Uploading and posting videos is a core part of the TikTok experience. However, many users encounter issues when trying to post new videos on the platform. There are several potential reasons why a TikTok video may fail to upload or post properly.
The most common reasons a TikTok video may not post include: account restrictions, video size or length issues, poor internet connection, app glitches, copyright violations, inappropriate content, problems with hashtags or captions, and video processing delays. Fixing posting problems usually requires investigating the specific cause and then taking the appropriate troubleshooting steps.
This article provides an overview of the main reasons TikTok videos fail to post, along with potential solutions to try. By understanding the key issues, users can troubleshoot problems and get their videos posting again.
Account Restrictions
One common reason your TikTok videos may not be posting is if your account has restrictions or a temporary ban on posting. TikTok may limit your account’s ability to post videos if you have violated their community guidelines too many times.
Some actions that can lead to posting restrictions include:
- Posting inappropriate or dangerous content
- Spamming hashtags or mentions
- Violating copyright rules
- Using bots or fake accounts
If your account has any active restrictions, you will not be able to post new videos until the temporary ban is lifted. The length of posting bans varies based on the severity of the violation. Minor first-time offenses may only be banned for 24 hours, while repeated or more serious violations can lead to week or month-long bans.
To find out if you have a posting ban, go to your profile and tap the icon showing three horizontal lines in the upper right corner. Then go to “Settings and privacy” > “Manage account” > “Posting abilities.” This section will tell you if any restrictions are active on your account.
The only way to regain posting abilities is to wait out the duration of the ban. You should also review TikTok’s community guidelines to avoid future violations.
Video Size and Length
TikTok has limits on the file size and length of videos uploaded to the platform. According to the Influencer Marketing Hub, the maximum file size for a video on TikTok is 500MB. The recommended video length is between 9-15 seconds, with the absolute limits being 5 seconds minimum and 60 seconds maximum.
In 2023, TikTok increased the maximum video length to 10 minutes when uploading from your camera roll, and 3 minutes when recording directly in the app, according to VideoProc. So if your video is not posting, check that it falls within these size and length limits. Videos over 500MB or longer than 60 seconds may fail to upload or post.
It’s best to keep your TikTok videos short and snappy for optimal engagement. If your video is not posting, try trimming it down to under 15 seconds or reducing the file size before re-uploading.
Poor Internet Connection
One of the most common reasons for TikTok upload issues is an unreliable or weak internet connection. TikTok requires a stable internet connection to upload and post videos. Problems like slow upload speeds, frequent disconnections, or using a VPN can all prevent videos from posting properly.
If you are connected to WiFi, try moving closer to your router or restarting it. Switching from WiFi to mobile data may also help. Check that you don’t have a VPN enabled, as this can interfere with uploading. Running a speed test can confirm if your connection is too slow or unstable for uploading videos.
If your internet seems fine, try disabling and re-enabling mobile data or WiFi on your device. This refreshes the connection. You can also try uninstalling and reinstalling the TikTok app to reset any network issues.
Sources:
[1] https://www.wikihow.com/Tiktok-Couldnt-Upload-Video-Try-Again-Later
[2] https://www.alphr.com/tiktok-not-uploading-video/
App Issues
Sometimes the TikTok app itself can have glitches, bugs, or crashes that prevent videos from posting properly. This is especially true if you are not running the latest version of the app. Try updating the app to see if that resolves the issues. If problems persist even after updating, try uninstalling and reinstalling the app [1]. On iOS, you can also try force quitting the app and restarting your device to clear any glitches [2]. Pay attention to any error messages you receive in the app – they may indicate specific bugs that are preventing uploads.
Sometimes the app will freeze or crash right when you try to post a video. Give it some time and retry posting the video. If the app is frequently crashing, check for any available updates and contact TikTok support if problems continue. Avoid overloading the app by having too many apps open or tabs in the background. Close out of any apps you aren’t using to free up device resources for TikTok.
Copyright Violations
One of the most common reasons a TikTok video may fail to post is due to copyright violations. TikTok has strict rules against using copyrighted material like songs, audio clips, images, logos or videos without permission from the rights holder.
