Tutorials•45 min read

yt-dlp Ultimate Guide 2026: Download, Fix Errors & 100+ Commands

Master yt-dlp in 2026. Download videos from YouTube, TikTok and 1800+ sites. Fix bot detection errors and speed up downloads with aria2c. 100+ commands.

Dev Kant Kumar
Dev Kant Kumar
January 6, 2026
1800+ Sites Supported

Complete yt-dlp Guide 2026

Master video downloads from 1800+ platforms. The most comprehensive guide with 100+ commands, troubleshooting, and advanced techniques.

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Ranked on Google for 1,000+ yt-dlp related search queries • Updated March 2026

Popular:
Updated: March 2026
45 min comprehensive read
100+ Commands • Expert Level

Is yt-dlp Still Working in 2026?

Yes! yt-dlp is actively maintained with daily updates as of March 2026. It's the best tool to download videos from YouTube and 1800+ other sites on Windows, Linux, and macOS.

If you're getting errors like "Sign in to confirm you're not a bot", run this to fix:

yt-dlp --cookies-from-browser chrome URL

yt-dlp Not Working? The Complete Fix & Download Guide (2026)

Welcome to the most comprehensive yt-dlp guide on the internet. Whether you're getting errors, slow downloads, or just starting out - this guide covers installation, troubleshooting, and 100+ commands that professionals use daily.

1800+ Sites

Download from YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, Vimeo, and 1800+ more platforms

Active Development

Daily updates, bug fixes, and new features added constantly

100% Free & Open

No ads, no malware, no subscription fees. Pure open-source power

What is yt-dlp?

yt-dlp is a feature-rich command-line tool for downloading videos and audio from over 1800 websites. It's a community-maintained fork of youtube-dl, created in early 2021 when the original project became less actively maintained. Since then, it has become the gold standard for video downloading, surpassing its predecessor in every way.

Why yt-dlp Over youtube-dl?

Faster Downloads:Multi-threaded downloads with parallel connections for 5-10x speed improvements
Better Format Selection:Advanced format sorting with support for 8K, HDR10, Dolby Vision, and AV1 codec
Active Development:Daily updates with bug fixes. youtube-dl had months-long gaps between releases
SponsorBlock Built-in:Automatically skip sponsored segments in YouTube videos during download
Plugin System:External extractors can be loaded for custom or private platforms
Better Performance:Optimized codebase with faster regex parsing and improved memory management

Installation Guide

Windows Installation (Multiple Methods)

Method 1: Winget (Recommended)

Automatically adds to PATH, handles updates easily

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winget install yt-dlp

Method 2: Chocolatey

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choco install yt-dlp

Method 3: Scoop

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scoop install yt-dlp

Method 4: Python pip

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pip install -U yt-dlp

Method 5: Direct Binary Download

Download from GitHub releases and add to PATH manually

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# Download yt-dlp.exe from GitHub
# Place in C:\yt-dlp\
# Add C:\yt-dlp to System Environment Variables > Path

macOS Installation

Homebrew (Recommended)

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brew install yt-dlp

MacPorts

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sudo port install yt-dlp

Linux Installation

Ubuntu/Debian

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sudo apt install yt-dlp

Fedora

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sudo dnf install yt-dlp

Arch Linux

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sudo pacman -S yt-dlp

Universal (curl)

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sudo curl -L https://github.com/yt-dlp/yt-dlp/releases/latest/download/yt-dlp -o /usr/local/bin/yt-dlp
sudo chmod a+rx /usr/local/bin/yt-dlp

Essential: Install FFmpeg

FFmpeg is required for merging video+audio streams, format conversions, and post-processing. Almost all advanced features require FFmpeg.

Windows: winget install Gyan.FFmpeg
macOS: brew install ffmpeg
Linux: sudo apt install ffmpeg

Verification

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yt-dlp --version

Expected output: A date like 2025.01.15

Updating yt-dlp

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# Self-update (for binary installations)
yt-dlp -U


# Update to nightly builds (bleeding edge)
yt-dlp --update-to nightly


# Update via pip
pip install -U yt-dlp

1800+ Supported Sites

yt-dlp supports over 1800 websites across virtually every category. Here's a comprehensive breakdown:

Video Streaming Platforms

  • • YouTube (videos, live streams, playlists, channels, Shorts, Music)
  • • Vimeo (public, private, password-protected)
  • • Dailymotion
  • • Twitch (VODs, clips, live streams)
  • • Rumble
  • • Odysee/LBRY

Social Media Platforms

  • • TikTok (videos, profiles, hashtags)
  • • Instagram (posts, stories, reels, IGTV) - requires cookies for private content
  • • Facebook (videos, live streams, stories)
  • • Twitter/X (videos, Twitter Spaces audio recordings)
  • • Reddit (videos, v.redd.it)
  • • LinkedIn

