# Match what you see to the cause
"Emotes not showing" covers several different problems, and each has a different fix. Find the row that matches your screen, then jump to the section.
| What you see | Most likely cause | Section |
|---|---|---|
| A word like KEKW where a picture should be | A third-party emote, and you lack the tool that shows it | 2 |
| An emote is greyed out or not in your picker | You have not unlocked it | 3 |
| A follower emote works in one channel only | Follower emotes travel only with a sub | 3 |
| Emotes show but do not move | Animated Emotes is off, or you are on iOS | 4 |
| A global emote like Kappa will not post in one channel | The streamer blocked it with AutoMod terms | 5 |
| No emote picker on a TV | TV and console chat is read-only | 6 |
| Your own emotes fail in other channels | Monetized, but not yet Affiliate | 8 |
# Words like KEKW instead of pictures
This is the most common case. Emotes such as KEKW, catJAM, monkaS and OMEGALUL are not on Twitch's list of emote types.[1] Stream Scheme's guide names them as the ones that need a tool: "If you’re trying to see “KEKW / catJAM / monkaS / OMEGALUL” style emotes, install an emote extension like: BetterTTV 7TV FrankerFaceZ".[10] Without the tool, the streamer's chat shows the emote's name as plain text. With it, the same message shows the picture.
- Install the tool the channel uses. BetterTTV (BTTV), FrankerFaceZ (FFZ) and 7TV each host their own emotes. FFZ says "FFZ can also display custom emotes from other popular extensions."[8] 7TV offers "the Official 7TV Extension or other 3rd party tools", and lists a web extension, Chatterino, mobile apps and chat bots.[9]
- Refresh Twitch after installing. FFZ: "Once FrankerFaceZ is installed, remember to refresh all your open Twitch tabs so that it will load."[8]
- On Chrome, check that FFZ is actually installed. FFZ's site says on 13 October 2026: "We're currently working on getting FrankerFaceZ restored on the Chrome Web Store." Its suggested route in the meantime is the FFZ user script, loaded through an extension such as Tampermonkey.[8]
- On Safari, use the user script. FFZ says Apple's change to Safari extensions led it to decide "that it is infeasible to provide support for Safari going forward", and that its user script still works there.[8]
- Pause ad blockers and privacy extensions for Twitch. Stream Scheme recommends this, because "Some of them block the scripts that load emote packs."[10]
# Greyed out or missing: emotes you have not unlocked
Twitch's emote picker only offers what you can use: "The emote picker shows emotes available to you."[1] Each type of Twitch emote is unlocked differently, and some only work in one channel.
| Emote type | How you unlock it | Where it works |
|---|---|---|
| Global | Nothing to do | Any channel |
| Follower | Follow the channel | That channel, or any channel if you also subscribe |
| Subscriber | Subscribe; your tier decides which | Any channel |
| Bits tier | Cheer the set amount of Bits there | Not stated on the page |
| Event | Take part, for example in a Hype Train | Varies; some are temporary |
The lines behind the table. Global: "Global Emotes are available to every user on Twitch."[3] Follower: "Followers who are not subscribers may continue to use Follower Emotes only within that channel itself."[2] Subscriber: "Subscriber emotes can be used across any channel at Twitch." and "Your subscription tier will determine which of the channel emotes you will have access to."[1] Event: "Some event emotes are temporary. Some can be used across all channels on Twitch."[1] Even global emotes are not always permanent: "Some Global Emotes may come and go."[3]
# Emotes show but do not move
Animated emotes can be switched off on the viewer's side. Twitch's Chat Basics page lists the setting under Chat Appearance: "Animated Emotes: Toggling this option will enable/disable animations on Animated Emotes. When animations are disabled, you’ll see static versions instead."[5] The same switch also freezes GIF messages to a static preview.[5]
- On the web, open your chat settings. Under Chat Appearance, turn Animated Emotes back on.[5]
- On Android, look in stream settings. Twitch: "As a viewer, you can open chat settings (on web) or stream settings (on Android) and toggle Emote Animations to an off position."[4] Turn it back on from the same place.
- On iPhone or iPad, there may be no fix. Twitch: "Android users will see emotes animated throughout the app. We are still working to bring the animated experience to iOS users."[4] On a computer, twitch.tv shows animations unless the setting above is off.
# Missing in one channel only
If emotes work everywhere except one channel, the cause is usually that channel's settings, not your account.
- The streamer blocked a global emote. Twitch tells streamers that "adding Kappa or :kappa: to your blocked terms will prevent the emote from being used in your chat."[3]
- The channel's third-party set does not include it. Each channel chooses its own BTTV, FFZ or 7TV emotes, so an emote from one channel may not exist in another.[9][10]
- It is a follower emote from somewhere else. Without a sub to the channel that owns it, it only works there.[2]
- The emote is new and still under review. Uploaded emotes must be "manually reviewed and approved before it's visible to viewers", unless the channel has instant upload.[6]
- Chat itself is limited. Modes and verification settings can stop you posting at all. That is covered in why you can't chat on Twitch.
