If you're someone who enjoys TikTok for entertainment, inspiration, or content creation, you've probably encountered issues with the app at some point, such as videos not loading, the app not opening, or comments not posting. The app may suddenly stop working properly, causing frustration and wondering whether the problem is with your phone, the app, or TikTok's servers. In this article, you'll discover all the... solutions, from the most basic to the most advanced steps. You'll learn to identify the source of the problem and the appropriate actions to resolve each case.
Most common reasons why TikTok stops working
The causes behind errors on TikTok can be very diverse. Some of the more frequent are:
- Problems with the Internet connection: A poor Wi-Fi signal or unstable mobile data prevents the app from working properly.
- Internal errors of the application itself or operating system that require intervention.
- Corrupted cache: The app's temporary storage may become corrupted, causing crashes or slowness.
- Outdated version of TikTok or the operating system.
- TikTok server outages: They occur globally and affect thousands of users simultaneously.
- Permissions issues: If the app does not have access to the camera, microphone, storage, etc.
- Lack of space on the device, which prevents you from creating, saving or downloading videos.
The key is to correctly identify the source of the problem. If you're the only one experiencing the problem, the cause is most likely your phone or settings. If it affects other users, it's a general error on TikTok's servers.
How to know if TikTok is down for everyone
The first thing you should do before changing settings or deleting data is Check if TikTok is experiencing a global outageThis way, you'll avoid wasting time on solutions that don't depend on you.
- Check platforms like X (Twitter): Search terms like “TikTok down” or “TikTok not working” to see if other users are reporting the issue.
- Check on DownDetector: It's a tool where users report online service interruptions in real time. If you see a spike in incidents, it's likely a platform issue.
If the outage is global, you'll have to wait for the TikTok technical team to resolve it. There's nothing you can do to force the servers to restart from your mobile device.
Step-by-step solutions when TikTok doesn't work only on your mobile
If there are no general incidents and the problem only occurs on your mobile, follow this complete itinerary of solutions, from the simplest to the most advanced:
1. Check your internet connection
- Switch between Wi-Fi and mobile data networks to see if performance improves.
- Make sure your router is working properly and there are no service interruptions.
- Check that other apps like YouTube or Instagram are connecting normally.
- When in doubt, power cycle your router, and if you're using mobile data, try moving to an area with better coverage.
2. Update TikTok to the latest version
- Access the Google Play Store (Android) or App Store (iOS).
- Search for TikTok and check if an update is available. Install the latest version.
- Activate the Automatic Updates to avoid future problems.
- If the update still fails, restart your device for the changes to take effect.
3. Clear TikTok cache
- On Android:
- Go to Settings > Apps > TikTok.
- Select Storage and tap Clear Cache.
- On the TikTok app itself:
- Go to your Profile > Menu > Settings and privacy.
- Tap “Free up space” and then “Delete” next to Cache.
- On iPhone, you can free up space from within the app, as the system manages the cache internally.
Clearing the cache removes corrupted temporary data, improving performance without affecting your videos or personal settings.
4. Restart the app and your phone
- Completely close TikTok from the application manager.
- Turn your device off and on, waiting a few seconds before turning it back on.
- Reopen the app to check if it's working properly.
5. Reinstall TikTok (if all above fails)
- Go to Settings > Apps > TikTok and select Uninstall.
- Restart your device to delete any residual data.
- Please redownload TikTok from the Google Play Store or App Store.
- When you log in, the app will install clean and without any old errors.
6. Delete all app data (advanced option)
- From Settings > Apps > TikTok, tap “Clear data.” This resets the app to its initial state, deleting custom settings and cache.
- Please note that you will lose your preferences, but not your videos or your account.
Permission issues: audio, video, camera, and storage
Many times TikTok needs specific permissions to record videos, use the microphone, or access your gallery. If you don't have these, you'll experience errors when trying to use these features. To resolve this, check the permissions in How to control permissions on TikTok.
- Check TikTok permissions by going to Settings > Apps > TikTok > Permissions. Make sure it has access to the camera, microphone, and storage.
- On iPhone, go to Settings > TikTok and check the permissions from there.
- When recording a video and receiving an error message, immediately review the permissions granted.
- A lack of storage space can prevent you from saving new videos or downloading content. Delete unnecessary apps or files to free up space.
On Android devices, the system can manage permissions granularly, allowing you to enable or disable individual features such as location, media storage access, and other relevant elements.
Less common errors and additional solutions
- If the comments are not sentThis may be due to a poor connection or temporary restrictions imposed by the platform itself. Please wait a few minutes and try again.
- In case the videos do not play After sharing, clear the app cache, restart your device, and make sure the app is up to date.
- There are times when the TikTok interface appears unstable, with graphical errors or forced closuresIn these cases, reinstalling or erasing data is usually the most effective solution.
- If you're still experiencing issues after trying all the solutions, your phone may not meet the minimum hardware requirements for the latest version of TikTok. Check that your operating system is up to date.
What to do if the problem is a damaged or faulty video
In some circumstances, videos recorded or downloaded on TikTok may become corrupted and not play properly, may have audio or video issues, or may display errors after sharing. While this isn't common, there are specific solutions:
- Repair videos from external tools: There are specialized utilities such as SSSTikTok that allow you to upload the damaged video and restore it online.
- For larger, important videos, professional desktop applications can offer advanced repair, ensuring maximum quality and compatibility.
- It's a good idea to always save an original copy of your videos before editing or sharing them, so you can recover them in case of an error.
Troubleshooting based on the operating system
The routes and options vary slightly between Android and iOS:
- En AndroidYou have more control over permissions, cache, and storage from the system settings. You can clear your phone's entire cache with optimization tools included with most brands.
- En iOS, cache and data management is more limited to options within each app. For persistent problems, uninstalling and reinstalling the app is often the quickest solution.
Why are some features not available on your account?
TikTok is continually testing new features with limited groups of users. Sometimes, certain features may be temporarily unavailable. If you notice a tool or effect disappearing, you can check How to use TikTok without internet to see other operating options and tricks.
Contact TikTok Support
If all of the proposed solutions don't work and the problem persists, it may be an issue specific to your account or device. In this case:
- Open TikTok and go to your Profile > Settings and Privacy.
- Select the “Report a problem” option and describe the error in as much detail as possible.
- Please attach screenshots or videos if necessary so the support team can better analyze your situation.
- Official TikTok support usually responds with personalized instructions or solutions depending on the case.
Frequently asked questions about problems on TikTok
- Why is TikTok slow even after clearing the cache?
This can occur due to a lack of resources on your device (limited RAM, full storage), an unstable connection, or a recent app update with temporary errors. - Can I lose my data when reinstalling TikTok?
No, your account, uploaded videos, and followed videos are associated with your profile and will reappear when you log in, although you will lose drafts and locally saved settings. - How to prevent TikTok from crashing again in the future?
Keeping the app and operating system up to date, freeing up space regularly, and managing permissions properly. - Are there any tools to repair damaged TikTok videos?
Yes, with platforms like [[,]] you can recover corrupted videos by uploading them to their system, which processes them and allows you to download the repaired ones.
Mastering this set of solutions ensures you can troubleshoot virtually any TikTok issue, from network errors to freezes or errors in individual videos. Identifying the cause is critical: if it's a server-wide issue, you can just wait; if it's on your device, you have multiple possible actions. Keeping the app and system updated, checking permissions, and clearing the cache regularly reduces the likelihood of a repeat crash. In complex cases, technical support is available to help you. This way, you can continue enjoying TikTok and its content without any issues.