Getting randomly logged out of TikTok can be frustrating for users. This article will explain some of the main reasons your TikTok account may have gotten logged out unexpectedly.
There are various factors that can cause a TikTok user to be randomly logged out, ranging from expired sessions and corrupted cookies to server errors and banned accounts. Troubleshooting tips will be provided to help diagnose the cause and regain access to your TikTok account.
By the end of this article, you’ll have a better understanding of the common issues that lead to random TikTok logouts and how to resolve them.
Expired Session
One of the most common reasons for getting logged out of TikTok is having an expired session. As a security measure, TikTok automatically logs users out after a certain period of inactivity on the app. The timeout period before being logged out varies, but is generally around 1-2 hours of no interactions.
When this session expiration occurs, trying to perform any actions in the app will result in a “login timeout” error message. TikTok does this to protect accounts from being accessed without permission if someone leaves the app open on an unattended device. The automatic logout ensures accounts remain secure.
To avoid getting logged out, simply use the app regularly and perform some kind of interaction at least once per hour, such as scrolling, liking, commenting or posting. As long as you remain active in the app, your session will be kept alive and you won’t have to deal with involuntary logouts. But if you do find yourself logged out after being away for a while, you’ll just need to enter your login credentials again to start a new session.
Corrupted Cookies
One potential cause of getting unexpectedly logged out of TikTok is having corrupted browser cookies. Cookies are small pieces of data stored in your browser that contain information about your TikTok session. If these cookies become corrupted or damaged, it can cause you to lose your logged-in status.
There are a few ways cookies can become corrupted. Sometimes a software bug or glitch results in the data being improperly written to the cookie file. Other times, an interruption while the cookie is being created, like a browser crash or computer restart, can corrupt the cookie. Viruses and malware are another cause of cookie corruption that can lead to logging out issues.
When launching TikTok, the app checks your cookies to validate your session. If the cookie data is corrupted, TikTok won’t be able to verify you are logged in. This results in you being automatically logged out and needing to reenter your username and password.
To prevent corrupted cookies from causing login frustrations, try periodically clearing your browser’s cookies and cache. This deletes any damaged cookies so new, clean ones can be generated. Keeping your browser up to date can also minimize the chances of cookie corruption occurring.
Overall, while rare, corrupted browser cookies can definitely be the culprit behind mysteriously getting logged out of TikTok before you’re ready to. Taking preventative measures like clearing cookies regularly can help reduce this risk.
Software Update
One common reason that TikTok may automatically log out an account is due to a software update. TikTok regularly releases updates to fix bugs, improve features, and enhance overall app performance. However, these updates can sometimes have the unintended consequence of logging users out of their accounts.
When TikTok releases a major update, it may erase some of the stored login data or cookies that keep you logged into your account. As a result, when you open the newly updated app, TikTok won’t recognize your account and will prompt you to log back in.
This usually only happens with significant app version updates and not with minor bug fix updates. So if your TikTok app recently auto-updated to a newer major version, that is likely the reason you got logged out unexpectedly. You simply need to re-enter your username and password to log back in.
To avoid getting logged out after future app updates, some users recommend turning off auto-update for the TikTok app. This way, you can choose when to manually update to newer versions and avoid unwanted logouts. But keep in mind major updates do often contain important security and feature enhancements that are beneficial to install.
Account Security
One of the most common reasons for getting unexpectedly logged out of TikTok is because you logged out of all sessions as a security precaution, which unintentionally also logged you out on your current device. TikTok offers the ability to secure your account with two-factor authentication and manage the devices logged into your account (https://www.tiktok.com/safety/youth-portal/keep-your-account-secure?lang=en). While logging out of all sessions can help protect your account if you think it has been compromised, it will log you out on all devices, even ones you currently use.
TikTok notes that “Logging out of all sessions is an account security feature that ends all active sessions associated with your account, including the app on your current device” (https://support.tiktok.com/en/log-in-troubleshoot/log-in/my-account-logged-out-automatically). So if you intentionally logged out of all sessions from the security settings but forgot you would also be logged out on your phone or computer, that explains the unexpected logout.
The solution is to simply log back in on your current device. But in the future, be aware that fully logging out of all sessions is a blanket security measure that will remove access on all devices logged into the account.
