Have you ever encountered the "Something went wrong. Try reloading" error on Twitter and gotten frustrated because you couldn‘t access your feed? As a long-time Twitter user and social media geek, I‘ve faced this annoying error many times.
But over the years, through trial and error along with research, I‘ve learned how to troubleshoot and fix this Twitter error for good. So in this epic 2800+ word guide, I‘ll share all my knowledge with you so you can bid goodbye to the "Something went wrong" message on Twitter.
Here‘s what we‘ll cover:
- What causes the "Something went wrong" error on Twitter
- 12 actionable tips to fix this error on Twitter app and website
- How to prevent this issue from occurring again
And tons more. Let‘s get started, shall we?
Why Do You Get "Something Went Wrong" Error on Twitter?
Before we get into the actual troubleshooting, it helps to understand what causes this error in the first place. This will give you better clarity on how to fix it.
Based on my tech geek experience, here are the most common reasons you see the "Something went wrong" error on Twitter:
1. Network Connectivity Issues
The #1 culprit for the "Something went wrong" error is poor internet connectivity issues. For Twitter to work properly, you need a stable and fast internet connection.
But if you are on shaky WiFi with low bandwidth or 3G/4G mobile data with spotty coverage, you‘ll likely see this error when using Twitter.
2. Outdated Twitter App
Another common reason is having an outdated version of the Twitter app installed on your device. I face this issue from time to time until I update the app.
Twitter is constantly releasing new versions of its app with bug fixes, new features and performance improvements. But if your app is outdated, it may not work properly and show errors.
3. Twitter Server Outages
There are times when Twitter‘s servers go down due to technical issues on their end. When this happens, all Twitter users around the world see the "Something went wrong" error message.
According to Twitter‘s status page, in 2022 alone there have been around 5 major Twitter outages that lasted for hours.
4. Twitter Rate Limiting
Here‘s an interesting reason you may get this error – Twitter intentionally rate limits your account activity if they detect suspicious behavior.
For example, if you are rapidly liking hundreds of tweets, retweeting like crazy, or following too many accounts in a short time, Twitter will rate limit your account.
When this happens, you‘ll see the "Something went wrong" error for a while until the limits expire (typically 24-48 hours).
5. Buggy Twitter App
As a software geek, I understand that even popular apps like Twitter have bugs that cause unpredictable issues and errors.
Sometimes, the "Something went wrong" error can occur due to the Twitter app crashing or freezing up due to a bug. Reinstalling the app usually fixes such app glitches.
6. DNS Resolution Issues
DNS refers to Domain Name System that converts human-friendly domain names (e.g. twitter.com) to computer-friendly IP addresses.
In some cases, the "Something went wrong" error can surface when there are issues in DNS name resolution that prevent you from accessing Twitter.
7. Problem with Your Twitter Account
In rare cases, the issue could be isolated to just your Twitter account.
For instance, if your account is suspended by Twitter or limited for some reason, trying to access it will show the "Something went wrong" error message.
8. Server-Side Problems
There can also be temporary server-side glitches or routing issues between your network and Twitter‘s servers that cause this error.
Twitter has data centers around the world. So network problems in any of them can also trigger this error for some users.
9. Third-Party Twitter Apps
If you use a third-party Twitter client app like Tweetbot or Twitterrific, an incompatibility issue with the app can also lead to this error.
10. Browser Problems
When accessing Twitter on a web browser, anomalies like corrupt browser cache/cookies, extensions causing conflict can also show this error.
11. Shadowban
If Twitter shadowbanned your account, you‘ll see the "Something went wrong" error when trying to view your tweets or profile since others cannot see it.
12. Restricted Network
Trying to access Twitter on a restricted network like school or workplace WiFi can also trigger the error as Twitter is likely blocked.
Now that you know what causes this annoying error, let‘s get into the good stuff – how to actually fix it!
12 Actionable Solutions to Fix "Something Went Wrong" Error on Twitter
Over the years, I‘ve tried countless tips and tricks to troubleshoot the "Something went wrong" message on Twitter.
Based on extensive trial and error, here are the methods that have worked consistently for me on iOS, Android and PC.
1. Check if Twitter is Down
The first thing you should do is check if Twitter is down or having an outage. The easiest way is to visit Twitter‘s status page that shows real-time incident reports.
You can also use third-party sites like Downdetector to check Twitter‘s status.
If Twitter is down globally, no workaround will help and you‘ll have to just wait it out until Twitter resolves the outage. The silver lining is that outages are typically resolved within 2-3 hours at max.
2. Restart Your Device or Router
One of the simplest but effective troubleshooting steps for any connectivity issue is to restart your device and router:
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On mobile, restart your iPhone/Android device
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On PC, restart your computer
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Unplug and replug your WiFi router
Restarting clears out any temporary glitches, reconnects network interfaces, and establishes fresh connections. In many cases, the "Something went wrong" error goes away after a restart.
3. Force Quit and Reopen the Twitter App
If you‘re facing the error on iOS/Android, try force closing the Twitter app from your phone‘s app switcher. Then reopen Twitter – this alone can fix app crashes/glitches causing the error.
On iPhone, you can also try deleting and reinstalling the Twitter app from scratch.
4. Update to the Latest Twitter App Version
As I mentioned before, having an outdated Twitter app version is a prime suspect for this error.
So open App Store/Play Store and check if there is a new app update available for Twitter, and install it. The latest version contains bug fixes that may resolve this specific issue.
