There are a couple of reasons why it happens. In this article, I will go through the common reasons why TikTok won’t let you like videos on the platform and some fixes that will help you to get rid of the problem. Once fixed, you’ll be able to like TikTok videos again without issue.
Why Can’t I Like TikTok Videos?
TikTok restricts users from performing actions like liking or commenting on videos if the algorithm detects unnatural behavior. If you scroll and like or comment on several videos in a short period, then the TikTok algorithm may flag your account. Once flagged, you won’t be able to like any videos for the next 24 hours or more. Now let’s get a bit more detail into it. Like any other social media platform, TikTok also has an excellent algorithm that promotes videos, flags spam accounts and bots, and more. If the TikTok algorithm detects inhuman or unnatural behavior similar to a bot, then an action block will be placed on your account. This happens when you like a large number of videos in a short time. For example, you may scroll and like many videos, without even watching them entirely or leave comments on every video you watch in a short period. TikTok wants to keep its platform clean from fake profiles and spam bots. There are tons of bots that go through videos on TikTok and like or comment on them. There are several websites selling likes and views on TikTok. This is a practice that is against the TikTok policy. So TikTok needs to keep the bad actors away from the platform. Liking many videos in a short span of time, without even fully watching them, is considered a spam activity. If the TikTok algorithm detects an action, then a soft ban will be placed on your account. Until the ban is revoked, you won’t be able to like any videos or leave any comments. But this doesn’t stop you from watching any videos on the platforms. You won’t be able to:
Like any videos Comment on any videos Follow accounts Upload videos
But you can still:
Watch videos Share videos to other platforms Edit your profile information
Why TikTok Shows You’re Tapping Too Fast Take a Break
TikTok displays a message which says You’re Tapping Too Fast Take a Break when you like too many videos in a short time. The same will happen if you comment on many videos or follow TikTok accounts in bulk. If yours is a new account, chances are high that TikTok will show You’re Tapping Too Fast Take a Break message because the algorithm is unsure if the account is legit and authentic. On the other hand, if your TikTok account is a bit old and has a good history, then the limit will be high. So your account won’t get the limitation applied that quickly. If yours is a relatively newer TikTok account, then you shouldn’t like or comment on too many videos. It will make the TikTok algorithm flag your account, affecting the reach of your TikTok account. In short, You’re Tapping Too Fast Take a Break message in TikTok is shown to keep out spammers and bots from the platform.
How Long Does This Last?
In most cases, you won’t be able to like or comment on any videos for 24 hours. After 24 hours, things should be normal, and you will be able to like videos as usual. In rare cases, it can take more than 24 hours. I have seen people talking it took more than three days to get rid of the restriction on liking TikTok videos. It can take even longer if yours is a new TikTok account. This is just a temporary action ban and is not permanent. If more significant issues are found, or you keep receiving the You’re Tapping Too Fast Take a Break error, TikTok might deactivate your account. If your TikTok account is a couple of years older, the restriction might also be relieved in less than 24 hours.
I Am Not Able To Like TikTok Videos – Fixes
Even after waiting for more than 24 hours, if you cannot like videos on TikTok, follow the steps below to eliminate the like restriction.
Clear App Cache
The first thing to do is to clear the app cache. Cache are files stored on your device so the app loads faster. Many different things within the app will be cached and displayed the next you open the app. If the cache is not updated, chances are there TikTok will still not let you like videos. Even though the restriction is lifted, the cache might not be updated. So all you have to do is to clear the cache files. On Android:
Open Settings Tap on Apps Manage Installed Apps Scroll down and find TikTok from the list of installed apps Tap on Clear Data On the pop-up that appears, tap on Clear Cache.
On iOS: As you might know, iOS does not have the option to clear the app cache. But there’s a workaround for it.
Open Settings > General Tap iPhone Storage Scroll through the list of installed apps, find and tap on TikTok Tap the Delete App button Tap Delete App on the popup that appears Once uninstalled, open App Store and search for TikTok Tap the Get button to install the app. Authorize the installation Once installed, login into your TikTok account
You can also clear cache within the TikTok app as well. Head to the Settings & Privacy options and tap on Clear cache.
Watch Full Video Before Liking
Another thing to ensure is to watch the full video before liking it. Since your account has restrictions on liking videos, you must watch the full video before liking it. TikTok hates bots. Bots do not watch the full video before liking it. It is a typical pattern that can be traced to track down bot activity on TikTok. Unknowingly your activity on the TikTok app might be similar to that of a bot. So you must let the algorithm know you are not a bot. Here is everything you need to do:
Watch the full video before liking it Do not like a lot of videos in a short period Comment after watching the full length Do not follow people massively Do not unfollow people massively
Once you are back on track, you can continue using TikTok as normal, and things should work well.
Wait For Couple More Hours
In a normal scenario, the restriction on liking videos is temporarily placed on a TikTok account for about 24 hours. Depending on whether the account is new or aged, the duration of the limit will vary. In most cases, the limit is placed on the account for a day or 24 hours. In some cases, if the account is very new, then the limit shall exist for longer than 24 hours. After going through multiple forums, I have seen people getting restrictions for as high as three days or 48 hours. So it’s worth waiting for a little more time before you try anything like creating a new TikTok account.
