Question 1

How does yt-dlp work?

Accepted Answer

yt-dlp works by extracting video and audio streams directly from supported websites. It uses site-specific extractors to gather metadata and download URLs, then downloads the media using Python and optionally merges or converts them with FFmpeg.

Question 2

How to use yt-dlp on Windows?

Accepted Answer

Download yt-dlp.exe from the official GitHub page, place it in a folder, and open Command Prompt in that directory. Then run commands like 'yt-dlp https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=example'. You can also add the folder to your PATH for easier access.

Question 3

Why is yt-dlp slow?

Accepted Answer

yt-dlp speed depends on your internet connection, YouTube throttling, and FFmpeg performance. Using the '--concurrent-fragments' or '--rate-limit' options can help optimize speed. Updating to the latest version often resolves slowdowns.

Question 4

Where does yt-dlp save files?

Accepted Answer

By default, yt-dlp saves downloaded files in the same directory where you run the command. You can specify a custom path using the '-o' option such as '-o "C:\path	o\folder\%(title)s.%(ext)s"'.

Question 5

Does yt-dlp still work?

Accepted Answer

Yes, yt-dlp is actively maintained and works for YouTube and hundreds of other sites. Make sure you’re using the latest version to avoid extractor issues.

Question 6

Can yt-dlp download from Spotify?

Accepted Answer

No, yt-dlp cannot download directly from Spotify as Spotify uses encrypted streams. However, it can handle Spotify metadata with certain plugins but not download actual audio files.

Question 7

What is yt-dlp.exe?

Accepted Answer

yt-dlp.exe is the Windows executable version of yt-dlp — a command-line tool that downloads videos, audio, and metadata from YouTube and other sites without needing to install Python separately.

Question 8

How to install yt-dlp?

Accepted Answer

On Windows, download yt-dlp.exe from GitHub and run it via Command Prompt. On macOS or Linux, use 'python3 -m pip install -U yt-dlp' or 'sudo wget 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'.

Question 9

Can yt-dlp download members-only videos?

Accepted Answer

yt-dlp can download members-only videos if you provide authenticated cookies (from your YouTube account) using the '--cookies' option. Without authentication, such videos cannot be accessed.

Question 10

How to update yt-dlp?

Accepted Answer

Run 'yt-dlp -U' to automatically check for and install updates. You can also manually download the latest release from the official GitHub page.

Question 11

How to install yt-dlp on Linux?

Accepted Answer

Use the following commands: 'sudo wget https://github.com/yt-dlp/yt-dlp/releases/latest/download/yt-dlp -O /usr/local/bin/yt-dlp' and 'sudo chmod a+rx /usr/local/bin/yt-dlp'. You can then run yt-dlp from any terminal window.

Question 12

How to download a playlist using yt-dlp?

Accepted Answer

Simply paste the playlist link: 'yt-dlp https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=YOUR_LIST_ID'. yt-dlp will automatically detect and download all videos in the playlist.

Question 13

How to use yt-dlp to download MP3?

Accepted Answer

Use the command 'yt-dlp -x --audio-format mp3 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=example'. This extracts audio and converts it into MP3 using FFmpeg.

Question 14

Is yt-dlp a virus?

Accepted Answer

No, yt-dlp is an open-source project maintained by trusted developers. If downloaded from the official GitHub repository, it is completely safe and free from malware.

Question 15

What is yt-dlp command?

Accepted Answer

The yt-dlp command is used in the terminal or command prompt to download or extract media, e.g.: 'yt-dlp [OPTIONS] [URL]'. For example: 'yt-dlp -f best https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=abc'.

Question 16

What is yt-dlp folder?

Accepted Answer

The yt-dlp folder is the directory where downloaded files are stored. You can specify a custom folder using the '-o' option or configure a default output path in your config file.

Question 17

Is yt-dlp a Python library?

Accepted Answer

Yes, yt-dlp is written in Python and can be imported as a Python library to integrate video downloading features into your own scripts or applications.

Question 18

What is yt-dlp GUI?

Accepted Answer

A yt-dlp GUI (Graphical User Interface) is a software front-end that provides a visual interface to use yt-dlp without typing commands. Examples include YDL-UI and Youtube-DLG.

Question 19

What is FFmpeg in yt-dlp?

Accepted Answer

FFmpeg is a media processing tool used by yt-dlp to merge video and audio streams, convert formats (e.g. MP4 to MP3), and improve media compatibility after download.

YT-DLP

YT DLP Commands List