TikTok is still down, here are all the latest updates | The VergeSkip to main contentThe homepageThe VergeThe Verge logo.The VergeThe Verge logo.TechReviewsScienceEntertainmentAIPolicyHamburger Navigation ButtonThe homepageThe VergeThe Verge logo.Hamburger Navigation ButtonNavigation DrawerThe VergeThe Verge logo.Login / Sign UpcloseCloseSearchTechExpandAmazonAppleFacebookGoogleMicrosoftSamsungBusinessSee all techGadgetsExpandLaptopsPhonesTVsHeadphonesSpeakersWearablesSee all gadgetsReviewsExpandSmart Home ReviewsPhone ReviewsTablet ReviewsHeadphone ReviewsSee all reviewsAIExpandOpenAIAnthropicSee all AIVerge ShoppingExpandBuying GuidesDealsGift GuidesSee all shoppingPolicyExpandAntitrustPoliticsLawSecuritySee all policyScienceExpandSpaceEnergyEnvironmentHealthSee all scienceEntertainmentExpandTV ShowsMoviesAudioSee all entertainmentGamingExpandXboxPlayStationNintendoSee all gamingStreamingExpandDisneyHBONetflixYouTubeCreatorsSee all streamingTransportationExpandElectric CarsAutonomous CarsRide-sharingScootersSee all transportationFeaturesVerge VideoExpandTikTokYouTubeInstagramPodcastsExpandDecoderThe VergecastVersion HistoryNewslettersExpandThe Verge DailyInstallerVerge DealsNotepadOptimizerRegulatorThe StepbackArchivesStoreSubscribeFacebookThreadsInstagramYoutubeRSSThe VergeThe Verge logo.TikTok is still down, here are all the latest updatesComments DrawerCommentsLoading commentsGetting the conversation ready...NewsUpdated Today, Jan 27, 2026, 4:26 AM UTCTikTok is still down, here are all the latest updatesby Richard LawlerLinkShareRSSGiftMore than a day after TikTok’s issues began, TikTok USDS says the problems are the result of a power outage at a data center and subsequent cascading systems failure.Starting early Sunday morning, TikTok’s now under new ownership US arm started breaking down just a couple of days after Oracle & Co took the reins. Its For You page algorithm is suddenly unreliable, while features like comments are failing to load or loading slowly, and publishing new videos seems nearly impossible for many people.Rumors of censorship targeting anti-ICE protesting or attempting to block discussion of Jeffrey Epstein appear to be misguided (even the governor of California is resharing misinformation now), with problems blocking traffic to all kinds of videos and messages on the service through Monday night.Read on below for the latest updates about the ongoing TikTok problems.Today, Two hours agoRichard LawlerTikTok is still struggling in the US due to a “cascading systems failure.”TikTok’s US service crashed early Sunday morning, and as of late Monday night, it still hasn’t fully recovered.After finally announcing the problem started with a power outage at an unnamed partner’s data center, TikTok USDS followed up with an updated statement saying, “While the network has been recovered, the outage caused a cascading systems failure that we’ve been working to resolve together with our data center partner,” and listing some of the bugs users are experiencing. There’s still no ETA for a full fix.Image: TikTok USDSJV (X)Today, 1:36 AM UTCRichard LawlerIs New TikTok banning the word “Epstein” in DMs? Not really.Despite claims floating around social media, the truth is a bit more complicated, not least by the fact that TikTok in the US is still largely down, about a day and a half after its data center power outage problems started.While tweets from random users, the governor of California, and PopBase claimed TikTok US DMs now censor “Epstein,” testing it from our end showed that its messaging feature bans many innocuous single-word messages, like “test.” Using the convicted sex offender’s name in a sentence, however, goes through unbanned.TikTok DM screenshot showing the words “Epstein” and “test” trip the service’s ban by themselves, but not in a sentence.Jan 26Emma RothTikTok blames its US problems on a power outageImage: The VergeTikTok says a power outage is causing ongoing issues and outages that started in the US early Sunday morning. In an email to The Verge, TikTok USDS spokesperson Jamie Favazza pointed to a statement posted to the joint venture’s newly-created X account, which says the company has been “working to restore our services following a power outage at a U.S. data center impacting TikTok and other apps we operate.”On Sunday, many US users, including some of us here at The Verge, reported not being able to upload videos to TikTok or see most new videos, including new videos uploaded successfully by users from outside the US. Others said that their algorithm appeared to “reset,” though it’s unclear if that’s linked to the power outage, too.Read Article >Jan 26Dominic PrestonTikTok USA is brokenImage: Cath Virginia / The Verge, Getty ImagesTikTok has suffered from extensive problems on its first weekend after completing a transaction that changed the ownership of its US arm. According to Downdetector, the issues initially spiked in the early hours of Sunday morning, but many users, including editors here at The Verge, are still reporting errors.On Monday morning, TikTok USDS head of communications Jamie Favazza responded to our inquiries, pointing to a post on a newly-created X account for the US joint venture that said its current issues are the result of a data center power outage.Read Article >Jan 25Richard LawlerTikTok is breaking down.Whether this is just a regular outage or a result of this week’s changes in management, reports tracked on Downdetector and Reddit confirm many people are having trouble loading TikTok right now.If the mobile app loads, it’s not consistently showing comments or other features, and the algorithm managing the For You page doesn’t feel like it’s working correctly.Update, January 26th: TikTok is still having problems in the US, which it says are connected to a data center power outage.Screenshot: DowndetectorJan 23Emma RothWhat TikTok’s new owners mean for your feedIllustration by Nick Barclay / The VergeTikTok is officially under new ownership in the US, and that could spell big changes for the video-sharing app. On January 22nd, ByteDance – TikTok’s Chinese parent company — and a group of investors closed a $14 billion deal to spin off the platform’s US operations, introducing a new slate of American executives.The Silver Lake investment firm, Abu Dhabi’s MGX, and the cloud giant Oracle will each have 15 percent stakes in the new TikTok US Data Security (USDS) Joint Venture LLC. ByteDance will still hold a 19.9 percent stake in the company, in line with the divest-or-ban law that went into effect last year — though the deal was pushed through with help from President Donald Trump in persistent disregard of the law.Read Article >Most PopularMost PopularTikTok USA is brokenThe great e-bike crackdown has begunPayment processors were against CSAM until Grok started making itApple’s new AirTag has more range and a better speakerEven the big dick subreddit is mad about ICEThe Verge DailyA free daily digest of the news that matters most.Email (required)Sign UpBy submitting your email, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Notice. 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TikTok remains significantly disrupted in the United States following a cascade of technical issues that began early Sunday morning, January 26, 2026. The core of the problem stems from a power outage experienced at an unnamed partner’s data center, subsequently triggering a cascading systems failure within TikTok’s US Data Security (USDS) joint venture. As of Monday evening, the USDS team, alongside its data center partner, are working to resolve the ongoing disruptions. Users are experiencing a range of difficulties, including an unreliable “For You” page algorithm, failing or sluggish comment loading, and significant challenges in publishing new video content.

