Have you been experiencing issues with TikTok lately? With how complex and ever-changing the app’s interface is, server outages and bugs occur on a daily basis, resulting in users all across the world having connectivity and loading issues.
If your app freezes and crashes when you open it, we are here to help. Follow along as we do a deep dive into why TikTok keeps crashing and what you can do to fix it.
The Platform Is Down
Like all other social media platforms, TikTok’s servers crash from time to time due to bugs and coding issues. Generally, these outages are resolved quickly and efficiently, so users barely notice any problems.
However, if the bug is serious and requires more time to resolve, the platform can be down for anywhere between a couple of minutes and a few hours. In such a case, the app will crash or freeze as soon as you enter it, and you won’t be able to perform any actions in it.
To check whether TikTok is down, you can consult the Down Detector. Although it is not officially affiliated with TikTok, it is a reliable source for all server issues because it is based on real-time reports from users all around the world. As such, it allows you to compare your problems with those others might be encountering at the same time.
The Fix
Seeing that this problem is solely connected to TikTok’s server, there is not a lot that you can do to solve it. In reality, you can only wait for the app’s team to fix it on their end. Fortunately, they are usually quite quick, so the outage shouldn’t last more than a few minutes.
The App Is Due for an Update
The TikTok development team is always looking for ways to improve user experience by upgrading the platform’s interface, fixing bugs, and introducing new features. To that end, they release app updates every few weeks.
Now, if your phone settings allow it, these updates will be downloaded automatically the moment they become available. In other words, you will always be using the latest version of the app.
However, if your app settings are set to manual updating, you will have to install every update on your own. And if you miss out on one, the app might start glitching, freezing, and crashing.
The reasoning behind this occurrence is quite straightforward: the newest version of the app always works best. It has the least amount of bugs, meaning that it offers the smoothest experience.
The Fix
Luckily, this issue is one of the easiest to resolve. These are the steps you should follow to update your app on Android:
- Open the Google Play App Store.
- Search for TikTok and select the official app (it should be the first result).
- Tap the Update button.
If you use TikTok on an iPhone or iPad, the process is slightly different but just as simple:
- Open the App Store.
- Tap on your profile image located in the top right-hand corner.
- If you scroll down, you will reach a list with all the apps that need updating.
- Find TikTok on the list and select Update.
In both instances, you should wait a minute or so until the process concludes before relaunching the app. And if you cannot locate the Update button in the final step, you are using the newest version of the app already.
Your Device Requires Updating
Similarly to apps, all Android and iOs devices also undergo regular software updates. Companies release new operating system versions at least a few times a year, and installing them can make your user experience significantly smoother. In addition, it can also fix crashing issues connected to other apps, including TikTok.
The Fix
If you use an Android, you can update your device with the steps below.
- Open your Settings.
- Navigate to Systems & Updates.
- If your software is due for an update, you will see an Update to latest version button.
- Tap it and wait until the process is complete.
On iOS, the instructions are:
- Go to Settings.
- Select General and then Software Update.
- Update your iPhone or iPad if a newer version is available.
Before you complete any of these steps, make sure you have some free time to spare. Namely, software updates usually take between 10 and 30 minutes to complete depending on their complexity and your internet connection.
The App Might Need Closing
If your TikTok app has been running for a long time, it could start glitching and eventually crash. The same might occur if you run the app simultaneously with one or multiple others. Either way, the solution to this problem is pretty simple.
The Fix
In most cases, just closing the app and reopening it will do the trick. However, if that doesn’t help, you can also restart it.
Here’s how to do it on iOS devices:
- Navigate to your Home screen.
- Swipe up from the bottom of the screen.
- Look for TikTok in the list of running apps.
- Swipe up on the TikTok preview once you find it.
On Android devices, you should:
- Swipe up from the bottom of the screen and hold for a second.
- Tap Close all or just swipe up on the TikTok window.
Now, all you have to do is open the app again, and everything should be up to par once more.
Accumulated App Data or Cache
As you probably already know, your device stores data every time you use apps. That includes cookies, cache, passwords, as well as your search and watch history. They help apps and websites load faster, thus shortening your waiting time.
If you do not delete this data regularly, it will accumulate. That can, in turn, cause TikTok to malfunction. In most cases, this manifests through the app crashing as soon as you open it or taking a long time to buffer videos.
The Fix
There are two possible solutions to this problem, and it is best to perform them both to ensure that the app truly runs perfectly once more.
First, you ought to delete your cache within the TikTok app. Regardless of the device you use, the instructions are the same:
- Open TikTok and tap your profile picture in the bottom right-hand corner.
- Select the three horizontal lines in the upper right-hand corner.
- Tap Settings and privacy.
- Go to Free up space.
- Click Clear next to Cache.
Next, you can also delete TikTok cache memory from your device.
For iOS devices:
- Open the Settings app and tap General.
- Go to iPhone Storage.
- Locate TikTok on the list of apps.
- Select it, and then tap Offload App.
For Android devices, you should:
- Go to Settings and select Apps.
- From the app list, select TikTok.
- Tap Storage.
- Click Clear Cache.
You can also select Clear Data, although that will log you out of your account as well.
Poor Internet Connection
As a video platform, TikTok requires a stellar-quality internet connection to run without a hitch. Thus, it can crash or malfunction if you don’t have service or you’re connected to a weak or overcrowded Wi-Fi network.
For those using their cellular data to enjoy TikTok, it’s all about the strength of the signal in a particular geographical area. For example, you will likely have a weaker signal on a train or in remote locations, in which case loading videos or even opening TikTok won’t be possible.
The Fix
In the event that your home Wi-Fi network isn’t working, you can try restarting it or troubleshooting to pinpoint the exact problem. And if that doesn’t help, contacting your Internet provider and reporting the issue is the next best thing.
Alternatively, the crash might be caused by a poor 4G or LTE signal. If you are traveling or going through a remote area, the issues should disappear once you reach a region with a better signal. But if the problem persists or continues even when you’re at home, contact your phone company to inquire about the difficulties you are experiencing.
And If None of Our Tips Work…
Sometimes, the only solution to TikTok crashing is deleting and reinstalling the app on your device. It takes only a minute or two, and it can help you resolve all underlying problems.
On iOS, you can delete and reinstall TikTok by following these instructions:
- Navigate to the TikTok app on your device.
- Long-press it.
- Tap Edit Home Screen.
- Now, click the minus sign on the TikTok app.
- Select Delete.
- Go to the App Store and locate TikTok.
- Tap on Get and then Install, and enter your account password if prompted.
For Android users, the instructions are as follows:
- Tap and hold the TikTok app icon on your home screen.
- Select Uninstall and confirm the decision by tapping OK.
- Navigate to the Google Play Store and find TikTok.
- Tap Install.
And that’s all! After reinstalling TikTok, it should run without any issues. However, if you still encounter problems after you’ve exhausted every fix we provided, your next best bet is to contact TikTok directly. Their support team is pretty efficient, so they will help you get to the bottom of your problem quickly.
