If sound is unavailable on TikTok, start with quick checks. Verify your internet connection and app update – these actions resolve half of the errors. Clear the cache, restart the client, and wait for moderation to finish. Sometimes the system temporarily restricts a track while checking the rights holder’s permissions.
When the technical part is fine, you can give your video a starting boost with careful promotion. A convenient option is Buy TikTok Views Telegram Bot: small packages, smooth delivery, quick launch from your phone. Use it as a test drive for thumbnails and retention, and track the effect in analytics to understand which edits genuinely boost watch time.
Check network, VPN, and proxy: often they block access to sounds. Switch from Wi-Fi to mobile data or vice versa. Clear the app cache and check if the track’s status has changed in the library. If nothing works – the sound’s license might have been revoked.
VPN often distorts the region and breaks track licensing rights. Disable the proxy, restart the app, and check the sound’s page. Sometimes a simple reboot helps. Afterwards, the system reloads licenses and removes temporary errors.
If licensing is fine, check the video’s technical parameters. Incorrect aspect ratio or bitrate sometimes causes processing errors and sound attachment issues. Re-save the video with the 9:16 standard and appropriate resolution, adjusting cropping if needed. Step-by-step instructions here: How to Change Video Size in TikTok.
Moderation takes up to an hour, but if the sound hasn’t returned after that – reupload the video. Often the issue is precisely a revoked license. Add original sound or a track from the official library. This restores reach and reduces the risk of blocking.
Most blocks are related to music usage rights. Rights holders can revoke licenses, and TikTok reacts instantly. If a track is unavailable, choose a similar one from the library. Replacing the sound helps restore video visibility without losing metrics.
| Status | Cause | What to Do |
|---|---|---|
| Sound unavailable / Sound is not available | License expired | Choose another track from the library |
| Audio removed due to copyright | Complaint/rights violation | Reupload video with original sound |
| Music not available in your region | Geo-restriction | Use a global track |
| This sound isn’t licensed for commercial use | Business account | Replace with a track from CML |
When a license expires, audio is automatically hidden. Complaints or violations can also cause track removal. This is normal rights protection practice. For content stability, use only official sounds.
Music rights are granted by country, so a track might not be audible to everyone. When changing regions or using VPN, some sounds disappear. The solution is simple – use tracks marked “available to all.” This is a universal way to avoid blocks.
Business accounts see only the Commercial Music Library (CML), while personal and creator accounts see the regular library. Temporarily switching to “Creator” might help but violates brand policy. Safer to use CML and not risk compliance.
The system removes audio if it violates platform policy. This could be copyright, external mp3s, or commercial use of regular tracks. Algorithms automatically find matches and remove tracks with violations. If it’s a false error – appeal through support.
| Error | Likely Cause | What to Do |
| “Audio removed due to copyright” | Rights violation | Reupload with original sound |
| “Sound is not available” | License expired | Check the track’s page and replace |
| “Music not available in your region” | License restrictions | Replace with an available track |
| “This sound isn’t licensed for commercial use” | CML restriction | Choose a track from the Commercial Music Library |
| “Video has no sound” | Client error/moderation | Clear cache, wait 30–60 min, reupload if necessary |
If replacement is available: open the video → “Edit” → “Sound” → choose a track (for business accounts — CML) → save.
If the function is unavailable: download the video without music → add an authorized track → reupload → pin the link to the new post in the old one’s comments.
Sometimes sound disappears not due to blocks, but technical issues. The viewer might have an old client, weak connection, or enabled VPN. The author might have cache errors, privacy settings, or an unsupported codec. Checking the network and updating the app solves the problem in 80% of cases.
| Symptom | Possible Cause | Tech. Parameter | What to Do |
| No sound for everyone | License revoked | – | Reupload with new sound |
| Only for some viewers | Geo-restriction | – | Check region and replace track |
| Only for the author | Cache or VPN | – | Clear cache, disable VPN |
| Playback error | Old app / low bitrate | AAC 128–192 Kbps, 44.1–48 kHz | Update TikTok, re-encode |
Export: H.264 + AAC, 1080×1920, 30/60 FPS (CFR), 8–16 Mbps. With audio bitrate below 96 Kbps, sound may not play correctly. Use CFR and stable frame rates to prevent failures.
Bypassing geo-restrictions via VPN for publishing or viewing may violate TikTok rules and rights holders’ license terms. It’s better to choose a locally available track or create “Original Sound” — it’s safe and legal.
| Stage | What to Do | Timeframe |
| Preparation | Gather URL and description | 10 minutes |
| Submit appeal | Via TikTok support | 24-72 hours |
| Check status | On the sound’s page | Up to 3 days |
| Alternative | Reupload video | Immediately |
| Indicator on Sound Page | What It Is | Your Action |
| Sound removed | Complaint/license revoked | Reupload with CML/original sound |
| Not available in your region | Geo-license | Choose a global or local alternative |
| For Commercial use only | Restriction for Business | Switch to CML or “Creator” type (with risks) |
| Original sound by @you | Your own sound | Keep, mark as original |
Can sound be restored without reuploading? Sometimes yes, if it’s temporary moderation. Check the sound’s status after 30–60 minutes — after rights confirmation, it may return.
How to not lose metrics when reuploading? Reupload the video, pin the link to the new post in the first comment of the old one, duplicate the description and hashtags.
Why did my video lose sound after some time? The track’s license expired or a complaint was filed. Check the sound page – if there’s a warning, replace the track and reupload the video.
Why is the video without sound for subscribers from another country? Regional rights. A track might be available in one country but not another. Choose a similar sound available globally.
Can I use my own music without blocks? Yes, if you have the rights or a license. The most reliable way is to publish it as original sound. This eliminates removal risks and preserves reach.