Update TikTok
All apps are prone to bugs. Similar is the case with TikTok. If there is an ongoing bug causing some issues, it is better to update the app immediately. Updating the app is always recommended as it will give you new additional features and bug fixes. Even if you have enabled app auto-update, the automatic update might sometimes fail. In this case, you can head over to App Store or Play Store and update TikTok Update TikTok on Android:
Open Google Play Store Search for TikTok Find the app from the list and see if you can spot an Update button If yes, tap the button to update TikTok
Update TikTok on iOS:
Open App Store Tap your profile picture from the top right corner of the screen Scroll down a bit and find apps listed under the upcoming automatic updates section See if TikTok is listed. Click the Update button to update TikTok to solve the issue.
Not just automatic unliking issue, updating the TikTok app will help us to fix a lot of the different problems similar to this one. Updating TikTok will not delete drafts, but deleting and reinstalling TikTok will delete draft videos.
Check Internet Connection
Sometimes issues with your Internet connection can cause problems that will make you unable to like videos on TikTok. Even when there is no internet connection, you may be able to view videos that were already loaded in the background. But when you try to like it, it won’t go through. Stability issues, high ping, poor network signals, etc. can cause various Internet-related issues, which will make you unable to like videos on TikTok. You must check the Internet connection once and ensure it is working without any issues. Try opening other apps or visiting websites and see if they load flawlessly. You may also try switching the Internet source as well. For example, if you use mobile data to surf the Internet, try connecting to a WiFi network and vice versa.
Reset Network Settings
If you can use the Internet flawlessly on other devices but not on your smartphone, something might be wrong with the network configuration. When a device’s network settings are misconfigured, you won’t be able to access the Internet. In this case, the issue is not with the internet connection but with the device network configuration. Suppose you have recently changed any network configuration settings that can cause issues with internet connectivity. But don’t worry, as a simple network reset will fix our problem. Reset Network Settings on iPhone:
Open Settings and tap on General Scroll down and tap Transfer or Reset iPhone Tap the Reset option from the bottom of the screen Tap Reset Network Settings Enter the passcode and wait for the process to complete.
Wait a few seconds for the device to connect again, and now try accessing TikTok, which should work this time. Reset Network Settings on Android:
Open Settings and Go to System settings Tap Advanced and then Reset Options Find the Reset Network Settings option and tap on it. Confirm the reset process and wait a few seconds for it to complete.
The reset network settings option will differ depending on the Android version and device manufacturer. You may use the search option on the Settings page to find it quickly.
Login To TikTok On A Different Device
To see if the issue has something to do with your device, you may try logging into your account from a different device. Install TikTok on a different device nearby you. You may use your friend’s or family’s phone for this purpose. Better if you have a secondary phone. Use the same username and password to log in to your account. Watch a few videos and see if you can like videos. If yes, then the issue is something related to your device. You might want to reset your smartphone if you have tried every other method, like reinstalling TikTok or updating the app.
Contact TikTok Support
If none of the troubleshooting steps helped you, then it is time to get in touch with the TikTok support team. Provided that there isn’t any issue with your TikTok account, the customer support specialist should be able to isolate and find the problem for you. Below are the different ways to contact TikTok support: Email: [email protected] TikTok feedback form: Click Here
Report an issue within the TikTok app:
The TikTok app has an option where you can contact the TikTok team to report any issue. Here is how to access it:
Open the TikTok app on your smartphone (Android and iOS) Head to your profile Tap on the three dots icon on the top right corner of the screen Under Support, tap on Report a problem From the list of topics, select Account, and Profile Select a random issue listed here Below the solution, you’ll see a ‘Is your problem resolved‘ option. Tap on No. Tap on the Still have problem option. Explain the issue on the field that appears and, if possible, upload a few screenshots.
Create A New TikTok Account
Even after contacting the TikTok support team, if the issue is not resolved, then it’s finally time to create a new TikTok account. I know you have a lot of followers and followings in your old account, in addition to videos and content that you have already posted on the platform. If the support ticket you raised on the TikTok support portal is still pending, you may use the new account for the time being until the issue is resolved. Or, if they cannot fix the problem for you, you may want to consider using the new one as your primary TikTok account.
How To Avoid This Issue In The Future?
Even though we managed to fix the issue, it can come back at any time if you don’t take care of a few points. Below are some points to keep in mind to avoid this issue in the future.
Don’t Act Like A Bot
TikTok shows You’re Tapping Too Fast Take a Break because you like too many videos in a short time. The TikTok algorithm thinks it is a bot activity and restricts activities like liking and commenting for some time. The time the block exists depends on the age of the account. Do not like and comment on videos in bulk. Similarly, make sure not to spam by commenting on many videos on the platform.
Conclusion
Above are some reasons why you cannot like any videos on TikTok. Internet stability issues, outdated app, action ban, etc. are a few reasons you cannot like any videos on the platform. Let’s quickly go through a few of the steps that we did to fix the issue:
Wait for 24 hours or more to get rid of the action ban Update the TikTok app Check your Internet connection Reinstall TikTok app Try using a different device Reset network settings Contact TikTok support
I hope the guide helped you fix the issue.
