TikTok has become one of the most popular social media platforms, with over 1 billion monthly active users. One of the key features of TikTok is the slideshow autoplay feature, which automatically plays a series of short videos one after another.
However, many users have reported issues with TikTok slideshows not autoplaying properly on both iPhones and Android devices.
In this comprehensive guide, we will walk you through various solutions to fix TikTok slideshows not autoplaying on your iPhone or Android.
Why Your TikTok Slideshow Isn’t Autoplaying
There are a few common reasons why your TikTok slideshow may not be autoplaying properly:
Outdated App Version
An outdated version of the TikTok app could cause issues with autoplay. TikTok frequently releases new updates to fix bugs and improve features, so running an old version can lead to problems.
Connectivity Issues
Problems with your internet connection, like a weak Wi-Fi signal or poor cellular data, could disrupt the autoplay feature. TikTok requires a stable internet connection to smoothly play videos.
App Glitches
Sometimes glitches within the TikTok app itself lead to the autoplay not working correctly. Bugs or performance issues with the app may cause disruptions.
Account Privacy Settings
Your TikTok account’s privacy settings, such as disabling video autoplay, could be preventing slideshows from playing automatically.
Device Settings
Certain device settings on your iPhone or Android, like Battery Saver mode, Display Sleep, or Do Not Disturb, may stop autoplay from working properly.
Now that we know some of the common causes, let’s go through the various fixes and solutions for getting TikTok slideshows to autoplay again on iOS and Android devices.
How to Fix TikTok Slideshows Not Autoplaying on iPhone
Here are the top troubleshooting tips for fixing TikTok autoplay issues on your iPhone:
Update the TikTok App
The first step is to make sure you are running the latest version of the TikTok app on your iPhone. The App Store often releases new updates to fix bugs and problems.
To update the app:
- Open the App Store on your iPhone.
- Tap your profile icon in the top right.
- Scroll down and tap “Update” next to the TikTok app if an update is available.
Installing the latest TikTok update can resolve many autoplay issues you may be experiencing.
Check Internet Connection
Faulty internet connectivity is one of the main reasons TikTok videos may not play correctly. Check that your Wi-Fi or cellular data connection is strong in the TikTok app.
Here are some tips for troubleshooting internet connectivity:
- For Wi-Fi, move closer to your wireless router to get a stronger signal. Or try disconnecting and reconnecting to refresh the connection.
- For cellular data, disable Wi-Fi so your phone uses your mobile connection. Move closer to a window or outside for better signal strength.
- Run a speed test on your network connection to check for any bandwidth issues.
- Temporarily disable any VPN or proxy connections that could be interfering with TikTok traffic.
- Reset your network settings by going to Settings > General > Reset > Reset Network Settings. This refreshes your stored network connections.
Once you’ve confirmed your internet connection is working properly, try loading TikTok slideshows again.
Force Quit and Relaunch TikTok
If the TikTok app itself is experiencing glitches or bugs, relaunching the app can help refresh things.
To force quit TikTok on an iPhone:
- Double click the Home button to open the multitasking view.
- Swipe up on the TikTok preview window to force close it.
- Open TikTok again from your Home screen.
Relaunching the app will clear any cached data or processes that may be causing your autoplay issues.
Toggle Autoplay Setting in App
Check that the autoplay setting is enabled within the TikTok app itself. The app lets you control whether videos autoplay as you scroll through your feed or switch between slideshows.
To check the autoplay setting in TikTok:
- Open your TikTok profile.
- Tap the 3 dots menu in the upper right corner.
- Choose “Settings and privacy” from the menu.
- Tap “Autoplay” and make sure the switch is toggled ON.
- Toggle the setting Off and back On again.
Toggling the autoplay setting off and on again can help reset it and get your slideshows playing automatically again.
Update Your iPhone
Another avenue is to make sure your iPhone itself is updated and running the latest iOS software. Apple releases regular iOS updates to fix bugs and performance issues.
To update your iPhone:
- Open the Settings app.
- Tap “General” and then “Software Update”.
- Install any iOS updates that are available.
Updating your iPhone ensures system level performance and stability required for TikTok autoplay to work properly.
Disable Battery Saving Modes
Some iPhone power saving settings can interfere with TikTok autoplay functionality. Check that the following battery saving modes are disabled:
- Low Power Mode – This throttles background app activity to conserve battery. Disable it in Settings > Battery.
- Automatic Lock – Set this to a longer duration (like 5 minutes) or disable it. A short lock timeout can disrupt autoplay.
- Background App Refresh – Make sure this is enabled in Settings > General > Background App Refresh. This allows TikTok to refresh content in the background.
