# Why aren't emoticons not working? **URL:** \ **Category:** About This Message Board\ **Created:** [September 8, 2018, 8:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-arent-emoticons-not-working/821021 "2018-09-08T20:34:48Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2018, 8:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-arent-emoticons-not-working/821021/1 "2018-09-08T20:34:48Z")
I’ve typed these in for years with no problem. 😉 😃 ☹ :eek: Now they don’t work? What happened? I’m using Tapatalk. Do these show up correctly on a computer? ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2018, 8:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-arent-emoticons-not-working/821021/2 "2018-09-08T20:48:19Z")
Uh, a typo. Why are emoticons not working? Not aren’t 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Andy\_L](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/c67d28/32.png) [@Andy\_L](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Andy_L)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2018, 8:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-arent-emoticons-not-working/821021/3 "2018-09-08T20:50:19Z")
The emoticons are showing up fine on my screen ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2018, 8:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-arent-emoticons-not-working/821021/4 "2018-09-08T20:51:28Z")
I see 'em. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2018, 8:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-arent-emoticons-not-working/821021/5 "2018-09-08T20:52:52Z")
Ok, maybe it’s Tapatalk then? I’ll blow the dust off my laptop and check this thread there. Thank you for letting me know they are working. The only setting change I’ve made in Tapatalk is shutting off Avatars. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2018, 9:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-arent-emoticons-not-working/821021/6 "2018-09-08T21:01:54Z")
I just logged out and logged back in. That didn’t help. Tapatalk only allows three settings. Photo preview (set on) Content Preview (on) Show User Avatars (off) ---
**Author:** ![ftg](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ftg/32/2801_2.png) [@ftg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ftg)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2018, 9:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-arent-emoticons-not-working/821021/7 "2018-09-08T21:49:14Z")
For a browser, the fix for these kinds of problems is to clear the cache. Does Tapatalk have something like that? ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2018, 11:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-arent-emoticons-not-working/821021/8 "2018-09-08T23:33:03Z")
I tried clearing the Tapatalk cache a couple years ago. Completely broke the App. I ended up reinstalling. I’ll save a step this time and just uninstall and reinstall. ---
**Author:** ![IvoryTowerDenizen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ivorytowerdenizen/32/17937_2.png) [@IvoryTowerDenizen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IvoryTowerDenizen)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2018, 2:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-arent-emoticons-not-working/821021/9 "2018-09-09T02:07:10Z")
Using the safari browser the emoticons look normal. Switching to Tapatalk I see the iOS versions, which differ from the VB Bulletin versions. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2018, 2:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-arent-emoticons-not-working/821021/10 "2018-09-09T02:51:12Z")
I’m seeing the ASCII version. “”;)"" Is the winking smile That’s what they looked like 30 years ago on a bbs. My Tapatalk app must be fried. ---
**Author:** ![IvoryTowerDenizen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ivorytowerdenizen/32/17937_2.png) [@IvoryTowerDenizen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IvoryTowerDenizen)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2018, 1:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-arent-emoticons-not-working/821021/11 "2018-09-09T13:51:14Z")
> [@aceplace57](#): > > I’m seeing the ASCII version. > > “”;)“” > > Is the winking smile > > That’s what they looked like 30 years ago on a bbs. > > My Tapatalk app must be fried. Now I have avatars showing, so that could be a difference. I tried to find the setting to turn them off, to see if that changes anything, but couldn’t find it. Where is that setting and I’ll give it a try. ---
**Author:** ![Precambrianmollusc](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/precambrianmollusc/32/63_2.png) [@Precambrianmollusc](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Precambrianmollusc)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2018, 4:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-arent-emoticons-not-working/821021/12 "2018-09-09T16:03:43Z")
Not seeing them on tapatalk either. To be honest I don’t recall ever seeing them here or on another board. . ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2018, 4:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-arent-emoticons-not-working/821021/13 "2018-09-09T16:33:28Z")
