Why is TikTok Not Letting Me Like Videos? (Solved!)

I love being able to help my favorite content creators on TikTok by liking their videos. Of course, it also doesn’t hurt that it saves them to my “liked” list so I can easily find them again if I want to rewatch them. 

I missed out on being able to like several of my newest favorites while my account was restricted. I’d found a new account I loved and thought I’d help them by liking all their videos. I had no idea TikTok would restrict my account if I did. 

If TikTok isn’t letting you like videos, it is because you liked too many videos in a short period, your internet is not working, or you are using a VPN. You may also have this issue if you have an outdated version of the TikTok app or if the software on your phone is not up to date.

If your account hasn’t been permanently banned, the steps I’ll walk you through will have you liking your favorite TokTok videos again in no time. 

Why Can’t I Like Videos on TikTok?

1. You’re Tapping Too Fast Take a Break 

If you’ve liked a lot of videos, you will receive this message. It generally means that you’ve liked so many videos TikTok suspects that you’re a bot. 

If you like too many videos within a short timeframe, TikTok will not allow your account to like anything else for 24 hours. Furthermore, if they see that your account has been placed on this 24 “liking timeout” more than once, they may not allow you to like content for up to three days. 

If your account is relatively new, this will likely happen quicker, and the ban could last a bit longer for you than it will for others. However, accounts that have been established for longer and haven’t been flagged often can generally like more content without being flagged. 

When this happens, you can only wait until TikTok lifts the temporary limit on your account. However, if it’s been over 72 hours and you’re still getting this message, you can reach out to TikTok support.

There are times when TikTok users may see this message in error. If you haven’t liked many videos and are receiving this message, the following steps will help you clear things up. 

2. You’ve Been Banned 

As I stated above, TikTok limits the number of videos you can like in a short timeframe. TikTok does not disclose a specific number or timeframe, so it can be hard to determine if you’re close to exceeding the limit. 

If your account is banned, you will notice a banner from TikTok the next time you use your TikTok. They will generally inform you of the ban, reasoning, and limits placed on your account. Sometimes, they will include how long the ban will last. 

In addition to liking too many videos, your account may be banned if you leave too many comments, send excessive direct messages, or upload content that violates TikTok’s Community Guidelines. Bans for these activities are usually temporary, and you will still be able to watch videos while you are banned. 

However, TikTok has a zero-tolerance policy for more serious offenses. If you are banned for a serious offense, your account will be banned permanently. It’s also likely that your device will be blocked, so you can’t make a new account. 

If you are banned and believe it to be an error, you can appeal the ban with TikTok. 

3. Only Like a Video if You Like It 

If you’re liking a lot of videos, whether to help the creator’s algorithm or because you stumbled across a new account you like, it’s likely the reason your heart button isn’t working. 

Saving your likes for the videos you like the most will prevent you from having your account restricted. 

4. Watch the Whole Video Before Liking 

You can also prevent restrictions on your account by watching the whole video before you tap the like button. TikTok uses an automated system to detect spam. If you like videos, as soon as they start playing often, it will pick them up as suspicious activity. 

If you habitually like videos before they’ve played all the way through, TikTok is likely to think that your account is run by a bot, which could lead to restrictions and bans. To show TikTok’s spam detection system that you are, in fact, human, wait until the end of the video to tap the heart. 

Additionally, if you swipe through and like a creator’s videos to help them, it won’t actually help their algorithm unless you watch until the end. It hurts their algorithm if they receive a lot of likes from your account without you watching the entire video you liked. 

Keep in mind that if you repeatedly have restrictions placed on your account due to activity like this, it could lead to your account being permanently banned or deleted. 

5. Clear Cache 

If your account doesn’t have restrictions placed on it, not being able to like videos could just be an error. Cache data will sometimes contain conflicting data or bugs that can cause glitches like this. 

So, to fix the issue, you’ll need to clear the cache. It’s best to clear the cache from the TikTok app and your device settings. 

To clear the cache in the TikTok app:

1. Open the TikTok app.
2. Navigate to the Profile/Me tab at the bottom of your screen. 
3. Tap the three dots/three lines at the top right of the profile page. 
4. Tap Settings and Privacy.
5. Scroll down and tap clear cache.
6. Ensure the number to the right changes to zero.

