How to Fix Sound Removed on TikTok

Nothing sinks your stomach faster than getting a notification that says, Sound removed due to copyright restrictions, a minute after posting what you thought was your best TikTok yet. Suddenly, your perfectly edited video is playing in awkward silence. This article will show you exactly why this happens and give you several clear, step-by-step methods to fix it and prevent it from happening again.

Why TikTok Removed the Sound from Your Video

That frustrating "sound removed" notification almost always boils down to one thing: music licensing. While TikTok feels like a creative free-for-all, there are complex legal agreements working behind the scenes. TikTok pays licensing fees to record labels, but those licenses have specific rules, and they don't cover every possible use of a song.

The biggest factor is the type of account you have. TikTok separates accounts into two main categories: Personal and Business. Your account type directly impacts which sounds you can use without penalty.

The Big Difference: Personal Accounts vs. Business Accounts

Understanding which account you have is the first step to solving the "sound removed" problem permanently. Here's a quick breakdown:

• Personal Accounts (or Creator Accounts): These are for general users and creators. They get access to TikTok's full, massive library of popular music because the assumption is they aren't using the songs for direct commercial gain. Think of it like listening to the radio - you enjoy it, but you don't use it in a TV ad for your company.
• Business Accounts: These are for brands, retailers, and organizations using TikTok for marketing. Because these accounts are promoting a product or service (commercial use), they have restricted access to music. Using a mainstream pop song to promote your brand without the proper (and very expensive) commercial license is a major copyright violation.

To protect both the brands on its platform and itself from massive lawsuits, TikTok created the Commercial Music Library. This is a collection of over 1 million royalty-free tracks and sounds that are pre-cleared for brands to use in their promotional content. If you have a Business Account and use a sound that isn't from this library, TikTok will likely mute it automatically.

But I Have a Personal Account and My Sound Still Got Removed!

Even personal accounts aren't completely immune. This can happen if:

• The original sound you used was an unofficial remix, a sped-up version, or a slightly altered track that TikTok's algorithm flagged.
• The copyright holder for that specific song files a takedown request.
• The tune sounds very similar to another copyrighted piece of music, confusing the algorithm.

No matter your account type, understanding the rules of the road is the best way to keep your content live and full of sound.

How to Fix a Video with a Removed Sound (The Easy Way)

Okay, your video has been silenced. Don't panic and delete it! You usually have options to fix it without losing the video itself. Here are the steps to take right now, starting with the simplest solution.

Option 1: Use the "Change Sound" Feature

When TikTok removes a sound from a Business Account video, it often gives you a direct, easy path to fix it right from the video itself. This is your best first move.

1. Navigate to Your Muted Video: Open your TikTok profile and tap on the video that has the sound removed. You'll likely see a red notice at the bottom that says something like, “This sound is not licensed for commercial use. The sound has been removed from this video.”
2. Tap the Notice: Tap on that red notice or the “Sound removed” text. This will usually bring up a new screen with details about the removal.
3. Select "Change Sound": On this screen, you should see a prominent blue or white button that says “Change sound.” Tap it.
4. Choose a New Sound: TikTok will pull up the Commercial Music Library. Swipe through the recommended tracks or use the search bar to find a sound that fits your video’s vibe. You can preview the sounds by tapping on them.
5. Adjust the Audio: Once you select a new sound, TikTok lets you make adjustments. You can trim the clip to start and stop where you want and adjust the volume. This is especially useful if your original video had spoken word that you want to keep audible. Tap the "Volume" option and make sure "Added sound" is at a level that complements, not overpowers, the "Original sound."
6. Save and Post: When you’re happy with the new sound and volume, tap "Post" or "Save." TikTok will re-process your video with the new, commercially-licensed audio. Your video is now fixed and live again for your followers to see and hear!

Option 2: Re-Upload the Video with a Compliant Sound

Sometimes, the "Change Sound" option might not appear, or you might want to pick a completely different track from scratch. In this case, your best bet is to save your video and re-upload it with a safe sound. This method does mean you will lose any likes, comments, and views from the original post.

