TikTok.

Note: Uninstalling and reinstalling TikTok will delete your drafts and other data linked to the app. Edit and upload your drafts before deleting TikTok from your phone.

How to Uninstall TikTok on iPhone and iPad

1. Tap and hold the TikTok app icon on your device’s Home Screen.
   
2. Select Remove App > Delete App > Delete.
   

Reinstall TikTok from the App Store, sign in to your account, and check if the app works as expected.

How to Uninstall TikTok on Android

Tap and hold the TikTok app icon, select Uninstall, and tap OK on the confirmation screen.

Reinstall TikTok from the Google Play Store and check if the app functions without issues.

Get TikTok Up and Running!

In addition to the above, review your device’s screen time or parental control settings and ensure TikTok isn’t restricted. If the app still does not work after taking all troubleshooting steps, contact TikTok support for further assistance.