How to fix TikTok region change not working with VPN

Changing your region on TikTok allows you to access worldwide content without licensing restrictions, bypass governmental bans, and much more. But switching regions isn’t easy and TikTok has a range of features designed to detect as well as prevent you from swapping your location.

The best way to avoid these frustrating blocks is to use a VPN. However, you need to make sure you subscribe to a top-tier VPN to avoid detection and the 90-day error along with other TikTok restrictions.

In this article, I break down why it’s so difficult to change your TikTok region, how to fix errors, and answer any other questions you might have regarding region-changing TikTok issues.

To get started, you’re going to need a top-tier VPN service. Here’s a quick summary of my research into VPNs that work on TikTok:

Why can’t I change my region on TikTok?

You can’t change your region on TikTok easily because the social media platform doesn’t want you to. There are plenty of reasons for this. Let’s go through the main of them:

• Censorship. Most countries have laws which regulate online content. Some governments require TikTok to block certain content it sees as inappropriate to its citizens.
• Content licensing agreements. Content is very often protected by copyright, trademarks, and intellectual property laws. To share content lawfully you might need a licensing agreement which often comes with location restrictions.
• Governmental bans. Some governments have privacy concerns with the Chinese-based social media company and have blocked the platform completely.
• Security. Knowing your real location can help identify who you are and reduce risks such as account hacking and fraud.

Thankfully, there are ways to avoid these restrictions and switch regions on TikToks. One of the most reliable ways is to use a trusted VPN provider.

Best VPNs that still work with TikTok in 2024

I tested 40+ providers to find the best VPNs for TikTok. In reviewing them, I focused specifically on features essential for TikTok region change: server fleet, security and privacy toolkits, and adherence to no-log policies. I also reviewed their speeds and streaming prowess. Here are my top 3 TikTok VPNs for 2024.

1. NordVPN. With 6900+ servers spread across 113 countries, I easily found connections that could unblock TikTok. In my speed tests, NordVPN consistently ranks as the fastest VPN service owing to its proprietary NordLynx protocol. Finally, NordVPN’s zero-logs guarantee and robust security features (256-bit encryption and dedicated IP addresses) will keep your true location hidden at all times. And when you’re done scrolling your feed, NordVPN can unblock any international streaming catalog.
2. Surfshark. With Surfshark’s NoBorders mode and the powerful Camouflage stealth feature, there’s little chance TikTok will detect that you’re using a VPN to change your region. This provider boasts a respectable 3200+ servers in 100 countries worldwide, enough to comfortably pick a TikTok region. My speed tests fared best on nearby servers, but it’s more than fast enough to scroll videos on TikTok or stream entire shows online. It is also one of the cheapest premium VPN providers out there, at just $2.19/month with our Surfshark VPN coupon.
3. IPVanish still works with TikTok and delivered fairly strong connection speeds when I tested it during my speed test circuit. In total, it offers 2200 servers in 51 locations, but the UK (London) server in particular was one of the fastest, making it easy for me to unblock US TikTok. With a kill switch and military-grade encryption, the odds of VPN detection are low. Also, I was left very impressed with its social media streaming performance: unblocked for me Netflix US, Disney Plus, Amazon Prime Video, and Hulu.

How to fix the TikTok region change not working without waiting 90 days?

Changing your region on TikTok is tricky. Even if you manage to do it, it’s not uncommon to get the 90-day error. This annoying message means you have to wait 90 days before your account region is changed.

There isn’t a guaranteed way to avoid the 90-day wait time because TikTok is constantly updating its app and actively making sure it’s not easily bypassed. But there are a number of things I’ve had success with. Try following these steps!

1. Connect to a high-quality VPN

If you’ve received an error message after trying to switch TikTok regions with a VPN, it’s likely that your VPN is weak in the encryption department and is leaking your true location.

Make sure you’re using a trusted premium VPN provider with advanced privacy protection to avoid detection. I recommend NordVPN. It has a large pool of TikTok-trusted servers and a robust privacy toolkit to help you evade TikTok’s detection.

Reputable TikTok VPNs come with a number of tricks up their sleeves to mask your location without TikTok suspecting any foul play. I personally advise:

• Dedicated IPs. So you won’t have to share your IP with anyone else. This makes it very unlikely you’re going to get blacklisted.
• Obfuscated servers. These servers use residential IPs. TikTok won’t know your IP belongs to a data center.
• Kill switches. Sometimes VPNs disconnect, and your real IP is revealed to TikTok. But with a kill switch, as soon as your VPN fails, your internet is disabled, preventing these leaks.
• Split tunneling. If you find yourself constantly forgetting to switch to the correct server location before going on to TikTok, you should enable split tunneling. With split tunneling, you can set up your TikTok app to always connect to a region-specific server.

2. Change language preferences

Looking at your device’s language preferences is another way TikTok can figure out your location. To avoid this issue it’s best to switch to the language of your desired region.

3. Disable location services

Your TikTok region change might not work if the region you requested to switch to doesn’t match your current GPS location. You can easily fix this by disabling your location services.

4. Change SIM card

TikTok doesn’t just use your IP to figure out your location. It uses your SIM card too! So, if you swap your SIM to an international one (belonging to the same region you’re trying to switch,) you have a much higher chance of success.

