One of TikTok’s standout features is the ability to duet with other creators, recording your own video alongside theirs. However, many users have experienced issues with the duet mic not working properly.
If you’ve tried to duet but can’t get your microphone audio to record, don’t worry – there are a few troubleshooting steps you can take to get the duet mic working again. In this guide, we’ll walk through the common reasons the TikTok duet mic may stop working and the best solutions to fix it.
Why Your Duet Mic May Not Be Working
Before we get into the fixes, let’s first look at some of the possible reasons your duet mic isn’t recording:
Microphone Permissions Not Enabled
For TikTok to access your microphone and record audio, you need to grant the app permission to do so. If you haven’t enabled microphone access in your phone’s settings, TikTok won’t be able to use your mic when duetting.
To check your microphone permissions for TikTok:
- iOS: Go to Settings > Privacy > Microphone and make sure TikTok is toggled on.
- Android: Go to Settings > Apps & Notifications > App Permissions > Microphone and make sure TikTok is allowed.
If the TikTok app doesn’t have microphone access, toggle it on in your settings.
Voice Control Setting Interfering
On iOS devices, the Voice Control setting can sometimes interfere with an app’s ability to access your microphone.
To disable Voice Control:
- Open Settings and tap Accessibility
- Scroll down and tap Voice Control
- Toggle the Voice Control switch off
This prevents Voice Control from blocking microphone access for TikTok.
Microphone is Broken or Disconnected
It may sound obvious, but make sure your phone’s microphone is working properly and nothing is obstructing it.
Try recording audio in another app like Voice Notes to test if the microphone is picking up sound. If you cannot record any audio at all, your microphone itself is likely damaged or improperly connected.
You may need to get your microphone repaired or replaced.
App Issues or Bugs
Like any app, TikTok can have tech issues on its end that cause problems like microphone glitches. App bugs that haven’t been patched yet can affect certain features.
Checking for TikTok app updates and installing the latest version may resolve mic problems if it was due to a bug.
Completely uninstalling and reinstalling the app can also clear out any stored data causing conflicts.
Account Restrictions
In some cases, TikTok may place restrictions on accounts that violate their Terms of Service. If your account has been restricted, you may lose access to certain features like duetting.
You can appeal account restrictions through the app’s settings. But if your account has been permanently banned, you won’t be able to use that TikTok profile.
Now that we’ve covered the major reasons your duet mic may not be working properly, let’s go over some fixes and troubleshooting steps.
How to Fix TikTok Duet Mic Not Working
Here are the best troubleshooting tips for getting your TikTok duet microphone working again:
Restart Your Phone
An simple phone restart clears out memory, ends background processes, and refreshes device connections. For minor mic glitches, just powering your phone off and on again may do the trick.
- Hold down your phone’s Power button to bring up the shut down screen
- Slide to power off your device
- Once fully shut down, press the Power button again to restart your phone
Then open TikTok and test your duet mic again. A fresh reboot can resolve microphone conflicts.
Force Stop the App
Sometimes the TikTok app itself just needs a fresh start to reset any issues. Force stopping the app closes it completely so it reopens fresh.
On Android:
- Go to Settings > Apps & Notifications
- Tap See All Apps and find TikTok
- Tap Force Stop to completely close the app
On iPhone:
- Double press the Home button to open the multitasking view
- Swipe up on the TikTok preview to fully close it
- Open TikTok again from your Home screen
Trying your duet after force stopping the TikTok app may do the trick.
Update the App
As mentioned earlier, duet microphone bugs can sometimes be caused by outdated versions of the TikTok app itself.
Whenever you experience issues, it’s a good idea to check for TikTok app updates which likely contain fixes.
- iOS: Go to the App Store > Tap your Profile > Tap Update next to TikTok
- Android: Open the Play Store > Tap Menu > My Apps & Games > Update next to TikTok
Install the latest update and test if your duet mic works properly again. Keep the app updated whenever new versions are released to prevent further issues.
Reinstall the App
If force stopping TikTok or updating doesn’t resolve your duet mic problem, the next step is uninstalling and reinstalling the app completely.
This erases any cached data that could be causing microphone conflicts and gives you a completely fresh install.
On iPhone:
- Hold down the TikTok app icon until it starts jiggling
- Tap the X icon to delete it
- Open the App Store and reinstall TikTok
On Android:
- Go to Settings > Apps & Notifications
- Tap See All Apps, then find TikTok
- Tap Uninstall to remove the app and all its data
- Open the Play Store and reinstall TikTok.
After fully reinstalling, open TikTok and try duetting again. A fresh app install often resolves mic glitches.
