Introduction
After TikTok announced the creation of a separate U.S. entity with American investors to sidestep a nationwide ban, the platform hit a major technical snag. A data-center power outage disrupted key services, prompting widespread user complaints and raising questions about the company’s transparency.
At a Glance
- TikTok reported a power outage that crippled its U.S. infrastructure shortly after the new U.S. entity was formed.
- Users experienced failures across searches, video playback, posting, comments, and the For You algorithm.
- TikTok’s X post on January 27, 2026 said progress was being made but full restoration was not yet achieved.
- Why it matters: The outage coincided with a severe winter storm that affected 220 million Americans, compounding user frustration and drawing scrutiny from civil-unrest observers.
Background of the U.S. Entity
Last week, TikTok announced the launch of a distinct U.S. entity backed by American investors. The move aimed to mitigate the risk of a nationwide ban and reassure regulators about local ownership. The entity, however, became the focal point of the recent outage.
Outage Timeline
- Immediately after the U.S. deal closed, users began reporting glitches.
- On Monday, TikTok attributed the problems to a power outage at one of its U.S. data centers, noting that the outage also affected other apps.
- By January 27, 2026, the company’s joint-venture account on X posted an update that the outages were not yet fully resolved.
User Impact
During the outage, users encountered:
- Search failures and broken navigation.
- Interrupted video playback and posting.
- Comment loading issues and unexpected behavior in the For You feed.
- Content that appeared missing or unresponsive.
These symptoms spanned the full spectrum of the app, from casual browsing to content creation.
TikTok’s Response
The company’s communication followed a clear progression:
- Monday: TikTok blamed a data-center power outage for the glitches.
- January 27, 2026: The joint-venture X post acknowledged significant progress but warned that the user experience might still suffer.
> “We’ve made significant progress in recovering our U.S. infrastructure with our U.S. data center partner,” the post read. “However, the U.S. user experience may still have some technical issues, including when posting new content. We’re committed to bringing TikTok back to its full capacity as soon as possible. We’ll continue to provide updates. Thanks for your patience.”
The company has not identified the specific data-center partner responsible for the outage.
External Factors
The timing of the glitches amplified public concern. A large winter storm had already impacted 220 million Americans, adding to the strain on internet services. In parallel, civil unrest intensified after the death of U.S. citizen Alex Pretti at the hands of ICE agents, further inflaming user sentiment.
Creator Concerns
Content creators reported additional problems:
- Zero views or likes on new posts.
- Earnings that appeared missing.
- Server timeouts that prevented content from appearing in the feed.
TikTok assured creators that:
> “Your actual data and engagement are safe.”
This statement aimed to reassure that the platform’s metrics were intact, even if the user interface was disrupted.
Next Steps
TikTok will continue to update users as the infrastructure stabilizes. The joint-venture team is working with its U.S. data-center partner to restore full capacity. Users are encouraged to remain patient and check for future posts on X for real-time status.
Key Takeaways
- The outage occurred shortly after TikTok’s new U.S. entity was formed.
- Users faced widespread issues across core app functions.
- TikTok’s updates acknowledge progress but also highlight ongoing technical challenges.
- External events-winter storm and civil unrest-contributed to heightened scrutiny.
- Creators are assured that their data remains secure, though they may experience temporary visibility issues.
By staying transparent about the status and outlining concrete next steps, TikTok seeks to rebuild trust while navigating the complexities of a global platform operating under local scrutiny.
