The “Account Not Found” message on TikTok refers to a scenario where a user’s profile does not show up when searched for. There are several potential reasons why a TikTok account may not be found:
The account could have been deleted by the user. TikTok allows users to delete their accounts if they no longer wish to have a presence on the platform. Once an account is deleted, the username is removed and the profile will no longer show up in searches.
The account may have been banned by TikTok for violating community guidelines. TikTok routinely bans accounts that are spammy, post inappropriate content, or violate other rules. Banned accounts are completely removed from the platform.
It’s also possible to encounter the “Account Not Found” message if you have the wrong username for the account you are searching for. Typos or spelling errors in the username could lead you to a non-existent profile.
Regional restrictions can also play a role. TikTok is not available in certain countries, like China, so accounts from those regions may not show up.
Overall, the “Account Not Found” message typically means the profile has been removed, banned, or entered incorrectly during search. This article explores the main reasons this message appears and how to resolve it.
Account Deleted
TikTok will automatically delete accounts that have been inactive for 180 days or more, as per their inactive account policy (https://support.tiktok.com/en/safety-hc/account-and-user-safety/inactive-account-policy). If you try to log in and get an error saying your account doesn’t exist, it’s likely your account was deleted due to prolonged inactivity.
There are a few ways to check if TikTok deleted your account due to inactivity:
- Trying to view your profile results in a “Couldn’t find this account” error message
- Your username no longer appears in search results on TikTok
- You don’t receive a notification about your account being deleted
Essentially, if you are unable to find evidence that your account ever existed, TikTok has likely removed it automatically after 6 months of no activity.
Account Banned
TikTok may ban accounts that violate their community guidelines or terms of service. Common reasons TikTok bans accounts include:
- Underage users – TikTok requires users to be at least 13 years old.
- Hateful ideologies or symbols – TikTok prohibits content promoting hate groups or supremacist ideologies.
- Harassment, bullying, or threats – Abusive behavior towards others can result in a ban.
- Sexually explicit content – Pornography and nudity are prohibited on TikTok.
- Dangerous acts or content – Content that encourages or depicts dangerous behavior may lead to a ban.
- Impersonation – Pretending to be someone else breaks TikTok’s rules.
If you believe your account was banned unfairly, you can appeal the decision. According to TikTok’s support page, you can submit an appeal at https://www.tiktok.com/legal/report/feedback. TikTok reviews all appeals, but keep in mind approval is not guaranteed. Provide as much detail as possible on why you feel the ban was unjustified. For the best chance at reinstatement, make sure all content on your account follows TikTok’s policies if it gets unbanned.
Wrong Username
One common reason you may get the “account not found” error on TikTok is if you’ve mistyped the username when trying to access a profile. It’s easy to accidentally add an extra letter or leave one out when manually typing in a username. Double check that you’ve entered the exact username with no typos. For example, @jonhsmith would come back with an error if the actual username is @jonsmith.
It’s also important not to confuse a TikTok user’s handle (the @username) with their display name. The handle is the unique identifier that comes after the @ symbol, while the display name is the public-facing name shown on their profile. You need to enter the exact @username into the search bar or URL to access someone’s profile page. Entering someone’s display name instead will lead to the “account not found” result. Check that you have the right @username rather than just the display name.
According to https://www.pocket-lint.com/apps/news/tiktok/162217-how-to-change-tiktok-username-profile-name/, TikTok usernames are unique and act as the account handle, like @lizzo, that you need to enter to access a profile. So double checking that you have the exact, correct @username is key to avoid the “account not found” message.
Region Restrictions
TikTok has different levels of availability and restrictions based on the region or country. For example, TikTok was banned in India in 2020 but is still accessible in most other countries. However, the app and content availability can vary depending on your location.
If you travel or move to a different country, you may suddenly get a “content not available” or “account not found” message on TikTok because of regional restrictions. This is often due to geo-blocking where certain content is limited to specific locations.
One way around these regional restrictions is by using a VPN (virtual private network). A VPN allows you to change your virtual location so you can access region-restricted content on TikTok. Just connect to a VPN server based in a different country, and it will seem like you are accessing TikTok from that location. This can be an effective method for bypassing geo-blocks and regional restrictions if you want full access to TikTok. https://cybernews.com/how-to-use-vpn/change-location-on-tiktok/
App or Server Issues
Sometimes you may not be able to access your TikTok account due to temporary app or server issues. TikTok occasionally experiences outages that prevent users from logging in or accessing their accounts. These are usually resolved within a few hours. Check Downdetector to see if others are reporting problems with TikTok.
