When uploading a video on TikTok, users may sometimes encounter the message “video is being processed” which indicates the video is still processing even after the upload is technically complete. This frustrating issue prevents the video from being visible to viewers and delays publishing the content.
In this article, we’ll go over the main reasons why TikTok may show the “video is being processed” message and provide solutions to help fix the problem. Troubleshooting tips will include restarting the app, checking internet connectivity, allowing time for processing, clearing the cache, and more.
Check Internet Connection
One of the most common causes of the “video is being processed” message on TikTok is an unreliable or poor internet connection [1]. Issues with your internet service or device connectivity could prevent the video from fully uploading and processing on TikTok’s servers.
Try reposting the video using a stable Wifi or strong cellular data connection. Move closer to your router if on Wifi or switch to cellular data if you are experiencing weak Wifi signal strength. Ensuring you have a fast, consistent internet connection when uploading the video can help resolve processing issues.
You may also want to restart your device completely to reset the network connections. Close out of all other apps using bandwidth as well. With improved internet connectivity, you should be able to successfully upload and process your TikTok video.
Account Restrictions
Certain account restrictions like bans can trigger the “post is being processed” alert on TikTok. If your account has been banned, even temporarily, TikTok may hold your new posts for review. According to TikTok’s support page, if you believe your account was banned incorrectly, you can submit an appeal within the app.
To avoid issues, make sure your posts don’t contain prohibited content that violates TikTok’s community guidelines or terms of service. Permanent account bans may occur for serious or repeat violations. However, you can appeal if you feel the ban was unjustified. The appeal process involves submitting information to TikTok for review.
In summary, if your account has restrictions or previous violations, this could explain the processing delay. Submit an appeal if needed, and be cautious with posting any questionable content to avoid further account limitations.
Large File Size
One reason your TikTok post may still be processing is if you uploaded a video with a very large file size. TikTok recommends keeping your video file size under 500 MB. Larger video files can take much longer for TikTok’s servers to process and make available for viewing.
Before uploading your next video to TikTok, consider optimizing the file size to speed up processing time. You can use video editing software to compress and reduce the size of your video file without sacrificing too much quality. The optimal video dimensions for TikTok are 1080×1920 pixels with a frame rate of 29.97 fps. Reducing video resolution and frame rate can significantly decrease file size.
Additionally, you may want to avoid uploading uncompressed or lightly compressed video formats like MOV and AVI files. Converting to a more compressed format like H.264 MP4 before uploading to TikTok can also help reduce file size. Taking the time to optimize your video file size can ensure your next TikTok post finishes processing quickly.
As noted in this helpful guide, “The maximum file size for TikTok videos, as per the official TikTok Ads Manager guide, is within 500 MB.” (Source)
App Not Updated
One potential reason for the “post is being processed” message is that you may have an older version of the TikTok app that is causing processing delays. TikTok frequently releases updates to fix bugs and improve performance. Running an outdated version of the app can lead to issues with posting videos and other features.
To resolve this, you should update the TikTok app to the latest available version on your device. You can find the option to update apps in the App Store on iOS or Google Play Store on Android. Once you install the newest TikTok update, try posting your video again. The latest version of the app contains optimizations that should help fix any processing issues you were running into.
As noted in the TikTok troubleshooting guide, “make sure you are running the latest version of the TikTok app” when experiencing problems like videos getting stuck processing (source). Keeping your apps fully updated is generally recommended to have the best experience and avoid bugs.
Server Traffic
Peak times of high server traffic can slow processing of posts on TikTok. When TikTok servers are under heavy load due to millions of users accessing the app concurrently, video processing can take longer than usual or fail temporarily.
According to research, the hours of 6-9 AM tend to see the most TikTok traffic as users check the app first thing in the morning. Late evenings around 9-11 PM also tend to have high traffic as people wind down before bed. Weekends, especially Sunday mornings, also tend to have more users which can strain TikTok’s servers.
If your TikTok post gets stuck processing, it’s recommended to retry uploading during off-peak hours like early afternoons on weekdays when fewer people are actively using the app. This increases the chances of your post being processed smoothly without running into traffic jams on TikTok’s servers.
Reported Content
If a user reports your post as violating TikTok’s community guidelines, this can also lead to a “post is being processed” message.[1] TikTok has a team that reviews all reported content to determine if it actually violates their policies.
Reporting a post flags it for review by TikTok’s moderation team. They will then assess if the post breaks any rules. If the post does not violate TikTok’s community guidelines, it will be approved and continue processing after this manual review is completed.[2]
Therefore, being patient is key – if your post follows policy, it will be posted after TikTok finishes reviewing the report. However, if it does break rules, it may be removed.
[1] https://www.tiktok.com/creators/creator-portal/en-us/how-tiktok-works/understanding-our-moderation-and-appeals-process/
[2] https://newsroom.tiktok.com/en-eu/evolving-our-approach-to-content-enforcement
Shadowban
A shadowban is when TikTok limits the visibility of your account for a period of time. During this time, your videos will not show up on the “For You” page or hashtags, severely limiting their reach and exposure (source). Shadowbanning often happens when your content violates the TikTok Community Guidelines (source).
If you suspect your account has been shadowbanned, review your posting history for any guideline violations. You may need to appeal the shadowban by submitting an appeal through the app (source). Avoid posting rule-breaking content in the future to prevent further shadowbanning.
Submit Feedback
TikTok has an in-app reporting feature that allows users to submit feedback directly to TikTok about issues like posts being stuck in processing. To access this, go to your profile in the TikTok app and tap “Report a problem” (1). This will open a form where you can select the issue you are having and provide details.
When submitting feedback about a post being stuck processing, be sure to include the specific video that is having trouble. Provide the date and time you posted it, double check that it meets TikTok’s community guidelines, and describe the processing issue in as much detail as possible. The more information you give TikTok, the quicker they may be able to resolve your processing error (2).
Conclusion
If a TikTok post continues to show it’s “being processed” for an extended time, first double check that you have a stable internet connection and that your account is in good standing without any restrictions. Try uploading a smaller video file or photo to see if that processes normally. Also make sure the TikTok app is fully updated, as server issues on their end could delay processing.
If you’ve ruled out internet, account, and app issues on your end, the post may have been flagged for review by TikTok’s algorithms or reported by users. Unfortunately there’s not much you can do but wait in this case. Server traffic when many users are online can also slow down processing speeds.
As a last resort, you can try submitting feedback through the TikTok app about your post still processing. The support team may be able to assist if there’s an error preventing it from going live. With patience, most valid posts will begin processing in a reasonable timeframe.