Educational Platforms

  • • Coursera
  • • Udemy
  • • Khan Academy
  • • LinkedIn Learning
  • • edX
  • • Skillshare
  • • TED Talks

Regional Platforms (Korea, China, Japan, Russia)

  • • Naver TV (Korea) - Full support for Naver TV videos and channels
  • • Kakao TV (Korea) - Download Kakao TV content directly
  • • Bilibili (China)
  • • Niconico (Japan)
  • • VK (Russia) - VK videos and stories
  • • Youku (China)

News & Media

  • • CNN, BBC, NBC
  • • The Guardian, New York Times
  • • Reuters, AP News
  • • Conde Nast (Wired, GQ, Vogue, Vanity Fair)
  • • Vice News

File Hosting & Others

  • • Dropbox, Google Drive (public links)
  • • Archive.org
  • • SoundCloud, Bandcamp
  • • Podcasts (various providers)
  • • Patreon (supporter content)

View Complete List

To see all 1800+ supported extractors, visit the official GitHub page or run:
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yt-dlp --list-extractors

Does yt-dlp Support Netflix? (DRM-Protected Sites)

No. yt-dlp does NOT support Netflix, Disney+, Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, or HBO Max. These platforms use DRM (Digital Rights Management) encryption that yt-dlp cannot bypass.

Sites NOT supported:

  • • Netflix, Disney+, Amazon Prime Video
  • • HBO Max, Hulu, Peacock, Paramount+
  • • Apple TV+, Crunchyroll Premium

These services use Widevine DRM. Attempting to bypass DRM is illegal in many jurisdictions.

Essential Basic Commands

Simple Download

Downloads best available quality (video+audio merged)

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yt-dlp "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VIDEO_ID"

Audio Extraction

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# Extract as MP3
yt-dlp -x --audio-format mp3 URL


# Extract as M4A (better quality)
yt-dlp -x --audio-format m4a URL


# Extract as FLAC (lossless)
yt-dlp -x --audio-format flac URL


# Best audio quality (no conversion)
yt-dlp -f bestaudio URL

Video Quality Selection

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# Best overall quality
yt-dlp -f "bestvideo+bestaudio" URL


# Specific resolution
yt-dlp -f "bestvideo[height<=1080]+bestaudio" URL


# 4K video
yt-dlp -f "bestvideo[height<=2160]+bestaudio" URL


# 8K video (if available)
yt-dlp -f "bestvideo[height<=4320]+bestaudio" URL

Playlist Downloads

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# Download entire playlist
yt-dlp -i PLAYLIST_URL


# Download from specific index
yt-dlp --playlist-start 5 PLAYLIST_URL


# Download range
yt-dlp --playlist-start 10 --playlist-end 20 PLAYLIST_URL


# Download with playlist position in filename
yt-dlp -o "%(playlist_index)s - %(title)s.%(ext)s" PLAYLIST_URL

Custom Output Paths

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# Save to specific folder
yt-dlp -o "D:/Videos/%(title)s.%(ext)s" URL


# Organize by uploader
yt-dlp -o "~/Downloads/%(uploader)s/%(title)s.%(ext)s" URL


# Organize by date
yt-dlp -o "Videos/%(upload_date)s/%(title)s.%(ext)s" URL


# Complex template
yt-dlp -o "%(uploader)s/%(playlist)s/%(playlist_index)s - %(title)s.%(ext)s" URL

Advanced Quality & Format Selection

Master the art of format selection to get exactly what you want. Understanding format codes is key to unlocking yt-dlp's full power.

List Available Formats

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yt-dlp -F URL

This shows all available video and audio streams with their IDs, resolutions, codecs, and file sizes

Format Selection Examples (4K, 8K, HDR)

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# Download specific format by ID
yt-dlp -f 137+140 URL


# Download 8K video (4320p) - if available
yt-dlp -f "bestvideo[height<=4320]+bestaudio" URL


# Download 4K video (2160p)
yt-dlp -f "bestvideo[height<=2160]+bestaudio" URL


# Best video with VP9 codec + best audio
yt-dlp -f "bestvideo[vcodec^=vp9]+bestaudio" URL


# Best 1080p or lower
yt-dlp -f "bestvideo[height<=1080]+bestaudio/best[height<=1080]" URL


# Prefer 60fps
yt-dlp -f "bestvideo[fps>=60]+bestaudio" URL


# HDR video (HEVC/H.265)
yt-dlp -f "bestvideo[vcodec*=hev1]+bestaudio" URL


# AV1 codec (modern, efficient, best for 4K/8K)
yt-dlp -f "bestvideo[vcodec^=av01]+bestaudio" URL


# Best MP4 format (for compatibility)
yt-dlp -f "bestvideo[ext=mp4]+bestaudio[ext=m4a]" URL

Understanding Format Specifiers

bestvideo

Best quality video-only stream

bestaudio

Best quality audio-only stream

best

Best quality single-file format

worst

Lowest quality format

[height<=1080]

Filter by max resolution

[fps>=60]

Filter by framerate

[vcodec^=vp9]

Filter by video codec

[acodec=opus]

Filter by audio codec

[filesize<100M]

Filter by file size

[ext=mp4]

Filter by container format

Pro Tip: Format Selection Strategy

For best results, always use format selection that merges separate streams:

-f "bestvideo+bestaudio"

YouTube stores high-quality videos and audio separately. Merging them gives you the best possible quality. Requires FFmpeg!

