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 are following too quickly, stop trying and read what it says.
Choose what matches your situation below and read which steps you can try.
Check what goes 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 should 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 also do not load properly. | Test your internet and close the app completely. |
| Everything works except following new accounts. | Check TikTok’s notifications. If following continues to fail, report the problem. |
Don’t see a warning and don’t know whether the issue is with one profile? Then try one other account that you genuinely want to follow. You don’t need to go through an entire list to test this.
What does following too quickly on TikTok mean?
This message indicates that TikTok is slowing you down when following at that moment. This can happen after you have tried to follow different people one after another within a short period. The message does not say exactly which limit applies to your account.
Stop making new attempts. Does TikTok give you a waiting period or a next step? Follow it. If no time is given, try once again 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, do not 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 does not work.
With 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 do not 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 cannot follow one account. But a disappeared profile or a failed attempt does not prove that someone has blocked you. The account may also no longer be available, or the profile may not load properly.
Check that you have the correct username. The Follow button alone does not tell you what is happening.
Do you specifically want to know who can view your list? Then read who can see who you follow on TikTok.
Following on TikTok doesn’t work: test the app and your internet
Don’t get a clear error message? Then carry out these checks in order. Change one thing at a time so you can tell which step helps.
- Test your internet. Open a regular web page. Does it not load either? Then fix your connection problem first.
- Try another connection. Switch from Wi Fi to mobile data, or vice versa. Keep your data allowance in mind.
- Close TikTok completely. Reopen the app and view the profile again.
- Check whether you can update TikTok. Check your phone’s app store to see whether an update is available.
- Restart your phone. Then check whether TikTok loads properly before trying to follow again.
Do other apps work properly, but TikTok does not? Then the problem may be with TikTok or the app. That does not yet prove there is a general outage. If little works in TikTok, wait a while before changing more settings.
Why does the button switch back to Follow?
Does the button immediately switch back? 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 cannot see 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. Do not keep tapping the same button.
Does someone disappear from your list only later, even though you were following them before? Then read about TikTok appearing to automatically unfollow accounts.
What should you do if TikTok restricts following?
Does a TikTok message say that something is restricted? Then read what you cannot do and what 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 for your message.
- Does following still not work afterwards? Report the problem and explain what you have already checked.
Reopening the app can help with an error in the app. You cannot assume that this will also remove a restriction on your account. Using another internet connection is only a test of your connection, not a way to bypass a restriction.
How do you report a problem with following 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 you find the option? Then check the linked help page. Do not keep looking for a specific next button if it is missing for you.
Include in your report:
- Since when you have been unable to follow anyone.
- Whether it happens with one account or with multiple accounts.
- Which message you see, or what the button does.
- Whether videos and other profiles work.
- Which checks you have already carried out.
Fictional example of a message: “Since this morning, I have been unable to follow two accounts. The button immediately switches back to Follow. I do not see an error message. Videos do load. I reopened the app and tried both Wi Fi and mobile data.”
If possible, add a screenshot showing the problem. Leave out your password and other private information.
Does another TikTok feature not work either?
Another feature that does not work does not necessarily have the same cause. For example, can you also not pin a comment? Then read why you cannot 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.
