If you’ve recently noticed that the search bar is missing from your TikTok app, don’t panic. This issue has affected many TikTok users before and can usually be easily fixed. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll walk you through the top reasons the TikTok search bar may have disappeared and the steps you can take to get it back.
What to Do When the TikTok Search Bar Disappears
The search bar is one of the most useful features on TikTok, allowing you to quickly find videos, sounds, hashtags, and creators. So when it goes missing, it can be very frustrating. Here are the main troubleshooting tips to try if your TikTok search bar is nowhere to be found:
- Force close and restart the TikTok app – This refreshes the app cache and often resolves minor glitches like the search bar disappearing.
- Check for app updates – Install the latest TikTok update, as the missing search bar bug may have been fixed in a new version.
- Clear the TikTok app cache – This wipes out any corrupted temporary data that could be causing app problems.
- Reinstall the TikTok app – As a last resort, deleting and re-downloading the app can overcome persistent issues.
- Check your internet connection – Make sure you have a stable wifi or mobile data connection, as connection drops can sometimes make the search bar vanish temporarily.
In most cases, the search bar disappearance is just a minor technical glitch that can be resolved with one of these tips. Read on for more details on these steps to bring back the TikTok search bar.
Force Close and Restart the TikTok App
One of the simplest fixes is to force close the TikTok app and restart it. This refreshes the app and resets any temporary glitches that may be preventing the search bar from loading. Here is how to force close TikTok:
- On Android – Open your device’s Settings app > Apps > TikTok > Force Stop.
- On iOS – Double tap the Home button to open the app switcher > Swipe up on the TikTok preview to force close it.
Once you have force closed TikTok, wait a few seconds and then launch the app again. This essentially refreshes the app and oftentimes will make the search bar reappear. It’s always worth trying this quick and easy fix first before moving on to other troubleshooting methods.
Check for TikTok App Updates
Another cause of the missing TikTok search bar could be that you are running an outdated version of the app. TikTok releases regular updates to fix bugs, patch security flaws, and add new features to the app.
It’s possible a recent TikTok update included a fix for the search bar problem. So you’ll want to check for any available updates and install them. Here’s how to update TikTok on iOS and Android:
- On an iPhone or iPad, go to the App Store > Tap your profile icon > Check for available updates and install any pending TikTok updates.
- On Android devices, open the Play Store app > Tap the hamburger menu icon > My apps & games > Update any pending TikTok updates.
Once the latest version of TikTok is installed, open the app and see if the search bar is back. Staying on top of updates can prevent a lot of bugs and glitches with apps like TikTok.
Clear the TikTok App Cache
If force closing TikTok and updating didn’t bring back the search bar, try clearing the TikTok app cache next. Over time, corrupted temporary data in the app cache can cause performance issues and glitches.
Clearing the cache wipes this temporary data and could resolve your missing search bar problem. Here are the steps to clear the TikTok cache on iOS and Android devices:
- On an iPhone or iPad, go to Settings > General > iPhone Storage > Find TikTok and tap it > Tap Offload App > Tap Reinstall App. This will clear the TikTok cache while preserving your data.
- On Android, open your Settings app > Apps > TikTok > Storage > Clear Cache. You may need to Force Stop the app first.
Once the TikTok cache has been cleared, open the app and check if the search feature is back. Clearing app caches helps eliminate bugs, so it’s a good maintenance task to do periodically.
Reinstall the TikTok App
If you’ve tried all other troubleshooting tips but the search bar is still missing, reinstalling TikTok may be necessary. This is an effective last resort, as it will completely refresh the app and overwrite any corrupt files.
When you reinstall TikTok, your data, videos, likes, followers, etc will be preserved as that is saved to your account. Here is how to uninstall and reinstall TikTok:
- On an iPhone or iPad, hold your finger on the TikTok icon until it jiggles > Tap the X icon to delete > Go to the App Store and re-download TikTok > Log in to your account.
- On Android, open the Settings app > Apps > TikTok > Uninstall > Open the Play Store and reinstall TikTok > Login to your account.
Re-downloading fresh copies of apps can overcome stubborn glitches you can’t fix otherwise. After reinstalling TikTok and logging back in, check if the search bar is visible once again.
Check Your Internet Connection
While it seems obvious, don’t overlook your internet connection as a potential culprit for a missing TikTok search bar. Any disruption to your wifi network or mobile data signal can cause temporary glitches like this when using the app.
To rule out a connection problem, check that your wifi network is working properly or toggle on mobile data if you are not connected to wifi. Close and relaunch TikTok to see if the search bar loads correctly with a stable internet connection.
If you are experiencing frequent disconnections and network issues, reboot your wifi router and modem to refresh your home network. Switching to a stronger wifi band or mobile data can also resolve temporary glitches caused by poor connectivity.
Contact TikTok Support
If all else fails and your TikTok search bar remains missing, reach out to TikTok support for further help. Contact options include:
- In-app support – Go to your TikTok profile > Settings and privacy > Report a problem to report the missing search bar.
- Twitter support – Tweet the issue to @TikTokSupport.
- Email – Send details to [email protected].
TikTok support specialists may be able to provide customized troubleshooting tips or determine if it’s a wider technical issue on TikTok’s end. Providing details like your device, app version, and steps you’ve tried can help them resolve your search bar problem faster.
Prevent the TikTok Search Bar Disappearing
To avoid dealing with this pesky issue in the future, here are some tips to keep the TikTok search bar working properly:
- Update TikTok whenever new versions are available in your device’s app store.
- Occasionally force close and clear the cache to keep the app running smoothly.
- Reboot your router if you face frequent internet drops that could impact TikTok.
- Free up storage space on your iPhone or Android if it’s nearly full, as insufficient storage can cause glitches.
Staying on top of app maintenance, connectivity issues, and device storage will minimize technical hiccups that can make the search bar disappear without warning.
The Bottom Line
The TikTok search feature is too useful to do without. If it has gone missing on your app, first try force closing TikTok, installing any updates, and clearing cached data to refresh the app. Reinstalling TikTok as a last resort can also overcome persistent glitches. Check your internet connection and contact TikTok support if you need additional troubleshooting assistance. Follow our tips to keep the TikTok search bar working properly and avoid this annoying issue.