1. Download Your Muted Video: Go to the muted video. Tap the three dots (...) on the right-hand side and select "Save video." Luckily, when you save a video with a removed sound, TikTok usually saves it to your phone's camera roll *without* any audio, which is exactly what you need.
2. Start a New Upload: Go back to your profile and tap the plus (+) icon to start a new post.
3. Add a New, Safe Sound: Before moving to the next screen, tap "Add sound" at the top. If you have a Business Account, browse the Commercial Music Library. For personal accounts, feel free to pick a popular sound, but you're now armed with the knowledge of why it might get flagged.
4. Edit and Post: Trim the sound, adjust your captions and hashtags, and post the video as you normally would.

While this isn't ideal because you lose the original engagement, it's a reliable way to get your content back up and running with audio that won't get taken down.

Proactive Strategies: How to Prevent Your Sound from Being Removed in the Future

Fixing a muted video is good, but never having to deal with it in the first place is much better. Here are the best practices to avoid the dreaded "sound removed" notification on all your future content.

1. Always Use the Commercial Music Library (for Business Accounts)

This is the golden rule for any brand on TikTok. It’s the safest, most reliable way to post content with music. The library might not have the brand-new Drake single, but it's massive and constantly updated with excellent tracks in every genre imaginable. You might even find a signature sound that aligns with your brand. Simply get in the habit of tapping the "Commercial Sounds" tab every time you add audio.

2. Create Your Own Original Audio

Have you noticed that some of the biggest trends on TikTok aren't pop songs? They're catchy voiceovers, silly quotes from TV shows adapted for a different context, or simple, rhythmic sounds made by creators. This is a massive opportunity for your brand.

• Make an informative voiceover: Share a quick tip or break down a process related to your industry. Your voice becomes the "sound."
• Coin a catchy phrase: Come up with a tagline or a fun, repeatable phrase that other people can lip-sync or use.
• Use real-life sounds: The sound of your product being used, a satisfying click, or even office ambiance can become an interesting audio clip for others to use.

When you create an Original Audio, you not only eliminate any copyright risks, but you also create a sound that thousands of other users could potentially use, leading them directly back to your brand's profile. It’s a powerful organic marketing strategy.

3. Decide if You Really Need a Business Account

Sometimes, the sound limitations are a sign that you might be on the wrong type of account for your goals. Ask yourself:

• If my goal is to… use the latest trending music, participate in dance challenges, and be more of a creator/tastemaker, then a Personal (Creator) Account might be a better fit. You lose some business features like analytics tools and website links in your profile, but you gain full music access.
• If my goal is to… advertise products, track post performance, link to my e-commerce site, and run a legally compliant brand page, then a Business Account is essential. The trade-off is committing to the Commercial Music Library.

Don't be afraid to switch your account type if your strategy changes. You can do this by going to Settings and privacy >, Account >, Switch to Business Account (or Personal Account).

4. License Your Own Music

For larger brands or those with a specific audio vision, there’s always the option to license music independently from royalty-free music sites like Epidemic Sound or Artlist. You can purchase the rights to a track and add it to your video using an external video editor before uploading it to TikTok. This gives you high-quality, unique music that no one else is using, without any fear of it being removed.

Final Thoughts

Dealing with a muted video on TikTok can be hugely annoying, but it's almost always fixable and, more importantly, preventable. By understanding the distinction between personal and business accounts, using the Commercial Music Library, or creating your own unique sounds, you can spend less time fixing old posts and more time creating new content that connects with your audience.

Staying on top of these platform-specific rules for TikTok, Reels, Stories, and more can feel like a full-time job. That’s precisely why we built Postbase from the ground up to simplify modern social media management. Instead of having to troubleshoot a new problem on each app daily, you can map out your entire month’s content strategy in one visual calendar and schedule your short-form videos across all platforms in just a few clicks. This gives you the breathing room to focus on getting creative without worrying if your management tool actually understands how today's social media works.