User Case: YouTube Downloaders Aren’t Working Suddenly

 

As usual, I downloaded a number of songs from YouTube yesterday in order to download an album without any issues. I don't currently have any symbols or a start button for my YouTube downloaders. The only functional video downloader has been taking more than 20 minutes to finish downloading a 13-minute video. Did this update eliminate YouTube and video downloaders like Chrome does? Why, if so? If so, is there a way to go back, halt, or get around this?

- Question from Reddit

Do you also encounter the “Why is my YouTube downloads not working” issue? If so, don’t worry! This post will offer some common causes and fixes for YouTube downloader not working. Let’s go on.

Why is the YouTube Video Downloader Not Working?

Why My YouTube Downloader is Not Working
Why My YouTube Downloader is Not Working

There are different causes that lead to the YouTube video downloader not working issue. You can check the key features to see which one aligns with your situation.

1. YouTube’s Anti-Downloading Measures

  • YouTube frequently updates its encryption (e.g., signature deciphering changes) to block scrapers.
  • Some videos, like age-restricted or premium content, have stricter protections.

2. Downloader Tool or Website Issues

  • The YouTube downloader not working because of the legal action by YouTube.
  • The tool’s API is outdated and no longer compatible with YouTube’s changes.
  • The website/service has server problems which result in temporarily down.

3. User-Side Problems

  • The downloader cannot parse the invalid URL, such as a private/deleted video or a wrong link format.
  • The school/work firewall or VPN will bring network restrictions, blocking the downloader.
  • Some browser extensions, like ad blockers or script blockers, can interfere with the downloader’s performance.

4. Legal & Policy Restrictions

  • Some countries block downloader sites due to copyright enforcement.
  • YouTube rate-limits your IP if it detects too many download attempts.

5. Technical Glitches

  • Browser cache/cookies can cause conflicts.
  • Outdated downloader apps cannot work with YouTube’s latest changes.

How to Fix YouTube Downloader Not Working

Now you may figure out why the YouTube downloader does not work. Here are 6 solutions that you can use to fix the issue.

1. Try a Different Downloader

If your current YouTube downloader not working, you can try others to see if they work well.

► Online Downloaders:

► Desktop Apps:

  • 4K Video Downloader
  • yt-dlp (Best CLI tool, frequently updated)

► Android/iOS Apps:

  • Seal (Android, open-source)
  • Documents by Readdle (iOS, use browser downloader)

2. Check the Video URL & Restrictions

► Go to YouTube to see if the video you want to download is deleted or is a private one. If so, the video cannot be downloaded.

► If you want to download age-restricted videos, some downloaders fail. Therefore, you can try yt-dlp to download with cookies.

3. Update Your Downloader

If you are using a video downloading software, check for the update. Download and install the latest version of this software and use it to download videos.

• For example: If using yt-dlp, run: yt-dlp -U

4. Clear Cache & Disable Extensions

► If you use a browser extension to download YouTube videos, try to clear the browser cache by going to the browser settings and choosing to delete the browsing data to address the “add-on YouTube downloader not working” issue. On the other hand, you can open the extension with Incognito mode.

Clear Browser Cache
Clear Browser Cache

► Temporarily disable ad-blockers/extensions such as uBlock or Privacy Badger and try your downloader again. To disable an extension on Chrome, you can click the extension icon (like a puzzle) in the upper-right corner > choose “Manage extensions” > switch off the button next to the extension.

Disable Other Extensions
Disable Other Extensions

5. Try YouTube Premium (Legal Alternative)

If you just need to watch the videos offline, you can subscribe to a YouTube Premium plan. Then, you can download videos on YouTube easily. However, the videos cannot be saved on your device, but in the YouTube Downloads folder.

Steps for Using a Brand-New Free YouTube Video Downloader - EasySaveVideo

As mentioned before, if your YouTube downloader not working, you can use another alternative, like EasySaveVideo. It is a free online downloader that can be used on any web browser on your computer or mobile device. You do not have to worry about the reliability of EasySaveVideo, because it is a product of MultCloud, an industry-leading cloud management service established over a decade. Moreover, there are no ads or redirect links that may lead to other websites that may pose potential dangers.

Step 1. Go to the EasySaveVideo website.

EasySaveVideo
EasySaveVideo

Step 2. Enter the video link in the blank. Then, the tool will automatically parse the video without clicking a button.

Step 3. Choose the format and quality you want and click “Download to PC” to export it.

Download YouTube Videos for Free
Download YouTube Videos for Free

Note: You can see a “Save to Cloud” button which is used to save the video to the cloud storage like Google Drive, Dropbox, OneDrive, iCloud Photos, etc. without downloading and uploading.

EasySaveVideo is not only for downloading YouTube videos, it can be used to download videos from Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, Vimeo, and over 1000 video platforms.

Conclusion

If you are confronted with the YouTube downloader not working issue, try to resolve it with the 5 causes and 6 fixes above. The quickest and easiest solution is to use another YouTube video downloader, and EasySaveVideo is a good choice. This online downloader is free for every download and can be used with ease.

MultCloud Logo

Manage 30+ popular clouds in one platform.

Sign up Free

100% secure

New Release

Instagram Downloader

Effortlessly download and save Instagram posts, reels, stories, and highlights to manage your favorite content anytime.

Get Started for Free