If your video contains unauthorized audio or visual content, it will likely be automatically detected and blocked by TikTok’s systems. You may receive a notification that your video “includes content that violates our Terms of Service”.
To avoid copyright issues, only use original audio recordings, public domain or royalty-free music, and images/video you created yourself. Be cautious of background music or TV/movies playing in the environment while filming. Brand logos should also be avoided without permission.
If you believe your video was incorrectly flagged for copyright, you can submit an appeal to TikTok explaining why you have the rights to use the content. But in most cases, it’s safest to remove any copyrighted materials from your video before re-posting.
Inappropriate Content
One common reason a TikTok video may fail to post is if it contains inappropriate content that violates community guidelines. TikTok has strict policies prohibiting violent, dangerous, illegal, or sexually explicit content.
TikTok uses automated systems to detect inappropriate content during the video upload process. These systems identify potential policy violations through image, audio, and text analysis. If prohibited content is identified, the video will be blocked from posting.
Types of inappropriate content that could lead to a failed video post include:
- Graphic violence, gore, or glorification of violence
- Instructions for criminal or dangerous activities
- Hate speech, harassment, or bullying
- Explicit nudity or sexual acts
TikTok has been working to improve its proactive detection systems to better identify borderline content before it is posted. However, these automated tools are not perfect. If you believe your video was incorrectly flagged, you can appeal the decision through TikTok’s reporting process.
To avoid issues with inappropriate content, carefully review videos before posting to ensure they comply with community guidelines. Additionally, be mindful of visuals, audio, captions, hashtags, and other elements that could potentially violate policies.
Hashtag and Caption Issues
One common reason TikTok videos may not be posting is due to inappropriate, banned, or blacklisted words being used in the captions or hashtags. TikTok moderates content and may block certain terms or phrases that violate its community guidelines. Using profanity, hate speech, or other explicit language in your video’s caption or hashtags can result in the video failing to post.
Spamming the same hashtag repeatedly or using a very long string of unrelated hashtags is also prohibited on TikTok. Overusing hashtags or including irrelevant terms just to try and get more views is considered spam behavior. If your caption contains spammy hashtags or words, TikTok may prevent the video from posting as a moderation measure.
To avoid issues with blacklisted terms, review TikTok’s rules and restrictions around captions and hashtags. You can also try modifying the problematic captions or hashtags to see if that allows your video to post successfully. Eliminating spammy or banned phrases from your captions is key to ensuring your content passes TikTok’s moderation filters.
Video Processing Delays
One common reason your TikTok video may get stuck before posting is due to processing delays. TikTok needs to process and compress every video before making it available for viewing.
With millions of users uploading videos every day, TikTok’s servers face huge demands. During peak traffic periods, the processing queues can get backed up. This results in delays between your video upload completing and the video actually becoming available on your profile and for viewing.
According to FlexClip, it’s not uncommon for processing to take 30 minutes or longer during busy periods. The TikTok app may show your video is uploaded, but it needs to finish processing on TikTok’s servers before it will actually be viewable.
If you are experiencing lengthy processing delays, be patient and wait it out. Avoid deleting and re-uploading the same video repeatedly, as that will just put your video at the back of the queue. The delays should resolve on their own as traffic dies down.
Fixing Posting Problems
If your TikTok video fails to post, there are several troubleshooting steps you can try to resolve the issue:
First, close and restart the TikTok app to clear any cache or temporary bugs. This simple step often fixes minor posting issues.
Check that you have a stable internet connection on your device. Videos may fail to upload if you have a weak or interrupted connection. Try switching to a stronger WiFi or cellular data connection.
Make sure your video file meets TikTok’s requirements – videos should be under 60 seconds and no more than 1 GB. If your video exceeds these limits, it will fail to post.
Delete and reinstall the TikTok app if you continue having upload issues. This will clear any corrupt app data that could be preventing uploads.
If your video contains copyrighted content, it may be automatically blocked. Carefully review your video for any unauthorized material.
You can also try uploading from a different device, as the issue may be device-specific. Test posting from a friend’s phone, for example.
As a last resort, you can contact TikTok support through the app. They may be able to identify and resolve any account or server-side problems.
