Your TikTok Video Stuck at Zero Views? Here's What to Check
Rez H
Happy New Year 2026!
There's no worse way to start the new year than posting a TikTok video and watching it sit at 0 views for hours. If this happened to you, don't panic - it's more common than you think, and usually fixable.
Why TikTok Videos Get Stuck at Zero Views
TikTok's algorithm typically shows new videos to a small test audience within minutes. If your video is stuck at 0 views after an hour, something is blocking distribution.
Common Causes (And How to Diagnose)
1. Shadowban or Account Restriction
If multiple consecutive videos get 0 views, your account may be restricted:
- Recent community guidelines violation
- Posting copyrighted content
- Spammy behavior (follow/unfollow, excessive posting)
- Using banned hashtags or sounds
How to check: Post a completely original video (no music, no trending sounds, just you talking). If it gets views, your previous content triggered restrictions.
2. Copyright or Community Guidelines Flag
Even without a notification, your video might be flagged:
- Copyrighted music (even if TikTok offers it)
- Watermarks from other platforms
- Controversial or sensitive content
- Duplicate content you posted before
How to check: Delete the video and repost similar content that's completely original.
3. Technical Upload Issues
Sometimes the upload simply fails:
- Poor internet connection during upload
- App glitch or cache issue
- Video file corruption
- Server-side processing delay
How to check: Close TikTok completely, clear cache, and try posting again.
4. New Account or Long Inactivity
Brand new accounts or accounts that haven't posted in months:
- TikTok limits initial reach for new accounts
- Dormant accounts need to "warm up" again
- Algorithm needs to learn your content style
How to check: If your account is new or returning from inactivity, engage genuinely with other content for 2-3 days before posting again.
Step-by-Step Fix Guide
Immediate Actions (First Hour):
- Check if the video is actually live (refresh your profile)
- Make sure your account isn't set to private
- Verify the video passed processing (no error messages)
- Check your notifications for any warnings from TikTok
If Still at 0 Views After 2-3 Hours:
- Delete the video (it's likely flagged or restricted)
- Wait 24 hours before posting again
- Review TikTok's Community Guidelines
- Create completely original content for your next post
- Avoid: trending sounds, copyrighted material, watermarks
Preventing Future Issues:
- Always use TikTok's built-in camera or editor
- Remove watermarks from other platforms
- Use trending sounds that are cleared for commercial use
- Keep content positive and non-controversial
- Avoid rapid posting (max 3-4 videos per day)
- Don't use banned or spammy hashtags
When to Contact TikTok Support
Reach out if:
- Multiple videos in a row get 0 views
- You received a restriction notice but believe it's wrong
- Your analytics show consistent 0 views for over a week
- You followed all guidelines but still can't get distribution
Using Analytics to Diagnose Issues
If you're experiencing consistent 0-view problems:
- Track when the issue started
- Compare video performance before and after
- Identify if specific content types are affected
- Monitor if other videos on your account are still getting views
Our analytics dashboard can help you track patterns across all your videos to identify exactly when distribution problems started and which videos are affected.
The Shadowban Myth
Not every 0-view video means you're shadowbanned. True shadowbans are less common than people think. Usually it's:
- A single video flagged for content issues
- Temporary account restrictions (24-48 hours)
- Technical glitches that resolve themselves
- Algorithm testing that just didn't pick up your content
Starting Fresh in 2026
If you're dealing with consistent 0-view issues, the new year is a good time to reset:
- Take a 3-5 day break from posting
- Engage authentically with other content
- Plan higher-quality, fully original content
- Post once per day at optimal times
- Track performance to identify what works
Most 0-view problems resolve within 24-48 hours if you stop posting and let your account reset. Start the new year with a clean slate and focus on quality over quantity.
Use our platform to track your video performance and identify patterns that might indicate account restrictions or content issues. Good luck, and here's to a viral 2026!