How do I fix my tiktok search bar?

If you are having issues with the TikTok search bar not working properly, there are a few troubleshooting steps you can take to try and fix it. The search bar is one of the main ways to find new content and creators on TikTok, so it’s important to get it working again if it stops functioning as expected.

Quick Answer

To quickly fix most issues with the TikTok search bar, try force closing and reopening the app, clearing the app cache and data, checking for app updates, restarting your phone, or reinstalling the TikTok app. These basic troubleshooting steps will resolve problems with the search bar not loading content or showing an error message in most cases.

Force Close and Reopen the App

One of the easiest things to try first is closing out of the TikTok app completely and reopening it. Force closing the app essentially resets it and clears out any temporary glitches that may be preventing the search bar from working correctly. Follow these steps:

1. Open your phone’s Settings app.
2. Tap on Apps or Application Manager (location varies by device).
3. Select TikTok from the list of apps.
4. Tap Force Stop to force close the TikTok app.
5. Open the TikTok app again and try searching.

Force closing and reopening the app will restart TikTok and reload the search feature, which should hopefully resolve any temporary bugs or issues.

Clear the App Cache and Data

Clearing the TikTok app’s cache and data is another quick troubleshooting step to try. The app cache can build up corrupt or broken data over time that affects features like the search bar. Here’s how to clear it:

1. Open your phone’s Settings.
2. Tap on Apps or Application Manager.
3. Select TikTok.
4. Tap Storage & Cache.
5. Tap Clear Cache and Clear Data.

This will wipe the existing TikTok cache and data and force the app to rebuild it from scratch. Once the cache clears, open TikTok and test the search bar again.

Check for App Updates

An outdated version of the TikTok app can also cause search issues. Make sure you have installed the latest update:

1. Open the App Store if you’re on an iOS device, or the Play Store on Android.
2. Search for TikTok.
3. If an Update option appears, tap it to update to the newest version.
4. If no update is available, your app is up to date.

The TikTok developers are constantly improving the app and releasing bug fix updates. Installing the most up-to-date version can resolve search bar problems caused by an outdated app.

Restart Your Phone

Restarting your mobile device is a common troubleshooting step for any app issues. A phone restart will clear out any memory issues or temporary bugs that could be affecting TikTok’s performance:

1. Hold down your phone’s Power button for 30+ seconds until the reboot option appears.
2. Tap Restart or Reboot to restart your phone.
3. Wait for your phone to go through the reboot process.
4. Once restarted, open TikTok and try the search feature.

After restarting your phone, the TikTok app will reload which may clear up problems with the search not working correctly.

Reinstall the App

If you’re still having search bar issues after trying the steps above, the last resort is to uninstall and reinstall TikTok completely:

1. Open your phone’s Settings and go to Apps/Application Manager.
2. Find TikTok in the list and tap Uninstall.
3. Confirm that you want to uninstall the app from your phone.
4. Once uninstalled, open the App Store or Play Store and reinstall TikTok.
5. Log back into your TikTok account.

Reinstalling TikTok will completely erase any corrupt app files or cached data that could be interfering with the search feature. After reinstalling, the app will function like new again hopefully fixing your search issues.

Double Check Your Internet Connection

In some cases, search problems can be caused by connection issues rather than the app itself. Make sure that your phone is connected to a strong WiFi or mobile data signal:

• Enable WiFi on your phone and connect to a working network.
• OR confirm cellular data is enabled if using mobile data.
• Run a speed test to check your connection speed.
• Move closer to your router if WiFi signal is weak.
• Switch from mobile data to WiFi or vice versa.

With an unstable internet connection, the TikTok search results may fail to load or return errors. Check your connection first before trying other troubleshooting steps.

What to Do If Search Bar Still Isn’t Working

After trying all of the above steps to fix your TikTok search issues, there still may be a deeper problem if the search bar continues to malfunction. Here are some next steps to try:

• Update Your Phone Software – An outdated OS could be causing TikTok glitches. Install the latest iOS or Android updates.
• Check Service Status – See if TikTok is having widespread issues on their end at tiktokstatus.com.
• Remove Phone Cache Partition – Wipe your device’s system cache partition which sometimes fixes app issues.
• Contact TikTok Support – Reach out to TikTok directly via in-app support if all else fails.

As a last case scenario, a hardware issue with your phone could also lead to problems with the TikTok app itself. If you continue having search issues after trying everything, it may be worth taking your phone to a repair shop just in case.

Common TikTok Search Bar Issues

Here are some of the most common specific issues that users see with the TikTok search feature and how to resolve them:

Search Not Loading Results

• Check internet connection and retry.
• Force close and reopen the app.
• Clear app cache and data.
• Try searching again in a few minutes.

“Something Went Wrong” Error Message

• Click Try Again to attempt loading results again.
• Restart your phone.
• Check www.tiktokstatus.com to confirm no outage.
• Update the TikTok app.

Search Bar Missing from Home Screen

• Restart TikTok to make search bar reappear.
• Reinstall the TikTok app if issue persists.
• Tap profile icon to access search from drop-down menu.

Typing But No Results Showing

• Make sure you tap Search after entering keywords.
• Double check spelling/search term accuracy.
• Try simplifying or changing search keywords.
• Browse For You feed for recommendations.

Following the troubleshooting guide for common search bar issues like these will help you get TikTok’s search feature back up and running again so you can find new content.

Preventing TikTok Search Problems

To help avoid TikTok search problems in the first place, keep these tips in mind:

• Update to the latest version of TikTok when available.
• Reboot your phone regularly to clear out bugs.
• Limit app clutter and close unused apps.
• Clear TikTok cache/data every few weeks.
• Use a stable WiFi or mobile data connection.

Staying up to date, limiting technical issues, and having a strong internet signal will all help minimize problems with the key TikTok search feature not working. Following this troubleshooting guide will help you diagnose and resolve any search bar problems that still pop up.