Advanced Features & Options

Subtitle Downloads

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# Download all available subtitles
yt-dlp --write-subs --sub-langs all URL


# Download specific language
yt-dlp --write-subs --sub-lang en URL


# Auto-generated subtitles
yt-dlp --write-auto-subs --sub-lang en URL


# Embed subtitles in video
yt-dlp --embed-subs --sub-lang en URL


# Download subtitle only (no video)
yt-dlp --skip-download --write-subs URL

Thumbnail Operations

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# Download thumbnail
yt-dlp --write-thumbnail URL


# Embed thumbnail in audio file
yt-dlp --embed-thumbnail -x --audio-format mp3 URL


# Convert thumbnail to jpg
yt-dlp --write-thumbnail --convert-thumbnails jpg URL

Metadata & Description

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# Embed metadata in file
yt-dlp --embed-metadata URL


# Write description to file
yt-dlp --write-description URL


# Write info json
yt-dlp --write-info-json URL


# Write all metadata
yt-dlp --write-info-json --write-description --write-annotations URL

Post-Processing & Chapter Embedding

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# Convert to MP4 (--recode-video)
yt-dlp --recode-video mp4 URL


# Embed chapters from YouTube (--embed-chapters)
yt-dlp --embed-chapters URL


# Split chapters into separate files
yt-dlp --split-chapters URL


# Remove sponsor segments (SponsorBlock)
yt-dlp --sponsorblock-remove all URL


# Re-encode audio
yt-dlp --audio-quality 0 -x --audio-format mp3 URL


# Recode with specific codec
yt-dlp --recode-video mp4 --postprocessor-args "ffmpeg:-c:v libx264 -preset fast" URL

Network & Download Control

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# Limit download speed
yt-dlp --limit-rate 1M URL


# Use multiple connections (aria2c)
yt-dlp --external-downloader aria2c --external-downloader-args "-x 16 -k 1M" URL


# Use proxy
yt-dlp --proxy socks5://127.0.0.1:9050 URL


# Retry on failure
yt-dlp --retries 10 URL


# Set timeout
yt-dlp --socket-timeout 30 URL

Batch Downloads

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# Download from URL list
yt-dlp -a urls.txt


# Download archive (skip already downloaded)
yt-dlp --download-archive archive.txt URL


# Continue incomplete downloads
yt-dlp --continue URL


# Ignore errors and continue
yt-dlp -i URL

Authentication & Cookie Management

For age-restricted, member-only, or private videos, you need to authenticate. Here are all the methods:

Method 1: Browser Cookies (Easiest)

yt-dlp can extract cookies directly from your browser

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# Chrome/Chromium
yt-dlp --cookies-from-browser chrome URL


# Firefox
yt-dlp --cookies-from-browser firefox URL


# Edge
yt-dlp --cookies-from-browser edge URL


# Safari
yt-dlp --cookies-from-browser safari URL


# Brave
yt-dlp --cookies-from-browser brave URL

Browser Lock Issue

If you get "database is locked" errors, close your browser completely before running the command.

Method 2: Cookie File Export

Best for servers/VPS or when Method 1 fails

Step 1: Install Browser Extension

Install "Get cookies.txt LOCALLY" extension

Step 2: Export Cookies

Visit YouTube (logged in), click extension, export to cookies.txt

Step 3: Use Cookie File

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yt-dlp --cookies cookies.txt URL

Method 3: Username/Password (Not Recommended)

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# Direct login (less secure)
yt-dlp -u username -p password URL


# Use netrc file (better)
yt-dlp --netrc URL

Security Warning

Storing passwords in command history is insecure. Prefer cookie-based methods or use --netrc with a protected .netrc file.

Two-Factor Authentication

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# If 2FA is enabled
yt-dlp -u username -p password --twofactor CODE URL


# Or use cookies (recommended)
yt-dlp --cookies-from-browser chrome URL

SponsorBlock Integration

SponsorBlock is a crowdsourced database of sponsor segments in YouTube videos. yt-dlp can automatically skip or remove these segments!

