TikTok is the pulse of our generation, capturing the hearts of millions with its endless stream of viral content. It is banned in some regions due to its questionable data privacy policies. The only solution to this problem is using a VPN to access it through a change of your IP address to a region where it is accessible.
Unfortunately, nothing kills your vibe faster than TikTok not working with a VPN. Imagine: you are ready to explore deeper into the latest trends, but your VPN isn’t cooperating with TikTok. Don’t sweat it! This guide will provide you with the top 10 easiest and most effective fixes to get back to scrolling, liking, and getting viral in no time.
Why is TikTok not working with a VPN?
Stuck in a TikTok black hole because your VPN isn’t being nice to you? Let’s explore the reasons before knowing the outcomes to fix the problem easily.
- If you try to access TikTok through a VPN from a region whose IP address is blocked, you won’t be able to reach out properly. This is due to the detection and prevention of TikTok access through a VPN, which blocks all the IPs linked to that particular VPN.
- You might face regional constraints while using a VPN as few providers may leak your real IPs, DNS, or WebRTC data. It usually involves the leak of your real IP address, leading to the prevention of access to the platform.
- While accepting browser cookies and cache helps you access the content you like, it may also collect your data and leak your actual location. This could lead to the inability to access TikTok with a VPN, too.
- The availability of TikTok depends on the region, as some countries lack access to it due to security regulations. If you connect to an Indian server, your access will be constrained.
- Sometimes, VPNs get overcrowded and lack enough servers, leading to blocked access to TikTok.
- Free and untrusted VPNs lack the optimal servers and strong unlocking abilities, making TikTok inaccessible.

Why can’t I change my region on TikTok?
TikTok doesn’t allow you to change regions due to specific reasons. Let’s find out why:
- To reinstall TikTok after the ban, you will need to work around the limitations. The app was blocked due to legal regulations in the US.
- A number of countries have laws to regulate censored content on TikTok. Governments of certain regions require TikTok to block certain content as it is inappropriate for the users.
- Copyright, trademarks, and intellectual property laws frequently safeguard content. If you want to share content legally, you may need to secure a licensing agreement, which often includes certain location limitations.
- Governments of a few countries have privacy concerns regarding Chinese-based social media, blocking the platform completely.
- Understanding your location can be crucial in revealing your identity and minimizing threats like account hacking and fraud.
TikTok not working with a VPN: 10 easy solutions
TikTok may use detection methods for a VPN, resulting in the platform being unavailable. It could be due to several reasons. However, here are the best 10 easiest and most effective fixes to overcome the problem of TikTok not working with a VPN.
1. Switch your VPN server
TikTok may block the IP address of your current location. Switching your VPN server in the same country to a different region or changing the country may help you resolve the issues. Moreover, your current VPN server may be overcrowded, leading to slower speeds, so it’s recommended to use a premium VPN with a lot of servers worldwide, which will provide you with more choices.
2. Clear your browser’s cookies and cache
You might accept browser cookies and cache while using TikTok to access your favorite content. This can leak your actual location, leading to the platform being inaccessible. They can lead to inadequate functionality or interrupt proper website performance.
Clearing these browsing files is important. Follow these steps to delete the files regardless of the browser you are using:
- Open the browser and click on the three dots in the upper right corner.
- Go to More Tools and click Clear browsing data.
- In the drop-down menu of Time Range, choose All Time.
- Tick on all the boxes; Browse history, cookies, and other site data, and Cache images and files.
- Delete all your browser cookies and cache by clicking Clear Data.

3. Make sure your VPN application is up to date
If you are using an outdated version of your VPN service, you might be unable to access the streaming platform due to the VPN service being unable to unblock completely. An outdated VPN service may have compatibility issues, questioning the performance of the service you are using. Ensure that you are using the most latest version of your VPN service to avoid any issues accessing TikTok.
4. Activate the kill switch and DNS leak protection
Data leaks compromise your safety by revealing your location causing many issues. You can check for data leakage through websites like ipleak.net or dnsleaktest.com. However, using a reliable VPN like PureVPN offers DNS leak protection and kill switch, protecting your data from getting leaked. Activate these features with PureVPN to ensure connection stability and prevention of data leaks.
5. Reboot your device
Sometimes, the simplest actions can lead to the best solutions. If none of the tips help, it is time to give your device a quick restart. This little trick can often fix connectivity problems with minimal fuss. After you restart, just open TikTok again and check if everything’s working smoothly.
6. Switch VPN protocols
Sometimes, VPN protocols don’t suit your activity. If you’re having trouble accessing TikTok, try switching up the VPN protocols in your app. Just head over to Settings > Connection > VPN Protocol and pick a different option manually. It might just do the trick!
7. Contact VPN’s customer support
If still the problem persists, you should contact your VPN’s customer support service as they might have specific recommendations to access TikTok. PureVPN offers round-the-clock customer support service to help you out.
8. Check your internet connection
Sometimes, you might run into problems with your internet connection. If that happens, try disconnecting from your Wi-Fi and then reconnecting, or you can reboot your internet router completely. Once you’ve done that, turn your VPN back on, open TikTok, and check if that did the trick!
9. Flush DNS cache
Want to speed up your web browsing? One way to do that is by cutting down on those repeated DNS lookups. Just keep in mind that this could reveal your actual location to TikTok. If you’re using Windows and want to flush your DNS, here’s how you do it:
- Open Command Prompt with administrator privileges.
- Type in ipconfig /flushdns and hit Enter.
Using macOS:
- Open the Terminal
- Type in: sudo dscacheutil -flushcache; sudo killall -HUP mDNSResponder
- Press Enter (you might need to enter your password)
10. Switch to a more reliable VPN provider Like PureVPN
Free VPNs or outdated VPNs lack the optimal servers to connect for accessing TikTok and can easily be blacklisted by the platform. They often collect and sell your data, revealing your actual location and blocking access to TikTok. Using a reliable VPN like PureVPN offers more than 6500 optimized servers able to unblock TikTok completely while protecting your connection with military-grade encryption, preventing data leakage.
PureVPN | Other VPN Providers | |
Global Internet Access | Available with 6,500+servers for global access. | Limited server options, may not have extensive global coverage. |
Streaming Service Unblocking | Supports 50+ popular platforms like US Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Amazon Prime, Hulu, and many more. | May have limited compatibility with certain streaming services. |
Multi-Device Support | Routers, Android, iOs, Firestick, macOS, Windows, Linux, Chrome, Firefox, Edge | May have limited device compatibility or impose device limitations. |
VPN protocols | OpenVPN, IKEv2/IPsec, WireGuard | OpenVPN, IKEv2/IPsec, WireGuard |
4K Streaming Experience | Capable of seamless streaming up to 4K resolution | May experience buffering or quality degradation during 4K streaming |
Simultaneous connections | 10 Simultaneous Connections. | May offer less simultaneous connection based on plans. |
Support | Knowledge base, FAQs, email, 24/7 live chat. | Knowledge base, FAQs, email, 24/7 live chat. |
FAQs
A VPN may not work with TikTok due to regional limitations, IP detection, or DNS leaks. Try switching servers or protocols.
PureVPN stands out to be the best VPN service working for TikTok. It offers fast-optimized servers in more than 78 countries with robust security measures to access TikTok without getting blacklisted.
TikTok doesn’t let you change your region manually; it automatically updates based on your SIM card, IP address, and the settings on your device.
The “90-day error” happens when TikTok limits how often you can change your region, making it tough for users to switch locations more than once every 90 days.