If you are unable to search for videos on the TikTok app for Android in 2022, there are a few potential reasons and solutions you can try. TikTok’s search feature allows users to find videos using keywords and hashtags, but sometimes it can stop working properly.
Update the App
One of the first things to try is updating the TikTok app to the latest version. App developers like TikTok are constantly releasing updates that fix bugs and improve features. If your TikTok app is out of date, it may have a bug preventing the search feature from working.
Open the Google Play Store on your Android device and search for TikTok. If an Update button appears next to it, tap it to download the latest version of the app. Once updated, try searching again in TikTok.
Check Your Internet Connection
Your internet connection could also be the culprit behind an unresponsive TikTok search. Videos require a stable internet connection to load and play correctly. And the search feature needs a connection to return results.
Try disabling Wi-Fi and switching to mobile data, or vice versa. Connect to a different Wi-Fi network if possible. This will determine if the problem lies with your specific internet connection.
Also try force closing the TikTok app and reopening it to reset the connection. Check that other apps can access the internet normally to confirm it’s an issue isolated to TikTok.
Clear Cache and Data
Over time, cached data and cookies can build up in apps like TikTok and affect their performance. Clearing the cache and app data for TikTok could potentially fix search not working.
To clear cache and data in TikTok for Android, go to your device Settings, select Apps, choose TikTok, and tap Storage. Then tap Clear Cache followed by Clear Data. This wipes the existing data and forces TikTok to reload fresh content.
After clearing cache and data, open TikTok again and try searching. The search feature should now work unless there is another underlying problem.
Check Location Services
TikTok utilizes your device’s location services to serve you trending content and search results based on your area. If location access is disabled, it can interfere with search functionality.
In your device settings, make sure TikTok has permission to access your location while using the app. Also check that location services are enabled in general on your Android device.
Granting location access allows TikTok to pull search results according to your geographic area for better relevance. Try searching again after confirming TikTok can utilize your location.
Restart Your Android Device
As a general troubleshooting step for any misbehaving apps, consider restarting your Android device. This clears out any memory issues or glitches affecting TikTok.
Power down your device completely and leave it off for at least 30 seconds. Then turn it back on and launch TikTok once it has fully restarted. The search feature may now work after the restart.
Update Google Play Services
TikTok relies on Google Play services and apps like Google Play Store to operate properly on Android. If these are out of date, bugs can occur in TikTok.
Check for Google Play services and Google Play Store updates in the Play Store. Update them to the latest versions. Also make sure you’re running the most recent version of Android if available for your device.
Keeping core services updated prevents issues with TikTok and other apps. Try searching in TikTok after updates are complete.
Check TikTok Server Status
It’s possible the problem lies not with your device but with TikTok’s servers. Server outages can affect certain TikTok features like search for all users globally.
Check sites like DownDetector to see if others are reporting problems with TikTok’s servers. You can also visit TikTok’s status page to see any service interruptions they have identified.
If TikTok is experiencing server trouble, the only option is to wait for them to resolve the problem. Refreshing your feed and trying again later once service is restored.
Contact TikTok Support
If you have tried all other troubleshooting tips and TikTok search remains broken, you can contact TikTok support for additional help.
In the TikTok app, go to your profile page and tap the three-dot Menu button. Choose Report a Problem and select the issue you are facing. Fill out the form with details and submit.
You can also consult TikTok’s online help center and Twitter support team. They may be able to diagnose a problem on TikTok’s end affecting search capabilities.
Consider Deleting and Reinstalling the App
As a last resort, you can attempt deleting and reinstalling the TikTok app to see if this fixes search not working properly.
With TikTok deleted, reboot your Android device. Then redownload TikTok from the Google Play Store and log into your account again. Test if you can now search for videos successfully.
Reinstalling the app eliminates any corrupt files that could be interfering with search features working. But you may lose any saved videos or settings, so try this only if all else fails.
Search Limitations
It’s also important to note that TikTok does limit searching capabilities in some cases. For example, adult or inappropriate content may not appear in search results. Very recent or live videos also may not populate right away.
Searching by hashtag rather than keywords will yield more results. Trending hashtags are prioritized over non-trending tags. Location and watch history influence results.
Understanding how TikTok search works can explain why you aren’t seeing expected results. But if search is completely non-functional, the above troubleshooting tips should help restore it.
Searching for videos is a core part of the TikTok experience. With any luck, these solutions will get the search feature working again so you can find relevant and entertaining videos on TikTok for Android.
