TikTok filters have become extremely popular for users to enhance and customize their videos. Some of the most used filters include beauty filters, anime eyes, glitter effects, and more. However, sometimes these fun filters stop working properly in the app. When your usual go-to filters are not showing up or applying to videos, it can be frustrating.
There are a few reasons why TikTok filters may not be working. It could be an issue with the app needing an update, connectivity problems, cached data needing to be cleared, filter access restrictions, camera permissions, or a bug. With some troubleshooting, it’s usually possible to get filters working again. This guide will provide the top solutions to try when TikTok filters are not functioning on your device.
Verify App is Up-to-Date
Having the latest version of the TikTok app is important to ensure you have access to new features and fixes for bugs or issues. Apps are constantly being updated by developers, so it’s a good idea to check for and install updates regularly.
To check if your TikTok app needs an update on iPhone, open the App Store app, tap your profile picture in the top right, then scroll down to see if TikTok has an “Update” button next to it. On Android, open the Google Play Store app, tap the hamburger menu in the top left, go to “My apps & games”, then check if TikTok has an “Update” button.
If an update is available, tap the “Update” button to download and install the latest version of TikTok. Keeping your app up-to-date ensures you have the best experience using TikTok and can access all the newest filters.
For step-by-step instructions, see this guide on how to update TikTok on iPhone and Android: https://www.businessinsider.com/guides/tech/how-to-update-tiktok
Check Your Connectivity
Issues with filters can be due to network problems. TikTok requires a stable internet connection to properly load and apply filters. If your connectivity is spotty or slow, you may experience problems with filters not working or taking a long time to load.
Here are some tips for troubleshooting your internet connection:
- Check that your wifi or mobile data is turned on and connected.
- Try moving closer to your router if on wifi or switching to mobile data.
- Restart your router and modem if the issue persists.
- Test your network speed using a tool like Speedtest to identify any problems.
- Clear your browser cache and cookies which could be interfering with connectivity.
- Update your wifi network drivers if using an older device or adapter.
Having a minimum of 3-5Mbps download speed is recommended for filters to work properly. If your network tests show very slow speeds, contact your ISP. Lastly, try toggling Airplane mode on and off to reset the network connection.
Restart the App
A simple fix is to restart the TikTok app to see if that resolves the filters not working. This resets the app and clears any temporary glitches. According to TikTok’s support article, “how to restart tiktok app,” you can restart the app by opening it and swiping it away to fully close it [1]. Then reopen TikTok to see if the filters are back in working order.
If restarting the app doesn’t work, you may need to force close TikTok and reopen it. To force close the app on an iPhone, double click the home button and swipe up on the TikTok preview to fully close it [2]. On Android, open the app switcher and swipe the TikTok preview off the screen. After force closing TikTok, reopen it and test if filters are now functioning.
Restarting the app often fixes minor glitches and clears any stuck processes that could be preventing filters from working. It’s a quick first step to try before moving on to more advanced troubleshooting.
Clear the Cache
The cache is a temporary storage area on your device that holds data like images, videos, and other media content from TikTok. Over time, this cache can build up and cause issues like filters not working properly. Clearing the cache deletes this temporary data and frees up space, which can help resolve problems with filters.
On Android devices, you can clear the TikTok cache by going to Settings > Apps > TikTok > Storage > Clear Cache. On iOS, open the TikTok app and go to your profile page. Tap the three-line menu button and choose “Clear Cache.” This will delete any stored cache data and restart the app fresh (Source).
Clearing the cache helps troubleshoot filter issues by removing any corrupted temporary data that could be causing problems. After clearing the cache, close and reopen TikTok to see if filters start working properly again. Just remember clearing the cache also removes your login details, so you’ll need to sign in again when relaunching the app.
Check Filter Restrictions
TikTok sometimes restricts certain filters in some regions due to local laws and regulations. For example, TikTok has geo-restricted certain AR lenses and effects related to campaigns, politics, alcohol, gambling, dating, and other topics in various countries (https://newsroom.tiktok.com/en-eu/fulfilling-commitments-dsa-update).
To check if certain filters are restricted in your area:
- Go to the Effects tab in the TikTok app
- Search for the filter you want to use
- If the filter doesn’t show up in search, it may be restricted in your region
You can also try changing your TikTok region setting to see filters available in other areas. However, keep in mind that bypassing geo-restrictions violates TikTok’s terms of service.
Update Your Camera Access
TikTok requires camera access for some filters to work properly. If you are having issues with filters, it’s a good idea to verify TikTok has permission to access your device’s camera.
To enable camera access on an iPhone, go to Settings > Privacy > Camera and toggle on the switch for TikTok. On Android, go to Settings > Apps & Notifications > App Permissions > Camera > TikTok and toggle on the switch to allow camera access.
You may also need to go into the TikTok app itself and enable camera access in the settings. In TikTok, tap the profile icon > Settings & Privacy > Permissions > Camera and toggle it on. This ensures TikTok has permission to use the camera within the app.
Once you’ve verified camera access is enabled, try applying filters again. Many TikTok filters rely on analyzing and modifying camera input in real-time, so they won’t work properly without camera permissions.
Try Different Filters
Certain filters may be glitchy across TikTok. Some users have reported issues with specific filters not working properly or causing glitches in the app. For example, filters involving AR effects or green screen filters are more prone to technical issues.
As a workaround, try testing out a variety of different filters to see if others work properly. Avoid any filters known to commonly have glitches, and experiment with filters in different categories like beauty filters, fun filters, color filters, etc. Often an issue is isolated to one particular filter, so trying alternatives may allow the app to function normally.
If the majority of filters result in glitches, that likely points to a larger technical issue. But testing different filters can help narrow down if the problem is isolated or widespread. Refer to this TikTok video that demonstrates a “glitch filter” that causes distortions.
Contact TikTok Support
If the previous troubleshooting steps do not resolve your filter issues, you can reach out directly to TikTok for support. TikTok’s support team can be contacted via email at [email protected].
When contacting TikTok support, provide as many details as possible about the issue you are experiencing. Include your TikTok username, the type of device you are using, your device OS and version, and the specific filters that are not working properly. Describe the issue in detail, including when it started happening and how often it occurs. Screenshots and videos showing the problem can also be very helpful to send to the TikTok support team.
TikTok may also be able to be contacted via social media channels like Twitter, so you can try reaching out to @TikTok_US or @TikTokSupport if you are still unable to resolve your issues. With the details provided, TikTok Support should be able to troubleshoot the problem and help get your filters functioning properly again.
Conclusion
If you’re still having issues with filters not working properly in TikTok after trying the troubleshooting tips above, here’s a quick recap of the main things to check:
- Make sure the TikTok app is fully updated to the latest version.
- Check your internet connectivity and try connecting to a different WiFi network.
- Force close and restart the TikTok app.
- Clear the app cache and data which can fix software issues.
- Go into your device settings to confirm TikTok has permission to access your camera.
Keep in mind that some filters may be restricted depending on your age settings in the app. You can go into your account privacy settings to check on this.
For additional help troubleshooting filters or any other issues in TikTok, you can contact their support team directly through the app or visit the TikTok support website.
