Need to find a specific video, but the search bar on TikTok is giving you trouble? With the platform’s ever-increasing user base and the abundance of content, it’s crucial to have a functional search feature. Whether you’re trying to find a particular video or look up a specific user, a malfunctioning search bar can be frustrating. Fortunately, we have some solutions to help you fix this issue. Let’s dive in!
1. Check TikTok Servers.
If a feature is not working on TikTok, it might indicate an ongoing issue with the platform’s servers. To check if this is the case, you can visit third-party sites like Downdetector to monitor TikTok’s current status. If there’s a problem on TikTok’s side, there’s not much you can do except wait it out. But if the servers are functioning normally, proceed to the next solution.
2. Restart TikTok.
One of the quickest ways to resolve most issues on TikTok is to restart the app. By doing this, you can reload TikTok’s resources and eliminate any bugs or glitches that may be causing the search bar problem. On most modern Android and iOS devices, you can stop applications by accessing the app switcher and swiping up from the bottom of the screen. For older iOS devices, simply double-tap the Home button. After closing the app, relaunch TikTok and try searching for a video to see if the issue is resolved.
3. Try Using Search Filters.
Here’s a workaround we discovered for the TikTok search bar issue. By playing around with the search filters, you can get the search feature to work and find the results you’re looking for. Follow these steps to guide you through the process:
- Open TikTok and tap on the Discover tab.
- Look for anything you’re interested in.
- Tap on the Options button next to the search bar to access the filters.
- Select a different Date Posted and Sort By option, then hit Apply.
Once you’ve followed these steps, you should be able to see the results on your screen. If this doesn’t solve the problem, move on to the next solution.
4. Update TikTok.
It’s possible that the version of TikTok installed on your device has an underlying issue related to the search feature. To rule this out, check if there are any pending updates for the TikTok app and install them. For iOS users, open the App Store, go to your profile, find TikTok, and hit the Update button if an update is available. For Android users, open the Google Play Store, tap on your profile, access the Manage Apps & Device tab, and look for TikTok. If a newer version is available, click on the Update button. After the update, check if the search bar is functioning properly.
5. Clear TikTok Cache.
If updating TikTok doesn’t solve the problem, you can try clearing the app cache. Corrupted temporary data within TikTok may be causing certain features to malfunction. Follow these steps to clear TikTok’s cache on your device:
- Open TikTok from your app drawer.
- Go to your profile and tap on the Options tab.
- Scroll down to Caches & Cellular Data and open the Free Up Space tab.
- Finally, tap the Clear button under the Caches tab to delete TikTok’s temporary data.
After clearing the cache, try using the search bar again to see if the issue has been resolved.
6. Check Your Network Connection.
A slow network connection could also be the reason why the search bar is not working on TikTok. If your connection is unstable, the app won’t be able to fetch the necessary data to display the search results. To check if your network is causing the issue, perform a test using Fast.com to measure your connection’s bandwidth. If the test indicates an unstable network, reboot your router to reconnect with your modem and your ISP’s servers. Run another test to see if the problem is resolved. If not, contact your service provider for further assistance.
7. Reinstall TikTok.
If the search bar is still malfunctioning, you may need to reinstall TikTok. Some of TikTok’s installation files might have been corrupted, and a simple update won’t fix the issue. Here’s how you can do it:
- Locate the TikTok app in your app drawer.
- Press and hold its icon until the options screen appears.
- Tap on Remove App (iOS) or Uninstall (Android) to delete TikTok.
After removing TikTok, go to the App Store or Play Store on your device and reinstall the app.
8. Report the Problem to TikTok.
If none of the solutions mentioned above have resolved the search bar issue, it’s time to let the experts handle it. Visit TikTok’s Help Center and get in touch with their team to report the problem. While waiting for assistance, you can browse their guides to see if there are any other viable solutions.
That concludes our guide on fixing the search bar if it’s not working on TikTok. If you have any questions or concerns, please let us know in the comment section, and we’ll be glad to help. If you found this guide helpful, don’t forget to share it with others. 🙂