Your downloader worked fine last week. Now? Error messages, corrupted files, or nothing happens at all. You’ve tried three different tools, cleared your cache, restarted your browser – still nothing. Meanwhile, you just need to save one video for offline viewing, and the internet is full of sketchy websites promising solutions that lead nowhere.
You’re stuck in downloader hell, and you’re not alone.
Thousands of people hit this wall every day. YouTube downloader not working is one of the most common tech frustrations. YT updates their platform, downloaders break, and users scramble for solutions. Some give up and pay for Premium. Others risk their computer’s security on random websites. But there’s a better way – one that actually works and doesn’t compromise your privacy or safety.
This guide cuts through the confusion. We’ll show you exactly why can’t download YouTube videos, how to avoid the common traps, and which solutions actually deliver. No fluff, no sales pitch disguised as advice. Just straight answers from people who run a working downloader and deal with these issues every day.
Is Downloading YouTube Videos Allowed?
The legality and ethics of downloading YouTube videos is a hot topic that doesn’t have a simple yes-or-no answer. It’s complicated, nuanced, and depends on multiple factors. On our blog, you’ll find detailed answers to many of your questions about this topic, including fair use considerations, copyright basics, and how to stay on the right side of YouTube’s terms of service.
But let’s address the core question: are downloader tools themselves legal?
The Tool vs. The Use
Here’s what most articles won’t tell you clearly: YouTube downloader tools themselves aren’t illegal—using them to download copyrighted content without permission is what violates copyright law and YouTube’s Terms of Service. The distinction matters.
Think of it like a camera. Owning a camera is legal. Using it to photograph copyrighted artwork and sell prints isn’t. The tool is neutral – the use determines legality.
What YouTube’s Terms Actually Say
YouTube’s Terms of Service prohibit users from accessing, reproducing, or downloading content unless a download button is explicitly provided by YouTube or the content creator. That’s their platform, their rules.
But here’s the reality: YouTube has never sued an individual user for downloading videos. They went after major converter sites like YouTube-MP3.org, but that was for commercial-scale copyright infringement, not personal downloads.
When Downloads Are Legitimate
You can legally download:
Your own content – If you created and uploaded the video, download away. Many creators use tools like Tubly to back up their own work.
Creative Commons videos – Content explicitly licensed for sharing and reuse is fair game. Look for the CC license in the video description.
Public domain content – Videos where copyright has expired or never applied can be downloaded freely.
Content you have permission to use – If a creator gives you explicit permission, you’re covered.
The Gray Zone of Personal Use
Downloading copyrighted videos for purely personal, non-commercial use exists in a legal gray area. You’re technically violating YouTube’s Terms of Service, but the practical risk for personal archival or offline viewing is minimal. We’re not lawyers, so we can’t give legal advice—but we can tell you that enforcement focuses on redistribution and commercial use, not someone saving a cooking tutorial to watch on a plane.
Where Tubly Stands
Tubly is a browser extension tool. Like any downloader, it’s legal to own and install. What you choose to download with it is your responsibility. We built Tubly for legitimate uses: content creators backing up their work, researchers archiving public content, people saving Creative Commons material, and users who want offline access in compliance with fair use principles.
We don’t encourage copyright violation. We do believe in user autonomy and providing reliable tools for legal downloads. The technology is neutral—how you use it determines the ethics and legality.
Why YouTube Downloads Stop Working (Most Likely Causes)
If you’re wondering “why can’t I download videos on YouTube,” here are the most common reasons:
1. Your Downloader is Outdated
This is the number one reason downloads fail, and it’s not your fault. YouTube features frequent video algorithm updates to prevent videos from being downloaded, which urges YouTube video downloaders to keep up with the changes to bypass the encryption and scrape video content.
YouTube changes their backend code weekly, sometimes daily. They modify how videos are encoded, where files are stored, and how their API responds to requests. A downloader that worked perfectly in January might be completely broken by March.
The fix seems obvious: update your software. But here’s the problem—many downloaders are abandoned. The developer moved on, stopped caring, or couldn’t keep pace with YouTube’s changes. Users reported being unable to download YouTube videos using RealPlayer since March 7, 2025, even after updating, with support never responding. That’s a dead tool.
Check when your downloader last received an update. If it’s been months, you’re using abandoned software. Delete it and find something actively maintained. Look for download tools with update logs showing regular patches – that’s your signal the developer is still fighting to keep it functional.
2. Your Internet Connection is Unstable
Downloads need consistent, stable connections. Video downloads require a strong internet connection—you need a 3mbps or faster Wi-Fi network, or mobile data supporting 3G, 4G, or LTE speeds.
The problem isn’t just speed – it’s reliability. Your connection might be fast but drop packets intermittently. When the downloader loses connection mid-process, files get corrupted or the download fails entirely. Then you’re stuck with a 0-byte file or a video that won’t play.
