Being locked out of your TikTok account can be frustrating and concerning. TikTok is one of the most popular social media platforms, with over 1 billion monthly active users. Losing access means you can’t post new videos, interact with followers, or access old content. There are various reasons your account could get locked, from forgetting your password to violating community guidelines. Whatever the cause, the inability to log back in leaves users feeling powerless.
In this article, we’ll explore the main reasons TikTok accounts get locked and provide solutions to regain access. Getting locked out is often temporary if you take the right steps. We’ll also look at ways to avoid lockouts going forward. By understanding account security best practices, you can stay in control of your TikTok presence.
Forgotten Password
One of the most common reasons for being locked out of a TikTok account is simply forgetting your password. With millions of users on the platform, it’s easy to forget login details over time. According to Reddit threads like this one, many users get locked out after taking a break from using TikTok and then not remembering their password when trying to log back in.
Without the correct password, you won’t be able to access your account. TikTok requires passwords for security reasons – to prevent unauthorized access. So if you can’t recall your password, you’ll be locked out of your account and unable to log back in.
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Account Suspension
One common reason for being unable to log into your TikTok account is if it has been suspended by TikTok. According to TikTok’s help article, accounts may be suspended for violating community guidelines or terms of service. Some examples of behavior that can lead to a suspended account include:
- Posting illegal, dangerous, or sexually explicit content
- Spamming or artificially inflating engagement
- Impersonating other users or brands
- Harassing or bullying other users
- Violating intellectual property rights
TikTok may also suspend accounts due to suspicious activity like sudden spikes in followers or engagement. Accounts registered by users under the age of 13 can also be suspended for violating TikTok’s age policy.
If your account has been suspended, TikTok should send an email notification explaining the reason. You can appeal the suspension through the app, but accounts are only unsuspended if TikTok’s review finds the suspension was an error.
Banned Hashtags or Songs
Using banned hashtags or songs on TikTok can sometimes result in your account being temporarily locked. TikTok maintains a blacklist of hashtags and songs that promote dangerous challenges, illegal activity, hate speech, and other violations of their community guidelines. If you use any of these banned hashtags or songs in your videos, TikTok may automatically lock your account as a precautionary measure.
Some examples of commonly banned hashtags include #Racist, #Bully, #Shoplifting, and #ProAna (promoting eating disorders). TikTok also regularly bans songs that contain copyrighted material. Uploading videos with these banned elements can trigger an automatic suspension, making it impossible to log back into your account.
To regain access, you’ll need to appeal the ban and assure TikTok you will not violate their rules again. Avoid using any hashtags or songs that promote dangerous, illegal, or hateful behavior. Check blacklisted hashtags and songs regularly since TikTok frequently updates their lists. Using banned content can lock your account, so staying aware of the rules is key.
For a list of currently banned hashtags, refer to this informative video: Avoid These BANNED Hashtags And Keywords on TikTok
Third-Party Apps
One common reason for being locked out of your TikTok account is if you connected it to an unauthorized third-party app. TikTok has strict rules about third-party apps accessing accounts due to potential security risks. If TikTok detects your account connected to an unauthorized app, it may automatically lock your account as a security precaution.
Some examples of third-party apps that could trigger a lockout include third-party analytics tools, auto-liking or auto-following apps, content scrapers, or apps that offer free TikTok followers or likes. Even if the app claims to be “official,” using it goes against TikTok’s terms of service and can risk a ban.
To avoid this issue, only use official TikTok apps and be cautious of connecting your account to any third-party service. Don’t input your login credentials into unverified apps. If you did connect to an unauthorized app, uninstall it immediately and change your password. You may then need to follow TikTok’s account recovery process to regain access.
Buggy App Issues
Sometimes TikTok app glitches can cause your account to become locked unexpectedly. With over 1 billion monthly active users, TikTok’s software can occasionally be buggy, leading to login issues. App freezes, crashes, or strange error messages may prevent accessing your account, even when your password is correct.