# On the Twitch app or a TV
Twitch says "Chat is available on Twitch on desktop, Twitch Mobile Apps, mobile web, and some TV apps."[5] What you see differs between them.
| Device | Twitch emotes | Animation |
|---|---|---|
| Desktop browser | Yes, with the emote picker | Yes, unless switched off |
| Android app | Yes, follower emotes included | Yes, unless switched off |
| iPhone and iPad app | Yes, follower emotes included | Still being worked on |
| TV and console apps | Read-only chat | Not stated |
Sources for the table: "Using emotes in chat is easy whether you use Twitch on desktop or the Twitch mobile app."[1] "Yes, Follower Emote are available on the Twitch Mobile Apps."[2] On animation, the iOS line quoted in Section 4.[4] On TV: "Currently, all supported living room apps provide chat in a read-only display mode." Twitch says you can scan a QR code with a phone to type in that chat.[5]
# Where a popular guide falls short
A web search for this question on 13 October 2026 returned guides from Stream Scheme, Eklipse, itgeared and Windows Report. Stream Scheme's is the most recent, marked "Last Updated January 23, 2026".[10] It leaves out three things Twitch's pages now say, and one line reads differently next to them.
| Question | Stream Scheme | Twitch's pages |
|---|---|---|
| Why might a channel have no emotes? | Streamer is no longer an Affiliate | Onboarded non-Affiliates can have sub emotes |
| Emotes do not move? | Not covered | Animated Emotes switch; iOS pending |
| Follower emotes in other channels? | Not covered | Only if you also subscribe |
| Subscribed but no follower emotes? | Not covered | You must follow as well |
The quotes behind the rows. Stream Scheme lists "Streamer is no longer a Twitch Affiliate" among reasons for missing emotes.[10] Twitch's monetization page gives sub emotes to streamers who complete monetization setup without being Affiliates, marked "Cannot use outside own channel".[7] So a non-Affiliate channel can have emotes, which work in that channel only. Stream Scheme also advises waiting after installing an extension, from the author's own experience: "In my experience, after installing the extension, I still won’t be able to see the emotes for roughly 5 minutes".[10] FFZ's own instruction is only to refresh your Twitch tabs.[8]
# For streamers: viewers cannot see your emotes
If viewers tell you your emotes are missing, check these on your side.
- The emote is still pending. Twitch: "After uploading, your emote will need to be manually reviewed and approved before it's visible to viewers." It shows as Pending Approval until then. Partners in good standing and some Affiliates get instant upload instead.[6]
- It is in your Library, not in a slot. "Emotes uploaded directly to your Library will not be active until you assign them to an open slot."[6]
- You are monetized but not yet an Affiliate. "If you are a monetized streamer not part of the Affiliate or Partner program, you cannot use your channel emotes outside your own channel."[6] The monetization page's feature table says the same.[7]
- You have not finished onboarding. Twitch's first onboarding step "gives you access to streamer tools such as Channel Points, subs, Bits, emotes, and badges."[7]
- You want follower emotes before Affiliate. Twitch: "Follower Emote are available to all Partners and Affiliates."[2]
- Your extra emotes are on 7TV, BTTV or FFZ. Only viewers who run those tools will see them. 7TV says changes to channel emotes happen "instantly, for all viewers".[9]
The steps to Affiliate are in the guide to joining the Twitch Affiliate Program.
Pick the count and the window
Streamrise sells Twitch live viewers. Pick the count and window in the dashboard, from 30 minutes to a month. Just paste twitch.tv/yourchannel: no password, no OAuth, no 2FA token. Twitch's help pages call fake engagement and artificial inflation of channel statistics violations of its policies. Read them and decide for yourself.
- Starts within minutes
- No password, no OAuth, no 2FA token
- Per-minute delivery log
# The bottom line
Look at what you see. Text codes mean you need BTTV, FFZ or 7TV, then a refresh.[8] A greyed-out or missing Twitch emote means you have not unlocked it, and follower emotes need a follow, plus a sub to work elsewhere.[1][2] Still pictures mean the Animated Emotes setting, or iOS, where Twitch says the work is not done yet.[5][4] And if a guide says a channel without Affiliate cannot have emotes, check Twitch's monetization page.[7]
# FAQ
Why can't I see emotes on Twitch?
Usually because they are third-party emotes from BTTV, FFZ or 7TV and you do not run that tool. If it is a Twitch emote, you may not have unlocked it. If emotes show but do not move, the Animated Emotes setting may be off, or you are on iOS.
Why do Twitch emotes show as text?
Words like KEKW or catJAM are third-party emote names. They turn into pictures only for viewers with BTTV, FFZ or 7TV. Install the tool, then refresh your Twitch tabs.
Why can I see some emotes but not others?
Each channel picks its own third-party emotes, and Twitch emotes are unlocked per type. Follower emotes work outside their channel only if you also subscribe.
Why are Twitch emotes not moving?
Check Animated Emotes under Chat Appearance on the web, or stream settings on Android. On iOS, Twitch says it is still working on animated emotes.
Can you see 7TV or BTTV emotes on the Twitch app?
Twitch's help pages do not say. One popular guide says the Twitch mobile app does not show FFZ and BTTV emotes. 7TV offers its own mobile apps.
Why can I only use follower emotes in one channel?
Twitch lets followers who are not subscribers use follower emotes only in that channel. Subscribers can use them in any channel.
I'm subscribed. Why don't I have the follower emotes?
Twitch says you must follow the channel to unlock its follower emotes. A sub alone does not do it.
Can I use emotes on Twitch on my TV?
Not from the TV. Twitch says its TV and console apps show chat read-only. You can scan a QR code with your phone to type in chat.
Why can't I use my own emotes in other channels?
If you are monetized but not an Affiliate or Partner, Twitch limits your channel emotes to your own channel.
Why can viewers not see my new emote?
New emotes are reviewed before viewers see them, unless your channel has instant upload. An emote in your Library also needs to be put in a slot.