If TikTok is experiencing an outage, the only thing you can do is wait for their engineers to resolve the problem. Keep checking back every few hours until you’re able to log in again.
If it’s not a widespread outage, try clearing the app cache and data. On Android, go to Settings > Apps > TikTok > Storage, then click “Clear Cache” and “Clear Data.” On iOS, go to Settings > General > iPhone Storage, tap TikTok, then tap “Offload App.” Reinstall TikTok and try logging in again.
Clearing the cache and data forces the app to redownload all necessary files and resets it to a clean state. This can fix a lot of login and access issues caused by corrupted data on your device.
Hacked or Stolen Account
Like many social media platforms, TikTok accounts are vulnerable to phishing and hacking attempts. Phishing is when a hacker sends a fraudulent message pretending to be TikTok in order to trick you into giving them your login credentials. They may send links to fake login pages that look like the real TikTok site. Always double check that any login link is from tiktok.com before entering your information.
If you suspect your TikTok account has been hacked or stolen, first change your password immediately. Choose a strong, unique password that hasn’t been used anywhere else. You can reset your password in the TikTok app under Settings.
Next, go to TikTok’s support page and submit a request to recover your stolen account here. You’ll need to provide details to prove you are the original account owner. TikTok support will investigate and work to restore access to you if possible.
Unfortunately, recovering a hacked TikTok account can be difficult if the hacker has changed the email, password, and other account details. Acting quickly is important to limit what the hacker can do while in control of your account. Always use strong unique passwords and be vigilant against potential phishing attempts.
Shadowbanned Content
Sometimes a TikTok account can become “shadowbanned,” which means its content has been deemed to violate TikTok’s community guidelines and as a result will have restricted visibility on the platform (Source). When shadowbanned, your videos and profile will not show up in searches or recommendations to other users. You may notice a significant drop in views, likes, and comments if shadowbanned.
The most common reasons for getting shadowbanned on TikTok are:
- Posting too much duplicate or repetitive content
- Violating community guidelines around dangerous acts, spam, nudity, illegal activities, etc.
- Using copyrighted music without permission
- Purchasing fake views or engagement
If you suspect your TikTok account has been shadowbanned, you can appeal the violation and request a review. TikTok support may ask you to delete any offending videos. Avoid further guideline violations, and be patient as it can take 1-2 weeks for your account to return to normal after fixing issues (Source). With time and consistent appropriate content, you can lift a shadowban and regain full access to the TikTok community.
Contact TikTok Support
If you believe your TikTok account has been deleted or banned in error, the best way to recover it is by contacting TikTok Support directly. There are a few ways you can get in touch with them:
In the TikTok app, go to your profile and tap the 3-dot menu icon in the top-right corner. Select “Report a problem” and choose “Account” then “Account doesn’t exist.” Provide details on the issue and submit the form.
You can also email TikTok Support at [email protected]. Explain that you cannot access your account and believe it may have been incorrectly deleted or banned. Provide your username and any other helpful details.
According to their contact page, TikTok aims to respond to emailed support inquiries within 1-2 business days.
By reaching out to TikTok Support directly, you have the best chance of recovering or reinstating your account if was mistakenly removed.
Reactivate or Start Fresh
If your TikTok account has been deleted within the last 30 days, you may be able to recover and reactivate it. According to Business Insider, TikTok keeps deleted accounts for 30 days before permanently deleting them. To attempt to restore your account:
- Re-download the TikTok app and log in with your username and password. This will prompt the reactivation screen.
- Tap “Reactivate” and follow the on-screen instructions to restore your account.
If it has been over 30 days since your account was deleted, unfortunately it is likely unrecoverable. In this case, you will need to create a brand new TikTok account with a new username and password. When setting up your new account, be sure to enable any extra security features like two-factor authentication to help prevent losing access again in the future.
While starting fresh with a new account can be inconvenient, looking on the bright side, it gives you an opportunity to rebrand and relaunch your TikTok presence. Be sure to let your existing followers know you are back with a new username so they can find and follow your new account.
