TikTok Stuck at 0 Views After an Hour? Here's Why (& How to Fix It)

TikTok Stuck at 0 Views After an Hour? Here's Why (& How to Fix It)

You've filmed the perfect video, added a trending sound, written a great caption, and hit "Post." You come back an hour later, expecting to see the views rolling in, only to be met with a soul-crushing number: 0 views.

Before you panic and delete your account, take a deep breath. This is one of the most common (and frustrating) issues on TikTok, and it's usually fixable. Understanding how to make a video go viral starts with ensuring your content actually reaches your audience.

This guide will walk you through exactly why this happens and what you can do about it.

Part 1: The "Why" — Common Reasons for the 0 View Glitch

Understanding why you're stuck at zero views is the first step to fixing it. 99% of the time, it's one of these four reasons.

Here's a quick overview:

Reason 1: TikTok's Standard Review Process (The Most Likely Cause)

This is the biggest reason for the "0 views" issue. As soon as you upload a video, it doesn't go live to the For You Page instantly. It first enters a processing and review queue.

During this phase, TikTok's algorithm scans your video for:

• Copyright violations (music and video clips)
• Breaches of Community Guidelines (graphic content, dangerous acts, etc.)
• Spam or unoriginal content

This review is usually instant, but if the system is overloaded or if something in your video requires a closer look, it can take anywhere from a few minutes to several hours. Your video is essentially in a waiting room, and during this time, it will show 0 views.

Understanding how the TikTok algorithm works can help you create content that passes through the review process more quickly.

Reason 2: Content Flagged for a Manual Review

If the algorithm is unsure about something in your video, it will hold it from distribution and flag it for a human review. This will guarantee it stays at 0 views until a decision is made. Common triggers include:

• Using copyrighted music that isn't from TikTok's official sound library.
• Borderline content: Even if it doesn't explicitly violate the rules, content that is edgy or could be misinterpreted might get flagged. Check out successful TikTok content strategies like Amalfi Jets to see what works.
• Spam indicators: Using too many hashtags, mentioning too many accounts, or posting the same video multiple times can be seen as spam.
• Low-quality or unoriginal content: TikTok has stated it is deprioritizing content that is visibly recycled from other platforms (e.g., has another app's watermark), is blurry, or is simply a screen recording.

To avoid these issues, make sure you're using proper TikTok hashtag analytics strategies and tracking your social media engagement metrics.

Reason 3: Account-Level Issues

Sometimes the problem isn't the video, but your account.

• Your Account is Private: If your account is set to private, only your approved followers can see your videos, which is why it won't get pushed to the FYP.
• You're Using a VPN: TikTok's algorithm can be sensitive to VPN usage, as it masks your location. This can sometimes cause your videos to get stuck.
• You're Shadowbanned: While TikTok doesn't officially confirm shadowbans, the term refers to a temporary, invisible block on your account where your reach is severely limited. This usually happens after repeated community guideline violations. Use our TikTok audience analytics tool to track your reach patterns and spot potential issues early.

Reason 4: A Simple Technical Glitch

Sometimes, it's just a bug. The app might be down, there could be a server issue on TikTok's end, or an error could have occurred during the upload process.

Part 2: The "How-To" — Your Step-by-Step Action Plan

Okay, so you're stuck at zero. What should you do? Follow these steps in order.

Step 1: Wait. Seriously. (The 2-Hour Rule)

Do not do anything for at least two hours. Deleting and re-uploading your video too quickly can be seen as spammy behavior. The vast majority of the time, the video is just stuck in the review queue and will start getting views on its own. Go for a walk, watch some Netflix, and come back later.

Step 2: Check for Simple Errors

While you wait, do a quick check-up:

• Is your account private? Go to Settings and privacy > Privacy and make sure Private account is toggled off.
• Are you logged in with a VPN? If so, turn it off.

Step 3: The "Delete and Repost" Strategy

If it has been more than 4-6 hours and your video still has 0-10 views, it's safe to assume it's stuck for good. Now it's time for the most effective solution:

1. Save the video to your device if you don't have a copy.
2. Delete the stuck video from your profile.
3. Close and restart the TikTok app. As a bonus step, you can clear your cache by going to Settings and privacy > Clear cache.
4. Re-upload the same video.

This process often resolves any temporary glitch that caused the video to get stuck in the first place.

Step 4: If the Repost Fails

If you re-upload the video and it gets stuck at 0 views a second time, the problem is almost certainly the content of the video itself. The algorithm is repeatedly flagging it for a violation.

• Change the Sound: If you used your own audio, replace it with a trending sound from TikTok's library.
• Edit the Video: Make a small change. Trim the first second, remove a specific clip, or apply a different filter. This makes the algorithm see it as a brand new video. Learn more about how to repurpose video content effectively.
• Review Your Caption & Hashtags: Remove any hashtags that could be considered spammy or borderline (e.g., #fyp). Simplify your caption.

Taking Control of Your TikTok Performance

Dealing with the dreaded 0 views can be frustrating, but remember it's usually temporary. The key is understanding whether it's a processing delay, content issue, or technical glitch—and then taking the appropriate action.

While you're waiting for your views to kick in, why not take this time to develop a more strategic approach to your TikTok content? Understanding your TikTok analytics and tracking your performance metrics can help you identify patterns and optimize your content strategy to avoid these issues in the future.