Double check that none of those battery optimizations are blocking TikTok from playing slideshows smoothly.
Reinstall the TikTok App
If you still can’t resolve the autoplay issues through the above steps, try reinstalling TikTok completely:
- Delete the TikTok app from your Home screen.
- Open the App Store.
- Search for TikTok, then tap “Install”.
Reinstalling the app gives you a clean slate, clearing any corrupted files or data that may be interrupting the autoplay feature.
Fixing TikTok Slideshow Autoplay on Android
For Android users experiencing difficulties with TikTok slideshows not playing automatically, here are the top troubleshooting tips:
Update TikTok in Google Play Store
As with iPhone, make sure you have installed the most up-to-date version of TikTok from the Google Play Store.
- Open the Play Store app.
- Tap your profile icon.
- Tap “Manage apps & device” then “Updates available”.
- Check for any TikTok updates and install them.
The latest updates often contain bug fixes and performance improvements to remedy autoplay problems.
Check Internet Connectivity
Problematic internet connectivity is a prime suspect when diagnosing autoplay issues. Follow similar steps as mentioned for iPhone to verify your Wi-Fi or mobile data connection is strong on your Android device.
- Move closer to your Wi-Fi router or access point. Disable Wi-Fi to test mobile data.
- Try toggling Airplane mode on and off to refresh the connections.
- Run a speed test to confirm your bandwidth is adequate.
- Consider temporarily turning off any VPN services.
- Reset your network settings under Settings > General management.
Once you’ve confirmed strong internet, check if TikTok autoplay works again.
Force Stop the App
App crashes or malfunctions within TikTok itself could be preventing autoplay from working properly. Completely force stopping the app and restarting it can help.
To force stop TikTok on Android:
- Open Settings > Apps & notifications.
- Select TikTok.
- Tap Force stop to force close it.
- Launch TikTok again to start fresh.
This will clear any glitched processes or memory leaks contributing to the autoplay issue.
Toggle In-App Autoplay Setting
As with iOS, verify the autoplay setting is actually enabled within the Android app:
- Open your profile in TikTok.
- Tap the 3 dot menu button.
- Choose “Settings and privacy”.
- Tap “Autoplay” and ensure the switch is toggled on.
Toggle it off and on again if needed to reset the autoplay behavior when scrolling through feeds or slideshows.
Disable Battery Optimization
On Android, battery saving modes can also disrupt TikTok’s ability to autoplay videos seamlessly in the background.
Disable these optimizations for TikTok:
- Go to Settings > Battery > Battery optimization.
- Tap “Not optimized” > “All apps”.
- Choose TikTok.
- Select “Don’t optimize” > “Done”.
This will exempt TikTok from any performance throttling or background restrictions.
Update Android OS
Make sure your Android operating system itself is up to date with the latest software updates:
- Open Settings.
- Tap “System update”.
- Install any available OS updates.
Updating to the latest Android version ensures optimal system performance for apps like TikTok to function smoothly.
Reinstall the App
If you still can’t get TikTok autoplay working, uninstall and reinstall the app as a last resort:
- Uninstall TikTok from your device.
- Open the Play Store and search for TikTok.
- Tap Install to reinstall it.
Similar to iPhone, this gives you a clean app install, clearing any corrupted data or configuration issues.
Contacting TikTok Support
If you still can’t get TikTok slideshows to autoplay properly after trying all troubleshooting steps, you may need to reach out to TikTok support for further help.
You can contact TikTok support through:
- In-app support – Tap your profile > Settings and Support > Report a Problem. This will open a chat with TikTok support.
- TikTok website – Visit TikTok’s contact support page and submit a request describing your autoplay issue.
- Social media – Message @TikTokSupport on Twitter or comment on TikTok’s Facebook page.
TikTok support can investigate any persisting autoplay bugs and help escalate a fix for the problem if needed. Be sure to include details like your device, OS version, and what troubleshooting you’ve tried.
Wrapping Up
That covers all the major tips and solutions for getting TikTok’s slideshow autoplay feature working again if it stops functioning on your iPhone or Android. The key steps include updating the app and system software, verifying internet connectivity, toggling in-app settings, disabling battery optimizations, and reinstalling TikTok as needed.
With the rise of TikTok, malfunctioning slideshow autoplay can certainly be frustrating. But systematic troubleshooting using the recommendations in this guide should help resolve any autoplay issues in most cases. Reach out to TikTok’s support channels if problems persist after trying these fixes.
Hopefully your TikTok account will be smoothly auto-playing slideshow videos again in no time!
