What Does Account Not Found Mean on TikTok?

TikTok is a short-form video app that allows users to create, share, and discover videos. The app has over 1.5 billion monthly active users ^[1] and continues to grow rapidly in popularity. On TikTok, each user has an account that is identified by a unique username. This username allows others to find and follow that account. However, sometimes when trying to access someone’s TikTok account, users may see an error message saying “Account not found.” This typically means the account no longer exists, either because it was banned, the username was changed, or there is a temporary technical issue.

What Does “Account Not Found” Mean?

The “Account Not Found” error message on TikTok means that when you try to access a user’s profile, you are greeted with a message saying “Couldn’t find this account” instead of the user’s videos and profile information. This usually indicates one of a few possibilities:

The account was banned by TikTok for violating community guidelines (Source). TikTok has a strict policy against hate speech, bullying, illegal content, and other harmful behavior. If an account engages in this, TikTok can ban the account.

The user changed their username, so that specific account name no longer exists (Source). Users are able to edit their username on TikTok, so if you try to access their old username, you’ll get the “Account Not Found” message.

It’s a temporary glitch and the account still exists. Sometimes TikTok has technical issues that cause accounts to not load properly. Trying again later often resolves this.

The “Account Not Found” message indicates that the specific account you were trying to view is not currently accessible. The reasons could be a ban, name change or technical issue. Trying from a different device or again later may resolve it if it’s a temporary problem.

Possible Causes

One of the most common reasons for seeing the “Account Not Found” message is that the account was deleted, either by TikTok or the user themselves. TikTok may delete accounts that violate its Community Guidelines on topics like nudity, harassment, hate speech, and dangerous acts.¹ If you violated a guideline, TikTok would have sent a warning first before deleting the account. Appeals can be made by contacting TikTok support.

Users may also choose to delete their own TikTok account for any reason. According to TikTok’s support page, accounts can only be recovered within 30 days if the user contacts TikTok support quickly after deletion.² After 30 days, deleted accounts and their content cannot be restored.

Before deleting an account, it’s a good idea to download archived videos and data. TikTok provides information on how to download your TikTok videos before closing your account.

¹ https://nerdtechy.com/tiktok-account-deleted

² https://support.tiktok.com/en/account-and-profile/account-management/how-do-i-delete-my-tiktok-account

Account Was Banned

One of the main reasons you may see the “Account Not Found” error on TikTok is if your account has been banned. TikTok bans accounts that violate its Community Guidelines and Terms of Service. Some reasons your account may get banned include:

• Sharing inappropriate, dangerous, or illegal content
• Spamming or artificially boosting distribution
• Impersonating others or misleading people about your identity
• Violating intellectual property rights
• Underage use of TikTok

According to TikTok’s policies, accounts engaging in severe or repeated violations may be permanently banned without the option to appeal. Milder or first-time offenses may receive temporary bans, especially if you rectify the issue.

Username Changed

One common reason you may see the “Account Not Found” error is if the user has changed their username. On TikTok, users can change their username to a new one that is available. This allows users to refresh their profile and brand if they want a new handle.

To change your username on TikTok:

1. Open your profile and tap the three dot menu in the upper right corner.
2. Select “Manage account” from the menu.
3. Tap “Username” and enter the new username you want.
4. Check if the new username is available. If so, tap “Change” to confirm.

Once you change your username, your old profile URL will lead to the “Account Not Found” page for anyone trying to visit it. This is because the username is now different. You need to share your new profile URL for people to find your updated account.

So if you come across an old TikTok profile link that goes to the “Account Not Found” page, it’s likely the user simply changed their username. Try searching their new handle or asking the user to share their updated profile URL.

Temporary Glitch

Sometimes the “Account Not Found” message can appear due to a temporary glitch or server issue on TikTok’s end. According to Tardigrada, “On rare occasions, TikTok experiences platform issues that make it seem like accounts have disappeared. This tends to resolve itself within hours.”

Bugs or errors in the TikTok app or website could also cause accounts to appear non-existent. As WikiHow suggests, trying again in a few hours may resolve the problem if it’s just a temporary glitch. TikTok typically fixes these types of technical issues relatively quickly.

Overall, if the “Account Not Found” message appears unexpectedly on an account you know exists, it’s likely just a temporary bug. Give it some time and try again later before assuming the account was deleted or banned.

How to Fix the Issue

If you see the “Account Not Found” error for your own TikTok account, the best way to fix the issue is to contact TikTok support directly. You can reach out to TikTok via their contact page or by emailing [email protected].

Explain your situation in detail and request help regaining access to your account. Provide as much identifying information as possible, such as your username, email address, phone number, and date of birth. TikTok support can investigate why your account is showing as “not found” and restore access if it was banned or deactivated accidentally.

If your account was purposefully removed for violating TikTok’s terms of service, you can submit an appeal request. However, account bans are usually permanent if issued for severe or repeat violations. As an alternative, you may need to create a new account and be careful to follow all TikTok rules going forward.

With assistance from TikTok’s support team, the “Account Not Found” error can typically be resolved. Directly contacting them gives you the best chance of regaining access to a banned, deactivated or glitched account.

Appealing an Account Ban

If your TikTok account has been banned, you can submit an appeal to TikTok to request that they review the ban. According to TikTok’s support article on content violations and bans, you can appeal a ban if you believe TikTok made a mistake.

To submit an appeal, go to TikTok’s appeal form and fill out the required information about your account and the reason you believe the ban was a mistake. TikTok states that you’ll need to provide as much detail as possible in the appeal to help them properly review your case.

Once you submit the appeal form, TikTok will review your request and make a decision. This process usually takes a few days. If your appeal is approved, your account and its content will be restored. However, if your appeal is denied, the account will remain banned.

It’s important to note that appeals are not always successful, especially for severe or repeated violations of TikTok’s community guidelines. But submitting an appeal is the only way to potentially get your banned account reinstated.

Create a New TikTok Account

If your account was banned or you simply want to start fresh, creating a new TikTok account is easy. Here are step-by-step instructions:

1. Go to https://www.tiktok.com/signup on your mobile device or desktop.
2. Enter your email address or phone number and tap “Next.” You’ll receive a 6-digit verification code.
3. Enter the code and create a password. Tap “Next.”
4. Add your name, username, and birthdate. Tap “Next.”
5. Optionally, you can find friends from your contacts. Tap “Skip” to connect later.
6. Review TikTok’s Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. Tap “Agree.”

Once your new account is created, you can customize your profile, upload videos, follow creators, and start engaging with the TikTok community again.

Conclusion

In summary, the “Account Not Found” error message on TikTok has a few potential causes.

The account may have been banned for violating TikTok’s community guidelines. Banned accounts are completely removed from the platform. However, it is possible to appeal the ban if you believe it was a mistake.

The other likely cause is that the user changed their username. TikTok links are associated with specific usernames, so if that username is changed, old links will lead to the “Account Not Found” page.

In rare cases, it could simply be a temporary glitch. Trying again after some time has passed may resolve the issue if that is the cause.

To resolve the problem, you can try creating a new account if banned or searching for the user’s new username if changed. If all else fails, you may need to accept that the account is gone and no longer accessible.