Have you ever tried to set a video cover for your TikTok video only to find that it’s not working correctly?
Video covers are a great way to make your TikTok videos stand out in someone’s feed and catch their attention. But sometimes the video cover feature can be buggy and fail to work properly.
In this guide, I’ll walk you through some troubleshooting steps to fix your TikTok video cover when it’s not working. We’ll look at potential reasons why your video cover may not be working, as well as actionable solutions to try out.
Follow along step-by-step, and hopefully by the end your TikTok video covers will be working perfectly!
Why Your TikTok Video Cover Isn’t Working
Before we jump into solutions, let’s first understand what causes a TikTok video cover to not work properly. Here are some of the common reasons your video cover may fail:
Uploading Wrong File Format
TikTok only supports JPEG and PNG image formats for video covers. If you upload a cover image that is in another format like GIF or TIFF, it won’t work. TikTok will fail to process these unsupported formats which makes it seem like your cover isn’t working.
Image Size Too Large
TikTok requires cover images to be under 2MB in size. Uploading a large high-resolution image can result in the cover not working properly. Restrict image sizes to 1080×1920 or smaller for best results.
Poor Internet Connectivity
Uploading and setting a video cover requires a stable internet connection. Weak mobile data connectivity or using a poor WiFi network can interrupt the cover upload process. This again makes it appear as if your cover has failed.
TikTok Server Issues
In rare cases, technical issues with TikTok’s servers can also cause video covers to not work. Server outages that disrupt services prevent proper video processing. Not much you can do but wait for TikTok to resolve it.
Now that you know why TikTok video cover won’t work, let’s learn how to troubleshoot and fix them when they don’t work.
How to Fix TikTok Video Cover Not Working
Fix 1: Check Image Format and Size
The first thing to check is whether your cover image meets TikTok’s file format and size requirements:
- File type should be JPEG or PNG
- Maximum file size – 2MB
- Ideal dimensions – 1080×1920 pixels
If your image does not meet these criteria, compress or reformat the file appropriately. Then attempt to re-upload the cover image to TikTok again.
You can resize images on your phone itself through gallery/image editing apps. Alternatively, you use online tools like picresize.com to optimize and compress image sizes easily.
Following size guidelines enhances the chances of your TikTok video cover working properly.
Fix 2: Retry Uploading in Strong Network Area
Network issues are another prime suspect for stopping video covers from working correctly.
Here are a few things to try out regarding network connectivity:
- Test your internet connection – Check the strength of your internet connection using online tools such as speedtest.net.
- Switch to stable WiFi – Ensure your phone is connected to a strong home or office WiFi network instead of spotty mobile data. Also disable battery optimization for the TikTok app which can otherwise interrupt uploads.
- Toggle Airplane Mode – Temporarily enabling Airplane mode for a minute before switching it off again can kickstart your phone’s network connectivity. Then try uploading the video cover.
- Retry Several Times – Attempt re-uploading 2-3 times by going back and selecting the cover image again. Repeat tries work better on strong networks.
Following these connectivity best practices eliminates network problems that could make your TikTok video cover not work.
Fix 5: Adjust Video Upload Settings
TikTok video uploads have accompanying configurations which also impact covers. Check these:
- Data Saver: Turn off Data Saver mode in Settings which limits background media uploads. Ensure unrestricted upload access for TikTok.
- Upload HD: Enable HD Video Upload toggle in TikTok Settings → Data. Allows full-resolution cover images to process.
- Cellular/WiFi: Allow TikTok to use Cellular Data as well in Settings if you earlier restricted uploads to WiFi only. Expanded connectivity assists.
Adjusting these upload permissions eliminates possible restrictions blocking your TikTok cover from appearing correctly.
Fix 6: Convert Landscape Image to Portrait Mode
TikTok video covers display as vertical thumbnails visible on user profiles and feeds.
If your original cover landscape image dimensions don’t match the app’s portrait layout, use online tools like Canva to add color backgrounds or creative effects to improve framing and alignment.
Converting horizontal images into portrait orientations makes covers work smoothly.
Fix 7: Use Video Instead of Image as Cover
Still struggling with static image covers after the above troubleshooting steps? Consider using an appealing portion of the TikTok video itself as the clickworthy “cover” instead!
- Trim Start/End: Use video editing to isolate the intro portion having key subject, emotion or text you want highlighted.
- Overlay Text: Enhance intro clip further by adding engaging captions using TikTok’s Layout tool.
With the right thumbnail frame, an initial video snippet strategically showcases your content style better enticing profile visits and video views!
Fix 8: Switch to LIVE Video
As a workaround if uploaded video covers don’t display reliably even now, stream the video LIVE instead!
TikTok LIVE videos feature the stream thumbnail and influencer profile pic as the clickable video representation boosting impressions and traffic to your account.
Fix 9: Contact TikTok Support
If you’ve verified that the cover image file meets the size and format criteria, and ruled out any connectivity issues on your end, then the fault likely lies with TikTok’s systems.
When all else fails, directly contact TikTok Support through the mobile app for further troubleshooting and resolution:
- Tap “Profile” in the bottom right corner.
- Tap the three horizontal lines in the top right corner. Select “Report a problem” under “Settings and privacy.”
- Select a topic that best describes your issue. Select a suggested category or choose “Other” if your issue isn’t listed.
- Provide a detailed description of your problem and any relevant screenshots or videos. Fill details like “Video cover not working properly even after troubleshooting on my end”. Describe problem clearly
- Hit submit and await their fix or recommendation
TikTok Support staff actively monitor and respond to such issues. If it is in fact a glitch from their side, they will be able to patch things up for you.
So those are some effective ways to troubleshoot and fix instances when your TikTok video cover refuses to work properly. Follow the step-by-step guide outlined here.
With a bit of diligence, you should have perfectly functioning video covers before you know it!
Let me know in the comments if issues persist or if you have any other questions.
