If you cannot search on TikTok, it may be due to your connection, the app or a temporary issue with TikTok. First search for a broad word, such as ‘pasta’, and see whether videos load. Do other searches work? Then check your original search term. The video or profile you are looking for may also no longer be available.
Below, you can read what you can try in each situation.
Why is search not working on TikTok?
Does your search keep loading, or do you see a search page but no results? That difference helps you decide what to check first. TikTok explains that you can use the search function to find content . If that does not work, you can use these tests to find the cause.
| What do you notice? | What can you do first? |
|---|---|
| Search keeps loading and videos do not load either. | Test your connection with another app or website. |
| Videos play, but no search works. | Close TikTok completely and open the app again. |
| One search term returns nothing, while other terms work. | Check the spelling and try a shorter search term. |
| You cannot find the search function. | Open the app again and check whether an update is available. |
These tests can help you, but they do not confirm the cause. A failed search by itself does not mean that TikTok has restricted your account.
How can you get search working on TikTok again?
Try the following steps in this order. Test the same search term after each step. This helps you see whether that step made a difference.
- Check your internet connection. Open a website that you had not loaded before. Does that not work either? Then try another network. For example, switch from wifi to mobile data if your data plan allows it.
- Close TikTok completely. Simply going to your phone’s home screen is not enough. Close TikTok from the overview of open apps, then open the app again.
- Check whether there is an update. Search for TikTok in your phone’s app store. Install any available update and test again. Is there no update? Continue to the next step.
- Restart your phone. Then open TikTok and try the same search term again.
- Test TikTok in a browser. Open TikTok in a browser and see whether you can search there. Try the same term if that option is available. Does search work there? Then the app on your phone is a logical place to investigate further.
Menus and options may differ. If you do not see a mentioned option, skip that step.
Do not immediately clear all app data or uninstall TikTok as your first step. You may lose data stored only on your phone, such as drafts. First check what you want to keep and whether you can log in again.
What can you do if TikTok shows no search results?
Does searching for a broad word work? Then use fewer words in your original search query.
Suppose you are looking for a cooking video you saw yesterday. Start with ‘pasta’ instead of ‘pasta with tomato from the oven in a blue dish’. Then add one recognisable word.
- Check the spelling. For a username, also check periods, numbers and underscores, such as _ .
- Start with the subject. Only then add more details to your search term.
- Check your search filter, if you see one. A filter limits which results you receive. Check whether you are only seeing a particular type of content.
- Try a shared link. Do you still have a link to the video or profile? Check whether it opens.
If you cannot find one video, the search function does not necessarily have a fault. For example, the video may no longer be available. Without more information, you cannot determine why.
Are you looking for one of your own videos that also does not appear on your profile? Then read what you can check if your TikTok video does not appear on your profile . That is a different problem from a search page that does not load.
When is the search problem with TikTok itself?
A problem with TikTok itself is more likely if search does not work on multiple devices and through different networks. For example, ask someone to try the same simple search term. You do not need to share login details for this.
Does search work for that person? That does not necessarily mean that the issue is with your account. The difference may also be in your phone, the app or your connection. Note which tests do and do not work for you.
Are comments not loading either? In the guide to missing TikTok comments you can find an explanation of that separate problem. Report it if multiple features do not work. That is useful information, but not yet proof of a general outage.
Does search continue to fail? Try again later or report it through the help options you can find in TikTok. Include:
- Your phone model and the version of TikTok, if you can find them.
- What you see: a blank screen, an error message or a search that keeps loading.
- Which search terms you tried and when the problem began.
- Whether searching through another network or in a browser works.
You can add a screenshot. First make any personal information unreadable.
Are other features not working either? Read what you can try if saving a TikTok video does not work or why you cannot make a 10 minute video on TikTok.