Test your connection at a speed test site before troubleshooting your downloader. If you’re getting packet loss or inconsistent speeds, that’s your culprit. Switch to wired ethernet if possible, or move closer to your router. Sometimes the simplest fix is the right one.
3. You’re Using the Wrong URL
This happens more than you’d think. Invalid or wrong URLs are a common culprit behind YouTube download not working – errors appear when you input an incorrect URL or one linking to copyrighted or restricted content.
People copy partial links, grab URLs from shortened redirects, or try downloading age-restricted videos without being logged in. The downloader can’t find what doesn’t exist or what it can’t access.
The right way: right-click directly on the video player and select “Copy video URL.” Don’t grab it from your browser’s address bar if you’re mid-playlist, and don’t use shortened links from social media. Give your downloader the direct, full URL to the specific video.
4. Your Antivirus is Blocking Downloads
Antivirus software may block download programs from downloading content from the Internet, with McAfee being particularly aggressive about blocking downloaders. Your security software sees the downloader accessing YouTube’s servers, extracting video data, and saving files—all behavior that looks suspicious if you don’t know context.
Check your antivirus logs. See if it quarantined files or blocked connections from your downloader. If so, you have two options: add the downloader to your antivirus whitelist, or temporarily disable protection to test if that’s the issue. Just remember to re-enable it after.
Be careful here—only whitelist software you trust. Sketchy downloaders get flagged for a reason. If your antivirus is blocking something you downloaded from a random website, maybe listen to your antivirus.
5. The Video Has Protection
Some videos have extra layers of encryption that basic downloaders can’t handle. Videos containing licensed music or in high resolutions like 1080p and 4K often have encryption that causes downloads to fail, with error messages like “This tool is not available for videos containing music” or videos downloading without audio tracks.
This is YouTube’s way of protecting high-value content. Music videos, movie trailers, and premium quality uploads get additional security. Your downloader might successfully grab the video stream but fail on the audio, leaving you with a silent file. Or it might error out completely.
Advanced downloaders with updated decryption modules can handle protected content. Basic tools can’t. If you’re consistently hitting walls with certain types of videos, your downloader isn’t sophisticated enough for what you’re trying to download.
6. You Hit Device or Account Limits
If you’re asking “why can’t I save YouTube videos anymore” through Premium, you can use the same YouTube Premium account on many devices to download videos, but there’s a limit of 10 devices – when you download on a new device after reaching the limit, the oldest device gets de-authorized.
Third-party downloaders don’t have device limits, but they might have daily download caps. Some free versions restrict you to 30 downloads per day or limit file sizes. You hit the ceiling and suddenly nothing works until the next day or until you upgrade.
Check your downloader’s documentation for limits. If you’re using free software, you might be bumping into artificial restrictions designed to push you toward paid versions.
7. Geographic Restrictions
Some YouTube videos are geo-restricted and display “This video is unavailable in your country”—you can’t download what you can’t watch.
If a video is blocked in your region, most downloaders will fail. The video isn’t accessible to you, so there’s nothing for the downloader to grab. You need VPN access to bypass geographic restrictions, and even then, not all downloaders work through VPNs.
Safe, Legal Ways to Save Videos for Offline Viewing
YouTube Premium is the official route. It’s legal, straightforward, and gives you offline access within the YouTube app. But there are limitations: videos expire after 29 days, you can’t export the files, and you’re limited to 10 devices. Plus, it costs money and only works within YouTube’s ecosystem.
Browser extensions offer a practical middle ground. Tools like Tubly integrate directly into YouTube’s interface, making downloads as simple as clicking a button below the video. No copying URLs, no external websites, no waiting in queues. Everything processes in your browser.
Standalone desktop downloaders still work if they’re properly maintained. The key is finding ones that update regularly to keep pace with YouTube’s changes. Programs that haven’t been updated in months are essentially abandoned—don’t waste your time with dead software.
Web-based downloaders can work for quick, one-off downloads. Services like Cobalt.tools operate without requiring software installation. But they’re dependent on server availability and might be slower than local tools during peak usage.
Why Going the Safe Route Matters
Sketchy websites load your screen with pop-ups, redirect you to suspicious pages, or worse – bundle malware with your downloads. We’ve heard from users who picked up ransomware from a “free YouTube downloader” site. The video isn’t worth compromising your computer’s security.
Look for tools with clear privacy policies, no excessive ads, and straightforward functionality. If a website looks like it was designed in 2005 and has fifty “DOWNLOAD NOW” buttons, close the tab.
Tubly takes security seriously. As a browser extension, it processes everything locally – your viewing history never leaves your device. No third-party servers collecting data on what you watch or download. No tracking, no data harvesting, just downloads.
