Seeing the TikTok screen go blank and freeze in the middle of creating amazing content! Quite irritating, right? You are dancing as fiercely as you can to one of those famous TikTok songs, and in the middle of the twerk, BOOM! Your screen freezes. Just like all of you, you tap, swipe, and pray, but nothing happens! Here we go again—the TikTok freeze that just happened!
This is not the first time that people have faced such a problem. Every now and then, you find yourself trying to stream your favorite video, only to be met by an unending circle of buffering.
But what is the root cause of such a frustrating problem? What’s more, how can we put an end to it?
This post explains 9 reasons why TikTok freezes and shares 10 fixes for regaining a smooth and scrollable app!
So, let us solve this nut mystery, frozen style!
What Does Freezing the TikTok App Mean?
In the very first part of this guide, you will go through the term freezing in the context of Tiktok. TikTok app freezing means that the app does not respond, and the device screen is either blank or just displays a frozen image of the stopped application.
This means the app does not react to swipes, taps, or other user motions and can even seem frozen.
Two common issues that arise when TikTok freezes are:
Issue 1: The video frame freezes, but the audio remains continuous
Ever get to enjoy a new recipe video and see the frames of the video still, but the sound keeps going? It is a motionless picture that comes with background audio. It leaves you clueless about what is happening and why you cannot go beyond that point.
Issue 2: Both audio and video freeze
This is even more frustrating. It’s like the video has suddenly gone blank, and the audio has been silenced; people find themselves at a standstill. You are left waiting for the app to sort itself out, only to find that it just freezes and cannot be moved.
TikTok: Freezing vs. Crashing
Some people might be confused about whether their TikTok app has crashed or frozen. Here, we will clarify their confusion.
If TikTok is frozen, it indicates that it cannot initiate any operations and cannot respond to any command or input. It means you will still see the icons, but you won’t be able to tap, scroll, or manipulate the app in any way possible. In this state, the app remains somewhat running but seems stuck.
On the other hand, when TikTok crashes, this means that the app failed and was closed by the operating system. This can happen without a warning, and there is no message that the system can no longer operate as it did earlier. That is when an app malfunctions, and beside it, you will either see force close or not responding.
9 Common Causes for Why TikTok Keeps Freezing
As we have pointed out in the previous parts, the frozen screen issue is a very familiar problem in the TikTok application. But what are the main reasons that preceded this rather irritating experience?
In this part, we’ll discuss the causes of the TikTok freezing issue and list the probable 9 causes.
a. TikTok App Optimization Problem
Just like any other application, TikTok tends to freeze, and this is mainly caused by optimization problems within the application. If the code of the application is not maintained optimally, then there is a chance that the functions defined in the app may slow down the app. This can lead to freezing, mainly during peak usage, when loading large files, or any other complicated content.
b. High Traffic on the Server
Sometimes, at TikTok, the number of users on the servers increases, causing the application to freeze. This happens when many people search for relevant content or discuss a particular topic. During high traffic, many users request to access the app at once, and some of the servers may get overworked, causing the app to freeze.
c. Device Compatibility Issue
TikTok is optimized for use on various platforms, including smartphones as well as tablets. However, problems of compatibility may occur in this case if the given application is not adapted for working with specific devices or OS.
d. Drop in the Internet Speed
TikTok lags when the internet connection is slow, making it hard to load the content you want or engage with the application. This is especially true if you are using a slow internet connection or your device has connection problems.
e. Problems in the App: Primary Bug Issues
Similar to other platforms, TikTok is also known to have different bug issues. These are normally associated with problems that affect the app code, which can cause the app to freeze.
f. Cache and Storage Issues
There is also a chance of cache and storage problems causing the TikTok application to freeze. When the device’s internal memory is full, or some files are fragmented, it affects performance and results in app freeze. Likewise, a large or old cache can also lead to problems.
g. Old Device and Operating System
Another factor that makes TikTok freeze is the use of an old device or the device’s operating system. Likewise, with the newer upgrades, it can be difficult for some old operating systems to support the new apps.
h. Outdated App
Other problems related to TikTok can also arise from outdated apps. When an app is not updated periodically, it may not function well and freeze from time to time.
i. Conflict with another app
Sometimes, TikTok freezes because it competes with other apps on your device. Apps need resources like RAM and CPU time to run. When too many apps are open, they fight for these resources, which can cause TikTok to freeze. Closing unused apps can help prevent this issue by freeing up space and making sure TikTok has enough resources to run smoothly.
In the next part, we’ll discuss some of the solutions to some of these common causes of freezing and how you can have the best experience on the TikTok platform.
10 Fixes to Resolve the TikTok App Freezing Problem
As we have already discussed the root causes of the TikTok app freezing problem, it’s time to examine the solutions.
Check out the common fixes for the above issues:
1. Update Your TikTok app
Sometimes our phone is not updating the app automatically, meaning the app is no longer functioning as it was before.
Updating your app manually on your phone is one of the best ways to solve such issues. There are several actions you must take to update an app on your phone:
Step 1: Open your Play Store.
Step 2: Go to the search bar and type in the name of the application, TikTok.
Step 2: Tap on the update button, and your application will begin to update.
In this way, you can update your TikTok app.
