Why Can’t I Block Someone on TikTok?

Sometimes, we just want to keep our social media life separate from our personal life. This may mean keeping family and friends off our pages. We often just want to cut off an online troll’s access to our profiles and content. Fortunately, all social media platforms give users the option to block people. But, “Why can’t I block someone on TikTok?”

Let’s find out the possible causes and how to fix them. 

Blocking Users on TikTok

The block option on TikTok comes in very handy when your account attracts undesirable characters. And social media is teeming with them, whether they’re bots, fake accounts, or real people. 

When should you block users on TikTok? You should block someone when:

1. They engage in abusive, offensive, or harmful behaviors. 
2. They’re bots or fake accounts that spam your comments sections or inbox. 
3. Their posts cause you emotional or psychological distress or deeply impact your relationships or overall well-being in a negative way. 

You may have more justifications to completely cut off someone on social media. But any of the above almost always necessitates blocking. 

Follow these step-by-step guide to block a TikTok user from their profile page:

1. Visit the user’s Profile page. Use the search box to find their profile using their username. Alternatively, you can look for them in your list of Followers/Following. 
2. When you’re on their page, tap the Share button in the upper right.
3. Select Block at the bottom. Tap Block again to confirm.

You can also block a user directly from your Comments section:

1. Go to your video and open the Comments. 
2. Long-press on the person’s username. Or find the parallel lines with circles in the upper right and tap on these.
3. Select Manage multiple comments, then select the user you want to block. You can select up to 100 users. 
4. Tap More, then select Block accounts. 
5. Tap Block accounts to confirm. 

Why Can’t I Block Someone on TikTok and How Can I Fix It?

Can’t block someone on TikTok? If you tried the steps above but it’s not working, there’s probably a glitch in the TikTok matrix. 

TikTok regularly releases app updates, just like other platforms. They do this to fix bugs, improve app efficiency, update existing features, or introduce new ones. 

TikTok has a habit of moving things around or streamlining certain processes, such as blocking users, without informing everyone. You can actually find many outdated how-to guides on the TikTok Help Center.

Let’s look at the possible reasons that the block feature isn’t working for you. 

Why Can’t I Block People on TikTok? You Need to Update the TikTok App

If your device does not auto-update TikTok every time an update is available, your app may be way behind. An outdated app may cause compatibility issues, leading to certain app functions not working properly. 

How do you fix it? First, check if a TikTok update is available. Go to the Google Play Store or App Store. Search for TikTok. You’ll see the Update button if one is available. Tap it to install the latest update. 

While you’re waiting for the installation to finish, you should also check if your device OS is up-to-date. Go to your device Settings. Look for the Software update folder or something similar. Tap Download/Install. Make sure you also turn on the auto download updates setting.

When the TikTok update installation is complete, close all background apps. Then, relaunch TikTok and check if the block feature is finally working. You can also restart your device for good measure. 

If the problem persists, uninstall and reinstall the TikTok app. Take note that when you do this, you’ll lose your TikTok drafts but nothing else. All your TikTok info and content will remain intact. But you may want to download your TikTok drafts. 

Can’t Block on TikTok? You Need to Clear Your App Cache

A full app cache is another common cause of app glitches. TikTok temporarily stores data in your app cache to help the app run more smoothly and reduce data use. Stored data include images, videos, sounds, the app layout, and more. 

The more you browse TikTok, the more data gets stored in your cache. Clearing your app cache on a regular basis is similar to clearing your browsing data. Here’s how to do it:

1. Go to your Profile and tap the three-line icon in the upper right. 
2. Select Settings and privacy. 
3. Under Cache & cellular, select Free up space. 
4. Tap Clear next to Cache. 
5. You can also tap Clear next to Downloads and Drafts to free up more space. 

Take note that clearing your app cache does not affect your TikTok experience. 

Why Can’t I Block on TikTok? You Have a Slow Internet Connection

A slow internet connection almost always leads to app function issues. Is your TikTok sound not working? Is TikTok not letting you like videos or post comments? The answer is probably a lagging internet, and this may also be why you’re unable to block on TikTok. 

Try the following three fixes:

1. Switch off your WiFi connection and turn on your mobile data. See if this improves things. 
2. If you’re outside and using public WiFi, change locations and connect to a different WiFi, or use your mobile data instead. 
3. Restart your modem. If you’re connected to your home WiFi, switch your modem off and switch it back on. If this doesn’t work, contact your service provider to find out if there are server issues in your area. 

What Happens When You Block Someone? 

What happens when you block a user on TikTok? Blocking someone on TikTok completely blocks their access to your profile. 

They won’t be able to search for you on TikTok, follow you, view and engage with your content, and send you direct messages. They will disappear from your list of followers and you from their following list. If you’re friends on TikTok, you’ll also disappear from their list of followers. 

The restrictions apply to you and the person you’re blocking. You also won’t be able to engage with the blocked user in any way. But you will still be able to find and view their profile. This means you can unblock them at any time and start following them again. 

TikTok does not inform a user when you block them. But there are other ways they can find out. They’ll realize you’ve blocked them when:

• Your posts stop appearing on their feeds. 
• They can no longer access your videos that they liked or commented on. 
• They’re unable to send you direct messages. 
• They’re unable to view your TikTok profile. 

Use the Block Option To Keep Your Community Engaging Happily

Social media popularity comes with a price. Having a public image means anyone can access your content and visit and analyze your public profiles. This means you can get maximum exposure — which is advantageous to your growth. But it also makes you and your community vulnerable to undesirable individuals online. 

Fortunately, you can easily block anyone who is not a good fit for your community or, worse, promotes negativity. TikTok gives its users the ability and discretion to weed out certain types of people and keep the platform a safe space for everyone. You can also report them to TikTok if you want the platform to permanently ban their accounts. 

“Why can’t I block someone on TikTok?” If you’re having this issue, find a solution right away. TikTok’s block feature is essential to your community’s well-being. And as your page draws more followers, you’re also more likely to attract trolls, nuisance accounts, and fake profiles.

To help you ensure you’re only growing with genuinely interested fans, sign up for a High Social plan. High Social’s advanced, proprietary AI technology works as effectively as TikTok’s recommendation algorithm. This means you’ll be doubling your audience-targeting capability instantly. Start growing your TikTok today!

TikTok 101