Trying to sign up or access Tinder without luck can be frustrating. However, Tinder, one of the most popular dating apps, gets many users monthly searching for their soulmates. It’s, therefore, a given that Tinder might not let you create your account on your first try due to various issues, from user requests to app malfunctions.
These issues can be from the server, your phone, or the service in general. Therefore, this guide will outline why you might find it hard to sign up on the platform and provide detailed steps to fix each issue.
Why Can’t I Create Tinder Account
You probably joined Tinder, loved the interface, and swiped onto a smoking hot girl/guy. But oops! Unfortunately, you can’t sign up for a new account.
If that’s the case, you are in the same situation as many tinder users or soon-to-be users. However, in most cases, you are simply experiencing a downtime in the server due to thousands of other people trying to sign up with their Facebook accounts simultaneously. So you might better try again after some hours or the next day.
But if you still can’t create an account or your error message is different from the one above. Then you could be experiencing one or more of the issues listed below:
1. Your Number Has Been Banned
2. Poor Internet Connection
3. Tinder Server Down
4. Caching Issues
Luckily, there are simple methods to fix these common issues that can prevent you from signing up on the dating app. So, let’s dive right in!
1. Your Number Has Been Banned
Like most social platforms, Tinder has some strict Terms of Use and Community Guidelines. Breaking any of them will result in your account or phone number getting banned from the dating network.
When you get banned from Tinder, you won’t be able to use that same number to create an account again, even if you use a new Facebook account.
Likewise, if numerous users report your account, you will get a ban from Tinder, and you won’t be able to create an account. To create an account if Tinder won’t let you because of a banned phone number, you can fix it with any of the options below:
Fix – Use A Different Phone
You can try a different sim to access the platform if your number gets banned. But unfortunately, if the ban is on the unique device ID, you can’t change it; your other viable option is to buy a new phone.
However, another reason could be that your phone is inaccessible for receiving verification messages or that VPN sends off signals from a different area. You can quickly fix this by inserting your sim on another phone and retrying the process or using the web version from anywhere.
Fix 2 – Try A Different SIM
Tinder identifies you by your mobile number and email, which means you need to use a new sim when signing up if your number gets banned.
In this case, you can keep using your mobile phone, but you must get a new sim or phone number for registration. You might also need to keep your activities independent of the banned account to avoid being banned again.
Online-based sims also work fine for setting up your Tinder account. Look for a suitable online-based sim service, register, and get a new phone number that you can use for your account set-up.
Fix 3 – Try A Different Email
Your email address is vital for creating an account and receiving any information from Tinder. It is therefore important to always confirm the validity of the email address you use.
If you use a banned email, you will not be able to create an account on Tinder until you change it to a different one. So make sure the email address you’re using is not banned on a previous account or used by another Tinder offender; if it is, change it to a different one.
2. Poor Internet Connection
Another common occurrence is a poor internet connection, which means your device has difficulty connecting to the Tinder server.
You can fix this by reconnecting your device to the internet, depending on your device or network connection. The easy fix is to switch off your internet connection, then, after 60 seconds, turn it back on to re-establish a new connection that can fix the error.
Fix 1 – Turn Your WI-FI off, Then on to Connect Tinder to the Internet
Sometimes, your wi-fi doesn’t have any problem connecting to the internet. The error could be due to the long connection period or issues with the wi-fi signals. So you can turn it off, whether on your phone or desktop device, allow it to disconnect, then turn it back on.
When you turn it back on, it creates a new connection to the internet and possibly maneuvers the underlying issue causing the error. If you use a router, you can try checking if the router is working correctly. Turn it off and back on to confirm if the issue is not from it.
Fix 2 – Switch from WI-FI to Data
Your wi-fi could have a poor signal or have difficulty providing a secure connection. So, you can switch it off completely and turn on your data connection instead. But make sure your device data is sufficient for a solid connection to avoid another saga of error with Tinder.
Fix 3 – Disable VPN Connection
Tinder tries as much as possible to weed out spammers and swindlers on the social platform, so VPNs can be a silly thing to use on it.
