Has this ever happened to you – you open TikTok excited to watch the latest viral videos, but instead of cute cats and wild dance challenges, an annoying “server is currently unavailable” message shows up. No matter how long you wait, those entertaining TikTok videos just won’t load.
Don’t worry, you’re not alone. Millions of TikTok users have encountered this frustrating server connection error that prevents access to the app.
But there’s good news – the “server is currently unavailable” problem can be fixed by following some simple troubleshooting steps. In this detailed guide, we’ll explore all the possible causes of the TikTok server error and walk through solutions to get the app working again.
With the right troubleshooting, you can get rid of that pesky error message and resume watching fun TikTok videos in no time. Read on to learn how!
What Causes the ‘Server is Currently Unavailable’ Error on TikTok?
The ‘server is currently unavailable’ error on TikTok typically occurs due to one of the following reasons:
Internet Connectivity Issues
An unstable internet connection or weak WiFi signal can prevent TikTok from connecting to its servers properly. This leads to the ‘server is currently unavailable’ message showing up.
Here are some common internet connectivity issues that can cause this error:
- Slow/unreliable WiFi connection
- Cellular data connection problems
- Internet service provider outage
- Using a VPN or proxy server
- Firewall or router blocking TikTok
If your internet is working fine for other apps and websites, the issue likely lies with your connection to TikTok’s servers specifically.
TikTok Server Outages
Sometimes the ‘server is currently unavailable’ error appears due to temporary outages or disruptions on TikTok’s end.
When TikTok’s servers go down due to maintenance, unexpected crashes, or traffic overload, users can encounter connectivity issues. This problem is usually resolved within hours once TikTok’s engineers get their servers back up and running smoothly.
Monitoring TikTok’s status page or social media accounts can confirm if others are facing the same problem due to server outages.
Software Bugs and Glitches
Bugs in the TikTok app can also be responsible for the ‘server is currently unavailable’ error popping up erroneously.
App crashes, freezes, or coding issues may prevent the app from accessing TikTok’s servers as intended. Uninstalling and reinstalling the app can fix such software bugs.
Updating to the latest version of the TikTok app may also resolve any glitches causing this connectivity problem.
Account Bans or Restrictions
In some cases, the ‘server is currently unavailable’ error appears due to account bans or restrictions placed on your TikTok profile.
If your account is banned for policy violations, you’ll be unable to access TikTok’s servers and this error will persist. TikTok moderators may also restrict suspicious accounts until identity verification is completed.
Checking your email for notices from TikTok about policy bans or restrictions can clarify if account limitations are causing this server connection failure.
Incompatible or Outdated Device Software
The TikTok app may fail to connect to servers if your device software is outdated or incompatible.
Issues like outdated OS versions, lack of important security patches, or hardware that TikTok no longer supports can lead to this connectivity error.
Updating your device’s operating system and security software will help rule out device-side incompatibility as the issue.
How to Troubleshoot and Fix the ‘Server is Currently Unavailable’ Error on TikTok
If you encounter the annoying ‘server is currently unavailable’ message on TikTok, try the following troubleshooting steps to identify and resolve the issue:
1. Check TikTok’s Server Status
First, check if TikTok is experiencing widespread server outages that are impacting all users globally.
You can do this using Down Detector.
Here are the steps to check TikTok’s server status using Downdetector:
- Go to downdetector.com in your web browser. This is a popular website that tracks outages and issues for various apps, websites and services.
- In the search bar at the top of the page, type “TikTok” and hit enter. This will pull up the TikTok status page on Downdetector.
- The page will show a chart indicating reports of TikTok issues over the last 24 hours. Spikes on the graph indicate increased reports of problems with the app.
- Below the chart, you’ll see a map showing concentration of issue reports by geographical area. You can hover over the map to see exact numbers for each region.
- Expand the comments section to view user-submitted reports describing the type of TikTok issues people are encountering. Look for mentions of the “server is currently unavailable” error.
If no server disruptions have been flagged, the issue likely lies on your end. Move on to the next steps below.
2. Restart Your Device
Restarting your device is a basic troubleshooting step worth trying first.
A simple device reboot can clear out minor glitches, refresh network connections, and resolve temporary software issues that may be preventing TikTok access.
- On an iPhone, hold down the Side button and either Volume button until the power off slider appears. Drag the slider to turn off your device, wait 30 seconds, then turn it back on.
- For Android phones, hold down the Power button until the power off prompt appears. Tap Power off and wait 30 seconds before powering on your device again.
- Restarting your router by unplugging it for 10 seconds can also help.
After restarting your device, open TikTok and check if the error persists.
3. Force Stop the TikTok App
It’s also worth force stopping the TikTok app on your device. This clears app cache/data and restarts the app fresh.
On iPhone:
- Open Settings > General > iPhone Storage
- Tap on TikTok and select Offload App to temporarily uninstall it. Then reinstall TikTok from the App Store.
On Android:
- Open Settings > Apps > TikTok
- Tap Force Stop, then Storage > Clear Cache and Clear Data
- Open TikTok again and sign in to see if the error remains.
Force stopping the app will refresh your connection and may resolve any corrupt cache/data causing trouble.