1. Subscribe to an international SIM. I recommend Saily.
2. Download the eSIM app or, for traditional SIMs, replace the physical card typically found on the side of your device
3. Wipe your cache and TikTok app data or reinstall the app (if you’re on iOS)

Can TikTok detect my VPN?

Yes, sometimes, TikTok can detect your VPN. This is usually because of:

• Frequent IP changes. TikTok monitors your IP for security and marketing purposes. If you’re switching your IP regularly, this is seen as suspicious activity, and the platform suspects you’re using a VPN or proxy.
• Over-used IP addresses. Poorer-quality VPNs have limited IP address pools. This makes it far more likely the IP you’re using is overused and at risk of TikTok blacklisting.
• DNS leaks. When your VPN fails it doesn’t reroute your DNS requests. This abrupt change in DNS is another sign to the platform that you’re using a VPN.
• Geo-location. TikTok uses your SIM card and device’s GPS data to figure out your location. If your SIM card, GPS, and IP location don’t match – it’s pretty easy to assume you’re using a VPN to switch locations.

Premium VPNs are much harder for TikTok to detect since they have:

• Large IP Pools. With more IPs, it’s less likely TikTok already has a history or already blacklisted your chosen server
• Dedicated IP addresses. You can keep the same IP for the duration of your subscription to avoid suspicious IP switches. Plus, it’s not used by anyone else so TikTok will trust it more.
• Advanced privacy features. Premium VPNs have advanced privacy tools like Kill Switches to prevent leaks and military-grade encryption which is harder to detect.

Change regions on TikTok easily with NordVPN >

VPNs that don’t work with TikTok

Some VPNs with poorer security measures and lower service standards don’t work with TikTok. During my testing, I found that the following providers are worthless when it comes to changing the TikTok region:

• Hola VPN. Hola uses outdated protocols which are more likely to result in a DNS leak. The free version doesn’t even hide your IP. Plus, it logs a lot of your data, putting your privacy at risk. So, it’s best to avoid it altogether!
• Hotspot Shield. Although HotSpot Shield claims it works on TikTok, it doesn’t always – especially not with a free subscription. The free version of Hotspot Shield has limited IPs which are often overused on popular social media platforms including TikTok.
• Hoxxvpn. Known for its DNS WebRTC leaks, it’s unlikely TikTok won’t detect it. Even if it works at first, once a leak occurs it’s going to stop working!
• Opera VPN. Without advanced privacy features such as kill Switch any Opera VPN failure, allows TikTok to easily detect your VPN usage.

Get NordVPN and unlock TikTok now >

Conclusion

For legal reasons, licensing agreements, and overall security it’s in the best interest of TikTok to prevent you from switching regions. This makes it difficult but not impossible! Your best bet is to use a VPN. However, TikTok tracks your IP history, blacklists suspicious addresses, looks for DNS leaks, and uses other GPS data to detect your VPN usage. This is why you must subscribe to a trusted and reliable VPN provider.

I recommend NordVPN. It’s got a large pool of trusted IP addresses that still work on TikTok in 2024. Plus, it has a range of features to help protect you from future detection such as a kill switch, obfuscation, split tunneling, and even Dedicated IPs.

If you’re using a top-tier VPN and still have issues, don’t worry! You can fix TikTok region change errors by changing your language preferences, disabling location services, and switching to a SIM card for your desired region.

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You may also like to read:

How to change region on Steam with VPN
How to change TikTok region in 2024
How to change location on your iPhone in 2024
How to change location on your Android in 2024
How to change location on Tinder in 2024

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FAQ

Why can't I change my account region on TikTok?

You can’t change your account region on TikTok because the platform restricts you from doing it. It uses your IP, SIM card, and GPS data to determine your real location and blocks you from switching it. However, you can spoof your true location using a reliable TikTok VPN, like NordVPN, and change your TikTok region to the desired one.

What's the "90-day error" on TikTok region change?

The “90-day error” on a TikTok region change is a GEO-based restriction. Your TikTok account is linked to the region where you created it. When you try to switch, you might get the message “Cannot update region” because you have not been in the region for a minimum of 90 days. One working way around this barrier is using a secure VPN and connecting to the desired TikTok region with it.

Can a VPN fix TikTok region change problems?

Yes, a VPN can fix TikTok region change problems. Monitoring your IP address is one of the ways TikTok figures out your location. With a trusted VPN, like NordVPN, you can replace your IP with an IP from the region you’re trying to switch to, which makes blocks far less likely.

Is it against TikTok's terms of service to use a VPN for changing my region?

No, it’s not against TikTok’s terms of service to use a VPN for changing your region. TikTok Terms of Service doesn’t even mention VPNs or switching locations. So you can have peace of mind when using a TikTok VPN to change your region. However, if you use a VPN to watch restricted content or evade a government ban, an account suspension is possible.

What if my TikTok account is restricted due to region change?

You can try to avoid TikTok’s restrictions if your account is blocked due to a region change. Try using a premium VPN – I recommend NordVPN. You can also try changing your language preference and SIM card as well as disabling your location for TikTok.