Seeing the “Something went wrong try again later” error message on TikTok can be frustrating. This error usually pops up when you’re trying to post a video, go live, follow someone, or access your inbox.
It typically means there’s a temporary technical issue on TikTok’s end, but there are some troubleshooting steps you can try on your end to resolve it faster.
In some instances, the error message displays as:
Something went wrong. Sorry about that! Please try again later.
In this post, we’ll go over the common causes of the TikTok “Something went wrong” error and show you various solutions to fix it. Whether the problem is on your device, your internet connection, or with TikTok’s servers, this guide will help you troubleshoot and get back to using TikTok smoothly.
Why is TikTok “Something Went Wrong” Error Showing
Here are some of the most common reasons why you may see the “something went wrong, try again later” message on TikTok:
Outdated App Version
TikTok regularly releases new updates to fix bugs and improve features. If you haven’t updated the app to the latest version, you may encounter issues like the error message. Make sure to keep TikTok updated on your iPhone or Android device.
Network Connectivity Issues
Problems with your internet connection can prevent TikTok from working properly. Being connected to a slow or unstable WiFi network and having a poor cellular data signal are common reasons for the error popping up.
Server Outages
Sometimes the issue is on TikTok’s end, with their servers experiencing outages. When this happens, you’ll see the error message even if your device and internet connection are working fine.
Checking TikTok’s server status on third-party sites can confirm if they are having widespread issues.
Account Bans or Restrictions
If your TikTok account has been banned or restricted due to violations of their terms, you may be unable to access the app and see the error message instead. TikTok moderation policies can result in temporary or permanent suspension of accounts.
Device Storage Issues
If your iPhone or Android device is low on storage space, it can lead to performance issues with apps like TikTok. Clearing up storage space may help resolve app crashes and errors.
Software Bugs and Glitches
Like any app, TikTok can have software bugs that cause technical issues like the error message to appear. Recent TikTok app updates may inadvertently introduce new bugs affecting some users.
How to Fix TikTok “Something Went Wrong” Error
Now that we’ve looked at what causes the TikTok error, let’s go through the various solutions and fixes for it:
Restart Your Device
One of the simplest but most effective troubleshooting steps for any app error is to restart your iPhone or Android device. Restarting your device essentially forces the TikTok app to reload its code and reconnect to TikTok’s servers from scratch.
This clears out any minor software glitches or network issues that may be causing the “something went wrong” message to appear in TikTok.
Follow these steps to restart your device:
On iPhone
- Hold down the Power button until the “Slide to Power Off” slider appears.
- Drag the slider to turn off your iPhone completely.
- After 30 seconds, hold down the Power button again to turn your iPhone back on.
On Android Phone
- Hold down the Power button until the “Power off” prompt pops up.
- Tap Power off to shut down your Android device.
- Wait for 15-30 seconds.
- Press and hold the Power button again to restart your device.
On Android Tablet
- Press and hold the Power button until the “Power off” prompt appears.
- Tap OK to power off your Android tablet.
- Wait 30 seconds then press the Power button again to restart your tablet.
After restarting your iPhone or Android device, open the TikTok app again. In most cases, the “something went wrong” error will be gone and you’ll be able to access TikTok normally. If the error still appears, move on to trying the other troubleshooting solutions.
But restarting your device is a quick and easy first step that often resolves app issues like the one you see in TikTok.
Update the TikTok App
One way to potentially fix the “Something Went Wrong” error on TikTok is to update the TikTok app. Outdated apps can sometimes cause issues like this error message to appear. Checking if an update is available and installing it may resolve the problem.
The TikTok app store page should indicate if an update is needed. Tapping the “Update” button will install the latest version, which may clear up the error. Updating to the newest app version ensures you have all the latest bug fixes and improvements that could be preventing the “Something Went Wrong” message.
If the error persists after updating, there are some other troubleshooting steps that could be tried as well, such as clearing the app’s cache or restarting your device. But updating the TikTok app first is a straightforward way to potentially address this issue.
Check Server Status
Another way to potentially address the “Something Went Wrong” error on TikTok is to check the server status of TikTok to determine if the issue is widespread or isolated. Several websites exist that monitor TikTok’s server status, such as Downdetector. On sites like Downdetector, you can view real-time outage reports from other users to see if they are also experiencing problems with TikTok.
If there are a large number of outage reports, then it’s likely a wider server issue that you can’t directly fix on your end. In this case, waiting for TikTok to resolve the problem may be the best approach.
However, if very few other users are reporting outages, the issue may be isolated to your device. Checking the server status can help determine the best path forward to resolve the error.
Disable VPN
One method that may help resolve the “Something Went Wrong” error on TikTok is to disable any VPN (virtual private network) connection. TikTok has been known to block VPN usage on the app.
If you have a VPN active, it’s possible TikTok is detecting the altered network traffic and responding with the error message. To test if a VPN is the cause, you can temporarily disable the VPN connection and try using TikTok again. If the error goes away, then the VPN was likely interfering. Some VPNs may work with TikTok while others don’t.
As a workaround, consider disconnecting from the VPN when using TikTok, or finding a VPN service that doesn’t trigger its blocking mechanisms. Disabling the VPN could potentially resolve the issue in cases where a detected VPN is conflicting with the app.