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# Mark sponsor segments (adds chapters)
yt-dlp --sponsorblock-mark all URL


# Remove sponsor segments entirely
yt-dlp --sponsorblock-remove all URL


# Remove specific categories
yt-dlp --sponsorblock-remove sponsor,selfpromo URL


# Mark specific categories
yt-dlp --sponsorblock-mark intro,outro,sponsor URL


# Get SponsorBlock info without downloading
yt-dlp --print-json --sponsorblock-mark all URL

SponsorBlock Categories

sponsor

Paid promotion

intro

Intermission/Intro Animation

outro

Endcards/Credits

selfpromo

Self-promotion

interaction

Interaction Reminder (Subscribe)

music_offtopic

Non-Music Section in Music Videos

preview

Preview/Recap

filler

Filler Tangent

SponsorBlock + Best Quality

Combine SponsorBlock with quality selection for the ultimate experience:
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yt-dlp -f "bestvideo+bestaudio" --sponsorblock-remove all --embed-subs URL

Mastering Playlists & Channels

Playlist Downloads

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# Download entire playlist
yt-dlp -i PLAYLIST_URL


# Download only videos 5-10
yt-dlp --playlist-start 5 --playlist-end 10 URL


# Download latest 5 videos
yt-dlp --playlist-end 5 URL


# Reverse order (oldest first)
yt-dlp --playlist-reverse URL


# Random order
yt-dlp --playlist-random URL

Channel Downloads

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# Download all videos from channel
yt-dlp "https://www.youtube.com/@channelname/videos"


# Download only Shorts
yt-dlp "https://www.youtube.com/@channelname/shorts"


# Download only Streams
yt-dlp "https://www.youtube.com/@channelname/streams"


# Download only Playlists
yt-dlp "https://www.youtube.com/@channelname/playlists"

Filtering by Date

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# Videos uploaded after specific date
yt-dlp --dateafter 20240101 URL


# Videos uploaded before specific date
yt-dlp --datebefore 20241231 URL


# Videos from date range
yt-dlp --dateafter 20240101 --datebefore 20240630 URL


# Only videos from this year
yt-dlp --dateafter now-1year URL

Advanced Playlist Organization

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# Organize by playlist and index
yt-dlp -o "%(playlist)s/%(playlist_index)02d - %(title)s.%(ext)s" URL


# Include uploader in path
yt-dlp -o "%(uploader)s/%(playlist)s/%(title)s.%(ext)s" URL


# Separate audio and video playlists
yt-dlp -o "Music/%(title)s.%(ext)s" -x --audio-format mp3 MUSIC_PLAYLIST
yt-dlp -o "Videos/%(title)s.%(ext)s" VIDEO_PLAYLIST

Download Archive (Skip Downloaded)

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# Create download archive
yt-dlp --download-archive downloaded.txt URL


# Skip already downloaded videos
yt-dlp --download-archive downloaded.txt PLAYLIST_URL


# Useful for regularly updated playlists
yt-dlp --download-archive archive.txt "https://www.youtube.com/@channel/videos"

Pro Tip: Automation

Use --download-archive with scheduled tasks (cron/Task Scheduler) to automatically download new videos from your favorite channels!

Common Issues & Solutions

Error: "yt-dlp is not recognized"

yt-dlp is not in your system PATH

Solution 1: Restart your terminal after installation

Solution 2: Add yt-dlp folder to System Environment Variables → Path

Solution 3: Use full path: C:\path\to\yt-dlp.exe URL

Error: "ffprobe/ffmpeg not found"

FFmpeg is not installed or not in PATH

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# Install FFmpeg
# Windows: winget install Gyan.FFmpeg
# macOS: brew install ffmpeg
# Linux: sudo apt install ffmpeg

Error: "Sign in to confirm you're not a bot"

YouTube is blocking your IP / requires authentication

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# Solution: Use cookies
yt-dlp --cookies-from-browser chrome URL


# Or use cookie file
yt-dlp --cookies cookies.txt URL

Error: "Unable to extract video data"

yt-dlp is outdated or site structure changed

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# Update yt-dlp
yt-dlp -U


# Try nightly build
yt-dlp --update-to nightly

Error: "Requested format not available"

The format you specified doesn't exist

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# List available formats first
yt-dlp -F URL


# Then select appropriate format
yt-dlp -f FORMAT_ID URL

Slow Download Speeds

YouTube throttling or single-threaded download

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# Use aria2c for multi-connection downloads
yt-dlp --external-downloader aria2c --external-downloader-args "-x 16 -k 1M" URL


# Install aria2c first:
# Windows: winget install aria2
# macOS: brew install aria2
# Linux: sudo apt install aria2

Database Locked (Cookie Extraction)

Browser is still running

Solution: Close your browser completely, then run:

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yt-dlp --cookies-from-browser chrome URL

Age-Restricted / Private Video Error

Need authentication

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# Method 1: Browser cookies
yt-dlp --cookies-from-browser chrome URL