Try fully closing and restarting the TikTok app to clear any glitches. Also make sure your app is updated to the latest version. If the problem started right after an app update, it’s possible a bug was introduced in the new release. Downgrading to a previous version can potentially resolve this. Some users also recommend uninstalling and reinstalling TikTok to fix persistent bugs causing lockouts.
As a last resort, you may need to get in touch with TikTok support if a bug is preventing all access to your account. Providing details on the specific app issue can help them troubleshoot and push out a fix. With over 2 billion downloads on Android and iOS, bugs inevitably arise, but are usually addressed in later updates.
Hacked or Stolen Account
Getting locked out of your TikTok account often happens when it has been hacked or stolen by someone else. According to TikTok’s support article, “My account has been hacked,” https://support.tiktok.com/en/log-in-troubleshoot/log-in/my-account-has-been-hacked, some signs your account may have been compromised include noticing suspicious changes like a different profile photo, username, bio, posted content, and followers. The hacker may have also changed your password, email, phone number, and other account settings to lock you out.
Once your account is hacked, the hacker has full access while you are unable to log back in. They may post inappropriate or dangerous content, message your friends, or make purchases with any payment information saved. According to TikTok’s HackerOne bug bounty program page at https://hackerone.com/tiktok/thanks, hacked accounts are a major security issue that the company takes very seriously.
Getting your account hacked locks you out until you can prove ownership and reset everything. This stressful and frustrating experience highlights the importance of using a strong unique password and enabling two-factor authentication if possible.
IP Address Change
Changing your IP address or location can sometimes trigger an account lockout on TikTok. This is because TikTok may detect the sudden change in IP or location as suspicious activity and lock the account as a security measure.
TikTok uses your IP address to determine your approximate location for content delivery and adhering to local laws. If you use a VPN or proxy to change your virtual location, TikTok may see this as an attempt to access restricted content or bypass geographic restrictions.
According to sources like Quora and CyberNews, abrupt IP and location changes could trigger TikTok to lock your account until you can verify your identity.
To avoid lockouts, make IP and location changes gradually over time rather than all at once. You can also contact TikTok support to unlock your account and verify your identity if needed.
Fixing a Locked Account
If your TikTok account becomes inaccessible or locked, there are several steps you can take to try and recover access:
First, try resetting your password. Go to the TikTok login page and click “Forgot password?” to trigger a reset link sent to the email or phone number associated with your account. If you no longer have access to that email or phone number, contact TikTok support for help recovering the account (source).
You can also try logging in from another device or clearing your browser cookies and cache. Sometimes your account gets locked to a specific device or browser due to suspicious activity, so logging in fresh may resolve it.
If your account was suspended due to violating community guidelines, you will need to appeal the suspension through TikTok support. Provide an explanation of the situation and they may restore your access.
As a last resort, you can attempt to verify account ownership through TikTok’s account recovery form. This involves providing details only the account owner would know to prove you should regain access (source).
Be patient as it may take TikTok support some time to assist you. With perseverance, you should hopefully regain entry to your locked account.
Preventing Future Lockouts
There are a few things you can do to avoid getting locked out of your TikTok account again in the future:
Use a strong password and enable two-factor authentication. Having a complex, unique password will make it much harder for someone else to gain access to your account. Enabling two-factor authentication adds an extra layer of security, requiring both your password and a secondary one-time code to log in. This prevents unauthorized access even if someone figures out your password. Refer to TikTok’s support guides for instructions on changing your password and setting up two-factor authentication.
Be careful about clicking suspicious links or giving your login details to third parties. Phishing scams and malicious apps/sites may try to trick you into revealing your TikTok password, leading to account lockouts. Only enter your details directly on TikTok.com or in the official app.
Avoid spamming, bots, and other policy violations. Actions like repeatedly posting duplicate or irrelevant videos/comments, using automated bots, or breaking community guidelines policies could trigger account suspensions and restrictions. Carefully read and follow TikTok’s Community Guidelines to ensure your account stays in good standing.
Contact TikTok support if your account is incorrectly locked. If you believe your account was locked in error, reach out to TikTok’s support team through the app, on Twitter (@TikTokSupport), or via their contact form. Provide details on why you feel the restriction was unjustified.
