# TikTok Blames US Data Center Power Outage for Widespread Glitches and Outages
TikTok’s **USDS Joint Venture** has officially attributed recent app disruptions— including upload failures, zero view counts, and algorithm glitches—to a **power outage at a U.S. data center**.[1][2][3] The issues, which began on Sunday, January 25, 2026, have frustrated millions of users amid snowstorms and heightened scrutiny of the platform’s new U.S. ownership structure.[1][2]
## The Outage Unfolds: What Users Experienced
Reports surged on DownDetector starting Sunday, with peaks showing over widespread problems across the U.S.[1][2] Creators faced the brunt: videos uploaded but stuck at **zero views or likes**, in-app earnings vanishing, and editing issues in companion app **CapCut**.[1][3] Viewers encountered slower loading for feeds, comments, and user pages, alongside erratic **For You page** behavior—like repetitive videos or generic content flooding personalized feeds.[2][3]
Tom’s Guide testing confirmed the creator-side focus: posting worked, but engagement metrics failed to register.[1] Engadget noted a **cascading systems failure** from the outage, causing server timeouts that displayed false zeros on views and likes—actual data remained intact.[3] As of Monday morning, January 26, DownDetector hovered around 1,500 reports, signaling partial recovery but lingering bugs.[1]
TikTok’s statement on X captured the scope: “Since yesterday we’ve been working to restore our services following a **power outage at a U.S. data center** impacting TikTok and other apps we operate. We’re working with our data center partner to stabilize our service. We’re sorry for this disruption and hope to resolve it soon.”[1][2][3] A follow-up addressed creators: “Creators may temporarily see ‘0’ views or likes on videos, and your earnings may look like they’re missing. This is a display error caused by server timeouts; your actual data and engagement are safe.”[3]
## Perfect Storm: Snowstorms and Timing Raise Eyebrows
The outage aligned with severe U.S. snowstorms, knocking out power for over a million people and logically explaining data center woes.[2] Yet suspicion brewed due to its proximity to TikTok’s U.S. arm sale. Just last week, the platform finalized a deal creating the **TikTok USDS Joint Venture**, where ByteDance holds under 20% stake, and U.S. investors like Oracle, Silver Lake, and MGX own 15% each—mandated to address national security fears over Chinese access to user data.[1][2]
Hours after the deal closed, users encountered updated **terms of service** and privacy policy prompts, including disclosures on collecting data like “sexual life or sexual orientation, status as transgender or nonbinary, citizenship or immigration status.”[2] While some language predates the deal for California privacy compliance, the timing fueled conspiracy theories.[2]
Compounding this, outages overlapped with Minneapolis protests against ICE operations, including a fatal shooting of Alex Pretti on Saturday.[2] Some users reported search glitches for event info, sparking censorship fears—though TikTok pins it all on the data center mishap.[2]
## TikTok’s Response: Apologies Without Timelines
The **USDS Joint Venture** account broke silence Monday with the power outage explanation, but offered no restoration ETA.[1][2] Press inquiries looped back to the X post, and CapCut lacks a status page, leaving users venting in comments.[1] By late January 26, issues centered on uploads and CapCut edits, with passive viewing mostly fine.[1]
Engadget’s update highlighted ongoing **multiple bugs** from the cascade: algorithm quirks, login hurdles, and earnings glitches.[3] TikTok promised collaboration with its data center partner but stayed mum on specifics like location or prevention measures.[1][3]
## Broader Implications for Creators and Users
For **creators**, the zero-view bug crippled momentum—vital in TikTok’s algorithm-driven ecosystem where early engagement dictates reach.[3] Earnings displays vanishing added financial stress, even if temporary.[1][3] Everyday users grappled with disrupted discovery, eroding trust in the hyper-personalized feeds that define the app.[2][3]
This incident spotlights vulnerabilities in cloud-dependent platforms. Data centers, often in storm-prone areas, underscore the need for redundancy—yet even giants falter.[2] Post-spin-off, questions swirl about **retraining the recommendation algorithm** under U.S. control, especially amid retraining hints from the new entity.[3]
Privacy jitters persist too. While outages seem technical, the policy refresh reminds users of data practices amid political unrest—like Minneapolis events—where social media scrutiny intensifies.[2]
## Looking Ahead: Stability in Sight?
As of January 27, reports have dwindled, suggesting stabilization.[1] TikTok’s transparency via X marks progress, but sparse updates frustrated many.[1] Creators should monitor analytics closely; affected metrics should normalize as servers recover.[3]
This glitch serves as a reminder: even after divestment, TikTok’s U.S. operations hinge on robust infrastructure. With 170 million American users, swift fixes are non-negotiable.[2] Data center partners must prioritize resilience against weather and scale.
In sum, a power outage explains the chaos—not malice. Yet in TikTok’s high-stakes world of virality and geopolitics, timing tests faith. Users: check DownDetector, retry uploads, and stay tuned for official word. Creators: your content’s safe; patience pays off.[1][3]
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Original source: TechCrunch – TikTok attributes recent glitches to a power outage at a US data center
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