YouTube download not working? Try these fixes

YouTube changes how it delivers video often, so a downloader that worked yesterday can fail today. Most problems are fixed by one of the steps below, in this order.

1. Update the extension

Most failures come from YouTube changes that a newer version already handles. Check the changelog for the latest version. If you installed from a file, download the new one and update it as described in the manual install guide; a Firefox install from Mozilla Add-ons updates by itself.

2. Turn on Secure verification

If a download stops with a protected video message, open the extension's Settings and switch on Secure verification. It is optional and off by default. When YouTube asks for proof that a request is genuine, the extension asks our server for a proof token. Only an anonymous visitor identifier is sent, never the videos you watch or download. See the privacy policy.

3. Reload the page and try another quality

Press F5 on the YouTube tab and try again. If one quality fails, try a lower one, or switch the file type between MP4 and MKV.

4. Check other extensions

Ad blockers, privacy tools, video tools and other downloaders can change YouTube pages and break a download. Switch them off for YouTube to test, or try a private window with only this extension enabled.

5. Tell us, with the details

If it still fails, send a bug report. The more of this you include, the faster it is fixed: the video link, the format and quality you chose, the exact message shown, the steps, the extension version and your browser. Use the bug report form; it asks for exactly that.

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