Changing your location or internet connection with VPNs can wave a red flag to the Tinder server if detected, which will deny you access to the app. Disable any VPN connection you might be using before signing up and retry for a possible fix.
Fix 4 – Reset Network Settings
You can also reset the network settings for the wi-fi and data connections. For example, Tinder requires a secure connection for fast and smooth usage.
So, if the error is due to continuous insecure connection or changes made to the settings, resetting the whole network will return it to its default and fix the poor internet connection issue. To reset your Network settings, follow the steps below:
1. Find and tap on your device Settings
2. Navigate to System Settings
3. Under the Reset options, select Reset Network Settings
3. Tinder Is Down
As explained earlier, Tinder requires every user to sign up using their Facebook account. And the social app has now become extremely popular in recent months, which has increased the number of daily signups.
There’s an estimate that over 50 million users roam the dating app every month, with all users searching, connecting, and chatting on the social network.
Therefore, the connections between Facebook and Tinder profiles during signups and logins are enormous, which can temporarily bring down the server.
However, it can also be due to the number of user requests on the server, so keep an eye out for server downtime. Note that server downtime is expected for a giant network like Tinder.
Fix – Wait For Tinder To Go Back Up
When the server is down, your best bet is to wait for it to go back up. This usually takes a few minutes or a couple of hours. However, you might have to wait for long hours or try the next day again if the issue persists, as it all rests on Tinder’s staff to find a permanent fix and return everything to normal.
Though most recommendations will advise you to wait until the next day before you try again, you can keep track of the server’s functionality to know when it is back online or how long it has been down. To confirm whether the server is active or not, visit “Downdetector” to view the real-time status of Tinder’s servers.
4. There’s A Bug
Bugs and app crashes are a pain in the ass, but no app can escape them. Unfortunately, Tinder can also have its fair share of bugs and app crashes.
Hence, when you notice the app is malfunctioning during your signup, and you’re sure it’s not your internet, don’t panic! Here are troubleshooting steps you can try to fix this:
Fix – Restart Tinder
Your Tinder app might be having a tiny bit of an issue running correctly, so restarting it can allow it to pick off a fresh start and properly function after the new launch. Also, sometimes bugs are temporarily activated when you take some actions on the software, so restarting it can restore the regular app’s function.
To do this, you can close the app, make sure it is no longer running, then reopen it, which works in most cases of app crashes.
But for a more practical approach, open the app settings and Force Stop the app. This option forces all the app’s running features to close; when you reopen it, it starts reloading all the features.
However, note that all the details you input or any ongoing activity you had before forcing it to stop will be lost when you reopen the app.
Fix 2 – Restart Your Device
Your device can be having difficulty running the app due to many ongoing tasks or other device issues. So, if you don’t have any success at signing up or doing anything on the app after restarting it, you can proceed to restart your device itself.
The logic is that the app’s cache could temporarily log the bug on the device, and shutting down removes it, allowing the app to load its features normally when you switch your device back on.
Press the power button and ensure the device is off before turning it back on. Hitting on “Restart” also works if your device completely shuts down before turning back on. It is also wise to keep your phone software up to date by updating the latest software recommended by the manufacturer.
Fix 3 – Log Out, Then Back In
Another option is to log out of your Tinder account and log back in after a while. You might wonder why logging out is possible when you haven’t even created an account yet, but you can have an account but cannot fill in our details.
So this works if you have managed to create an account but can’t seem to fill in your information or are stuck on the Facebook linking step. It might be that the bug is activated when you spend time on your account.
You can tap the log-out button and make new attempts to log in to fill in your details. Rest assured, logging out of your account doesn’t automatically delete your profile. Once you input your login details, you’ll be able to regain access to your account.
Fix 4 – Update Tinder to Get Rid Of Bugs
Always check for the latest versions of apps you use because the old version can be full of bugs and errors, which the new one always fixes. For example, if your Tinder app version is not up to date, it can result in error messages, app crashes, or cyber-attacks.
So, visit Google Play Store or App Store to update it to the latest version. Also, make sure you download from the official Tinder account to avoid downloading a fake or third-party app that won’t function regardless of how much you try.
