If your LinkedIn Phantom returns a "Profile out of network" error, it means LinkedIn is blocking access to that profile because it's outside your visible network. This is a LinkedIn visibility limit, not a Phantom bug. To fix it, grow your network around your target audience, join relevant groups, or use Sales Navigator to unlock broader profile access.
Don't confuse this with the "Profile couldn't be opened" error, that one is about loading failures, not network visibility.
Why you're seeing this
LinkedIn restricts access to profiles outside your visible network. You can normally only view full profiles if they are:
- 1st, 2nd, or 3rd-degree connections
- Members of the same group
- Linked by a shared company or school
A profile may also be "out of network" if:
- You don't have any mutual connections
- The user restricted visibility in their settings
- You're on a free account without Sales Navigator, which expands profile access
To learn more about how LinkedIn defines these connection levels, check out their official guide on degrees of connection.
How to fix it
Grow your LinkedIn network
Use Phantoms like the LinkedIn Search to Lead Outreach to send personalized connection requests. Once a request is accepted, the profile moves into your network and becomes visible to your Phantoms.
Connect gradually
Don't send too many requests at once, or LinkedIn may flag your account. Keep requests personalized → see How to personalize your PhantomBuster outreach messages.
Engage before connecting
Warm up leads by liking or commenting on their posts first. Use Phantoms like the LinkedIn Auto Liker or the LinkedIn Auto Commenter to automate this.
Join LinkedIn groups
Group membership gives you visibility into other members' profiles. You can also message some group members with the LinkedIn Group Member Message Sender.
Consider upgrading to Sales Navigator
Sales Navigator unlocks access to many more profiles. Pair it with our Sales Navigator Phantoms for advanced prospecting and outreach.
Frequently asked questions
Does this error count against my execution time?
Yes. The Phantom still spends time attempting to reach the profile before returning the error.
Will this error stop the Phantom from running?
No. The Phantom will skip out-of-network profiles and continue processing the rest of your input.
Can I filter out-of-network profiles before launching?
Not reliably in advance, but scraping results from LinkedIn searches (rather than cold URL lists) naturally returns profiles more likely to be in your network.
Does Sales Navigator really fix this?
It significantly expands your reach, but it doesn't remove every limit. Some profiles stay restricted based on the target's privacy settings.
Why do some 3rd-degree profiles still fail?
LinkedIn occasionally restricts visibility further based on the target's settings, your own account history, or detected automation patterns.
Can I retry the same profiles later?
Yes. If you grow your network or join a shared group with those users, relaunching the Phantom with the same input can succeed on the second pass.
If the error keeps showing up
Get in touch with our Customer Care Team.
If possible, include:
- The Phantom name and link
- The launch log showing the error
- Example profile URLs that triggered the "out of network" message
- A screenshot of the error in the output