If you can’t send a DM on TikTok, it could be related to your age, privacy settings, the recipient or the app. A DM is a private message. First check whether you can’t message anyone or whether it only fails with one person. This helps you know whether to start with your own account or with that particular conversation.
Below, find the situation that matches yours and follow the relevant checks.
Can’t send a TikTok DM: what’s going wrong?
Is the message button missing, does your message keep loading or are you getting no reply? These are different problems. First check what you can see on your screen.
| What do you notice? | What do you check first? |
|---|---|
| You can’t send a message to anyone. | Your own settings, age and any notice in the app. |
| It only fails with one person. | The recipient’s settings and a possible message request. |
| Someone can’t send you a message. | Your settings for receiving messages. |
| A message keeps loading or shows an error. | Your connection and the app. |
| You don’t get a reply. | Whether there is a sending error. No reply does not mean sending failed. |
You can send a short test message to someone you already chat with, if they are happy for you to do so. Does it work? Then first look at the conversation that is not working before changing all your settings.
How do you check the privacy settings for TikTok messages?
According to TikTok’s explanation of direct messages under Privacy, you choose who can send you direct messages or message requests.
- Open your account settings and look for privacy.
- Look for direct messages there. The names may be different in your app.
- Check who you can message according to the settings you have chosen.
- Only change something if you also want to receive messages from those people.
Can’t a friend message you? Check your settings for receiving messages. Can’t you send that friend a message? Use another way you already have to contact each other to ask whether they would like to check their own settings.
Is the direct messages option missing? Read the information about age below. You do not need to make your account public straight away to test this. A private account, by itself, is not proof that this is the problem.
Can’t you send TikTok messages because of your age?
TikTok’s explanation of privacy for teenagers states that direct messages are not available for ages 13 to 15. For ages 16 and 17, the options are more limited.
Are you 13 to 15 years old? Use another method of contact that is suitable for your age. Entering a different date of birth to get around the age limit is not a solution.
Do you think your date of birth is incorrect on TikTok? Ask TikTok for help checking it. An update or a different internet connection will not change the age recorded on your account.
Does a parent or carer monitor your account? Review the settings together. Does it say that a choice is managed or restricted? Save that notice in case you ask for help.
What does a TikTok message request mean?
A message request asks to start a conversation. It is therefore not an ongoing conversation yet.
Do you see something about a request next to your message? First read what it says and do not keep sending the same message. You can ask the recipient through another way you already use to contact each other to check whether a request is waiting.
No reply does not immediately mean that someone has blocked you. The other person may not have looked yet or may not want to reply. A missing message button is not proof of a block either. Do not try to get around a possible block through another account.
Bought followers do not guarantee that you can use DMs or receive genuine attention. Buying followers is therefore not a solution for a message you cannot send.
Does ordinary text work, but you can’t forward a video? Read why you can’t send TikToks to friends. That explanation is about sharing videos, not all private messages.
What can you do if TikTok messages keep loading?
Does your message keep loading or do you see an error message? Try the steps below. Change one thing at a time and test again afterwards.
- Save the error message. Write down the text or take a screenshot without private conversations visible.
- Check your connection. For example, open a website. Does that not work either? Try another trusted connection.
- Close TikTok and reopen the app. Then try sending one short message.
- Check whether there is an update. Use your phone’s official app store.
- Restart your phone. Then check whether the problem is still there.
Does it say that your account has a restriction? Read the notice and follow the instructions with it. Do not assume there is a fixed waiting time of 24 or 48 hours.
Do not delete the app as your first step. The checks above are simpler and help you find out whether the issue is with your connection, the app or your account.
When should you ask TikTok for help with private messages?
Ask TikTok for help if the checks do not help, if you believe your date of birth is incorrect or if you do not understand a notice about your account. Look in the app for help or an option to report a problem.
Tell them:
- Whether it happens with everyone or with one person.
- Whether the message button is missing or sending fails.
- Which error message you see and when you saw it.
- Which checks you have already completed.
- Which phone you use and which version of TikTok is on it, if you can find that information.
A fictional example of such a notice: “Since this morning, I have not been able to send text in any conversation. The message keeps loading. Trying another connection and reopening the app did not help.” Adapt the text to your situation and add your own error message.
Never share your password or login code. Also leave other people’s private messages out of your report. 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.