# Method 2: Cookie file
yt-dlp --cookies cookies.txt URL

Performance Optimization Tips

Use External Downloader

aria2c provides 5-10x faster downloads

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yt-dlp --external-downloader aria2c \\
  --external-downloader-args "-x 16 -k 1M" URL

Concurrent Downloads

Download multiple videos simultaneously

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# Download 4 videos concurrently
yt-dlp --concurrent-fragments 4 URL


# Or use GNU parallel
parallel -j 4 yt-dlp :::: urls.txt

Optimize File Size

Balance quality and file size

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# Use efficient codecs
yt-dlp -f "bestvideo[vcodec^=av01]+bestaudio" URL


# Limit resolution
yt-dlp -f "bestvideo[height<=1080]+bestaudio" URL

Bypass Throttling

Avoid YouTube's speed limits

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# Use different IP (VPN/Proxy)
yt-dlp --proxy socks5://proxy:port URL


# Rotate user agent
yt-dlp --user-agent "Mozilla/5.0..." URL

Frequently Asked Questions (50+)

Installation & Setup

Is yt-dlp free?

Yes, 100% free and open-source under the Unlicense license.

Which is better: yt-dlp or youtube-dl?

yt-dlp is significantly better - it's actively maintained, faster, has more features, better format selection, and SponsorBlock integration.

Do I need Python installed?

No, if you use the standalone binary. Python is only required if installing via pip.

Why is FFmpeg required?

FFmpeg merges separate video/audio streams, converts formats, and handles post-processing. Without it, you can't get high-quality merged downloads.

How do I update yt-dlp?

Run: yt-dlp -U (for binary) or pip install -U yt-dlp (for pip installation)

Usage & Commands

How do I download 4K videos?

Use: yt-dlp -f "bestvideo[height<=2160]+bestaudio" URL - This downloads 4K quality and merges with best audio.

How do I download only audio as MP3?

Use: yt-dlp -x --audio-format mp3 URL

Can I download entire playlists?

Yes! Use: yt-dlp -i PLAYLIST_URL (the -i flag ignores errors for private/deleted videos)

How do I download videos from Instagram/TikTok?

Same as YouTube! Just paste the URL: yt-dlp URL - yt-dlp supports 1800+ sites automatically.

How do I save videos to a specific folder?

Use: yt-dlp -o "D:/Videos/%(title)s.%(ext)s" URL

How do I download subtitles?

Use: yt-dlp --write-subs --sub-lang en URL (or --embed-subs to embed them in the video)

Can I download live streams?

Yes! yt-dlp can record ongoing live streams. Just paste the live stream URL.

How do I limit download speed?

Use: yt-dlp --limit-rate 1M URL (limits to 1MB/s)

Authentication & Access

How do I download age-restricted videos?

Use cookies: yt-dlp --cookies-from-browser chrome URL

How do I download member-only YouTube videos?

Use cookies from your logged-in browser: yt-dlp --cookies-from-browser chrome URL

What are cookies and why do I need them?

Cookies are your login session data. They prove to YouTube that you're logged in and have access to restricted content.

Is it safe to use cookies?

Yes, but keep your cookies.txt file private - it contains your login session. Don't share it.

Can I download private Vimeo videos?

Yes, if you have access. Use: yt-dlp --cookies-from-browser chrome VIMEO_URL

How do I handle two-factor authentication?

Use cookies-from-browser method - it bypasses the need for 2FA since you're already logged in.

Troubleshooting

Why is download so slow?

YouTube throttles single-threaded downloads. Use aria2c: yt-dlp --external-downloader aria2c --external-downloader-args '-x 16' URL

Error: 'database is locked' when using cookies

Close your browser completely before running yt-dlp --cookies-from-browser

Error: 'Sign in to confirm you're not a bot'

YouTube is blocking you. Use cookies: yt-dlp --cookies-from-browser chrome URL

Video and audio are separate files - how to merge?

Install FFmpeg and use: yt-dlp -f 'bestvideo+bestaudio' URL - it will auto-merge.

Why does yt-dlp fail on some videos?

Update yt-dlp (run yt-dlp -U) or try nightly: yt-dlp --update-to nightly

How do I fix 'Unable to extract video data'?

Update yt-dlp to the latest version: yt-dlp -U

Can't download from a specific site - what to do?

Check if the site is supported: yt-dlp --list-extractors | grep sitename

Advanced Features

How do I remove sponsored segments automatically?

Use SponsorBlock: yt-dlp --sponsorblock-remove all URL

Can I download a YouTube channel?

Yes! yt-dlp 'https://www.youtube.com/@channelname/videos'

How do I avoid re-downloading videos?

Use download archive: yt-dlp --download-archive archive.txt URL

Can I download thumbnails separately?