4. Check Your Internet Connection
Ensure your WiFi or cellular data connection is strong before determining the issue is on TikTok’s end.
Run a speed test on your network using Speedtest.net or the Speedtest app to check for any connectivity problems:
- Your WiFi speeds should ideally be 15-20Mbps or higher
- Cellular data speeds on 3G/4G/5G should hit 5-12Mbps based on your carrier signal strength
If speeds are consistently low, move closer to your router or restart it. Disconnect from WiFi and use cellular data instead to isolate the problem. Contact your internet service provider if network issues persist across WiFi and mobile.
TikTok requires a minimum internet speed of 5Mbps for smooth streaming, so boost your network bandwidth if needed.
5. Try Using TikTok on Another Device
To confirm the ‘server is currently unavailable’ error is not device-specific, attempt accessing TikTok from another device connected to the same network.
Borrow a friend’s smartphone or use your home computer to open the TikTok website or app. See if TikTok loads properly or shows the same connection error.
If TikTok works fine on other devices, the issue is isolated to your smartphone, tablet, etc. Moving ahead, troubleshoot your device specifically.
However, if the error appears on all devices, your home network likely has a localized TikTok connectivity issue.
6. Clear App Cache and Data
Corrupted app cache/data could potentially disrupt access to TikTok’s servers. Clearing this data forces the app to re-establish a fresh connection.
On iPhones:
- Go to Settings > General > iPhone Storage
- Select TikTok and tap Offload App to temporarily uninstall
- Reinstall TikTok from the App Store
On Android devices:
- Open Settings > Apps > TikTok
- Tap Storage > Clear Cache and Clear Data
- Open TikTok again and sign in to see if the error persists.
This will wipe your saved TikTok login, preferences and other locally stored app data. But it may resolve any problematic files hindering server connectivity.
7. Update the TikTok App
An outdated version of the TikTok app can also prevent connecting to servers. Ensure you are running the latest update of the app.
On the App Store or Google Play Store, search for TikTok and check if any pending updates are available. Install the newest app version and reopen it.
Updating provides bug fixes, performance improvements and compatibility changes needed to access TikTok’s backend infrastructure.
You can enable automatic app updates on your device to always stay up-to-date.
8. Reinstall the TikTok App
If clearing cache/data did not work, the last resort is uninstalling TikTok entirely and reinstalling the app from scratch.
On iPhone:
- Go to Settings > General > iPhone Storage
- Tap on TikTok > Delete App > Delete
- Open the App Store, search for TikTok and reinstall it
On Android:
- Open Settings > Apps > TikTok
- Tap Uninstall and confirm
- Open the Play Store, search for TikTok and reinstall the app.
Reinstalling will force TikTok to create a fresh connection to its servers, resolving any corrupt files or software issues hindering connectivity.
9. Reset Network Settings on Your Device
For persistent ‘server is currently unavailable’ errors, reset your device’s network settings as a last troubleshooting step.
On iPhone:
- Go to Settings > General > Reset > Reset Network Settings
- This will reset WiFi networks, cellular data, VPNs, and other network-related settings
- Reconnect to WiFi/cellular data and try using TikTok afterwards
On Android:
- Open Settings > System > Advanced > Reset options > Reset WiFi, mobile & Bluetooth
- Tap Reset Settings and confirm
- Reconnect WiFi/mobile data and open TikTok to test connectivity
Resetting network settings often resolves connectivity gremlins that may be preventing access to TikTok’s backend infrastructure.
10. Contact TikTok Support
If all else fails, get in touch with TikTok’s customer support team for additional help and troubleshooting:
- Tap on your profile icon in the bottom right corner.
- Tap on the 3 lines “hamburger” icon in the top right corner.
- Tap on “Settings and privacy”
- Tap on “Report a problem”
- Select the category of the issue you need help with.
- Provide any additional details that may help TikTok understand and resolve your issue.
- Tap “Submit” to send your request to TikTok’s support team.
Provide details of the error you’re encountering and troubleshooting steps attempted. TikTok Support can further diagnose the issue based on your account, device model, and network details.
Preventing the ‘Server is Currently Unavailable’ Error on TikTok
Once resolved, you can take proactive measures to avoid the ‘server is currently unavailable’ message in the future:
- Ensure your internet connection has sufficient bandwidth for TikTok. Upgrade your WiFi router or cellular data plan if needed.
- Update your devices and apps regularly to avoid software-related incompatibility issues. Enable auto-update where possible.
- Clear TikTok’s cache/data periodically to prevent corrupted files. Sign out and back in once a month.
- Before updating your device OS, check TikTok’s system requirements to avoid version incompatibility.
- If your account was restricted, resolve any policy violations and appeal the restriction through TikTok Support.
Conclusion
The ‘server is currently unavailable’ error on TikTok can occur due to internet connectivity issues, server outages, software bugs, account restrictions or outdated devices. Following the troubleshooting steps outlined above will help identify and fix the underlying cause.
Ensuring your device and TikTok app are up-to-date, resetting network settings, reinstalling the app, and contacting TikTok Support are your best solutions for resolving the error and maintaining access to TikTok’s servers moving forward.
