TikTok’s duet feature allows users to create a video that splits the screen with another user’s video, reacting to or dancing alongside it. Duets can be a fun way for TikTok creators to engage with each other’s content and collaborate on new videos.
However, you may have experienced frustration when trying to duet another user’s video only to find that the option is grayed out. There are several possible reasons why you may be unable to duet someone on TikTok.
Reasons Someone Can’t Duet You on TikTok
Your Account is Set to Private
One of the most common reasons why someone can’t duet your TikTok video is because your account is set to private. TikTok allows users to choose between a public account that anyone can view, or a private account where only approved followers can see your content.
When your account is private, your videos, likes, and follower list will be hidden from users who don’t follow you. TikTok does this to allow more control over privacy and prevent unwanted interactions. However, a downside is that users who don’t follow you won’t be able to view or engage with your videos – including dueting them.
Since dueting requires the other person to be able to see your original video, users who don’t follow you won’t be able to access or duet your private videos. If you want your content to be more widely visible and allow others to duet your videos, you’ll need to switch your account from private to public.
To check if your account is private, go to your profile page and look for the badge that says “Private Account” under your profile photo.
Tap “Edit Profile” and toggle the “Private Account” switch off to make your account public. Be aware that this will make all your content visible to all TikTok users.
The Original Video is Disabled or Deleted
TikTok’s duet feature relies on both videos being visible on the platform – the original, and the new reaction video. Duets can only be created if the original video is still actively published on TikTok.
If you’ve deleted or disabled the video that someone wants to duet, they will get an error message when trying to access the original video required to create the side-by-side duet. Because that original video is no longer available, they won’t be able to use it for the duet.
There are a couple ways you may have accidentally removed access to an original video:
- Deleting the video from your account – This permanently removes the video from your profile and TikTok entirely. Other users can no longer view or engage with a deleted video.
- Disabling the video – TikTok allows you to disable videos which makes them private and hidden from your profile, without fully deleting them. Disabled videos can’t be viewed or interacted with either.
When users try to duet your video but it’s unavailable, they will be notified that “Duet removed because original video is not available.”
To check if you’ve deleted or disabled the video in question, go to your profile and tap the hamburger menu icon in the upper right corner. Select “Content” and then tap “Deleted”. This will show you any videos you’ve removed.
You can also swipe left on any video thumbnail and select “Disable” to check if you’ve disabled a specific video. Tap “Enable” to make the video public again so it can be duetted.
You’ve Turned Off Duet
In your TikTok account settings, you can limit who can duet your videos. This gives you control over who can use your content in duets. However, it can also inadvertently block someone from dueting you.
You may have your settings configured to not allow anyone to duet your videos. There are a few options:
- “Everyone” – This default setting allows anyone on TikTok to duet your videos.
- “Friends” – Only users you are connected with as friends can duet your videos.
- “Off” – Completely turns off the duet functionality. No one will be able to duet your videos.
If “Off” is selected in your duet settings, other users will get an error message when they try to duet your video and won’t be able to access the duet feature.
To check your duet settings, go to your profile, tap the three dot menu icon and select “Settings and privacy”. Go to “Privacy” and tap “Duet”. Adjust the setting to “Everyone” or “Friends” if you want to allow duets on your videos.
They Don’t Have a Strong Enough Device or Connection
While TikTok works to optimize its app to function on a wide range of devices, dueting videos can require more processing power and internet connectivity speed. Weak devices or connections can sometimes disrupt the duet feature.
In order to duet a video in TikTok, the other user needs to have:
- A strong device with enough storage space, RAM and processing capability to access the original video, record a new video, and upload the duet to TikTok’s servers. Older phones may struggle with this.
- A fast and stable internet connection to be able to quickly upload large video files without disruptions. This is especially important for longer duet videos.
If the other user has an older or low-end device and is in an area with shaky mobile data or weak WiFi, they may encounter errors when trying to duet. Their device may not be able to smoothly run the TikTok app and process the video upload.
Some troubleshooting tips for them are:
- Close any other apps running in the background that are taking up RAM and processing resources.
- Try clearing cached data and deleting old videos to free up storage space on TikTok.
- Move to an area with stronger WiFi or cellular data connectivity to duet the video.
You’ve Blocked the Other User
If you have privacy concerns or want to avoid a particular TikTok user, you have the option to block them. However, blocking has mutual effects – not only will you block someone from interacting with you, but you will also be blocked from seeing or engaging with their profile and videos.
When you block someone on TikTok, it prevents either user from viewing each other’s videos or profiles. So if you have blocked the user attempting to duet your video, they will be unable to see or access your original video to create a duet.
To check if you’ve blocked a user, go to their profile page. If you see a “Blocked” tag on their bio, it means you have blocked their account. To allow them to see your videos and duet you, tap the “Blocked” tag and select “Unblock” to reverse the block.
Additional Troubleshooting Tips for Duet Issues
If someone is unable to duet your TikTok video, here are some steps you can take to troubleshoot:
Double Check Your Privacy Settings
Go back through your account settings and duet options to make sure nothing is unintentionally restricting the video.
Confirm your account is public, the original video is still published, and your duet setting is enabled for “Everyone” or “Friends”. Correct any settings that are limiting visibility or duets.
Update to the Latest Version of TikTok
Make sure both you and the user trying to duet have fully updated to the most recent version of the TikTok app. Outdated app versions can cause bugs and compatibility issues with newer features. Updating provides the latest fixes and optimizations.
In the app store, check that you don’t have any pending TikTok updates waiting. Download and install the most recent update and then force quit and relaunch TikTok.
Reboot the App and Restart Devices
Simple restarting is an easy first step for glitchy apps. Completely close out of the TikTok app and reboot your phone. Then reopen TikTok and try the duet again. Restarting provides a fresh start that can clear up temporary bugs.
Check Internet Connectivity
Duet videos require strong internet to quickly upload the new video file. Weak mobile data signals and poor WiFi coverage can disrupt the duet process. Make sure both users have stable connectivity when attempting the duet.
Run internet speed tests and switch networks if needed until you have a consistent 5mbps or higher. Position yourself near a router or in an area with full signal strength. Mobile internet is prone to dead zones.
Free Up Storage Space
Dueting eats up device storage between recording a new video and uploading it. Make sure there’s enough free storage space on the device to save new videos without error.
Offload old videos/photos, delete unused apps and clear cached data to open up internal storage as needed. TikTok may not be able to duet without sufficient free space.
Contact TikTok Support
If you still can’t resolve the duet issue after troubleshooting, reach out to TikTok’s in-app support or their online help center. Explain the problem in detail. Their technical team may be able to identify restrictions related to your specific account, device or region.
Conclusion
When another user is unable to duet your TikTok video, it can be due to account privacy settings, deleted videos, device limitations or regional restrictions.
Check all your configurations and troubleshoot potential problems. With both users updating TikTok, checking internet connectivity, and contacting support, you should be able to overcome any difficulties dueting videos.