Reputable alternatives like certain desktop programs and well-maintained extensions follow similar privacy principles. Always verify a tool’s reputation before installing. Check reviews, look for active development, and confirm it doesn’t require suspicious permissions.
Avoid These Common Pitfalls
Spammy Websites That Don’t Actually Download
You know these sites immediately. Bright green “DOWNLOAD NOW” buttons that lead nowhere. Fake countdown timers. Pages demanding you disable your ad blocker. Endless redirects that never actually process your download.
These sites don’t care about your download – they care about ad impressions and affiliate clicks. Every click generates revenue for them while you waste time in loops that never resolve. Some are actively malicious, trying to install unwanted software or browser hijackers on your machine.
The telltale signs: multiple download buttons (only one real, the rest are ads), suspicious domain names with random numbers or misspellings, no clear company information or contact details, and pages that redirect you through several domains before supposedly starting your download.
Bloated Software That Slows Everything Down
Desktop programs that promise to “download from 1000+ sites!” usually come packed with features you’ll never use. They consume significant system resources, slow your browser, and often include toolbars or search engine hijackers as part of the installation.
These programs typically offer fifty different output formats, batch conversion for twenty simultaneous downloads, and integration with streaming services you don’t use. All you wanted was to save one YouTube video – instead, you got software that runs background processes constantly and adds three icons to your desktop.
Lightweight solutions work faster and safer. A focused tool that does one thing well beats bloated software trying to do everything poorly. Look for programs with minimal install size, no bundled extras, and clean uninstall processes.
Outdated Tools That Haven’t Been Updated in Years
If a downloader’s last update was six months ago, assume it’s abandoned. The developer moved on, and YT’s platform changes have broken compatibility. You’re downloading something that can’t possibly work with YouTube’s current architecture.
Check the tool’s website or extension listing for update history. Active projects show regular patches – monthly or even weekly updates. That consistency signals the developer is monitoring changes and maintaining compatibility. You’re downloading something that can’t possibly work with YouTube’s current architecture.
Dead tools waste your time and potentially expose you to security vulnerabilities. Outdated software doesn’t receive security patches, making it a liability on your system.
Ignoring Copyright and Terms of Service
We’re not lawyers, but we know the risks. Downloading copyrighted content without permission violates copyright law and can lead to account suspension or legal consequences. Enforcement typically targets redistribution and commercial use, but the rules exist for a reason.
Stick to content you own, have permission to download, or that falls under fair use guidelines. Don’t download entire movies, music albums, or premium content to redistribute. Don’t build a library of copyrighted material to monetize. Use downloads for legitimate personal purposes.
Creators depend on ad revenue and platform engagement. Mass downloading and redistribution directly hurts people trying to make a living from their content. Be ethical, even when enforcement is unlikely.
Installing Extensions That Require Excessive Permissions
Browser extensions request permissions for what they need to function. A YouTube downloader needs access to YouTube pages – that’s reasonable. But if an extension requests permission to read your banking sites, access your passwords, or track your browsing across all websites, that’s a red flag.
Check permissions before installing any extension. They’re listed clearly in Chrome Web Store, Firefox Add-ons, and other browser marketplaces. If the permissions seem excessive for what the tool supposedly does, don’t install it.
Tubly requests only the permissions necessary for its function: access to YouTube pages to add download buttons, and local storage to save your preferences. No cross-site tracking, no access to unrelated websites, no permission to read your personal data on other platforms.
Why Tubly Makes Sense
It Actually Works When Others Don’t
YouTube updates their platform constantly. Most downloaders break and never get fixed. Tubly’s development team actively monitors YouTube’s changes and pushes updates to maintain compatibility. That’s why it still functions when others fail.
We’ve seen tools that worked great for months suddenly stop functioning. Users are left with error messages and no support. Tubly stays ahead of these changes because maintaining functionality is our priority. When YouTube tweaks their video player, we adapt within days, not months. Whether you’re using our Video Downloader for standard content or the specialized Short Downloader for vertical videos, both stay updated and functional.
One-Click Simplicity Without Complications
The extension adds a download button directly below each YouTube video. You’re watching content, you click download, it saves to your device. That’s it. No copying URLs to external sites, no multi-step processes, no confusing interfaces asking you to choose between codecs you don’t understand.
Other tools make you navigate to separate websites, paste links, solve captchas, wait in queues, and deal with intrusive ads. Tubly eliminates all that friction. The download happens where you’re already watching – no extra tabs, no leaving YouTube’s interface.
High-Quality Output Automatically Selected
Tubly automatically chooses the best available quality for your downloads. No confusing menus presenting resolution options, bitrate settings, or format choices. It handles the technical decisions so you don’t have to.