Adjust App Settings and Permissions
Even if TikTok has microphone permissions enabled, there are a few in-app settings worth double checking:
- Open TikTok and tap the Profile tab on the bottom
- Tap the 3 dot menu icon and choose Settings & Privacy
- Under Settings, check that Microphone is toggled ON
- Also enable Access to Record Audio under the Additional Permissions section
This verifies the app itself has microphone access allowed. While here, make sure Duet is enabled under the Duet & Stitch tab too.
Update Your Phone Software
Outdated phone software can sometimes be the culprit behind microphone issues if bugs exist.
Updating your device’s operating system provides the latest security patches, bug fixes, and improvements.
On iPhone:
- Go to Settings > General > Software Update
- Install any iOS updates available
On Android:
- Open Settings > System > System Update
- Follow prompts to download and install the latest Android OS updates
After updating, TikTok may be able to access your microphone properly again. Keep your device OS version up to date whenever new updates roll out.
Remove Phone Case
It may seem obvious, but make sure your phone case isn’t obstructing the microphone hole or adding interference.
Certain phone cases, like those with built-in screen protectors, can sometimes muffle microphones or cause audio issues.
Try removing your case and testing if the duet mic works properly. If so, the case is likely interfering with microphone recording.
Check for Damage or Obstructions
Inspect your microphone port and any openings to ensure no debris is stuck inside or obstructions are covering the mic.
Carefully clean out the microphone hole with compressed air to remove any dust, lint, or particles. Be gentle not to damage the delicate microphone.
Also check for any physical mic damage like dents. If the microphone itself is broken, you’ll need a repair or replacement. Testing with another app can help determine if the issue is isolated to TikTok.
Try Different Headphones or Earbuds
If you typically use wired headphones with a built-in microphone, try switching to different earbuds or headphones.
Sometimes headset microphones can cause interference or compatibility issues. Testing with separate headphones or earbuds without mics can determine if your headset is the culprit.
Bluetooth headphones can have connectivity issues as well. Make sure they are paired properly to your device.
Disable Other Microphone-Using Apps
Apps with microphone access running in the background could potentially cause conflicts and issues with TikTok’s microphone functionality.
Try closing out of all other apps that enable your microphone, like Facebook, Instagram, gaming apps, etc. Force stop or swipe away any apps using your mic in the background.
With other potential microphone conflicts disabled, open TikTok and see if your duet mic works normally. This can help isolate the issue being tied to TikTok itself.
Reset Network Settings
For iPhone users still experiencing microphone difficulties in TikTok, resetting your device’s network settings may help.
Resetting network settings clears out any problematic configurations that could be interfering with the app’s mic access.
To reset network settings on iPhone:
- Go to Settings > General > Reset
- Tap Reset Network Settings
- Enter your passcode when prompted
- Your device will restart – then try using the TikTok mic again
Resetting network settings has resolved many users’ duet microphone problems after other steps failed to work.
Contact TikTok Support
If you still can’t get your TikTok duet microphone working after trying all troubleshooting steps, reach out to TikTok’s support team.
In the TikTok app:
- Go to your Profile > Tap the 3-dot Menu > Select Report a Problem
- Choose Something Else > Select Contact Support
- Explain your duet mic issue and steps you’ve tried
The TikTok support team may be able to provide personalized troubleshooting tips or determine if it’s a wider technical issue on TikTok’s end.
Preventing Duet Microphone Issues
Once you get your TikTok duet mic working again, there are some tips you can follow to avoid running into problems again in the future:
- Always keep TikTok updated to the latest version of the app
- Don’t obstruct your microphone hole or damage the hardware
- Double check your microphone permissions and in-app settings
- Maintain plenty of storage space on your device
- Restart your phone and close background apps regularly for fresh memory
- Keep your device operating system version up to date
- Report duet mic bugs quickly to TikTok when they occur
Following best practices for maintaining your phone and keeping the TikTok app running smoothly can help minimize the chances of duet microphone glitches.
Duet Mic Not Working? Don’t Sweat It
Troubleshooting microphone issues with social media apps can definitely be frustrating. But in most cases, TikTok duet mic problems can be resolved through systematic troubleshooting and using the app’s tools properly.
By reviewing microphone permissions, updating the app, restarting your phone, removing obstructions, and contacting support if needed, you should be able to get the duet feature working again.
Make sure to report any persistent mic bugs directly to TikTok as well so they can improve the app and resolve ongoing issues. With the right maintenance and awareness of common problems, you’ll be duetting flawlessly in no time.
