“Invalid Link” Error: How to Fix TikTok Links
Which TikTok links work in a downloader, which don't, and how to copy the right one every time.
SSSTikTok shows "That doesn't look like a valid link" when the text you pasted isn't a TikTok post URL. It's the most common error, and it's fixed by copying the right link.
Once the link is right, paste it into our TikTok video download tool and it will load in seconds.
Links that work
| Format | Example |
|---|---|
| --- | --- |
| Full video URL | https://www.tiktok.com/@creator/video/7290000000000000000 |
| Photo post URL | https://www.tiktok.com/@creator/photo/7290000000000000000 |
| Short share link | https://vm.tiktok.com/ZMabc123/ |
| Short share link (alt) | https://vt.tiktok.com/ZSabc123/ |
| Mobile web | https://m.tiktok.com/v/7290000000000000000.html |
Pasting a whole message is fine. If the link is inside text like "Check this out! https://vm.tiktok.com/…", we pick out the URL automatically.
Links that don't work
- Profiles: tiktok.com/@username. Open a specific video first.
- Sounds: tiktok.com/music/… These are pages listing many videos.
- Hashtags and search: tiktok.com/tag/… or /search?q=…
- Live streams: tiktok.com/@user/live
- Other platforms: Instagram, YouTube or Facebook links. We do have a sister tool for Facebook. Use the link shown in the error message.
How to copy the right link
- In the TikTok app, open the video itself (not the profile grid).
- Tap Share → Copy link.
- On a computer, click the video so it opens on its own page, then copy the address bar.
Full walkthrough: how to copy a TikTok link.
Other causes of "invalid link"
- Truncated links copied from a screenshot or partly selected text
- Spaces or line breaks in the middle of the URL
- Expired short links. Rare, but re-copy if a vm.tiktok.com link is very old.
- Links from TikTok Lite or regional apps. These usually work, but re-copy from Share if not.
Valid link but "We couldn't open this post"? That's a different error. The video is private, deleted or restricted. See private TikTok videos.
Related help
Spotting the problem in your link
Paste the link into a note and look at it before using it:
- Does it start with https://? If it begins with text like "Watch this", that's fine, because we find the URL.
- Does it contain /video/ or /photo/, or is it a vm. or vt. short link? Good.
- Does it end at /@name or contain /music/, /tag/ or /search? That isn't a single post.
- Is there a space or line break in the middle? Remove it.
Worked example
You copied `tiktok.com/@chefmaria` from the browser while viewing a creator's profile. That's a profile, so you'll get an error. Click the specific video, and the address becomes `tiktok.com/@chefmaria/video/7290…`. Copy that instead and it will work.
Mistakes to avoid
- Typing a link by hand from a screenshot. One wrong character breaks it.
- Copying the link of a sound page while trying to download the song. Open a video that uses the sound instead, or use the MP3 downloader with that video's link.
Quick device reference
| Device | Best browser | Where files go | Full guide |
|---|---|---|---|
| iPhone | Safari | Files → Downloads, then Share → Save Video | iPhone guide |
| iPad | Safari | Files → Downloads | iPad guide |
| Android | Chrome or Samsung Internet | Download folder and Gallery | Android guide |
| Windows | Chrome, Edge or Firefox | This PC → Downloads (Ctrl + J) | PC guide |
| Mac | Safari or Chrome | Finder → Downloads | Mac guide |
Lost a file? Our page on where TikTok downloads are saved covers every brand and browser.
Every SSSTikTok tool
Safe, private and respectful
- No login, ever. We never ask for your TikTok password. Treat any site that does as a phishing risk.
- No installs. Everything runs in your browser. Ignore any advert that offers an app, extension or "codec".
- No history. Results are cached for about 15 minutes, then deleted. See the privacy policy.
- Public content only. We don't bypass private accounts or deleted posts.
- Credit creators. Saving for personal use is common, but reposting needs permission. Read is it legal to download TikTok videos?
Frequently asked questions
Why does it say my TikTok link is invalid?
You likely pasted a profile, sound or search link, or a partial URL. Copy the link from the video's Share menu.
Do vm.tiktok.com links work?
Yes. Short links are expanded automatically.
Can I paste a whole message containing a link?
Yes. We extract the URL automatically.
Can I download from a TikTok profile link?
No. Open a specific video and copy its link.