This method can sometimes leave behind data on your device, so while you should do this first, you’ll also want to clear the app’s cache in your device’s settings.

To clear an app’s cache from an iOS device, open your settings and tap General > iPhone Storage > TikTok > Offload App > Reinstall App.

To clear the app’s cache from an Android device, open your settings and tap Apps > TikTok > Storage > Clear Cache. 

You’ll have to log back in when you go back into the app after clearing the cache. 

Check Your Internet Connection 

It may sound like an obvious step to take, but you should ensure your internet is working as it should if you aren’t able to like videos on TikTok. If the app isn’t receiving internet, it will not be able to add the video to your liked videos. 

The easiest way to know if it is your internet connection is by trying another app that requires a connection. If other apps aren’t working, the issue is your internet. 

If you’re using WiFi, rebooting your router will likely fix the issue. To do this, unplug it from the wall and wait 60 seconds before plugging it back in. 

Reset Network Settings 

If you are using cellular data or rebooting your router didn’t fix your WiFi connection, try resetting the network settings on your device. 

Turning on airplane mode for 10-15 seconds will sometimes fix the problem. However, if this trick doesn’t work, you’ll need to officially reset your network settings. 

If you have an Apple (iOS) device, open your Settings and go to General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Reset > Reset Network Settings. You will be asked to enter your password to confirm the reset. 

If you are using an Android device, open your settings and go to System > Reset Options > Reset WiFi, Mobile, and Bluetooth > Reset Settings.

Stop using a VPN 

After TikTok was banned in many regions, users from those regions could keep using the app by using a VPN that made them appear to be in a different country. To avoid legal issues on their part, TikTok now blocks all VPNs.

If you’re somehow able to access TikTok while using a VPN, it’s likely why you can’t like videos. Since you shouldn’t be able to access anything on TikTok with a VPN enabled, you’ll likely experience many glitches if you use a VPN. 

To fix this, turn your VPN off while you are using TikTok. You may have to delete it if you cannot disable it. 

Update the App and Your Phone 

Using a dated version of the TikTok app can cause an array of glitches that affect small functions when using the app. This includes failures when you try to like a video. 

To see if your app is up to date:

1. Open the App Store or Google Play Store, depending on your device’s OS. 
2. Locate the search bar, and search for TikTok. 
3. Tap the TikTok app. 

If there’s an icon that says Open/Launch, you have the most current version of the app. If it says Update, tap the icon and allow the update to install.

Once the app has updated, it’s best to restart your device to clear any lingering issues. 

In the same sense, if the software on your device is outdated, you’re likely to experience glitches with small app features. To fix these glitches, you must update your phone to the newest software version.

To update the software on an iOS device, tap Settings > General > Software Update. Your device will automatically begin searching for available updates. 

To update the software on an Android device, tap Settings > System > System Update. If you have an available update, select to install it.

Report the Problem to TikTok

If the steps above have not fixed your TikTok-like button, you may need to reach out to TikTok to let them know what’s going on and see what they can do to help. 

They may also be able to give you more information if a ban or other restrictions have been placed on your account. 

Create a New Account 

If all else fails, or your account has been permanently banned or deleted, you can create a new TikTok account. 

If you need help creating a new TikTik account, follow the steps below:

1. Download the TikTok app if you do not already have it. If you already have the app, you must log out of your old account before creating a new one. 
2. Open the app and tap the Profile/Me tab in the bottom right corner of your screen. 
3. Tap Sign Up. 
4. Choose how you want to sign up. Using your Facebook, Apple, or Google account will make the process quicker because you will not have to enter as much information manually. 
5. Follow the directions on the screen to finish the sign-up and customize your profile. 

Remember that if you have violated a rule that TikTok has a zero-tolerance policy for, they may have blocked your device, meaning you won’t be able to create a new account. Unfortunately, the only way to know if your device has been blocked is to attempt to create a new account. 

You can still watch videos without an account if this is the case. You just won’t be able to contribute to the community without an account. 

Conclusion

Liking videos on TikTok is a great way to encourage the creator or easily find the video again later. It can even help boost your favorite TikTokers’ content as long as you avoid doing it in a spammy way. 

With any luck, the information I’ve given you has helped you fix being unable to like videos on TikTok. If it hasn’t, it’s likely because your account has been banned or restricted. Luckily, you can still watch videos on TikTok, even if you can’t interact with them.