The extension preserves original quality – if you’re downloading a 1080p video, that’s what you get. If it’s 4K content, Tubly grabs the highest quality available.
Need just the audio? Our Mp3 Downloader extracts high-quality audio tracks from any YouTube video, perfect for music, podcasts, or lectures.
Lightning-Fast Processing Through Direct Integration
Browser integration means no uploading links to external servers that might be overloaded. Your download request processes immediately through your browser’s direct connection to YouTube. No queues, no waiting for server availability, no slowdowns during peak usage times.
Web-based downloaders depend on their servers’ capacity. When hundreds of people try downloading simultaneously, everyone waits. Tubly bypasses that bottleneck entirely—your download speed is limited only by your internet connection and YouTube’s servers, not a third-party middleman.
Batch Downloads for Multiple Videos
Need to save several videos? Queue them up and Tubly handles multiple downloads simultaneously. This is invaluable when you’re archiving a tutorial series, backing up your own content across multiple uploads, or saving reference material for offline research.
Other tools force sequential downloads – one finishes before the next begins. That’s inefficient when you have ten videos to save. Tubly processes them concurrently based on your system’s capabilities, dramatically reducing total download time. For even faster processing and unlimited daily downloads, the Premium Version removes all restrictions and adds priority processing for batch operations.
Privacy-Focused Design With No Tracking
Everything processes locally in your browser. No company servers logging your download history. No tracking what videos you watch or save. No data harvesting to sell to advertisers. Your viewing and downloading habits remain completely private.
Many web-based downloaders require you to submit video URLs to their servers. They can see exactly what you’re downloading, when, and how often. They build profiles of user behavior for analytics or monetization. Tubly’s local processing architecture makes that tracking impossible—we literally can’t see what you’re doing because it never passes through our servers.
Universal Compatibility Across Operating Systems
Tubly works seamlessly on Windows, Mac, and Linux through browser integration. No separate versions for different operating systems. Install the extension in Chrome, Firefox, or Edge, and you’re ready regardless of what computer you’re using.
Desktop software often requires platform-specific versions. Mac users get one installer, Windows users get another, and Linux users might not get support at all. Browser extensions eliminate that fragmentation—one extension works everywhere your browser does.
Lightweight Resource Usage
The extension uses minimal system resources. It’s not running background processes, maintaining databases, or consuming RAM when you’re not actively downloading. Tubly activates only when you’re on YouTube and need its functionality.
Heavy desktop downloaders run constantly, indexing files, checking for updates, and using system resources even when you haven’t downloaded anything in weeks. That unnecessary overhead slows your computer. Browser extensions are fundamentally lighter—they exist only within your browser and activate only when needed.
Regular Updates Keep Everything Running
We push updates consistently to maintain compatibility with YouTube’s platform changes. When YouTube modifies their video player or backend architecture, Tubly gets updated within days. You’re never stuck with broken functionality waiting months for a fix that never comes.
Check our extension listing – you’ll see regular update history showing active maintenance. That consistency is your guarantee that when you need to download something next week or next month, Tubly will still work.
Perfect for Content Creators Managing Their Work
If you create and upload content to YouTube, Tubly lets you back up your own work effortlessly. You retain local copies of everything you publish, protecting against platform issues, accidental deletions, or account problems.
Many creators have lost access to their accounts through hacking, false copyright strikes, or platform errors. Without local backups, years of work disappear. Tubly’s Video Downloader makes archiving your own content simple – download your uploads as you publish them, maintaining a complete archive independent of YouTube’s platform.
Ideal for Research and Educational Use
Researchers, educators, and students need to archive video content for analysis, presentations, and study materials. Tubly enables building comprehensive reference libraries of public educational content, case studies, and research materials.
Academic work often requires analyzing video content frame-by-frame, creating compilations of examples, or preserving materials that might be deleted. Having local access to downloaded videos makes this work possible without depending on content remaining available online indefinitely.
Getting Back to Downloading
The YouTube download landscape has gotten messy. Platforms fight to control their content, downloaders rush to keep up, and users get caught in the middle with broken tools and error messages.
But reliable solutions still exist. The key is choosing tools that are actively maintained, respect your privacy, and actually function with YouTube’s current platform. That means avoiding abandoned software, sketchy websites, and tools that haven’t been updated in months.
Tubly exists because we experienced the same frustrations you’re dealing with now. Tools that worked great suddenly broke. Updates never came. Support tickets went unanswered. We built something better – a downloader that stays functional through YouTube’s constant changes, processes everything locally for privacy, and works with one click instead of ten steps.
Your downloads should be simple, fast, and safe. That’s not too much to ask in 2025.
Stop wasting time on dead downloaders and risky websites and use Tubly Video Dowloader, built and maintained by people who understand that when you need to download something, you need it to actually work.