Yes: yt-dlp --write-thumbnail --skip-download URL

How do I embed metadata in files?

Use: yt-dlp --embed-metadata --embed-thumbnail --embed-subs URL

Can I download only new videos from a playlist?

Yes, use --download-archive to track what's downloaded, then run periodically.

How do I split videos by chapters?

Use: yt-dlp --split-chapters URL

Can I download videos uploaded after a specific date?

Yes: yt-dlp --dateafter 20240101 CHANNEL_URL

How do I use a proxy?

Use: yt-dlp --proxy socks5://proxy:port URL

Can I automate daily downloads?

Yes! Use cron (Linux/Mac) or Task Scheduler (Windows) with --download-archive.

Legal & Ethics

Is it legal to use yt-dlp?

yt-dlp itself is legal. However, downloading copyrighted content without permission may violate terms of service or local laws.

Can I get banned from YouTube?

YouTube's Terms of Service prohibit downloading, but enforcement varies. Use responsibly and for personal/educational purposes.

What content is safe to download?

Your own videos, Creative Commons content, public domain material, or content you have explicit permission to download.

Can I distribute downloaded videos?

Generally no, unless the content is explicitly licensed for redistribution (like Creative Commons).

Is yt-dlp safe from malware?

Yes, when downloaded from official sources (GitHub, official website). Never download from third-party sites.

Netflix, DRM & Widevine (2026)

Can yt-dlp download from Netflix in 2026?

No. yt-dlp does NOT support Netflix. Netflix uses Widevine DRM (Digital Rights Management) encryption that yt-dlp cannot and does not attempt to bypass. This applies to all Netflix content worldwide.

Does yt-dlp support Netflix Widevine L3 decryption?

No. yt-dlp has no Widevine L3 or any DRM decryption capability. It is designed for sites that serve unprotected video streams. Netflix, Disney+, Amazon Prime, HBO Max, and similar services use Widevine DRM which is illegal to circumvent in most jurisdictions.

Is there a yt-dlp Netflix downloader working in 2026?

No. There is no legitimate yt-dlp Netflix downloader. Any tool claiming to download Netflix via yt-dlp is either a scam, malware, or illegal. Netflix content is protected by Widevine DRM which yt-dlp does not bypass.

Can yt-dlp download DRM-protected videos?

No. yt-dlp only works with sites that serve unprotected video streams. Sites using DRM (Widevine, FairPlay, PlayReady) like Netflix, Disney+, Amazon Prime Video, HBO Max, Hulu, and Apple TV+ are NOT supported.

What streaming services does yt-dlp NOT support?

yt-dlp does NOT support: Netflix, Disney+, Amazon Prime Video, HBO Max, Hulu, Peacock, Paramount+, Apple TV+, Crunchyroll Premium, or any service using DRM encryption. It works with YouTube, Vimeo, TikTok, Instagram, and 1800+ other non-DRM platforms.

Does yt-dlp have a Netflix extractor?

No. yt-dlp does not have and has never had a Netflix extractor. The yt-dlp project explicitly does not support DRM-protected services. Check supported sites with: yt-dlp --list-extractors

yt-dlp Status & Updates (March 2026)

Is yt-dlp still working in March 2026?

Yes! yt-dlp is fully working and actively maintained as of March 2026. The project receives daily updates with bug fixes and new features. If you're experiencing issues, update to the latest version with: yt-dlp -U

Is yt-dlp actively maintained in 2026?

Yes, very actively. yt-dlp has multiple maintainers and receives daily commits on GitHub. It's the most actively maintained video downloader available, far surpassing the original youtube-dl in update frequency.

What is the current status of yt-dlp in 2026?

yt-dlp is fully operational as of March 2026. It supports 1800+ sites, receives regular updates, and has a large active community. Latest releases are available at: github.com/yt-dlp/yt-dlp/releases

Has yt-dlp stopped working?

No. If yt-dlp stopped working for you, it's likely an outdated version. Run yt-dlp -U to update. YouTube frequently changes their systems, requiring yt-dlp updates. For the latest fixes, try: yt-dlp --update-to nightly

What is the latest version of yt-dlp in 2026?

yt-dlp releases updates frequently. Check the latest version with: yt-dlp --version. To update: yt-dlp -U. For bleeding-edge fixes: yt-dlp --update-to nightly. Visit github.com/yt-dlp/yt-dlp/releases for release notes.

Is youtube-dl or yt-dlp better in 2026?

yt-dlp is significantly better. youtube-dl has very infrequent updates, while yt-dlp receives daily updates, has faster downloads, SponsorBlock integration, better format selection, and supports more sites. yt-dlp is the recommended choice in 2026.

Is yt-dlp safe to use in 2026?

Yes, yt-dlp is safe when downloaded from the official GitHub repository (github.com/yt-dlp/yt-dlp). It's open-source, has no ads or malware, and is audited by the community. Never download from unofficial third-party websites.

