Alexis Kestler
Is your TikTok app being glitchy lately? I feel your pain. As a huge TikTok fan myself, I know how annoying it is when the app stops working properly. Videos crashing mid-scroll, the app suddenly closing, trouble loading content – it‘s enough to drive any TikToker crazy!
Not to worry – I‘ve got your back. After dealing with my fair share of frustrating TikTok crashes, I decided to dig into the issue and find proven solutions.
In this guide, we‘ll troubleshoot exactly why TikTok keeps crashing and walk through how to fix it. I‘ll share expert tips to get the app running smoothly again on both iPhone and Android. Let‘s dive in!
Why Does TikTok Keep Crashing? A Look at the Causes
Before we fix the problem, it helps to understand why TikTok crashes in the first place. The app isn‘t faulty – there are logical reasons you might be experiencing technical difficulties.
1. Buggy App Updates
The most common trigger for TikTok crashes? Recent updates to the app itself. The developers release new versions constantly as they test out changes and features. Unfortunately, some updates unintentionally introduce new bugs.
For example, TikTok version 23.7.2 released in June 2022 caused repeated crashing issues for many users. Updates aim to improve the app, but can sometimes break things!
2. Outages and Server Issues
Given the staggering number of active TikTok users (over 1 billion as of 2022!), server outages are bound to happen. Traffic overload, technical glitches, and general hiccups can all bring TikTok servers down temporarily.
When the backend servers encounter problems, it leads to major lag and connectivity issues on the user end. The result? A crash-happy app. According to monitoring site Downdetector, TikTok has at least 5 reported outages per month.
3. iOS and Android OS Updates
New iOS and Android system updates can also inadvertently create issues with TikTok. Updates change device settings, APIs, and how apps access phone hardware – which can clash with how TikTok is programmed.
For example, Apple‘s iOS 15.4 update caused widespread crashing and loading problems in TikTok. The conflict didn‘t become obvious until thousands of users updated their iPhones.
4. Connectivity Problems
Similar to server outages, anything that interferes with connectivity can lead to TikTok crashing or freezing frequently.
Maybe you switched from WiFi to an unstable mobile network. Or you‘re stuck with a notoriously glitchy public WiFi connection. Low bandwidth and choppy connections will lower video quality and likely crash TikTok.
5. Full Storage or Too Many Actions
Finally, factors on your device itself can trip up TikTok. If your phone‘s storage is completely full, it can cause all kinds of strange app behaviors and glitches. TikTok may crash constantly if it doesn‘t have space to cache videos and data properly.
Taking too many actions in a short time span can also overwhelm the app – swiping too fast, viewing hundreds of videos, constantly following/unfollowing people, etc. This type of overuse taxes your device‘s memory and processors.
The Fixes: 5 Ways to Stop TikTok From Crashing
Alright, now that we understand why TikTok crashes, let‘s talk solutions! Here are 5 reliable troubleshooting steps to stop the app from freezing, force closing, and glitching out.
1. Update TikTok to the Latest Version
If your crashes started after a recent TikTok update, rolling back to an older version is worth a shot. However, updating to the newest version can also fix things by patching bugs.
Here‘s how to update on iPhone:
- Open the App Store
- Pull down to refresh your installed apps list
- If an update is available for TikTok, tap Update
To update TikTok on Android:
- Open the Google Play Store
- Go to Updates and check if TikTok can be updated
- Tap Update to install the latest version
Updates solve two problems – they revert any buggy changes, and add new fixes the developers have coded. Make updating the first step in your troubleshooting.
2. Restart Your Device
Something as simple as restarting your iPhone or Android can clear up temporary glitches causing TikTok to crash or freeze.
Closing all apps and power cycling your device essentially gives it a "clean slate". Memory gets cleared, processes start fresh, and any corrupt data causing crashes is reset.
It doesn‘t take long to restart, so it‘s worth trying early in your diagnosing. I‘d say restarting fixes random TikTok crashes about 30% of the time.
3. Clear Cache and App Data
One common fix for misbehaving apps on both iOS and Android is clearing the cache and app data. Here are the steps for TikTok:
On iPhone:
- Go to Settings > General > iPhone Storage
- Select TikTok
- Tap "Offload App" to delete cache/data
On Android:
- Open Settings > Apps > TikTok
- Tap Storage > Clear Cache and Clear Data
This forces TikTok to start with a clean slate. Any corrupted temporary files or glitchy data causing crashes gets removed. Once deleted, open TikTok normally and see if crashes improved.
4. Reinstall TikTok
If no other fixes work, the nuclear option is to completely uninstall and reinstall TikTok. This essentially gives you a brand new version of the app.
On iPhone:
- Delete TikTok (hold icon until X appears)
- Download TikTok again from the App Store
On Android:
- Tap and hold TikTok icon, drag to Uninstall
- Open Play Store and redownload TikTok
Reinstalling deletes all old glitchy files and quirks causing crashes. You‘ll have to log in again and reset preferences, but it‘s an effective last resort.
5. Switch to Stable WiFi or Mobile Data
As we discussed earlier, connectivity issues are a prime suspect for a crash-happy TikTok app. Try switching your network:
- If you‘re on WiFi, turn it off and switch to mobile data
- If you‘re using mobile data, connect to a WiFi network instead
You can also try toggling Airplane mode on and off to reset connectivity.
Unstable internet creates lag when loading videos, leading to frozen screens and crashes. Move somewhere with stronger cell service or WiFi signal to see if it helps stabilize TikTok.
Still Crashing? Contact TikTok Support
I hope those tips help you get TikTok working smoothly again. But if you‘re still experiencing constant crashes after trying everything, it might be time to contact TikTok Support.
Reach out to Support via @TikTokSupport on Twitter or submit a request through the in-app option under Settings. Explain the issue and include details like:
- When crashes started happening
- How often TikTok crashes
- What you‘ve tried already to fix it
The Support team can investigate issues on their end and hopefully provide an official fix for any lingering bugs causing crashes on your device.
The Bottom Line
At the end of the day, mobile apps crash and glitch out sometimes. With over 1 billion active users, a few technical hiccups are inevitable for TikTok.
Hopefully these tips help you troubleshoot why TikTok keeps crashing and get it working smoothly again. Let me know if you have any other questions – I‘m always happy to lend a hand!
