Sometimes the volume stops working on TikTok videos out of the blue.
Not being able to play sound can ruin the TikTok experience. Without audio, you miss out on music, dialogue, and other sound effects that make videos so engaging.
Don’t panic if your TikTok app has suddenly lost audio capabilities. The great news is there are concrete steps you can take to successfully troubleshoot and rectify volume issues on TikTok.
In this comprehensive guide, I will walk you through the various solutions to fix TikTok videos that won’t play sound properly.
Why Does TikTok Volume Keep Disappearing?
Let’s first understand why TikTok sound commonly fails before learning ways to fix it. Pinpointing the potential triggers will help us find targeted remedies.
Software Glitches Can Cause Temporary Sound Loss
Since TikTok is a complex software application, glitches can occur just like any app. Minor coding bugs when running TikTok can sometimes lead to unintended behavior like audio cutting out.
These small software crashes are hard to predict but can hamper sound briefly. Just restarting TikTok resets things, clearing up short-term glitches.
Outdated App Version Preventing Volume Access
TikTok releases constant updates to fix newly discovered issues and improve video optimization. But if you don’t keep TikTok updated, an outdated app version runs on your device.
Running an older TikTok version means it may not have the latest fixes for sound-related problems. What got resolved in newer versions still persists, causing volume to malfunction.
Conflict Between iPhone Accessibility Settings and TikTok
Your iPhone itself has Accessibility settings that manage audio controls and volumes for hearing accommodations. These include options to lower volume, enable mono audio, reduce background noise, etc tailored for those needing hearing assist.
If these settings override media volumes globally, it unintentionally mutes TikTok too unless adjusted explicitly. So TikTok loses volume control since iPhone itself down mixes loud sounds.
Unreliable Internet Connectivity Hampering Video Streaming
Playing TikTok videos depends greatly on having stable internet connectivity through WiFi or cellular data. But weak signals or network outages can disrupt video buffering and streaming capacity.
So during periods of spotty connections, TikTok sound cuts in and out based on bandwidth fluctuations. Though the video is buffered, audio streaming gets impacted.
Changed App Restrictions or Permissions
TikTok naturally needs access approval to tap into iPhone microphones and audio channels. This allows capturing sounds while shooting videos and playing audio with downloaded videos.
But if TikTok’s permissions got revoked or limited under app restrictions, it loses the ability to access hardware required for processing volume. Videos render silently without mic or audio channel access.
How to Fix TikTok Volume Not Working
Once you know the possible reasons for volume failure in TikTok, we can attempt concrete solutions that address those triggers.
Take the following measures one by one to troubleshoot TikTok sound issues methodically until volume is restored reliably:
Restart the App to Fix Intermittent Loss of Audio
Since minor software glitches can temporarily block sound due to coding hiccups, quickly restarting the TikTok app often irons out problems.
Terminating all processes and clearing temporary memory upon reopening TikTok resets things to default stable state. This forces background processes to restart, clearing any conflicting settings disrupting volume.
- On iPhone with Face ID, swipe up from the bottom slowly until app cards show up.
- On iPhone with Home button, double press the button to bring up app cards.
- Locate TikTok app screen, swipe up fully to force close it.
- Tap the TikTok icon on Home Screen again to relaunch the application.
Verify if sound has been restored in videos after app restart. For sporadic loss of audio, this could be the fastest fix.
Ensure TikTok is Updated to The Latest Version
Developers continually improve apps and fix bugs in new versions. But outdated app installations can persist with flaws already patched in later updates.
To benefit from the most refined coding upgrades, check you are running the most updated TikTok release and install pending fixes:
- Open the Apple App Store on your iPhone
- Tap on your TikTok profile picture at the top right corner
- Go to the account management screen
- Under available app updates, locate TikTok
- If update shows, tap to trigger latest version download
- App will automatically update itself to newest version
Staying upgraded ensures better compatibility, security, and media playback. Update TikTok now if you haven’t done so in a long time.
Review Accessibility Settings
As outlined before, Apple has additional Audio/Visual menus tailored to assist people with hearing needs or sensitivities. Enabling these options applies volume reduction or mono filters across the iOS system globally.
Hence review the Accessibility settings below see if they are capping overall sound levels against their usual intentions:
- Open iOS Settings > Accessibility
- Scroll to the Audio/Visual category
- Check the Audio Volume Balance option
- Also examine the Headphone Accommodations menu
- Further down, see Reduce Loud Sounds and Background Sounds choices
If you find volume limiting settings enabled here, slide the toggle to inactive or readjust levels. Give TikTok back its original volume handling independence from such accessibility aids not meant for it.
Double Check App Permission Settings for Microphone
Like most social media and streaming apps, TikTok relies on microphone access for both video sound capture and volume on consumed clips. If microphone permissions got disabled or revoked, it causes silence.
Reconfirm TikTok has microphone approval:
- Go to iOS Settings > Privacy
- Select the option Microphone
- Check the apps list with toggles showing allowed apps
- Locate TikTok and ensure the slider is enabled green
Additionally verify Speech Recognition permissions specifically since it overlaps using microphone:
- From Privacy settings, choose Speech Recognition section
- Confirm TikTok has allowed toggle here too
Having microphone access permits proper playback volume again.
Switch Between Speakers or Headphones to Detect Hardware Issues
Ruling out hardware problems is necessary too. Faulty speakers, loose headphone connections, or paired Bluetooth devices losing sync can manifest as sound issues.
Attempt audio playback using different interfaces to isolate problems:
- First try TikTok volume through iPhone speakers directly
- Then with wired headphones plugged into the lightning port
- Finally on wireless Bluetooth headphones paired to the device
If sound works properly on some sources but not others, it indicates hardware damage or compatibility issues. Replace accessories showing defects only with TikTok.
Upgrade iOS Software to Latest General Release Version
Apple issues iOS versions adding general improvements and security updates. Installing the latest recommended public release can enhance stability in audio subsystems.
- Go to Settings > General > Software Update
- Download and install pending iOS software releases if available
- Read through details to assess urgency of upgrades
- Choose most stable public versions for best app experience
Having the newest iOS eliminates systemic sources of volume disruption across apps.
Reset Network Settings as Last Resort
Stuck with no sound despite trying everything? Wipe all network settings as a last resort to revive TikTok audio capacity.
Resetting network settings renews the databases maintaining connections, data services, and caching related to streaming. Clearing these entirely could remove corrupt settings blocking access to volume components.
- Open Settings > General > Reset
- Choose the Reset Network Settings option at bottom
- Approve action by entering passcode for confirmation
This will erase all WiFi passwords and connections, requiring reconfiguration. A clean network setup returns things to initial state, often fixing stubborn media volume issues.
Conclusion
Lacking sound definitely inhibits the bright, musical TikTok experience. But methodically trying the solutions above should help troubleshoot and solve the root causes behind volume loss.
TikTok should play crisp high-quality audio reliably again once correct measures fix problematic software conflicts, outdated apps, changed configurations or faulty components responsible.
Let me know if issues still persist after diligently attempting for over 30 minutes. There may be rarer technical issues needing advanced troubleshooting beyond basic settings.