Too Many Logins
Logging into a TikTok account on too many devices can sometimes lead to automatic logouts. TikTok allows you to be logged into the same account on up to 3 devices simultaneously [1]. If you try to log into the account on more than 3 devices, TikTok may automatically log out one or more of the existing sessions as a security measure.
This is because logging into an account from multiple locations can be a sign of suspicious activity. If someone gains unauthorized access to your username and password, they may try logging in from a new device. TikTok limits logins to 3 devices to prevent this type of account hijacking.
Therefore, if you suddenly get logged out of your TikTok account, it could be because you or someone else logged into your account on too many devices. Make sure you only stay logged into your account on the devices you regularly use. Logging out of unused sessions can prevent unexpected logouts in the future.
Device Conflicts
One common reason for getting logged out of TikTok unexpectedly is device syncing issues and conflicts. TikTok ties your account to the devices you use to access it. If you log in on a new device or remove access from an old device, it can sometimes cause your account to get logged out on other devices as well.
For example, if you log into your TikTok account on a new phone, it may automatically log you out on your old phone to sync up the devices. Or if you revoke access to your account on an old device you no longer use in the “Manage Devices” section of settings, TikTok may log you out everywhere as a security measure.
Additionally, if multiple people are trying to use the same TikTok account on different devices simultaneously, it can create syncing conflicts that lead to accidental logouts. TikTok may detect suspicious activity like concurrent logins on different devices and log everyone out as a precaution.
The best way to avoid device conflicts is to carefully manage what devices are linked to your TikTok account. Only log in on devices you actively use, and promptly remove any old devices you no longer want connected to your account. Avoid sharing your login credentials across multiple devices or people.
Banned Account
Getting logged out of your TikTok account unexpectedly can sometimes indicate your account has been banned due to a policy violation. TikTok has strict community guidelines around content and behavior, and violating these can result in enforcement actions like account bans and logouts.
Some of the most common reasons accounts get banned on TikTok include:
- Posting inappropriate, dangerous, or illegal content
- Spamming or artificially inflating distribution
- Impersonating others or misrepresenting identity
- Violating copyrights or intellectual property
- Using bots or third-party apps that violate terms
- Underage users with inappropriate content
TikTok issues warnings before bans in most cases, but severe or repeated violations can result in immediate permanent bans and logouts. Banned accounts lose access and get logged out across all devices.
If you believe your TikTok account was banned incorrectly, you can submit an appeal to TikTok for review. But appeals are not always successful, so it’s best to ensure full compliance with all TikTok rules.
Server Errors
Though not a common occurrence, server errors on TikTok’s side can also lead to temporary logouts. If many users start reporting login issues around the same time, this may indicate broad server problems. According to DownDetector, the largest TikTok service outages typically last 1-2 hours and lead to problems logging in and accessing content.
Server errors usually correct themselves once TikTok engineers are made aware of the problems and implement fixes. Users may be randomly logged out during these periods, but should be able to log back in once the problems are resolved. As DownForEveryoneOrJustMe shows, full TikTok outages are rare, but intermittent issues often cause brief disruptions.
If you experience an unusual logout, check sites like DownDetector to see if others are reporting problems as well. This could indicate a temporary server error versus an isolated account issue. Give it some time and try logging back in later when server operations return to normal.
Troubleshooting Tips
If you find yourself unexpectedly logged out of your TikTok account, there are a few troubleshooting tips that may help resolve the issue:
Try reinstalling the TikTok app on your device. This will clear out any corrupted data and give you a fresh start.
Clear your browser cookies and cache. Outdated cookies can sometimes cause conflicts with TikTok’s login system. Refer to this guide for step-by-step instructions.
Log in on a different device if possible. Trying on a new device can help determine if the issue is isolated to one device specifically.
Make sure you don’t have the app open on multiple devices at the same time, as this can sometimes lead to strange logout issues.
Double check your internet connection is stable. Connection drops or network switching can disrupt your logged-in status.
As a last resort, try contacting TikTok support directly to see if they can troubleshoot your specific account.
With a few simple fixes, you should be able to get smoothly logged back into your TikTok account.
