If you can’t follow anyone on TikTok, it may be due to a temporary restriction, an error in the app or your internet connection. Can’t you follow just one person? Then the issue may be with that account. First, check whether you see an error message. If TikTok says you’re following too quickly, stop trying and read what it says.
Choose what you recognise below and read which steps you can try.
Check what is going wrong when following on TikTok
According to TikTok’s explanation of following you open someone’s profile and tap Follow. What happens for you afterwards?
| What do you notice? | What do you do first? |
|---|---|
| You see a message about following too quickly. | Stop following and read whether the message tells you what to do. |
| It only doesn’t work for one account. | Check whether the profile is private and your request is still awaiting approval. |
| The button switches back to Follow. | Open the profile again later. Does it happen again? Check your connection. |
| Videos and profiles aren’t loading properly either. | Test your internet and fully close the app. |
| Everything works except following new accounts. | Check TikTok notifications. If following still fails, report the problem. |
Don’t see a warning and don’t know whether it affects one profile? Try one other account that you genuinely want to follow. You don’t need to go through a whole list to test this.
What does following too quickly on TikTok mean?
This message indicates that TikTok is slowing you down from following at that moment. It can happen after you have tried to follow different people one after another in a short period. The message does not say exactly which limit applies to your account.
Stop making new attempts. Does TikTok specify a waiting period or a next step? Follow it. If no time is given, try once more later, not every few minutes.
There is no fixed number of accounts per hour or day that you can use as a safe limit. Also, don’t assume that every restriction will be over after 24 or 48 hours.
Why can’t you follow one account on TikTok?
Can you follow other people? Then first check the profile where it isn’t working.
For a private account, wait for approval
With a private account, you send a follow request. The owner must approve it first. Is your request still pending? Then you don’t need to tap again. You are waiting for permission; that is different from being unable to follow at all.
A failed follow attempt does not prove a block
A block may explain why you can’t follow one account. But a missing profile or a failed attempt does not prove that someone has blocked you. The account may no longer be available, or the profile may not be loading properly.
Check that you have the correct username. The Follow button alone does not tell you what is happening.
Do you want to know who can view your list? Then read who can see who you follow on TikTok.
Following on TikTok isn’t working: test the app and your internet
Don’t get a clear error message? Carry out these checks in order. Change one thing at a time so you can tell which step helps.
- Test your internet. Open an ordinary web page. If that doesn’t load either, fix the connection problem first.
- Try a different connection. Switch from Wi Fi to mobile data, or the other way around. Keep your data allowance in mind.
- Fully close TikTok. Reopen the app and check the profile again.
- Check whether you can update TikTok. Check your phone’s app store for an update.
- Restart your phone. Then check whether TikTok loads properly before trying to follow again.
Do other apps work properly while TikTok doesn’t? Then the problem may be with TikTok or the app. That does not yet prove there is a general outage. If very little is working in TikTok, wait a while before changing more settings.
Why does the button switch back to Follow?
Does the button switch back immediately? Then your attempt to follow someone may not have been saved. This may be due to your connection, an error in the app or a restriction. You can’t identify the cause from the button alone.
Open the profile again and see what the button says now. If it keeps switching back, carry out the checks above. Don’t keep tapping the same button.
Does someone disappear from your list later, even though you were following them earlier? Then read about TikTok appearing to automatically unfollow accounts.
What do you do if TikTok restricts following?
Does a TikTok message say that something is restricted? Read what you can’t do and which explanation is provided. Being unable to follow does not immediately mean that your entire account is blocked.
- Save the exact message, for example with a screenshot.
- Follow any stated waiting period or next step.
- Only appeal if TikTok offers that option with your message.
- Still can’t follow afterwards? Report the problem and explain what you have already checked.
Reopening the app may help with an error in the app. You can’t assume that this will also remove a restriction on your account. A different internet connection only tests your connection; it is not a way to bypass a restriction.
How do you report a following problem to TikTok?
According to TikTok’s explanation of reporting a problem go to the menu via Profile. Then open Settings and privacy and choose Report a problem.
The names may differ depending on the language or version of the app. Can’t find the option? Check the linked help page. Don’t keep looking for a specific follow up button if it is missing for you.
Tell them in your report:
- Since when you have been unable to follow anyone.
- Whether it happens with one account or several accounts.
- Which message you see, or what the button does.
- Whether videos and other profiles work.
- Which checks you have already completed.
Fictional example of a message: “Since this morning, I haven’t been able to follow two accounts. The button immediately switches back to Follow. I don’t see an error message. Videos do load. I reopened the app and tried both Wi Fi and mobile data.”
If possible, attach a screenshot showing the problem. Leave out your password and other private details.
Is another TikTok feature not working either?
Another feature that isn’t working does not necessarily have the same cause. For example, can’t you pin a comment either? Then read why you can’t pin comments on TikTok. Once your account is working as intended, you can explore our TikTok services to compare packages for followers and likes for your public profile or content.
