why does tiktok keep saying maximum number of attempts reached

February 18, 2026

The message “maximum number of attempts reached” on TikTok usually means TikTok has temporarily blocked a specific action because it thinks there’s too much risk, spam, or repeated failure around what you’re doing.

Below is a detailed, blog-style breakdown in the style you asked for.

Why Does TikTok Keep Saying “Maximum Number of Attempts Reached”?

Quick Scoop

TikTok shows this error when you (or something using your account) have hit a limit : too many logins, too many actions in a short time, or suspicious behavior from TikTok’s point of view.

Think of it like a nightclub bouncer: if you keep pushing the door, they shut it for a while.

The Main Reasons This Error Pops Up

TikTok can show “maximum number of attempts reached” in a few common scenarios.

1. Too Many Wrong Logins

If you keep entering the wrong password, email, or username, TikTok’s security system kicks in.

Multiple incorrect login attempts in a short time
Logging in from new devices or unusual locations
Repeated verification code attempts

TikTok temporarily locks further attempts to protect your account from brute‑force hacking.

2. Suspicious or “Spammy” Activity

Sometimes the error appears even when you’re already logged in and trying to use the app.

That can happen if you:

Like or comment extremely fast on many videos
Follow/unfollow lots of accounts quickly
Repeatedly try to post or edit something in a short burst

TikTok treats this like potential bot or automation behavior and rate‑limits you, which is just a fancy way of saying “you’ve hit our action limit, try later.”

3. Account Suspension or Policy Issues

If TikTok thinks your account violated community guidelines, it may be:

Temporarily suspended
Permanently banned

In some of those states, you may see the maximum attempts message when trying to log in or perform certain actions, because your account is not fully usable while under restriction.

4. Network / Technical Glitches

Sometimes the problem is less dramatic: TikTok just isn’t getting a clean signal from your device.

Weak or unstable internet
Corrupted app cache or data
Outdated app version

When TikTok can’t verify your action properly, repeated retries can look like “too many attempts” from the system’s perspective.

What You Can Do To Fix It

Here’s a practical, step‑by‑step game plan you can follow. You don’t need to do all of them; start with the early ones and move down only if needed.

1. Wait Out the Cooldown

This is boring but often the only thing that works.

Stop trying to log in or repeat the same action.
Wait a few hours; in some cases, the block may last up to about 24–48 hours.

Don’t uninstall/reinstall every 5 minutes; constant retries can extend the lock.

During this time, avoid using VPNs or switching networks aggressively, as that can look even more suspicious.

2. Double‑Check Your Login Details (If It’s a Login Error)

If the message appears on the login screen:

Carefully re‑enter your email/username and password.
If you’re not sure, use “Forgot password” to reset it.
Check your email/SMS for code delivery delays rather than spamming the “send code” button.

This lowers the chance of hitting the limit again.

3. Ease Up on Rapid Actions (If You’re Already Logged In)

If you see the error while liking/commenting/following/posting:

Slow down your interactions for the rest of the day.
Avoid mass‑following or copy‑pasting the same comment on many videos.
Don’t run scripts, automation tools, or third‑party “growth” apps; these are a big trigger for rate limits.

TikTok is very sensitive to patterns that look automated.

4. Clear App Cache and Data

Corrupt or outdated local data can cause repeated failed attempts in the background.

On the TikTok app:
- Go to Settings → “Free up space” or similar → clear cache.
On your device system settings:
- Find TikTok → Storage → clear cache (and if necessary, clear data, knowing it will log you out).

Then reopen TikTok and try again after some time.

5. Update or Reinstall TikTok

Bugs in older versions can also lead to weird error loops.

Check the App Store/Play Store for an update.
If that doesn’t help, uninstall TikTok, restart your phone, then reinstall and log in again after waiting a bit.

6. Check Your Connection and Device Settings

Some device and network settings can trip things up.

Switch between Wi‑Fi and mobile data to see if it’s a network issue.
Restart your router or phone.
On iOS, ensure Background App Refresh is allowed for TikTok; on some devices, also check data restrictions and permissions.

If your connection keeps dropping mid‑request, TikTok may see many partial attempts instead of one successful one.

7. Switch Account Type (Sometimes Helps With Action Limits)

Some tutorials suggest switching between personal and business account types as a soft reset for certain usage restrictions.

Go to your profile → menu → Settings and Privacy → Account → switch account type.
Then log out, close the app, reopen, and log back in after waiting a bit.

This doesn’t fix every case, but it can help with non‑login action limits.

8. Contact TikTok Support If It Won’t Go Away

If:

It’s been more than 48 hours, and
You’re sure you’re not repeatedly spamming attempts or using automation,

then it’s worth reporting the problem.

In the app: Settings and privacy → Report a problem → describe the “maximum number of attempts reached” message, mention how long it’s been happening and what you’ve already tried.
Attach screenshots if possible.

If your account is suspended or banned, support is also the only way to get clarity.

Different Viewpoints: What Users vs. Developers See

Because you asked for a more forum‑style, multi‑angle take, here are the main perspectives people discuss online.

“It’s just a login lockout.” Many everyday users see this only after messing up their password several times and assume it’s nothing but a security login limit.

“It’s TikTok’s anti‑spam firewall.” Power users and creators often hit it while aggressively liking, following, or posting, and think of it as TikTok’s way of throttling “growth hacking” behavior.

“It’s a rate‑limit for bots and scripts.” Developers who write TikTok scripts or automation regularly run into this error when they exceed hidden rate limits or fail anti‑bot checks.

Under the hood, all of these are variations of the same core idea: TikTok has internal limits, and you crossed one of them, so it’s temporarily saying “enough for now.”

Example Scenario (So It’s Easier to Picture)

Imagine you:

Log in, then
Follow 150 people in 20 minutes,
Leave the same “check my profile” comment under dozens of videos, and
Retry a few times when things don’t post instantly.

From your side, it feels like normal hustle. From TikTok’s side, it looks like a bot trying to farm attention. The system quietly flips on protection and throws “maximum number of attempts reached” when you try to keep going.

The fix: stop for several hours, use the app more slowly afterward, and avoid repeating that burst behavior.

SEO Bits (As You Requested)

Focus keyword: why does tiktok keep saying maximum number of attempts reached
Related angles: latest how‑to videos and blog guides walk through cooldowns, cache clearing, updates, and contacting support as of late 2024–2025.

Meta description idea:
If TikTok keeps saying “maximum number of attempts reached,” it usually means you’ve hit a security or spam limit. Learn the real reasons behind the error and how to fix it fast.

TL;DR

TikTok says “maximum number of attempts reached” when you’ve hit its internal limits for login or actions, often due to repeated wrong logins, spam‑like behavior, or network/app glitches.

The safest path is: wait several hours, slow down your actions, clear cache, update/reinstall the app, check your connection, and contact TikTok support if the issue persists beyond a day or two.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.