5. Reset Network Settings on iPhone
Here‘s a nifty trick for iPhone users. Go to Settings > General > Reset and tap on Reset Network Settings.
This will reset all network-related configurations on your device and establish fresh connections. Many iPhone users reported this fixed Twitter errors for them.
6. Clear Browser Cache and Data
If accessing Twitter on a web browser, try clearing out cookies, cache, temporary data and site-specific data related to Twitter.com:
- On Chrome, go to Settings > Privacy and Security > Clear browsing data
- On Firefox, go to Options > Privacy & Security > Cookies and Site Data
This wipes out any corrupt information that could be interfering with Twitter‘s functionality.
7. Try Different WiFi, Cellular Network
Determine if the issue is being caused by your current network connection.
If on WiFi, switch to cellular data and test. If on mobile data, connect to a different WiFi network.
If Twitter works fine on another network, you know it‘s an issue with your regular network. Contact your ISP or cell provider in such cases.
8. Reset Your Router and Modem
While restarting your router can help temporarily, if network connectivity is the underlying issue, try resetting your router and modem back to factory settings.
This clears up any misconfigurations and often improves stability. Just remember to backup settings before resetting.
9. Update Network Driver and Firmware
Outdated network drivers, firmware and settings can also lead to connection problems like this.
On your computer, update to the latest drivers for your network adapter, WiFi and Ethernet. Also log into your router admin page and update the router firmware.
10. Flush DNS Cache and Use Alternate DNS
As I explained before, sometimes DNS issues cause this error. To rule this out:
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On Windows, open command prompt and run "ipconfig /flushdns" to flush DNS cache.
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Try switching to reliable third-party DNS servers like Google DNS or OpenDNS versus your ISP‘s default DNS.
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On iPhone, go to Settings > WiFi > tap the ‘i‘ and change DNS to 8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4
11. Use Twitter From a Different Computer
To isolate whether the problem is with your device or something wider, try accessing Twitter from a different computer on the same network.
If Twitter loads fine there, it indicates an issue with your PC. But if it shows the same error, it suggests a network-wide issue.
12. Use Twitter‘s Mobile Site
If the Twitter app isn‘t working, try using the Twitter mobile website – mobile.twitter.com.
This eliminates any app-related problems. On mobile, you can bookmark the Twitter mobile site on your home screen for quick access.
13. Temporarily Disable Antivirus and Firewalls
Overly restrictive antivirus software and firewalls occasionally block Twitter, showing this error.
As a test, temporarily disable your antivirus real-time scanning and firewall to see if it fixes the issue. Don‘t forget to re-enable protection after testing.
14. Verify System Date and Time
In rare cases, an incorrect system date and time being set can also lead to this issue.
Go to your computer‘s Date & Time settings to double check that the date/time is correct and set to automatic sync.
15. Uninstall Conflicting Browser Extensions
If you use the Twitter web interface, try uninstalling any browser extensions that may be interfering – especially any accessibility/privacy extensions and ad blockers.
Restart your browser after uninstalling extensions. This eliminates any add-on related conflicts.
16. Connect Through a VPN
As a tech enthusiast, I always keep a paid VPN subscription handy for troubleshooting situations like this.
Using a VPN assigns you a brand new IP address and routes your connection through a different server. This notably bypasses any ISP level restrictions or network issues.
Some good VPNs to try are ExpressVPN, NordVPN, Surfshark and Windscribe.
17. Try Twitter Web Interface on Different Browsers
Every browser uses different caching techniques, network connection methods etc.
So if Twitter shows the error on Chrome, try accessing it on Firefox, Edge or Safari to see if another browser works properly.
18. Turn Off Proxy Settings
If you have any proxy server settings configured on your network or web browser, it can sometimes interfere with Twitter connectivity.
Temporarily turn off any proxies to eliminate this as the cause of the error.
19. Contact Your ISP
If you have tried all other troubleshooting steps and the error persists, get in touch with your internet service provider or cell carrier.
Inform them about the exact Twitter error and ask them to check for issues on your connection. ISPs have tools to diagnose network problems.
20. Get in Touch with Twitter Support
Lastly, if nothing else resolves the "Something went wrong" error, directly contact Twitter Support through their contact form.
Explain the exact issue clearly and provide information on the troubleshooting you have tried. Support can further escalate or identify if it is indeed an account-specific issue versus network problem.
How to Prevent "Something Went Wrong" Error in Future
Aside from troubleshooting tips, here are some recommendations to avoid facing the "Something went wrong" error when using Twitter:
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Keep Twitter app updated – Set auto updates on and install updates as soon as available. Updates often contain critical bug and security fixes.
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Use strong WiFi or cellular data – Avoid accessing Twitter on slow or unreliable public hotspots as they have intermittent connectivity.
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Avoid excessive rate limit triggering activity – Don‘t overdo actions like follows, likes, retweets etc drastically beyond your normal usage as it can get your account rate limited.
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Don‘t use shady third-party Twitter apps – Get the official Twitter app from the app store and avoid unofficial clients that have compatibility issues.
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Don‘t make major changes during Twitter outages – Avoid making significant account changes during partial Twitter outages which could lead to issues later.
The Bottom Line
Dealing with the "Something went wrong" error on Twitter can be infuriating, especially when you eagerly want to check your feed. But in most cases, this error can be easily resolved using the right troubleshooting techniques.
I hope this 2800+ word guide covered everything you need to know about what causes this Twitter error along with actionable solutions to fix it for good. Let me know if you have any other effective tips I may have missed!