Ways to Fix TikTok Video Quality Bad After Upload

TikTok has taken the world by storm, reaching one billion users in the third quarter of 2021 and projected to hit 1.8 billion by the end of 2023. The platform's most popular videos often feature high-quality clips and unique content. However, many TikTok users are frustrated when their carefully edited videos lose quality after uploading. Poor video quality can be disheartening, especially after investing significant time and effort into creating engaging content.

Fortunately, with a few tips and tricks, you can ensure your TikTok videos maintain their high quality when uploaded. Read on to discover the common causes of poor video quality on TikTok and how to fix them.

Why Does TikTok Lower Video Quality After Uploading?

When you upload a video to TikTok, you might notice that the quality isn't as good as the original. This happens for several reasons, including internet speed, TikTok's server limitations, and your device settings. Here are some common issues that can affect your video quality:

Video Specifications Mismatch: If your video doesn't match TikTok's preferred specs, the quality can drop during processing.
Device Screen Resolution: Very high or low screen resolutions on your device can cause quality issues when you upload your video.
Server Limitations: TikTok's servers might struggle with high-resolution or large videos, leading to lower quality.
Data Saver Mode: If Data Saver mode is on, TikTok compresses videos to save bandwidth, which reduces quality.
Slow Internet Speed: Poor data or Wi-Fi speeds can cause TikTok to compress your videos more during upload, reducing quality.
Phone Upload Issues: Problems during the upload process from your phone can affect video quality.
HD Setting Off: If the HD setting is turned off in the app or on your device, your videos will upload at a lower resolution.
Codec Compatibility: Using a video codec that's not fully compatible with TikTok can cause quality loss.
Frame Rate and Bitrate Settings: Incorrect settings for frame rate and bitrate during recording can lead to poorer video quality upon upload.
Overcompression: Videos that are overly compressed before uploading will show noticeable quality reductions.

How to Fix Bad Quality TikTok Uploads

To ensure your videos look great on TikTok, pay attention to how you record, edit, and upload them. First, it's important to know the best video specifications for TikTok:

File Size: Up to 250MB for iOS devices, 75MB for Android.
Codec: H.264.
Resolution: 1080 x 1920 pixels.
Format: MP4 or MOV.
Orientation: Vertical screen video.

Record Videos with Higher Resolution

Not all smartphones can record high-quality videos, but using one that can is key to making your TikTok videos look great. High-quality videos are more engaging and appealing. For the best results, try using an Apple iPhone or high-end Android phone like the Samsung Galaxy or Huawei P series. Regardless of your device, aim to record in 1080p or even 4K.

You might think that TikTok doesn't support videos over 1080p, and that's correct. TikTok's maximum upload resolution is 1080p. However, recording in 4K and then resizing to 1080p before uploading can still give you a better-quality video than recording directly in 1080p. The extra detail captured in 4K can make your resized 1080p video look sharper and more vibrant.

Also, always use the back camera of your smartphone instead of the front selfie camera. The back camera generally has a higher resolution and better video quality, making your TikTok videos look more professional and polished.

Don’t Edit with the TikTok App

While TikTok offers in-app editing tools, they can sometimes degrade video quality. To avoid this, use a third-party video editor before uploading your content. Winxvideo AI is a great choice as it allows you to convert video formats to MP4 or MOV, adjust the aspect ratio to 9:16, change the resolution from 4K to 1080p, tweak the frame rate or bit rate, and trim videos to TikTok’s supported lengths of 1 or 3 minutes. Here’s how to edit TikTok videos without losing quality:

Step 1: Download and Install Winxvideo AI

Download and install the software on your computer.
Transfer your videos to the computer.
Open the software and click the "+ Video" button to load your source videos.

Step 2: Choose the Right Format

In the pop-up window, select MP4 or MOV format for TikTok uploading.

Step 3: Adjust Video Parameters

Click the gear button next to the selected profile to open the video parameter window.
Adjust the settings as follows: Video codec: H.264 Frame rate: 30 FPS for normal quality or 50-55 FPS for higher quality Resolution: 1080 x 1920 pixels Aspect ratio: 9:16 Bit rate: Variable bitrate or 18-20 Constant bitrate Audio bitrate: 128 - 192 kbps Sample rate: 44100 Hz

Step 4: Edit Your Video

Click the scissor-shaped "Edit" button to open the video editing window.
Trim the video to TikTok’s supported length, crop the frame size, add subtitles, adjust audio, and more.

