TikTok’s duet feature allows users to create a video that responds to another user’s video. You can record your video side-by-side with the original video to create a fun and engaging duet.
However, sometimes the original sound from the video you want to duet doesn’t carry over to your duet video. This can be frustrating if you want your video to include the audio from the original.
Here are some tips on how to fix the TikTok duet original sound not working issue.
Why the Original Sound Might Not Work
There are a few reasons why the original sound from a TikTok video may not work when you try to duet it:
The Original Video’s Sound is Copyrighted
If the original TikTok video you want to duet contains copyrighted music, the sound may be blocked from being used in duets.
TikTok’s copyright detection system will mute or block copyrighted sounds to respect music licensing rights.
The Original User has Disabled Duets
TikTok creators can choose to disable duets on their videos. If the original video you want to duet has duets disabled, you won’t be able to use the original sound.
It’s a Known Technical Issue
Sometimes there are technical issues on TikTok’s end that prevent duet sounds from working properly. Glitches in the app can sometimes cause the original audio to be muted in duets.
You Don’t Have the Original Video Saved
For the original sound to carry over in a duet, you need to have the original video saved on your device. If you try to duet a video without having it saved, the sound may not work.
How to Fix TikTok Duet Sound Not Working
If you encounter the duet sound issue, don’t worry – there are a few tricks you can try to get the original audio working!
1. Save the Original Video First
Before duetting a video, make sure to save it to your device. Here’s how:
- Open the original TikTok video you want to duet.
- Tap the Share icon below the video.
- Select “Save video” and the TikTok video will be saved to your camera roll.
Once you’ve saved the original video, you can duet it and the sound should work. Saving the video downloads the audio file so TikTok can access it for your duet.
2. Use Another Device
Sometimes the duet sound issue is device-specific. If saving the original video doesn’t work, try duetting on another device like a friend’s phone.
Download the original video on their device and then duet it there.
3. Force Close and Reopen the App
A simple force close and reopening of the TikTok app can often resolve small audio issues. Here’s how to try it:
- Completely close the TikTok app so it’s not running in the background.
- On an iPhone, swipe up from the bottom of the screen to close TikTok. On Android, swipe TikTok away in the recent apps view.
- Wait a few seconds, then reopen the TikTok app.
- Try duetting the video again and see if the sound works now.
4. Log Out and Log Back In
If your TikTok sound is not working, one effective solution is by simply logging out and logging in again.
Logging out and back into your TikTok account essentially refreshes your account which can fix temporary glitches. To try this:
- Open your TikTok profile and tap the hamburger icon in the upper right.
- Select “Log out” to fully log out of your TikTok account.
- Close the TikTok app and reopen it.
- Log back into your TikTok account.
- Attempt the duet again and the sound may work.
5. Update the TikTok App
Make sure you’re running the latest version of TikTok. Bug fixes in app updates can resolve audio issues.
On an iPhone, open the App Store and go to Updates to see if TikTok needs updating. On Android, check for TikTok updates in the Google Play store. Install any available updates.
6. Reset Your Advertising ID
Resetting your advertising ID essentially gives your device and TikTok app a fresh start which can clear up audio glitches.
On iPhone:
- Open Settings > Privacy > Advertising.
- Tap “Reset Advertising Identifier”.
On Android:
- Open Settings > Google > Ads.
- Tap “Reset advertising ID”.
Then close TikTok, reopen it, and test if duet audio works.
7. Use a TikTok Repost App
If you just can’t get the duet sound to work, use a third-party reposting app to download and reupload the original video with sound intact. Apps like RePost for TikTok allow saving videos with sound.
To do this:
- Install the RePost app and give it access to your TikTok account.
- Use RePost to save the original video you want to duet.
- Open TikTok and duet the reposted video from your RePost account. The sound should work.
The quality may degraded slightly from downloading and reuploading, but at least you’ll have the original sound.
8. Use a Video Editor to Combine Clips
Another option is to use a separate video editor app to manually combine the original video with your duet clip. Apps like InShot make it easy to combine two clips side-by-side with the audio intact.
Here’s how:
- Import the original TikTok video you want to duet into the video editor app.
- Record your duet clip in the TikTok app.
- Import your new duet clip into the video editor.
- Use the editor to combine the two clips side-by-side into one video.
- Export the finished combination and upload it to TikTok as a new video.
A bit more work, but this method ensures you have the original sound.
9. Convert to Duet After Uploading
A workaround is to first upload your video without duetting, then convert it to a duet after. Here’s how:
- Record your video in TikTok without duetting.
