There are a few main reasons why you may not be able to see comments or use the search feature on TikTok. The most common causes are that your account is new, your account has been blocked or shadowbanned, your region or device settings are restricting access, or there is a technical issue.
New account restrictions
If your TikTok account is brand new, there will be some initial restrictions in place. TikTok does this as an anti-spam measure, to prevent bots and fake accounts from flooding the platform.
For the first day or two, you won’t be able to search for content or interact with others’ videos by commenting or liking. After a short period of normal app usage, these restrictions should lift automatically.
Blocked or shadowbanned account
If your account has been flagged for violating TikTok’s community guidelines, you may find yourself blocked from normal use. There are two levels of blocks:
- Shadowban – Your account and posts are visible to you but hidden from others. Comments and likes will be minimal.
- Full ban – Your account is completely blocked from any interaction. You will be logged out and unable to log back in.
Check your account status by logging out and trying to view your profile as a non-logged in user. If you can’t find it, you’ve likely been shadowbanned. Repeat community guideline violations can lead to permanent disabling of your account.
Age or location restrictions
TikTok operates slightly differently in certain regions and for younger users under 18. If you are accessing TikTok from mainland China, for example, your experience may vary from other countries.
Users under 16 have additional restrictions like:
- Commenting disabled
- Only able to see content marked safe for younger audiences
- Direct messaging limited
Double check your account and device settings to see if limitations have been enabled based on your age or location.
Device settings
Sometimes access to certain TikTok features can be blocked at the device or app level:
- Parental controls on your phone may limit interactions
- Outdated app needing reinstallation to latest version
- Cookies/data settings preventing necessary tracking
- VPN, firewall, or network filters blocking access
Try toggling your device and browser settings to see if that impacts your ability to comment or search. Update the TikTok app itself as well just in case.
Technical issues
With a platform as large and fast-growing as TikTok, technical problems are bound to arise. Server outages, bugs, or glitches could all cause certain features to malfunction temporarily.
If you are unable to comment or search, first check TikTok’s status page at https://www.tiktok.com/status to see if they have reported any ongoing issues. You can also visit Downdetector to check for user reports of problems.
Technical problems are often resolved within hours, so try again a little later. Make sure the TikTok app is also updated to eliminate any bug-induced glitches.
How to troubleshoot and fix
If you are still unable to search or comment, try some general troubleshooting steps:
- Force close and restart the TikTok app
- Update the app to the latest version
- Restart your mobile device or computer
- Check internet connection and try over WiFi as well
- Clear app cache and data
- Try accessing TikTok in a different browser
- Try on a different device like mobile vs. desktop
If basic troubleshooting does not restore functionality, the issue may require contacting TikTok support for additional help.
Contacting TikTok support
To submit a request to TikTok for comment or search issues:
- Open the TikTok app and go to your profile
- Tap the three-dot menu icon in the upper right corner
- Choose “Report a Problem” from the menu
- Select the issue type as “Something went wrong”
- Pick the specific problem you are encountering
- Complete the troubleshooting steps shown
- Provide any additional details for TikTok support
This will initiate a support ticket so TikTok can investigate further and hopefully restore full functionality to your account. Be sure to also check your notifications for any messages from TikTok requesting more information.
Preventing issues in the future
To avoid running into restrictions or limitations on using TikTok in the future, keep these tips in mind:
- Abide by community guidelines and avoid violations that could lead to bans
- Use appropriate privacy settings for your age group if under 18
- Don’t use bots, fake accounts, or third-party apps that violate terms of service
- Keep app and device software up-to-date
- Don’t manipulate your location or device settings to bypass restrictions
- Double check account and security settings
Staying engaged on TikTok requires playing by the rules. You should now understand the range of potential reasons for losing comment and search abilities. With some targeted troubleshooting and help from TikTok support if necessary, your full account functionality can be restored.