Cookies, Bot Detection & Age Restriction

How do I fix 'Sign in to confirm you're not a bot' in 2026?

Use browser cookies: yt-dlp --cookies-from-browser chrome URL. This sends your logged-in session with the request, bypassing YouTube's bot detection. If Chrome doesn't work, try Firefox: yt-dlp --cookies-from-browser firefox URL

Which browser works best for yt-dlp cookies - Firefox or Chrome?

Both work well. Chrome is most commonly used, but Firefox cookies can be more reliable on some systems since Firefox doesn't encrypt cookies as aggressively. Try: yt-dlp --cookies-from-browser firefox URL if Chrome fails.

Do YouTube cookies expire for yt-dlp?

Yes, YouTube cookies typically expire after a few weeks to months. If yt-dlp stops working with cookies, export fresh cookies. For --cookies-from-browser, cookies are extracted fresh each time, so they don't expire as long as you're logged in.

How do I fix yt-dlp 'Sign in to confirm your age' error?

Use cookies from your browser (must be logged into an 18+ YouTube account): yt-dlp --cookies-from-browser chrome URL. This authenticates you and bypasses the age gate.

How do I fix 'yt-dlp can't download age restricted videos'?

Age-restricted videos require authentication. Use: yt-dlp --cookies-from-browser chrome URL. Make sure you're logged into YouTube on that browser with an account that has age verification completed.

How do I fix 'Requested format is not available' in yt-dlp?

List available formats first with: yt-dlp -F URL. Then pick a valid format ID. Or use flexible selection: yt-dlp -f 'bestvideo[height<=1080]+bestaudio/best' URL - the /best fallback handles cases where separate streams aren't available.

How do I fix yt-dlp N challenge solving failed?

This usually means yt-dlp is outdated. YouTube's N challenge changes frequently. Update immediately: yt-dlp -U. If still failing, try the nightly build: yt-dlp --update-to nightly. Using cookies also helps: yt-dlp --cookies-from-browser chrome URL

How to use yt-dlp with Firefox cookies for TikTok?

Use: yt-dlp --cookies-from-browser firefox TIKTOK_URL. Close Firefox first to avoid database lock errors. For persistent issues, export cookies to a file using 'Get cookies.txt LOCALLY' extension and use: yt-dlp --cookies cookies.txt URL

Platform-Specific (2026)

Does yt-dlp support Instagram in 2026?

Yes! yt-dlp supports Instagram posts, Reels, stories, and IGTV. For private content, use cookies: yt-dlp --cookies-from-browser chrome INSTAGRAM_URL

Does yt-dlp support TikTok in 2026?

Yes! yt-dlp natively supports TikTok videos. Just paste the URL: yt-dlp TIKTOK_URL. No cookies needed for public videos.

Does yt-dlp support Rumble in 2026?

Yes! yt-dlp has a Rumble extractor that works in 2026. Just paste the Rumble video URL: yt-dlp RUMBLE_URL

Does yt-dlp support Patreon in 2026?

Yes, yt-dlp can download public Patreon video content. For supporter-only content, you need cookies from a logged-in session: yt-dlp --cookies-from-browser chrome PATREON_URL

Does yt-dlp support Pornhub in 2026?

yt-dlp includes extractors for many adult sites. If a specific site isn't working, update yt-dlp with yt-dlp -U. For premium content, use cookies: yt-dlp --cookies-from-browser chrome URL

Why is yt-dlp Pornhub not working in 2026?

Adult sites frequently change their page structure. First update yt-dlp: yt-dlp -U. If still failing, try the nightly build: yt-dlp --update-to nightly. Some content requires cookies: yt-dlp --cookies-from-browser chrome URL

Can yt-dlp download Instagram stories?

Yes, but you need to be logged in: yt-dlp --cookies-from-browser chrome INSTAGRAM_URL

Can I download Twitter/X videos?

Yes, yt-dlp supports Twitter/X videos natively.

Does it work with Facebook videos?

Yes, including Facebook Live streams.

Can I download Twitch VODs?

Yes! Twitch streams, clips, and VODs are fully supported.

Does yt-dlp work with Reddit videos?

Yes, v.redd.it links are supported.

Creating a Configuration File

Tired of typing the same options? Create a config file to set your default preferences!

Config File Location

Windows: %APPDATA%/yt-dlp/config.txt
Linux: ~/.config/yt-dlp/config
macOS: ~/Library/Preferences/yt-dlp/config

Example Configuration

bash
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# Output template
-o "~/Downloads/%(uploader)s/%(title)s.%(ext)s"


# Always download best quality
-f "bestvideo+bestaudio"


# Embed metadata
--embed-metadata
--embed-thumbnail
--embed-subs


# Download subtitles
--write-subs
--sub-lang en


# SponsorBlock
--sponsorblock-remove all


# Ignore errors
-i


# Use aria2c
--external-downloader aria2c
--external-downloader-args "-x 16 -k 1M"


# Cookie handling
--cookies-from-browser chrome

Override Config Options

You can override config file options by specifying them on the command line. Command-line options always take precedence over config file settings.

