The issue of TikTok videos not having any sound is a common problem many users encounter. When this happens, TikTok videos play normally but without any audio. The viewer is left trying to lip read or guess what the audio may have been. This can be incredibly frustrating for TikTok creators who put effort into choosing music, sounds and voiceovers to enhance their videos. It also diminishes the viewing experience for the audience. In this article, we’ll examine why TikTok can sometimes have no sound and provide solutions to fix this annoying problem.
Confirming the Problem
Many TikTok users have complained about experiencing no sound when using the app. According to a 2021 TikTok video by influencer Steve Armato, up to 80% of TikTok viewers watch videos with the sound off.[1] This indicates that a significant portion of users face sound issues on the platform.
A report by Kantar, reported on TikTok’s business blog, found that 88% of TikTok users said sound is essential to their experience on the app. However, clearly a large number are still impacted by lack of sound based on the statistics above.[2]
With such a heavy emphasis on music, sounds and audio on TikTok, not having sound can significantly degrade the user experience. Confirming the widespread scope of this problem is the first step to addressing it.
[1] https://www.tiktok.com/@stevearmato/video/7190390387889179950
[2] https://www.tiktok.com/business/en-US/blog/kantar-report-how-brands-are-making-noise-and-driving-impact-with-sound-on-tiktok
Potential Causes
There are a few potential reasons why you may not be getting any sound on TikTok. The most common causes include:
TikTok App Issues
Sometimes the TikTok app itself can be the culprit behind no sound. App glitches, crashes, or updates going wrong can cause audio issues. Trying force quitting the TikTok app and restarting your device may resolve app-specific sound problems according to How to Fix the “No Sound on TikTok” Issue.
Device Settings
Your device’s audio settings can also cause TikTok to have no sound. Make sure your device volume is turned up and not muted. Check that microphone permissions are enabled for TikTok, and that your phone’s speaker is not damaged, as noted by TikTok sound not working: How to fix it?. Device issues tend to cause no sound across multiple apps, not just TikTok.
Connectivity Issues
Problems with your internet connection can also prevent TikTok videos from playing audio. Switch between WiFi and cellular data to see if that fixes the no sound problem. Restarting your router if you’re on WiFi can also help in some cases.
TikTok App Issues
One of the most common causes of no sound on TikTok is bugs or glitches within the TikTok app itself. As TikTok frequently releases updates, sometimes these can introduce new issues. Both iOS and Android users have reported instances of the TikTok app suddenly having no sound after an update.
According to https://moviemaker.minitool.com/news/no-sound-on-tiktok.html, app bugs are a leading culprit behind the “no sound on TikTok” problem. Glitches in the app’s coding can cause audio issues that prevent sound from working properly.
The best solution is to keep the TikTok app updated to the latest version. Go to your device’s app store and check for any available updates. Installing these can often resolve audio bugs introduced in older versions. If that fails, uninstalling and reinstalling the app is another option to clear out any glitches.
Device Settings
One of the most common reasons TikTok has no sound is due to your device’s settings. Your device’s volume or mute switch may be turned off or set too low, preventing any audio from playing. The TikTok app also needs certain permissions to be able to access your microphone and speakers.
On iPhone devices, ensure the mute switch on the side is not engaged and the volume is turned up. Also check that you have granted TikTok access to the microphone in your device Settings > Privacy > Microphone. Additionally, make sure Do Not Disturb mode is not enabled, as this can block all sounds.
For Android users, open device Settings and confirm the volume is up and not muted. Check that TikTok has microphone and audio permissions enabled in Settings > Apps > TikTok > Permissions. Disable Do Not Disturb or any other mode that could block audio.
Verifying these device settings are properly configured according to TikTok’s needs is key to resolving no sound problems. As per this source, granting the necessary permissions is a common fix for audio issues in the TikTok app.
Connectivity Issues
One of the most common causes of no sound on TikTok is connectivity problems, either with your WiFi or cellular data. Being connected to a weak or unstable network can interrupt the loading of sounds in videos. Similarly, if you are connected to a VPN or proxy, this can interfere with streaming media from TikTok’s servers.
