If you are a TikTok user who is having issues using effects in your videos, you are not alone. TikTok effects seem easy to use at first glance, but many users encounter problems that prevent them from properly applying effects to their videos.
In this comprehensive guide, we will explore the various reasons you may be unable to use TikTok effects and provide troubleshooting tips to resolve the issues. Keep reading to learn why TikTok effects may not be working for you.
My Effect Doesn’t Show Up
A common problem users face is that the effect they want to use doesn’t show up when they go to add effects to their video. There are a few potential reasons for this:
- The effect is no longer available. TikTok effects come and go quickly, so it’s possible the effect you want to use has been removed.
- The effect requires a face in the frame. Some effects are dependent on detecting a face. If your video doesn’t have a face visible, these effects won’t appear as options.
- Your device or app is out of date. Using older versions of the TikTok app or an outdated device can result in effects not loading properly.
- Your connection is poor. A slow or unstable internet connection prevents effects from loading in the app.
- The effect is restricted. Some effects are limited to certain users or regions for legal or commercial reasons.
If the effect you want is no longer available, unfortunately there is nothing you can do. But for the other issues, updating your app and device, ensuring a face is visible, and checking your internet connection may resolve the problem.
My Effect Glitches Out
Sometimes an effect will appear to work at first, but then it glitches out partway through the video. When this happens, the effect often freezes or disappears suddenly. There are a few possible causes of effect glitching:
- App problems. Like any app, TikTok can have performance issues that lead to effects glitching out.
- Weak internet. An unstable connection interrupts the effect from fully loading and applying.
- Incompatible device. Very old or underpowered phones and tablets may struggle to apply effects smoothly.
- Too many effects. Using multiple effects at once taxes your device’s capabilities and can cause glitches.
- App data issues. Corrupted data caches can disrupt effects from working properly in-app.
Troubleshooting steps like updating the app, reducing other apps running in the background, disabling extra effects, or clearing cache/data for the app can help resolve effect glitching problems.
My Custom Effect Doesn’t Appear
TikTok allows you to create your own custom effects in the app. However, some users report issues getting these custom effects to actually show up.
If your custom effect isn’t appearing, here are some things to check:
- Effect approval. Custom effects must be approved by TikTok before appearing, which can take time.
- Profile settings. Your profile must be public for others to view your custom effect.
- Naming issues. The effect name can’t have special characters that block it from populating.
- Searching method. Typing the exact effect name in search is needed versus browsing.
Additionally, you may need to re-publish your effect if it never received approval from TikTok. Contact TikTok support if your effect remains unapproved.
My Green Screen Effect Isn’t Working
Green screen effects allow you to place your self in front of any digital backdrop or background. But users sometimes struggle to get these effects working properly.
If your green screen effect fails, the culprit is usually an improperly lit green screen. For the effect to work, the green screen must be evenly lit, with no shadows or folds in the fabric. Wrinkles, shadows, and poor lighting prevent the app from detecting the green screen to isolate you from the background.
Setting up optimal green screen lighting, using a flat and unwrinkled screen, and positioning yourself at the right distance from the background will resolve most green screen effect issues.
My Duet Effect Disappeared
TikTok’s duet feature lets you create a video that includes a side-by-side split screen with another user’s video. But sometimes the duet effect will mysteriously vanish.
If your TikTok duet video reverts to a regular video during editing, it likely means the original video you wanted to duet was deleted or the user’s account was closed. Duet effects depend on the original video, so if it’s removed, the duet effect cannot apply.
You’ll need to find another video to duet that hasn’t been taken down. Also double check that the account you want to duet is still active, or the same issue can repeat.
I’m Banned From Using Effects
In some cases, TikTok will actually ban a user from using effects altogether. This typically occurs if you’ve severely violated the community guidelines.
Effect bans can last anywhere from temporary to permanent. To restore your effect privileges, you’ll need to appeal the ban with TikTok support and demonstrate you understand the rules.
Avoiding banned behavior like inappropriate content, harassment, and effect misuse will prevent you from losing effect access. Repeated or severe violations increase the length of effect bans.
My Account Is Glitched
In rare cases, a glitch with your individual TikTok account prevents effects from working properly. This is often an issue on TikTok’s end unrelated to your device or connection.
Logging out and back into your account, reinstalling the TikTok app, clearing TikTok’s cache/data, or contacting TikTok support can help troubleshoot account-specific glitches. Be sure to also update to the latest TikTok version.
My Effect Imports Aren’t Working
TikTok allows you to import custom effects from websites that offer special effect templates. However, some users report issues getting these imported effects to work.
Imported effects fail to work usually because the effect file is corrupted or the incorrect file type. The effect file must be an uncorrupted .zip file for the import to succeed.
Re-downloading the effect file from the original site or converting it to a .zip can allow the effect import to go through. Also ensure your app and operating system are up to date.
Troubleshooting in the App
If you’re still having issues getting an effect to work properly in TikTok, there are a few troubleshooting steps you can try within the app itself:
- Restart the effect mid-recording
- Close and re-open the effect tab
- Shut down and relaunch the TikTok app
- Delete and reinstall TikTok
- Clear TikTok’s cache and data
- Log out and back into your TikTok account
Resetting the effect, app, and your account can clear out bugs that prevent effects from applying correctly. Make sure TikTok is also fully updated.
When to Contact TikTok Support
If you’ve tried all the troubleshooting tips but are still unable to get effects working, it’s time to contact TikTok directly for support.
You should reach out to TikTok customer support if:
- An effect remains unavailable or unapproved
- Glitches persist across app reinstalls
- Your account is banned from using effects
- An effect issue prevents you from using the app entirely
TikTok’s own technicans can best diagnose and resolve persistent effect issues related to your specific account, installed app, and device.
Conclusion
Using TikTok effects can sometimes be trickier than it first appears. But being aware of the possible reasons effects fail to work properly provides a helpful starting point for troubleshooting.
Updating the app and your device, checking your internet connection, resetting effects or your account, avoiding effect and account bans, re-importing effects files, and contacting TikTok support can all help get effects functioning again.
With the right troubleshooting approach, any effect issues can typically be resolved. Don’t let pesky technical problems prevent you from enhancing your TikTok videos with fun effects!