> [@IvoryTowerDenizen](#): > > Now I have avatars showing, so that could be a difference. I tried to find the setting to turn them off, to see if that changes anything, but couldn’t find it. > > Where is that setting and I’ll give it a try. Look for the toolbar when you first start Tapatalk. The screen with your discussion groups listed. The button on the far right looks like a persons head. Click that. Then click Settings. Show User Avatars has a check box. Click the arrow in the upper left corner of the screen. Then the square button on the left side of the tool bar. You’re back on the the screen with your discussion groups listed. ---
**Author:** ![IvoryTowerDenizen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ivorytowerdenizen/32/17937_2.png) [@IvoryTowerDenizen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IvoryTowerDenizen)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2018, 4:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-arent-emoticons-not-working/821021/14 "2018-09-09T16:37:51Z")
> [@aceplace57](#): > > Look for the toolbar when you first start Tapatalk. The screen with your discussion groups listed. > > The button on the far right looks like a persons head. Click that. Then click Settings. > > Show User Avatars has a check box. That’s where I was and don’t see that. I have Content Previews, Personalized ads, and Night Mode On. I have Video/Image previews off, and Show Quoted Images off. Nothing about Avatars. Version 7.2.8 Odd. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2018, 4:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-arent-emoticons-not-working/821021/15 "2018-09-09T16:44:19Z")
That’s the right place. There should be three settings under Topic & Thread. Show Photo Preview Show Content Preview Show User Avatar Time Format is the next option. Strange that you have a different settings screen. Version 8.0.4 I reinstalled last night. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2018, 4:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-arent-emoticons-not-working/821021/16 "2018-09-09T16:51:35Z")
I don’t have a registered version of Tapatalk. Nobody did until a few months ago. The registered(paid) version may have a different settings screen. I know it’s a separate download and install. ---
**Author:** ![IvoryTowerDenizen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ivorytowerdenizen/32/17937_2.png) [@IvoryTowerDenizen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IvoryTowerDenizen)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2018, 5:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-arent-emoticons-not-working/821021/17 "2018-09-09T17:14:20Z")
> [@aceplace57](#): > > That’s the right place. > > There should be three settings under Topic & Thread. > Show Photo Preview > Show Content Preview > Show User Avatar > > Time Format is the next option. > > Strange that you have a different settings screen. > > Version 8.0.4 > > I reinstalled last night. Yeah, don’t have it. My settings user that heading (Topic and Thread) are slightly different than what you listed. Sorry- wish I could have helped more. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2018, 5:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-arent-emoticons-not-working/821021/18 "2018-09-09T17:24:09Z")
I appreciate your effort Ivory. My phone is due for a full reset. I’m getting a new battery installed and that’s a good opportunity to start complely fresh. Only reinstall Apps that I actually need. That may clear up any issues I’m having with Tapatalk. I’ll report back in a week or so. ---
**Author:** ![Half\_Man\_Half\_Wit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/half_man_half_wit/32/21766_2.png) [@Half\_Man\_Half\_Wit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Half_Man_Half_Wit)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2018, 5:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-arent-emoticons-not-working/821021/19 "2018-09-12T05:22:53Z")
I don’t think I ever saw emoticons in Tapatalk… Are you using android, or do you have an iPhone? I think the latter may parse things like [noparse];)[/noparse] to its own version of emoticons, perhaps that’s the setting that was changed? ---
**Author:** ![TubaDiva](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tubadiva/32/507_2.png) [@TubaDiva](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TubaDiva)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2018, 1:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-arent-emoticons-not-working/821021/20 "2018-09-12T13:23:37Z")
The version of Tapatalk installed on the board is quite old. I’ve been asking the techs about it and this is new territory for them so we’re finding out things together. Our current tech person is also unfamiliar with vBulletin, so there’s a lot to learn here all the way around. Because the version of vB that we have is also quite old and cannot be upgraded not sure how far we can get with Tapatalk, don’t yet know if more current versions will even work here. Don’t want to break it so we’re moving slowly trying to figure out the best way to go. Please keep reporting your findings. I will do the same. Apologies for anyone having difficulties. Likewise any problems with the mobile version of the site. Jenny