Why a TikTok Link Is Not Working
Published 2026-08-08
Most TikTok download failures are one of a small set of causes. This guide explains each one so you can tell what is actually happening.
What this guide covers
The common reasons a TikTok link does not download, and what to do for each.
Reason 1: the account is private
Private TikTok accounts cannot be downloaded — by design. If the profile is private, the link will not resolve.
Reason 2: the video was removed
Deleted or expired videos return a not-found error. The downloader asks TikTok directly, so a cached page in your browser does not count.
Reason 3: the video is region-restricted
Some videos are only available in specific regions. The downloader's request comes from the processing region, and region-locked content fails there even though it plays for you.
Reason 4: short links behave slightly differently
vm.tiktok.com and vt.tiktok.com links redirect before resolving. This adds a moment of delay but does not break the download. If a short link fails, try the full link from the video page.
What Saveo supports
Public TikTok videos and photo slideshows, short links, ZIP bundles, and MP3 extraction — with clear errors when something cannot be downloaded.
Frequently asked questions
Why does my TikTok short link take longer?
Short links redirect to the full video URL first, which adds a second or two — the download still works.
Can a video work in the app but fail in a downloader?
Yes — region restrictions and third-party access blocks apply to the downloader's request even when the video plays for you.
Does TikTok block downloaders?
TikTok periodically limits automated access; those failures are usually temporary, and retrying later works.