Despite initial speculation, claims that TikTok US DMs were actively censoring mentions of Jeffrey Epstein or attempting to block discussion related to anti-ICE protests appear to be unsubstantiated. While sporadic reports circulated—including statements from the governor of California—testing revealed that the platform routinely blocked single-word messages like “test” when containing the name "Epstein,” but phrases containing the name passed unhindered. This suggests a more basic keyword filtering system rather than a deliberate attempt at censorship.

The issues began to spike in terms of reported outages via platforms like Downdetector and Reddit, highlighting the widespread impact. ByteDance, TikTok’s parent company, has formally acknowledged the root cause, attributing the problems to the data center power failure. Jamie Favazza, head of communications for USDS, communicated this assessment via a newly-established X account dedicated to the joint venture. The situation underscores the complexities of a platform’s transition with new ownership, particularly given the increased regulatory scrutiny associated with the divest-or-ban law.

The leadership transition, involving investment from Silver Lake, Abu Dhabi’s MGX, and Oracle, has created a new organizational structure for TikTok’s US operations. The $14 billion deal was finalized on January 22nd, with ByteDance retaining a majority stake (19.9%) while also fulfilling the terms of the divest-or-ban law. However, the transaction has introduced uncertainty regarding the platform’s future direction and compliance with evolving U.S. regulations. Continued monitoring is essential to understanding the long-term consequences of this shift.