2. Ensure You Update Your OS.
Just as you expect the TikTok app to be up-to-date to offer the best performance, your operating system has to be up-to-date as well. Here’s how to check for updates:
Step 1: Access the settings on your device.
Step 2: After swiping down, select “Software Update.”
Step 3: Look for the software updates available.
3. Clear Cache
Users typically experience hang-ups or crashing issues with apps like TikTok.
The solution to this problem is to delete the cache and data of the TikTok app. The steps that this solution takes are outlined below:
Step 1: Proceed to the settings of your device.
Step 2: Scroll it down and tap on the option that says “Storage” or “Apps & Notifications.”
Step 3: Locate the specific TikTok application and then click on “Clear Cache.”
4. Connect to Another Network
Sometimes, perhaps switching to another network can help solve the problem. Try connecting to a different network.
Step 1: Click on settings on your device.
Step 2: The next action is to click “Network & Internet” after scrolling down.
Step 3: Turn off the Wi-Fi switch and then connect to any other option you find there.
5. Empty Device Storage
Sometimes, the reason behind Tiktok’s freezing might be that there is no empty storage left. For this, you need to free up the space.
Step 1: Select Storage from the Settings menu on the device.
Step 2: Press the “Cache Data” button.
Step 3: From here, select the clear cache data option and then further select the clear all cache data confirmation.
6. Restart your phone.
Rebooting the device can have a positive effect. If you are facing problems with the app freezing, then this might be due to a certain problem that occurs temporarily. Many problems are temporary and just require a restart of the phone to get it to function normally in the best way possible.
Step 1: Turn off your phone by holding down the power button until a ‘Power Off’ message appears on the screen.
Step 2: There is the “Restart” or “Reboot” button; press it so that the phone comes back to life.
Step 3: Let your phone turn back on and load up again.
7. Uninstall Problematic App
If you encounter problems with the application where the app consistently freezes, another application likely has an impact. You should uninstall recent applications that might have been added to the device.
Step 1: First, the user should locate the symbol of the settings application, normally located on the home screen of the phone. Press the button.
Step 2: Tap the ‘Apps’ option to start with it.
Step 3: Scroll until you find the app you recently installed and tap on it. Select uninstall or, if available, uninstall or remove to facilitate the removal of the app.
8. Reinstall the TikTok App
Still, there is nothing simpler and more effective than the following method, which is to reinstall the TikTok app. This will help to clear any cache data that the app might be holding, which even makes it freeze.
To reinstall the TikTok app:
Step 1: Go to the Play Store.
Step 2: Type the word “TikTok” and look for the application in the search list.
Step 3: Select “Yes” after choosing the “uninstall” option.
Step 4: Wait for some time until the uninstallation process is over. After that, press the “Install” button to reinstall the application once more.
9. Contact the TikTok Support Team
If the above solutions do not resolve the issue, you may need to seek help from TikTok support. They might be able to assist with the problem or give additional information concerning what contributes to the freezing.
Step 1: Type “TikTok Feedback” in the Google search.
Step 2: Now type in your email address and choose a topic from the list.
Step 3: In the next of the options, enter your message, and it’s also possible to add images and videos on top of it to make your point more compelling. Once that is complete, you accept the declaration and send out the form.
10. Factory Reset Your Phone After Backup
You can also try the factory reset option, which may solve the issue. However, this can be your last resort. So be sure to back up your personal information—contacts, photos, messages, etc.—before proceeding. This will guarantee the safety of all of your data, and you can restore all the data in the process of the factory reset.
Step 1: Go to the phone settings.
Step 2: Go down to the next step, choosing the Backup & Reset subsection.
Step 3: Select “Factory Data Reset.”
Step 4: Ensure that you would like to execute the factory reset.
So, we have explained 10 solutions to the widespread issue faced by TikTok users. Try another out of 10 if one doesn’t work.
Conclusion
And that was all! The ten fixes that can help resolve the problem of the freezing TikTok app. Keep in mind that many times it is one of those things that could be easily fixed with a quick fix or update.
We hope this post has helped get you back to enjoying your favorite social media platform without freezing.
FAQs
Q1: How do I unfreeze my TikTok?
Relaunch the app and verify that you have an active internet connection. If there are still problems, reinstall the app, delete it, and download it again, or speak to TikTok support.
Q2: Why does my TikTok app keep stopping?
Your TikTok app could be stopping frequently due to some causes, like software issues, insufficient storage space, or an old operating system. Some recommended solutions you need to consider are restarting the app, clearing the cache, or updating the operating system. If the problem persists, it is advised to contact TikTok customer service for additional help.
Q3: How do I reset my TikTok cache?
Clearing the cache on TikTok may be done as follows: Open your phone settings, then touch “Apps” or “Application Manager.” Locate TikTok, then touch “Clear Cache” or “Clear Data.” This will help clear temporary data and cache that can hinder the videos from loading or lead to errors.
Q4: Why does TikTok have so much cache?
Tiktok’s cache depends on the number of videos that are watched, as the application saves videos for more efficient use later on. It is automatically refreshed occasionally to guarantee the smooth functioning of videos.
Q5: Why is my TikTok buffering so much?
Some users report the issue of buffering on TikTok, which may be caused by the many videos that they watch. Thus, TikTok derives more cache files from your mobile device, which results in buffering.