On iPhone, you can update the app in the App Store. On Android phones, you can access this at the Menu, then tap the Apps section. It will appear on the list of apps that need updates. Ensure you have enough space for the update because the storage requirement might be higher than the previous version.
Fix 5 – Wait For Them To Come Out With A Fix
If the issue persists, it could be from Tinder’s. In this case, you can check online if other users complain about the same problem.
And if that’s the case, you’d have to wait it out and allow Tinder to fix the issues themselves. Of course, if there is a delay in fixing the bugs, you will get notifications from Tinder so as not to keep you waiting, but it never takes that long to fix.
Usually, fixing any error or bug is added as an upgrade. So you’d have to install a newer version once they are through fixing the error before you can continue with your signup. You can expect a notification on the app once the fix is successful and the new version is updated.
Fix 6 – Ditch The App
For app users, if Tinder doesn’t function properly on your android or iOS app, you can ditch it. If you’re using the web version, you won’t have to face issues like caching, storage, and app crashes.
So, instead, try signing up on the website (Tinder.com) because this does the job if the error is from the app. The platform’s web version is also easy to use and features similar to the app version. Although, you won’t enjoy the sleek user interface that most users prefer on the app.
Fix 7 – Contact Tinder Support
If all efforts fail and you can’t find any solution, contact Tinder Support. Of course, Tinder wants to know what you’re going through and is always ready to help.
So get in touch with the customer support and describe the issue in as much detail as possible, so they can hop on the case, fix it or advise you on the next cause of action.
Possibly due to users from different time zones, Tinder doesn’t have a phone number you can reach out to for help. But you can do that via their email, the app, or other social media platforms. You can also leave a review on the app store detailing your experience to get a response from the support team.
5. Caching Issues
Caches are an essential component of every software that determines the speed and functionality. If the cache is full or your device is low on storage, it will jeopardize app speed and features.
You might experience app crashes and bugs, or the app might not open until you clear the cache or uninstall the app. Hence, always check your Tinder app cache to ensure there is enough space to run freely on your device.
Fix – Clear Your Cache to Get Rid of Tinder Bugs
It’s not enough to install new updates sometimes, but you might also need to remove any file source saved on your device. This removal is necessary because bugs often stay in the app’s cache, hindering its functionality until you remove them.
To clear your Tinder off bugs in the cache, ensure you have a backup in case you mistakenly clear the storage too. Try to keep away from the primary storage, though, to avoid losing any important file or information that might be important to it.
You can clear your cache monthly or bimonthly if your device frequently runs out of storage. Here are steps to clear your cache:
1. Go to your Phone Settings
2. Click on Application settings
3. Choose Tinder on the list
3. Delete the cache and data
Fix 2 – Uninstall and Reinstall the App
Clearing the cache will suffice most times. But if it doesn’t, you can uninstall the app altogether. The action removes all the app’s associated files on your device, allowing the subsequent installation to be fresh to the device.
This uninstallation means when you reinstall the app, it will be newly launched as if it’s never been an installation on the device before. It will fix any issue previously encountered during your signup if it results from the app’s cache and device storage. Follow the steps below to uninstall the Tinder app on your app:
1. Open your device’s Settings
2. Click on Apps
3. Find the Tinder app and select it
4. Tap Uninstall
If the reinstallation doesn’t do the trick, you can check your phone for compatibility issues. First, go to Google and search for your phone’s model compatibility to see which version of the app will work with it. Note that using an outdated version could pose a risk to your Tinder account and phone security.
Fix 3 – Reset Your Tinder Password
As an ultimate alternative, you can reset your Tinder password as well. Sometimes you might not be able to log in or sign up on the platform due to issues relating to your password. Even if you remember your password, you should try resetting it to update the app’s record and clarify any access and verification issues.
To reset your Tinder password, follow the steps below:
1. On the Login screen, click the option that asks “Trouble Logging In?”
2. Once the new page loads, click “Login With Email.”
3. Please enter the recovery email address in the appropriate box (make sure it’s the email linked to your account)
4. Tinder will send you an email with a magic link
5. Click on the link and verify your new password.