TikTok is built on sound. Viral music clips, trending audio, voiceovers and sound effects – after a while it can drain you. Looking to block sounds on TikTok? Read on for all the ‘need to knows’…
Quick answer – There are several practical ways to block sounds on TikTok, depending on what you mean by ‘block’. There is no “mute forever” button, but there are several effective workarounds.
In this guide, we will talk about these workarounds.
How can you dramatically reduce or eliminate unwanted audio from your feed? We will walk through exactly how to block sounds on TikTok, what’s possible, what’s not, and how to take control of your audio experience on the app.
Skip to:
- Use ‘not interested’ on videos
- Mute sounds while scrolling
- Avoid interacting with video
- Block or mute accounts
- Customize content preferences
- Use device level controls
- FAQs
Use ‘not interested’ on videos
Annoyed by a sound from a particular type of video that keeps popping up? This might be the most important and effective method of losing it.
Try this:
1. Identity a video with the sound you want to block
2. Long-press anywhere on the video
3. Tap ‘Not interested’
4. (Optional but recommended) Tap ‘More’ or ‘Tell us more’
5. Select options like:
- ‘Sound’
- ‘Repetitive’
- ‘Not relevant’
Why this works
👉 When you mark a video as ‘not interested’ TikTok doesn’t just hide that single video.
👉 It uses that feedback to adjust your For You Page (FYP).
👉 Choosing ‘Sound’ tells the algorithm that the audio itself is the problem, not the creator or topic.
👉 After doing this a few times for the same sound, TikTok will significantly reduce how often it appears.
Mute sounds while scrolling
If you don’t want to hear any sounds at all, muting is a simple and immediate solution.
Quick mute options:
- Tap the volume icon on the right side of the screen
- Press your phone’s volume-down button while in the app
- Turn on Silent Mode or Do Not Disturb
This doesn’t block a sound algorithmically, but it’s useful when:
👉 You’re in public
👉 You want to scroll without audio
👉 A sound is unexpectedly loud or unpleasant
TikTok will remember your volume preference during that session, though it may reset when you reopen the app.
Avoid interacting with video
TikTok’s algorithm watches what you do. This includes activity such as:
- Watching a video all the way through
- Rewatching
- Liking
- Commenting
- Sharing
- Clicking the sound name
If you interact with a video using a sound you dislike, TikTok may assume you enjoy it and show you more. So do this…
Best practice:
- Swipe away quickly from videos with unwanted sounds
- Do not like, comment on, or share them
- Avoid clicking into the sound’s page
Fast swiping is a strong negative signal and helps train your feed faster than passive watching.
Block or mute accounts
If the same creators keep appearing with the same annoying audio, you can remove them from your feed entirely.
How to block an account:
- Visit the creator’s profile
- Tap the three dots in the top-right corner
- Select ‘Block‘
Or mute instead:
- Choose ‘Mute‘ if you don’t want to fully block them but don’t want their content in your feed
This is especially useful for trend-heavy accounts that reuse the same audio clips over and over.
Customize content preferences
If the same creators keep appearing with the same annoying audio, you can remove them from your feed entirely.
How to block an account:
- Visit the creator’s profile
- Tap the three dots in the top-right corner
- Select ‘Block’
Or mute instead:
- Choose ‘Mute’ if you don’t want to fully block them but don’t want their content in your feed
This is especially useful for trend-heavy accounts that reuse the same audio clips over and over.
Customize content preferences
TikTok allows you to fine-tune what types of content appear on your FYP, which indirectly affects sound selection.
How to adjust preferences:
1. Go to Profile
2. Tap the menu (☰)
3. Select Settings and privacy
4. Tap Content preferences
5. Explore options like:
- Filter video keywords
- Refresh your For You feed
While this doesn’t block specific sounds, filtering keywords tied to trends can reduce how often certain audios appear.
Use device level controls
If sound sensitivity is a concern, device-level settings can help beyond TikTok itself.
Helpful options include:
- Reduce loud sounds (available on many smartphones)
- Volume limiters
- Bluetooth headphones with volume control
- Sound equalizer settings to reduce harsh frequencies
While these don’t block specific TikTok sounds, they can make scrolling much more comfortable.
FAQs: Blocking sounds on TikTok
Can I block a specific sound on TikTok permanently?
No, TikTok does not currently offer a permanent “block this sound” feature. However, repeatedly marking videos with that sound as ‘Not interested’ and selecting ‘Sound’ as the reason can significantly reduce or almost eliminate it from your For You Page over time.
Does tapping ‘Not interested; really work for sounds?
Yes. While it may not work instantly, TikTok’s algorithm learns quickly from repeated feedback. Using ‘Not interested’ multiple times on videos that use the same sound is one of the most effective ways to train the algorithm to stop showing that audio.
Will muting a video stop TikTok from showing that sound again?
No. Muting only affects your listening experience in that moment. It does not tell the algorithm that you dislike the sound. To influence recommendations, you need to swipe away quickly or use ‘Not interested’
How long does it take for a sound to disappear from my feed?
It varies, but most users notice fewer videos with the unwanted sound after 3 to 10 interactions marked as ‘Not interested’ especially if they also swipe away quickly and avoid engaging with similar content.
If I accidentally liked a video with a sound I hate, did I ruin my feed?
Not permanently. One like won’t lock that sound into your feed forever. Just counteract it by marking future videos with that sound as ‘Not interested’ and avoiding further interaction.
Can I block sounds only on my For You Page but still hear them on Following?
TikTok does not currently separate sound preferences between the For You Page and Following feed. However, the FYP is far more affected by algorithm signals, so most sound filtering will primarily impact that page.
Is there a way to block sounds for accessibility or sensory reasons?
TikTok does not yet have a dedicated sound-blocking accessibility feature. However, combining ‘Not interested,’ fast swiping, volume controls, and device-level sound settings can make the app much more comfortable for users with sensory sensitivities.
