Why Can’t I Download a Video? 9 Common Fixes

4 min read · Published October 24, 2026

Most failed downloads come down to a handful of causes. Work through this list from the top. It’s ordered from most to least common.

1. The post is private

Only public posts can be saved. Posts from private accounts, closed Facebook groups, Close Friends Stories and “followers only” content are blocked. A quick test: open the link in a private or incognito browser window. If you can’t see the post there, it can’t be downloaded.

2. The link is incomplete

Use the app’s Share › Copy link button instead of copying text from a caption. A full link looks like instagram.com/reel/…, tiktok.com/@user/video/… or facebook.com/reel/….

3. The platform isn’t supported

The downloader detects the platform from the link. If the box doesn’t recognise your link, check the list of supported platforms on the homepage.

4. The post was deleted or the Story expired

Deleted posts are gone, and Stories disappear after 24 hours unless they’re in a Highlight. See how to save Instagram Stories before they expire.

5. It’s a live stream

Broadcasts that are still live can’t be saved. Wait until the stream ends and the replay is posted, then use the replay’s link.

6. Age-restricted or region-locked content

Some platforms only show certain videos to logged-in adults or to viewers in certain countries. Those videos can fail to download.

7. The download started but you can’t find the file

• Android: open Files (or My Files) › Downloads. Gallery apps can take a moment to show new files.
• iPhone Safari: Files › Downloads. Then share › Save Video to move it to Photos (step-by-step).
• iPhone Chrome: Files › On My iPhone › Chrome.

8. Tapping a quality does nothing

Pop-up blockers and in-app browsers (the browser that opens inside Instagram or Facebook) often block downloads. Open the site in Safari, Chrome or Samsung Internet directly. On iPhone, also check Settings › Apps › Safari › Downloads.

9. The link worked earlier but not now

Download buttons expire after 30 minutes for security. Paste the link again to get fresh ones. If the whole site seems slow, wait a minute and retry, because platforms sometimes rate-limit busy periods.

Still not working?

Email us from the contact page with the link, the platform, and your device and browser, and we’ll take a look.

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