How to Fix the “This Sound Isn’t Available” TikTok Error

If you’ve spent more than five minutes on TikTok, you know just how important sound is. Whether it’s trending audio, a funny voiceover, or your favorite music track—sound brings videos to life.

So when you run into the dreaded “This sound isn’t available” error, it can be super frustrating. You click on a video, expecting a bop or a laugh, but instead you’re met with silence and confusion. What gives?

Don’t worry. You’re not alone—and we’re here to help. In this post, we’ll break down why this error happens, how to fix it step-by-step, and what you can do to avoid it in the future.

What Does “This Sound Isn’t Available” Mean on TikTok?

This error typically shows up when a specific audio clip in a TikTok video is no longer accessible. Instead of playing the original sound, TikTok shows a greyed-out message: “This sound isn’t available.”

This can happen when:

• The original sound was removed by TikTok

• The user deleted the video that contained the sound

• There’s a copyright issue

• There’s a glitch or app bug

• The sound is restricted in your region

In short, the sound was there—but now it’s gone. Let’s talk about why.

Common Reasons Why Sounds Become “Unavailable”

Here are the most common culprits behind the error:

1. Copyright Restrictions

TikTok works with record labels to allow music on the platform—but sometimes songs get pulled due to copyright claims. If a song violates licensing agreements, TikTok removes it or limits where it can be used.

2. Deleted Original Video

If the sound came from a user-generated video and that user deleted it or changed the privacy settings, the sound may disappear with it.

3. Region-Locked Content

Some sounds are only available in certain countries due to legal restrictions. If you’re outside that region, you may see this error.

4. Community Guidelines Violations

If a video was reported and taken down for violating TikTok’s rules, the sound may be affected—even if the video wasn’t yours.

5. App Bugs or Glitches

Sometimes, TikTok just acts up. An outdated version of the app or a server issue could cause sounds to vanish temporarily.

How to Fix the “This Sound Isn’t Available” Error

Now, let’s get into the fixes. Depending on the cause, one of these should help you out.

1. Update Your TikTok App

First things first—make sure you’re using the latest version of TikTok. Outdated apps are a breeding ground for glitches, including missing sounds.

How to do it:

• Go to the App Store (iOS) or Google Play Store (Android)

• Search for TikTok

• Tap Update if available

Then reopen the app and check the video again.

2. Clear the App Cache

Too much cached data can cause bugs. Clearing the cache might help TikTok reload the sound properly.

How to clear cache:

• Open TikTok

• Go to Profile > Settings & Privacy

• Scroll down to Free up space

• Tap Clear cache

This won’t delete your videos—it just clears temporary data.

3. Switch Your Network (Wi-Fi or Mobile Data)

Sometimes it’s not TikTok—it’s your internet. A poor or unstable connection can cause audio to fail to load properly.

Try:

• Switching from Wi-Fi to mobile data or vice versa

• Restarting your router

• Using a different network altogether

4. Check If the Sound is Region-Blocked

If you suspect the sound is restricted in your country, you can try using a VPN to change your virtual location. This might give you access to region-locked content.

⚠️ Just keep in mind: using VPNs to bypass restrictions may violate TikTok’s terms of service, so proceed with caution.

5. Use a Different Sound

If you’re creating content and the sound you want is unavailable, your best bet is to search for an alternative. TikTok often has similar or remixed versions of trending sounds.

How to search:

• Tap the + to create a video

• Tap Add sound at the top

• Use the search bar to find a similar track or trend

6. Reinstall the App

If nothing else works, uninstall and reinstall TikTok. This resets the app and clears out any deep-rooted bugs.

Steps:

• Delete TikTok from your phone

• Reboot your device

• Reinstall TikTok from the app store

Log back in and see if the sound is available again.

7. Contact TikTok Support

Still stuck? You can report the issue directly to TikTok:

How to report:

• Go to Settings & Privacy > Report a Problem

• Choose a relevant category (e.g., “Sounds”)

• Describe the issue and attach a screenshot if possible

TikTok’s support team might be able to give you more insight—especially if it’s a platform-wide bug.

How to Avoid This Error in the Future

Here are a few tips to prevent this from happening down the line:

✅ Use TikTok’s Licensed Music Library

Stick to sounds and music provided directly by TikTok. They’re less likely to be removed due to copyright issues.

✅ Avoid Re-uploading Copyrighted Music

Even if you upload a full song as a “sound,” it might get taken down. Let TikTok handle the music side—they’ve already dealt with the legal stuff.

✅ Bookmark or Save Sounds Quickly

If you hear a sound you love, save it right away. Tap on the sound and hit Add to Favorites—that way, you won’t lose it if it disappears later.

✅ Follow TikTok’s Community Guidelines

If you’re creating content, make sure you’re not violating any rules. Sounds tied to flagged videos are often removed or hidden.

Thoughts

The “This sound isn’t available” error on TikTok can be annoying, especially when you’re vibing with a trend or trying to finish your content. But thankfully, it’s usually fixable—or at least explainable.

Whether it’s a copyright issue, a regional restriction, or just a glitchy app, there are several things you can try to get things working again. And if not? TikTok trends move fast—there’s always another catchy sound around the corner.

So don’t stress too much. Just keep scrolling, keep creating, and keep having fun.