Step 5: Start Editing

Once all settings are configured, click the "RUN" button to start processing your video in high quality.
The software uses GPU hardware acceleration, making the editing process up to 5 times faster.
By following these steps, you can edit your TikTok videos without compromising on quality, ensuring your content looks its best when shared.

Turn Off Data Saver Mode in TikTok

TikTok’s Data Saver mode is great for those on limited data plans, but it can reduce the quality of your uploads. To ensure your videos look their best, turn off Data Saver mode. Here’s how you can disable it:

Launch TikTok and log into your account.
Tap the "Me" tab at the bottom right corner.
Click the three dots in the top right corner to open your account settings.
Scroll down to find the "Cache and Cellular Data" section.
Toggle off the Data Saver option.

Once you’ve turned off Data Saver mode, you can upload high-quality videos using a high-speed internet connection. This will help ensure your videos maintain their original quality when shared on TikTok.

Upload in HD When Posting to TikTok

If you haven't adjusted your TikTok settings to upload videos in HD, you might end up with poor-quality videos. Enabling the "Upload HD" option ensures your videos are uploaded in high quality. Here's how to do it:

Tap the plus "+" button to start the video upload process.
Record a new video or choose an existing one from your mobile device. Add text, animations, filters, and other effects if needed.
Tap "Next" to go to the Post settings screen.
Add captions and hashtags. Configure any necessary privacy settings.
Tap the "More Options" button at the bottom. Toggle the "Allow high-quality uploads" option to turn it on.
Tap the "Post" button to upload your video in high quality.
By enabling the "Allow high-quality uploads" option, you ensure that your videos maintain their original quality when shared on TikTok.

Upload Your Video Using TikTok Web Browser App

Uploading videos through the TikTok web browser app can help preserve the quality of your videos better than using a mobile phone. Here’s how to do it:

Step 1: Open TikTok in Your Web Browser

Open your preferred web browser and go to the official TikTok website.
Log in to your TikTok account. If you don’t have an account, sign up for one.

Step 2: Find the Upload Button

Look for the upload option. This is usually on your profile page or in a section specifically for uploading content.

Step 3: Select Your Video

Click on the upload button and choose the video file you want to upload from your computer.

Step 4: Add Details

Add a caption, hashtags, and other relevant details about your video.
Choose the privacy settings for your video, such as public, private, or visible to friends only.

Step 5: Upload Your Video

Once you’ve filled in all the necessary information, click the "Upload" or "Post" button.

Make Sure You Have a Good Network Connection

Having a stable network connection is crucial for uploading high-quality videos to TikTok. Using Wi-Fi instead of mobile data is a better choice because it offers more reliable and consistent bandwidth. This helps maintain your video's resolution during the upload process, ensuring that the quality doesn't drop. A strong network connection also speeds up the uploading process, which reduces the chances of errors or interruptions. This not only makes the upload process faster but also ensures that your audience enjoys smooth and high-quality playback.

To ensure a good connection, always use Wi-Fi if possible and check that your signal strength is strong. Avoid doing other activities that consume a lot of bandwidth, like streaming or downloading large files, while uploading your video. If your connection seems slow, try restarting your router to improve performance. Also, make sure your computer’s network drivers are up to date.

Preparing Your Video for Upload

Before you upload your video to TikTok, ensure it meets the platform’s format and size requirements. Your video should be in MP4, MOV, or WEBM format, have a resolution of at least 720p, and be no larger than 287.6 MB. Also, ensure your video is in a 9:16 vertical orientation for the best viewing experience on TikTok.

Editing Your Video on Your PC

With your footage ready, it’s time to edit your video using your preferred video editing software. You can add visual and audio effects, trim clips, and adjust the colour grading to make your video stand out. Experiment with different editing styles until you find one that suits you. Don’t forget to add text, captions, and relevant hashtags to help your video get discovered by a wider audience.

Uploading Your Video to TikTok from Your PC

To upload your video using the official TikTok desktop app, open the app, log in to your account, and click the “Upload video” button. If you’re using TikTok.com, click the upload button in your web browser, select the video file from your computer, and add any additional details like captions and hashtags.

If you use third-party software to edit your video, export it in the correct format and size. Then, upload it to TikTok via your preferred device or website. This ensures that your video meets TikTok’s specifications and maintains its quality when shared on the platform.

FAQs

Is it better to upload to TikTok from a computer?

With video editing software like Adobe Premiere Pro, you can create high-quality, more complex short videos than with the TikTok mobile app alone.

Can you upload TikTok videos on your computer?

To upload a TikTok from your desktop, click the Upload video button on the top right side of your screen. It's shaped like a cloud with an “up” arrow inside of it.