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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

General Questions​

Q1: What is yt-dlp?​

A: yt-dlp is a fork of youtube-dl, a command-line program to download videos from YouTube and other video platforms. It includes additional features and improvements over the original youtube-dl.

A: The legality of using yt-dlp depends on how you use it and the laws in your jurisdiction. Always respect copyright laws and terms of service of the websites you're downloading from.

Q3: Does yt-dlp work on Windows/Mac/Linux?​

A: Yes, yt-dlp is cross-platform and works on Windows, macOS, and Linux.

Installation and Updates​

Q4: How do I install yt-dlp?​

A: You can install yt-dlp using pip:

pip install yt-dlp

For other installation methods, refer to the installation guide in the documentation.

Q5: How do I update yt-dlp?​

A: You can update yt-dlp by running:

yt-dlp -U

or

pip install -U yt-dlp

Q6: Why am I getting "command not found" errors?​

A: Ensure that yt-dlp is installed correctly and that its location is in your system's PATH.

Usage and Features​

Q7: How do I download a video?​

A: Basic usage:

yt-dlp [URL]

For example:

yt-dlp https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dQw4w9WgXcQ

Q8: Can I download only the audio?​

A: Yes, use the -x or --extract-audio option:

yt-dlp -x [URL]

Q9: How do I select a specific video quality?​

A: Use the -f option. For example:

yt-dlp -f 'bestvideo[height<=1080]+bestaudio/best' [URL]

Q10: Can yt-dlp download entire playlists?​

A: Yes, simply provide the playlist URL:

yt-dlp [PLAYLIST_URL]

Troubleshooting​

Q11: Why is the download speed slow?​

A: Try using an external downloader like aria2c:

yt-dlp --external-downloader aria2c [URL]

Q12: How do I bypass geo-restrictions?​

A: Use the --geo-bypass option:

yt-dlp --geo-bypass [URL]

Q13: Why can't I download age-restricted videos?​

A: Try using cookies from your browser:

yt-dlp --cookies-from-browser firefox [URL]

Q14: What do I do if yt-dlp says "video unavailable"?​

A: Check if the video is actually available in your region or if it requires login. You might need to use --cookies or --username and --password options.

Advanced Usage​

Q15: Can I use yt-dlp in my Python scripts?​

A: Yes, yt-dlp can be imported as a Python module. Check the documentation for examples.

Q16: How do I customize the output filename?​

A: Use the -o option with an output template. For example:

yt-dlp -o '%(title)s-%(id)s.%(ext)s' [URL]

Q17: Can yt-dlp download videos from sites other than YouTube?​

A: Yes, yt-dlp supports many video hosting platforms. Check the supported sites list in the documentation.

Privacy and Security​

Q18: Does yt-dlp collect any personal data?​

A: No, yt-dlp itself doesn't collect personal data. However, be cautious when using options that involve your login credentials.

Q19: Is it safe to use the --cookies option?​

A: While it's generally safe, be careful not to share your cookies file as it may contain sensitive information.

Contribution and Support​

Q20: How can I contribute to yt-dlp?​

A: You can contribute by reporting bugs, suggesting features, or submitting pull requests on the yt-dlp GitHub repository.

Q21: Where can I get help if I have more questions?​

A: You can seek help on the yt-dlp GitHub issues page, or in community forums dedicated to yt-dlp.

Remember, this FAQ covers common questions, but for more detailed information, always refer to the official yt-dlp documentation and GitHub repository.