Reasons why your TikTok 'For You' page shows old videos sometimes

If you’ve opened up your TikTok app recently only to find your ‘For You’ page inundated with videos you’ve already seen, you’re not alone. Many TikTok users have encountered this frustrating issue where their ‘FYP’ feed seems stuck showing the same old videos instead of the latest ones tailored to their interests.

Why am I seeing tweets that I liked a day ago and TikTok showing me videos I liked back in 2023 tf going on? (Source)

As of like 15 minutes ago, TikTok is only showing videos I have seen over and over again – like even a video that I saw for the first time 5 minutes ago, it put it back in my FYP just now. Videos I liked a year ago are just filling my feed … (Source)

My fyp is all videos I’ve seen before?? I keep closing the app and opening it back up but all videos are ones I’ve seen before in the past few weeks Sometimes I’ll get one or two but this is every single video. Is this happening to anyone else??? (Source)

But why does this happen, and what can you do about it? Let’s explore the reasons behind this phenomenon and some potential solutions. But before that, I want to make it clear that these potential reasons are based off speculation and user suggestions. TikTok has not yet provided any official reasons for the occurrence, despite the same happening earlier as well.

At the heart of the ‘For You’ page is TikTok’s powerful recommendation algorithm. This algorithm is designed to analyze your viewing history, interests, and interactions to curate a personalized feed of videos it thinks you’ll enjoy. However, like any complex software system, the algorithm can sometimes experience glitches or hiccups that cause it to malfunction.

One of the most common reasons for the ‘FYP’ showing old videos is a temporary bug or error in the algorithm’s code. This can cause the algorithm to get stuck in a loop, repeatedly serving up videos you’ve already watched instead of refreshing your feed with new content. Such glitches are usually temporary and resolved quickly by TikTok’s engineering team, but they can be frustrating for users while they last.

In some cases, the problem may not lie with the algorithm itself, but with TikTok’s servers or infrastructure. If the servers responsible for delivering fresh content to users’ ‘For You’ pages experience technical difficulties or undergo maintenance, it can result in old videos being shown instead of new ones.

Similarly, when TikTok rolls out updates or new features, there can be temporary compatibility issues or bugs that affect the ‘For You’ page’s functionality. These issues are usually resolved in subsequent updates, but they can cause disruptions in the meantime.

Another potential culprit behind the ‘For You’ page showing old videos is cache or data synchronization issues. TikTok, like many apps, uses caching mechanisms to improve performance and reduce data usage. However, if the cached data becomes corrupted or fails to sync properly with TikTok’s servers, it can lead to outdated content being displayed.

Clearing the app’s cache or reinstalling TikTok can sometimes resolve these types of issues, but they may also require server-side fixes from TikTok’s end.

While the reasons mentioned above are primarily technical in nature, it’s worth noting that your interactions and engagement on TikTok can also influence the ‘For You’ page’s content. If you’ve been consistently interacting with older videos (e.g., liking, commenting, or resharing them), TikTok’s algorithm may interpret this as a preference for that type of content and continue serving you similar old videos.

To counteract this, you may need to actively engage with newer videos and creators to prompt the algorithm to update your feed accordingly.

If you’re experiencing the frustrating issue of your TikTok ‘For You’ page showing old videos, there are a few steps you can take to try and resolve the problem:

Force refresh the app: One of the simplest solutions is to force close the TikTok app and reopen it. This can help clear any temporary glitches or data caches that may be causing the issue.

Clear Cache and Data: If the problem persists, try clearing the app’s cache and data. This can help resolve any corrupted or outdated data that may be causing the ‘For You’ page to show old videos.

Check for updates: Ensure that you’re running the latest version of the TikTok app by checking for updates in your device’s app store. App updates often include bug fixes and performance improvements that can resolve issues like this.

Restart your device: Sometimes, a simple restart of your device can help flush out any temporary software or memory issues that may be impacting TikTok’s performance.

Check your network connection: If you’re experiencing network connectivity issues, try switching to a different Wi-Fi network or cellular data connection. A stable and fast internet connection can help ensure that TikTok can fetch the latest videos for your ‘FYP’.

Report the issue to TikTok: If none of the above steps work, you can report the issue to TikTok’s support team. Even the company’s account on X might be able to provide further assistance or alert their engineering team to investigate and resolve the problem.

While seeing the same old videos on your TikTok ‘For You’ page can be frustrating, it’s important to remember that these issues are usually temporary and resolved by the platform’s developers. By understanding the potential reasons behind the problem and trying some troubleshooting steps, you can help get your ‘For You’ feed back to showing the latest and most relevant content tailored to your interests.