- Use a song or sound in your video that matches the original. This way it will sync up.
- Upload your video as normal.
- Once uploaded, tap the Share icon and select “Duet this video”.
- Choose the original video to duet with.
- Your video will now become a duet with the original and the sound will match up.
10. Use Green Screen Duet
The “green screen” duet effect allows duetting videos without the original sound. But you can fake the original audio by lipsyncing or using a matching sound!
To do this:
- Tap Duet when viewing the original video.
- Select the “Green screen” duet effect.
- Record your duet with the green screen effect applied.
- Lip sync or use a sound that matches the original.
- Upload your duet. It will look like you are duetting the original even though the audio is your own.
Why Proper Duet Audio Matters
Having the original sound from a TikTok video carry over into your duet makes for a much better viewing experience. Here’s why it’s important:
- Continuity – The audio transitioning smoothly makes the duet feel cohesive.
- Laughs – Comedy duets are funnier when you can hear the original joke or punchline.
- Conversation – Back-and-forth banter in a duet works best when you can hear both sides.
- Context – Knowing the original audio gives context to why you reacted in your duet.
- Memes – Viral sounds and memes need the original audio to make sense.
- Music – Duet dances and lipsyncs require the original song.
Losing the audio from the original video disrupts the duet experience. While the workarounds above take some effort, it’s worth it to be able to share a proper duet that people will understand and enjoy watching!
Troubleshooting Problems with TikTok Support
If you still can’t get the original duet sound to work after trying the fixes above, you may need to contact TikTok support for additional troubleshooting. Here are some tips for getting help from TikTok:
- Report technical issues in the app – In TikTok, go to your profile > Settings and Support > Report a Problem to file bug reports. Describe the duet sound issue in detail.
- Reach out on Twitter – The @TikTokSupport Twitter account is very responsive to technical issues. Send them a tweet describing your problem and they may help troubleshoot.
- Submit a support ticket – You can submit a ticket to TikTok support here: https://support.tiktok.com/en/contact-us. Provide steps to reproduce the duet sound problem.
- Check known issues – TikTok posts about current technical issues on their support site at https://support.tiktok.com. Check if your problem is listed there.
- Update support with any fixes – If you do find a fix, make sure to let TikTok support know so they can improve the troubleshooting process. Detail what resolved it.
Thoroughly reporting duet sound problems can help TikTok identify and resolve app bugs. With their help, you may finally be able to get the original sound working.
Common TikTok Duet Sound Questions
Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about fixing duet sound issues:
Can you duet a TikTok without the original sound?
Yes, you can duet a TikTok video without the original sound playing. However, the duet will make more sense if you can hear audio from the original video you’re reacting to.
Does TikTok mute copyrighted songs in duets?
Usually yes. TikTok’s copyright protection system will block copyrighted music from playing in duets. You may only hear muted audio or brief clips of the original song.
Why can I hear the original sound when not recording a duet?
TikTok’s duet feature applies extra restrictions to audio playback. Outside of duets, copyright sounds may be audible. But during dueting, those same sounds can be blocked.
Can I duet a TikTok only using the original sound?
No, when you duet a video you also have to record your own reaction clip. You can’t duet a TikTok using only their video and audio. Your own video recording is required.
Does saving a TikTok allow duet sound?
Yes, saving the original TikTok video file to your device is what enables the duet sound to work. TikTok can’t read the audio without accessing the saved video.
Get Creative with Duets
Duet sounds might not always work – but that shouldn’t stop you from putting your creative spin on fun reaction videos! Use the troubleshooting steps in this guide to try restoring the original audio. But if you can’t get the sound working, get creative with these ideas:
- React with exaggerated expressions and gestures.
- Add text captions and emojis to respond.
- Use sound effects like laughing or clapping.
- Lip sync to match the original audio.
- Sing a cover version of the original song.
- Use a viral audio or meme that makes sense as a response.
Rethink what a duet has to be. Come up with fresh ideas beyond just reacting to the original. Surprise viewers with an unexpected twist or parody.
Even without directly hearing the original sounds, you can make an engaging duet by getting creative!
In summary, TikTok’s duet feature may have issues with carrying over the original sound due to copyrights, disabled duets, or technical bugs.
Saving a video before duetting, restarting the app, and updating TikTok can typically resolve basic audio issues. For ongoing problems, reporting technical details to TikTok support is recommended.
With some clever troubleshooting and creativity, you can find workarounds to produce entertaining duets even without the original sound.