First, try disconnecting from WiFi and using just your cellular data, or vice versa. Switching networks may resolve intermittent connectivity problems. You can also try disabling your VPN temporarily to rule that out as an issue.
If using cellular data, move closer to a window or outside to get a stronger signal. If on WiFi, move closer to your router or reset it. Check for any loose cables or interference from other devices. Test loading videos on TikTok after making connectivity changes to see if it has fixed the no sound problem.
As per My TikTok has no sound – Try these 9 Fixes [01-2024], connecting to a faster, more reliable network is one of the first solutions to try for no sound on TikTok.
Account Settings
Issues with your TikTok account settings can also cause videos to have no sound. Check that your account is not muted, which would disable audio on all videos. You can verify this under Settings > Content & Activity > Mute. Uncheck the “Mute” option if enabled (Source).
Additionally, if your account is restricted or limited in some way, TikTok may disable sound as well. Try logging out and back into your account to see if restrictions were placed. You can also check under Settings > Digital Wellbeing > Screen Time Management to see if any limits are enabled (Source).
Finally, make sure that TikTok did not mute or restrict your account due to violations of community guidelines. This can happen if multiple videos are reported. You may need to appeal the restriction if this is the case.
Fixes and Solutions
If you are experiencing no sound on TikTok, there are several troubleshooting steps you can try to resolve the issue:
First, make sure the sound on your device is turned on and the volume is up. Check that your phone or tablet is not on mute or vibrate mode, as this will cause TikTok to have no audio (Source).
Next, close and restart the TikTok app. This can fix sound glitches caused by software bugs. If that doesn’t work, uninstall and reinstall the TikTok app from your device’s app store. Reinstalling can clear any corrupted files causing audio issues (Source).
Check your device and TikTok account settings as well. Make sure media sounds are enabled in your device settings, your TikTok account does not have Restricted Mode enabled, and your account is not muted. Adjust these settings if needed to get TikTok audio working again.
Finally, if the problem persists, it may be a network connectivity issue. Connect your device to a different WiFi network or switch to mobile data to test if that resolves the no sound problem. Weak internet connections can disrupt streaming of TikTok audio.
Preventative Measures
There are a few things you can do to avoid having no sound issues on TikTok in the future:
Regularly update the TikTok app to ensure you have the latest version. The developers often release updates to fix bugs and optimize performance. Stay on top of updates in the App Store or Google Play Store (Source).
Check your device’s settings periodically and make sure TikTok has microphone access enabled. You can disable and re-enable this permission which often resolves glitches (Source).
Keep your device storage optimized by deleting old apps, files, and clearing cache/data for TikTok. Having enough free storage space can prevent performance issues.
Use a stable, high-speed internet connection when possible. Connectivity issues are a common cause of no sound, so minimize use on spotty networks.
Fully close and restart the TikTok app if you experience any odd behavior. This refreshes the app and reconnects it to TikTok’s servers.
Conclusion
In summary, there are a few potential reasons why you may be experiencing no sound on TikTok. The most likely culprits are problems with the TikTok app itself, your device settings being toggled to mute, connectivity issues, or your TikTok account’s sound settings being turned off. To resolve the no sound problem, first make sure your device’s volume is turned up and try force quitting and reopening the TikTok app. Check your device’s sound settings to confirm nothing is muted. Try toggling your phone on and off airplane mode to reset connectivity. Double check your TikTok account’s sound settings and toggle sound on if it is muted. As a preventative measure, make sure to keep the TikTok app updated to the latest version. If the problem persists, try reinstalling the TikTok app or contacting TikTok support. With some troubleshooting, you should be able to restore sound and enjoy TikTok videos with audio.
In conclusion, while having no sound on TikTok can be frustrating, the problem can typically be resolved through systematic troubleshooting of app issues, device settings, connectivity, and account settings. With a few simple fixes, you can get back to enjoying the full TikTok experience.