Clear App Cache and Data
Clearing the app cache and data can help resolve issues caused by corrupted local files. Following are the steps:
For Android:
- Go to your phone’s Settings
- Tap “Apps” or “Applications”
- Select “TikTok” from the list of apps
- Tap “Storage”
- Tap “Clear cache”
- Go back and tap “Clear data”
For iOS:
- Open the TikTok app
- Tap your profile picture in the bottom right
- Tap the “…” menu
- Select “Settings and privacy”
- Tap “Clear cache”
- Go back and tap “Log out” to clear app data
This removes all locally-stored files, cached content, preferences and logged in data for TikTok. After clearing, restart the app and try your activity again.
If the error persists, it may indicate a different issue rather than corrupted app data. But clearing the cache and data is a straightforward first step to resolve potential problems.
Check Account Status
Log into your TikTok account on a web browser to check if it has been suspended or banned, which could explain why the mobile app shows the error.
Here are the steps to check your TikTok account status as a way to potentially fix the “Something Went Wrong” error:
- Open the TikTok app and go to your profile by tapping the profile picture icon
- Tap the three lines in the top right corner to open the menu
- Select “Settings and privacy”
- Tap “Account”
- Under the “Account Status” heading, it will show whether your account is in good standing or has any restrictions
- If it says your account is restricted or banned, this could be causing the error message
- Check for any notices from TikTok explaining the restriction
- If restricted unjustly, you can tap “Request review” to appeal the restriction
- If the account is in good standing, the issue may be something else
Checking your account status can help determine if you’ve been banned or restricted from certain app activities by TikTok. This could explain the error. Appealing an unjust restriction or waiting for a ban to be lifted may resolve it if the status is the root cause. Otherwise, it points to a different issue needing troubleshooting.
Update Your Device Software
Having old iOS or Android system software can create performance and stability issues for apps. Updating to the latest iOS or Android version improves compatibility with TikTok.
- Check if your phone or tablet has any pending software updates.
- On Android devices, go to Settings > System > Advanced > System update
- On iOS devices, go to Settings > General > Software Update
- If an update is available, download and install it. This may require restarting your device.
- Once updated, launch the TikTok app and try the activity again.
Updating your device ensures you have the latest operating system fixes and optimizations installed. Outdated software can sometimes cause compatibility issues or bugs that result in error messages within apps. TikTok may also require a specific OS version minimum.
If an update is pending, installing it could clear up an underlying system problem interacting with the TikTok app. Restarting after the update also refreshes background processes.
Checking for and applying any available device updates is a non-invasive troubleshooting step that may resolve the “Something Went Wrong” error without needing to delete app data or reinstall TikTok.
Reset Network Settings
If your WiFi or cellular data connections seem unstable, resetting the network settings may help resolve connection problems that cause TikTok errors. On an iPhone, go to Settings > General > Reset > Reset Network Settings.
On Android, go to Settings > System > Advanced > Reset Options > Reset Wi-Fi, Mobile Data and Bluetooth.
Check Device Storage
iPhone and Android devices require a minimum of 500MB storage space for TikTok to function properly. Clear old photos and videos to free up storage space using the phone’s storage manager in Settings.
Contact TikTok Support
If you have tried all the troubleshooting steps and the TikTok error persists, reach out to TikTok’s support team through their Help Center. They may be able to identify other causes of the problem and provide customized troubleshooting suggestions.
Here are the steps to contact TikTok support
- Open the TikTok app and go to your profile
- Tap the three lines in the top right corner
- Select “Settings and privacy”
- Tap “Report a problem”
- Choose the issue you need help with from the list of topics
- Describe the exact problem you’re facing including any error messages
- Provide details of your device and TikTok app version
- You can optionally include screenshots if relevant
- Tap “Submit” to send your report
- TikTok support will review your issue and get back to you
- They may need additional information to troubleshoot further
- Follow any steps the support agent provides to try and resolve it
Contacting TikTok allows their technical experts to investigate the issue directly. As the app developers, they have access to more diagnostic tools and knowledge of known bugs.
Support may be able to pinpoint the cause of the error message that other methods cannot resolve. It’s a good option if resetting app data and updating don’t work.
Preventing Future “Something Went Wrong” Errors
After fixing the TikTok error using the solutions above, you can take these steps to avoid seeing it again in the future:
- Keep the TikTok app updated always
- Use a stable WiFi or cellular data connection
- Don’t let your device storage get too full
- Clear TikTok’s cache and data periodically
- Avoid getting your account banned from TikTok
- Update your device’s operating system regularly
- Don’t use VPNs or proxies with TikTok
Following these best practices will minimize your chances of the frustrating “something went wrong” message popping up again on TikTok.
Conclusion
The “something went wrong” error on TikTok can stop you from accessing the app and viewing videos. The problem could originate from the app itself, your device, network connections, or TikTok’s servers.
By troubleshooting methodically through restarting your device, updating TikTok, checking server status, disabling VPN, clearing app data, inspecting your account status, updating device software, resetting network settings, freeing up storage space, and contacting support, you can resolve the error.
Consistently following usage best practices can prevent future occurrences of this TikTok issue.