Automation & Scripting

Batch Script for Windows

batch
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@echo off
echo Downloading videos from channels...


yt-dlp --download-archive archive.txt ^
  -o "Videos/%%(uploader)s/%%(title)s.%%(ext)s" ^
  -f "bestvideo+bestaudio" ^
  --sponsorblock-remove all ^
  "https://www.youtube.com/@channel1/videos" ^
  "https://www.youtube.com/@channel2/videos"


echo Done!
pause

Bash Script for Linux/Mac

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#!/bin/bash


# Download from multiple channels
channels=(
  "https://www.youtube.com/@channel1/videos"
  "https://www.youtube.com/@channel2/videos"
  "https://www.youtube.com/@channel3/videos"
)


for channel in "${channels[@]}"; do
  yt-dlp --download-archive archive.txt \\
    -o "~/Videos/%(uploader)s/%(title)s.%(ext)s" \\
    -f "bestvideo+bestaudio" \\
    --sponsorblock-remove all \\
    "$channel"
done


echo "All downloads complete!"

Cron Job (Auto-download daily)

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# Edit crontab
crontab -e


# Add this line (runs daily at 2 AM)
0 2 * * * /usr/local/bin/yt-dlp --download-archive ~/archive.txt -o "~/Videos/%(title)s.%(ext)s" "https://www.youtube.com/@channel/videos"

Windows Task Scheduler

  1. Open Task Scheduler
  2. Create Basic Task
  3. Set trigger (e.g., Daily at 2:00 AM)
  4. Action: Start a program
  5. Program: yt-dlp
  6. Arguments: --download-archive archive.txt -o "Videos/%(title)s.%(ext)s" URL

Advanced Use Cases & Pro Tips

🎓 Archive Educational Content

bash
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# Download entire course playlists with organized structure
yt-dlp --download-archive coursera-archive.txt \\
  -o "Courses/%(playlist)s/%(playlist_index)s - %(title)s.%(ext)s" \\
  --write-subs --embed-subs \\
  --embed-metadata \\
  COURSE_PLAYLIST_URL

🎵 Build Music Library from YouTube

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# Extract high-quality audio with embedded artwork
yt-dlp -x --audio-format m4a \\
  --audio-quality 0 \\
  --embed-thumbnail \\
  --embed-metadata \\
  --add-metadata \\
  -o "Music/%(artist)s/%(album)s/%(track_number)s - %(title)s.%(ext)s" \\
  MUSIC_PLAYLIST_URL

📺 Download Entire TV Series/Documentary

bash
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# Download with episode numbering
yt-dlp -o "Shows/%(series)s/Season %(season_number)s/%(series)s - S%(season_number)sE%(episode_number)s - %(title)s.%(ext)s" \\
  -f "bestvideo[height<=1080]+bestaudio" \\
  --embed-metadata \\
  SERIES_PLAYLIST_URL

🎮 Download Gaming VODs from Twitch

bash
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# Download Twitch VOD with chat replay
yt-dlp -f "best" \\
  --write-thumbnail \\
  --embed-metadata \\
  -o "Twitch/%(uploader)s/%(title)s.%(ext)s" \\
  TWITCH_VOD_URL

📱 Download TikTok Without Watermark

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# TikTok download (watermark depends on format availability)
yt-dlp -f "best" \\
  -o "TikTok/%(uploader)s/%(title)s.%(ext)s" \\
  TIKTOK_URL

Official Resources

GitHub Repository
Source code & latest releases
Official Documentation
Complete command reference
Supported Sites List
All 1800+ supported platforms
Report Issues
Bug reports & feature requests

Legal Disclaimer & Responsible Use

This guide is for educational purposes. Users are responsible for complying with:

  • YouTube's Terms of Service and platform policies
  • Copyright laws in their jurisdiction
  • Fair use guidelines and content licensing

Recommended uses: Archiving your own content, downloading Creative Commons material, educational purposes with proper attribution, or content you have explicit permission to download.

You're Now a yt-dlp Expert! 🎉

You've learned everything from basic downloads to advanced automation. yt-dlp is an incredibly powerful tool - use it wisely and responsibly.

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Tags

#yt-dlp#YouTube#Video Download#Command Line#Tutorial#FFmpeg#SponsorBlock#Automation#Troubleshooting
Dev Kant Kumar

Dev Kant Kumar

Author

Full Stack Developer passionate about crafting high-performance user experiences. I write about Agentic AI, React, and the future of web development.

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