TikTok users across the United States faced widespread disruption this week after the app went down due to a power outage at a U.S. data centre, leaving millions unable to upload videos, access feeds, or view analytics.
The outage, confirmed by TikTok’s newly formed U.S. joint venture, sparked frustration among creators and speculation about deeper platform issues.
TikTok confirmed that the outage began on January 25, 2026, and continued into the following day, affecting core services including login, video uploads, and the “For You” algorithm. The company attributed the disruption to a power failure at one of its U.S. data centres, which also impacted other apps operated by the joint venture.
In a statement, TikTok said it was working with its data centre partner to stabilise services and apologised for the inconvenience.
The outage coincided with a significant milestone for TikTok in the U.S. Just days earlier, the app transitioned to a majority American-owned joint venture called TikTok USDS, following government pressure over national security concerns.
ByteDance now holds less than 20% of the entity, while Oracle, Silver Lake, and MGX each own 15%. This timing fueled speculation among users that the glitches were linked to the ownership shift, though TikTok insisted the cause was purely technical.
Creators reported broken engagement metrics, with some videos showing zero views despite being posted, while others experienced unusual content recommendations. The outage also triggered rumours of censorship, particularly around politically sensitive topics, but TikTok denied these claims, reiterating that the disruption was caused by infrastructure failure.
For TikTok, the incident highlights the fragility of its infrastructure during a period of heightened scrutiny. Outages are not uncommon in the social media space, but the scale of this disruption underscores the importance of reliable data centre operations.
Platforms like TikTok rely heavily on seamless engagement, and any interruption can erode user trust and creator confidence. However, TikTok’s swift acknowledgement of the issue and ongoing restoration efforts may help mitigate long-term damage.
Users frustrated by the downtime might consider exploring alternative platforms or diversifying their content strategies.
The outage serves as a reminder of the growing complexity of social media infrastructure in the U.S., especially as ownership structures evolve under regulatory pressure. The company’s ability to reassure users and stabilise its systems will be critical in maintaining momentum in an increasingly competitive market.
