10 Common Twitter Problems And The Best Ways To Fix Them

Twitter is one of the best social media platforms that allow users to share their thoughts, stay up-to-date on current events, and connect with people around the world. However, despite its ambition to promote global communication and engagement, it’s no surprise that complications can arise. These issues can range from built-in features failing to work, to themobile app crashing entirely.

While it may seem frustrating when the platform decides to misbehave, there’s a good chance the problem you’re experiencing is a common one. You may find that resolving the issue is as simple as adjusting an internal setting, adhering to a limitation, or conducting maintenance on the device you’re currently using.

Downdetector checking Twitter status

So, whether you’re a seasoned Twitter user or a newcomer, being familiar with effective troubleshooting techniques can quickly restore your ability to interact with your followers. In the following article, we dive into the best fixes for common Twitter problems that may also equip you with the knowledge to tackle any future hiccups. Who knows, a solution to one might just be a solution to all!

The timeline isn’t updating

Your timeline should refresh every few minutes depending on how many people you follow. While you may not see tweets as often, your feed should still reflect activities such as retweets and replies. If it’s been a while, and you’ve tried refreshing the page, yet nothing changes, you might have a timeline issue.

Here’s how to fix a Twitter timeline that won’t refresh:

Not receiving notifications

Twitter notifications keep us updated with what’s going on around us. However, when they are no longer being received, we may miss important information related to our account. With that said, notifications that have gone missing are often due to a change in your app or device settings.

Here’s how to fix Twitter notifications that are no longer being received:

Twitter app receiving notifications

Cannot upload certain pictures, gifs, or videos

Twitter allows you to share pictures, gifs, and videos with your followers. There are, however, limitations, namely a maximum of four photos per tweet, and a video limit of 140 seconds. If you find that you cannot upload certain pictures, gifs, or videos while following these guidelines, a few restrictions may be the root of the problem.

Here’s how to fix pictures, gifs, or videos that won’t upload to Twitter:

Twitter app install page on smartphone

The Twitter app continuously crashes

One of the most frustrating issues an Android or iOS user can face is when their Twitter app continues to crash. This may occur when they launch the app, or while they’re browsing through their timeline. In light of this, it’s best to find a solution quickly or risk losing mobile Twitter access altogether.

Here’s how to fix the Twitter app if it continuously crashes:

Twitter timeline example

Confusing timeline

Nowadays the Twitter app displays content based on who you follow, your interests, and the general algorithm. Recent updates have also split the timeline into two parts, the For You tab and the Following tab. The For You tab includes tweets from accounts you follow, as well assuggested topicsyou might find interesting. Unfortunately, when switching between these tabs, your feed may not be in chronological order anymore, and the tweets you want to see, might get lost behind irrelevant content.

Here’s how to fix a confusing Twitter timeline:

Unable to log in

We’ve all experienced that moment of dread when we’re unable to log into Twitter and the portal states that our password or email is incorrect. Our first thoughts often lean toward acompromised accountand a possible invasion of privacy. But, before panicking, a few troubleshooting steps can get you back into your Twitter account.

Here’s how to fix a Twitter account that won’t let you log in:

Person trying to log in to Twitter

Cannot post a Tweet

Twitter lets you share your thoughts instantly with followers, but sometimes an error message can appear after posting a Tweet. The most common ones are “Tweet not sent,” and “Whoops, you already said that.” Typically, this is due to a platform restriction, but sometimes it can be app or browser-related.

Here’s how to fix a Twitter account that cannot post a Tweet:

Direct messages are not working correctly

Most will agree that Twitter is a social networking platform that allows users to connect with others in a more public space. But, like many virtual communities, a direct message feature exists to have private conversations with specific individuals or groups. Unfortunately, Twitter operates a bit differently from other platforms, and as such applies limitations and restrictions on its messaging system, which could prevent it from continuously working as you expect.

Here’s how to fix direct messages on Twitter:

Can’t follow or unfollow an account

The accounts you choose to follow on Twitter have the greatest impact on your timeline and overall experience. With that said, when you no longer wish to view a user’s posts, you can remove them from your following list. Sometimes, however, the process of following and unfollowing isn’t as seamless as it should be.

Here’s how to fix a Twitter account you can’t follow or unfollow:

Images and videos are suddenly low-quality

Have you noticed that the images and videos you view on your Twitter app have changed from a high to low resolution? Well, the original image and video quality aside, Twitter’sdata-saving featuremay be enabled, which reduces the amount of pixels and bitrate within a media file. Nonetheless, you can revert these changes via your account settings.

Here’s how to fix low-quality images and videos on Twitter: