The link works in my browser but not here. Why?

Your browser is authenticated and the downloader is not. Media behind a login, an age gate or a paywall stays out of reach.

Would a VPN help with a region lock?

It can change what the source serves you, but the download is still subject to that platform's terms and to the rights on the content.

How long should I wait before retrying?

For a suspected platform change, a few hours to a day. For a network or timeout error, retrying immediately is usually fine.

Troubleshooting · 2026-06-12 · 5 min read

Why a download fails and how to fix it

Private media, region locks, expired links and extractor changes — the four usual suspects.

Updated 2026-09-01

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The media is private or removed

If the source requires a login or the post was deleted, no downloader can reach it. Open the link in a private browser window: if you cannot watch it there, DOWNBOX cannot fetch it either.

Region locks and expired links

Some platforms restrict media by country, and share links often carry a short-lived token. Copy a fresh link straight from the address bar rather than reusing an old one from a chat.

The platform changed something

Sites change their players regularly, which temporarily breaks extraction. These outages are usually fixed within a day as the engine layer is updated — retrying later is often enough.

Error messages and what they mean

Message	Likely cause	What to try
Media not found or private	Deleted, unlisted or login-gated	Open the URL logged out to confirm
Platform not supported	No extractor for that site	Check the supported sites page
Playlists are not supported	URL points to a list or channel	Open the single video and copy its URL
Service temporarily unavailable	Extractor or upstream outage	Retry in a few hours

see supported platforms report a broken platform

A quick checklist

Is it a single media URL, not a playlist, channel or search page?
Does the URL start with https:// and open directly in a private window?
Is the link fresh, copied from the address bar rather than a chat message?
Have you tried once more after a short wait?

the full download walkthrough

Frequently asked questions

The link works in my browser but not here. Why?: Your browser is authenticated and the downloader is not. Media behind a login, an age gate or a paywall stays out of reach.
Would a VPN help with a region lock?: It can change what the source serves you, but the download is still subject to that platform's terms and to the rights on the content.
How long should I wait before retrying?: For a suspected platform change, a few hours to a day. For a network or timeout error, retrying immediately is usually fine.