TikTok is one of the most popular social media apps, allowing users to create and share short videos. However, many users have experienced issues with TikTok not opening properly within the app. This can be frustrating as it prevents accessing the core functionality of the app.
There are several potential reasons why TikTok may not be opening in-app on your device. The app may be outdated and need an update, there could be corrupt app data causing crashes, or device software issues may be interfering with the app functioning properly. Network connectivity problems, TikTok server outages, banned accounts, insufficient device storage, and VPN or proxy use can also prevent TikTok from opening as expected.
Outdated App
One common reason TikTok may not be opening is because you have an outdated version of the app installed on your device. TikTok frequently releases updates to fix bugs, improve features, and address security issues. If your app is not fully updated, you may encounter problems opening or using TikTok.
Check the Google Play Store or Apple App Store to see if any TikTok updates are available for download. The latest version as of January 2023 is TikTok version 24.7.3 for Android and 24.7.0 for iOS. Installing the newest TikTok update could resolve app loading issues if you are running an old version.
TikTok release notes often indicate bug fixes and performance improvements with each update. For example, a January 2023 TikTok update for Android fixed problems with the app freezing and crashing. Keeping TikTok updated provides the best chance for smooth, uninterrupted usage.
Corrupt App Data
One potential cause of TikTok failing to open is corrupted app data or cache files. Over time, the cache used by TikTok can become damaged or too large, preventing the app from functioning properly. Clearing the TikTok app’s cache and data is one of the first troubleshooting steps recommended when the app won’t open.
To clear the cache and data on Android, go to Settings > Apps > TikTok and select “Clear Cache” and “Clear Data.” On iOS, go to Settings > General > iPhone Storage, select TikTok and tap “Offload App.” This will delete the cache and data without removing the app itself. After clearing this corrupted data, try launching TikTok again. If the app starts normally, the issue was likely caused by overloaded caches or damaged data.
Regularly clearing the cache and data can help prevent buildup of corrupt files. However, if data becomes severely corrupted, clearing it may not resolve the issue. In this case, completely uninstalling and reinstalling TikTok may be required to fix the problem.
Device Software Issues
Sometimes TikTok may stop working due to bugs or conflicts with the device’s software, OS version, or certain system components. As per this source, TikTok requires specific minimum OS versions and system software to run properly. Any bugs or issues with core system components like the camera, microphone, GPS, etc. can also cause TikTok to crash or not open.
Make sure your device is updated to the latest OS version that is compatible with TikTok. Sometimes newer OS updates may introduce bugs that affect TikTok. Try updating or reinstalling device drivers related to camera, microphone, graphics, etc. to see if it resolves any system-level conflicts. If issues persist, it’s best to contact TikTok support for further troubleshooting.
Network Connectivity Issues
One of the most common reasons TikTok may not be opening is due to network connectivity issues. If your device loses connection to the internet or has a weak/unstable connection, TikTok may fail to open or load properly since the app requires an internet connection. This could happen on both mobile data and WiFi networks.
TikTok relies on having a stable internet connection to load all of the content and data needed to run the app. Videos, profiles, comments and more are loaded from TikTok’s servers. Without a connection, the app has no way to retrieve this necessary data. Even a briefly dropped connection can disrupt the loading process and lead to errors opening TikTok.
On mobile devices, switching between WiFi and cellular data networks can also sometimes cause connection issues if the handoff does not happen smoothly. Airplane mode is another culprit – if enabled, it will cut off your device’s internet access entirely.
To resolve connectivity problems, first check that your device has an active internet connection through WiFi or mobile data. Toggle airplane mode on and off, restart your device, disable/re-enable WiFi, and try switching networks. Using a VPN connection sometimes helps as well. If the issues persist across connections, it likely indicates a different issue.
Server Outages
One of the most common reasons that TikTok won’t open in-app is due to server outages. TikTok relies on servers to deliver its video content to users. When these servers experience problems, it can prevent the app from functioning properly. Source
Server outages typically occur during times of high traffic and demand on the app, such as when a popular trend goes viral. Millions of users trying to access the same videos can overload TikTok’s servers and cause them to crash. According to DownDetector, some of TikTok’s largest outages have left the app down for several hours at a time.
When TikTok servers are down, users may experience trouble loading their feeds, posting new videos, or accessing profiles. The app may freeze, fail to refresh, or show error messages. Server issues can prevent TikTok from opening entirely within the app.
The only solution is to wait for TikTok engineers to bring the servers back online. Trying to reload the app constantly will not help. TikTok does not notify users directly about server outages, but third-party sites like DownDetector can provide real-time outage updates.
Account Bans
If you are suspended or banned from using TikTok, you will be unable to access the in-app features. TikTok bans accounts and restricts access for severe or repeated community guideline violations.
According to TikTok’s Content Violations and Bans support page, violations that can lead to a permanent ban include:
- Creating a new account after being banned
- Posting prohibited content on a new or existing account
- Spreading violative content across multiple accounts
If you believe your account was incorrectly banned, you can submit an appeal through the app. The TikTok Account Safety page outlines the process.
Device Storage Issues
One of the most common reasons for TikTok not opening in-app is an issue with device storage or storage errors preventing the app from launching properly. As TikTok frequently caches videos, images, and other data on your device, the app requires adequate available storage space to function. If your device storage is full or nearing capacity, TikTok may crash on launch or fail to open entirely [1].
To check if device storage is the culprit, go to your phone’s settings and view the available storage. If you are running low on space, try clearing cache and unused files using your device’s storage manager. You can also open TikTok, go to settings, and select “Clear Cache” to remove temporarily stored data. Freeing up storage often resolves app launch issues. Finally, uninstalling and reinstalling TikTok can reset the app and required storage if other methods fail.
VPN/Proxy Use
Some users have reported that using a VPN or proxy server can prevent TikTok from opening properly in the app. This is likely due to TikTok detecting the VPN/proxy and blocking access as a security precaution. According to a Reddit user, “VPN’s are all detected right now, If you want to reach another audience you have to buy or subscribe at Residental Proxies.”[1] TikTok seems to have measures in place to detect common VPNs and proxy servers, which can trigger access issues when trying to use the app.
VPNs and proxies essentially mask your real location and IP address, so TikTok may block access through these services as a way to reduce spam, bots, and other bad actors on the platform. While some VPNs/proxies may work, it’s likely that TikTok will continually try to identify and block these services. Using a lesser-known VPN or residential proxy service could potentially avoid detection, but access is not guaranteed. Overall, VPN and proxy use seems to directly cause problems opening TikTok for many users.
Solutions
There are several potential solutions users can try if TikTok is not opening in the app:
Update the TikTok app to the latest version from the App Store or Google Play Store. New updates often include bug fixes that could resolve app opening issues.1
Force close the TikTok app and restart your device. This clears out any background processes that may be interfering with the app and gives it a fresh start.
Check your device’s internet connection and try toggling airplane mode on and off. Connection issues could prevent TikTok from opening properly.
Clear the app cache and data through your device settings. This deletes temporary files and resets the app. Just be aware it will sign you out.
Reinstall TikTok if other troubleshooting steps don’t work. Download the latest version fresh from the app store.
Contact TikTok customer support if the problem persists across devices. They can further investigate issues opening the app.
