Can&#39;t download videos from YouTube on cobalt.tools #893

@2shiraz commented on GitHub (Jun 19, 2025):

Apparently, youtube blocked the whole subnet of my proxy servers. i was using ipv6 blocks which is blocked up to /40 ips. i guess changing proxy/cloud providers for me is the solution.

@2shiraz commented on GitHub (Jun 19, 2025): Apparently, youtube blocked the whole subnet of my proxy servers. i was using ipv6 blocks which is blocked up to /40 ips. i guess changing proxy/cloud providers for me is the solution.

GiteaMirror commented

@regedit-sys commented on GitHub (Jun 19, 2025):

i think we SHOULD make duplicate issues and reply with "me too"!
okay, but seriously, google is so annoying sometimes. we need to start a movement

@regedit-sys commented on GitHub (Jun 19, 2025): i think we SHOULD make duplicate issues and reply with "me too"! okay, but seriously, google is so annoying sometimes. we need to start a movement

GiteaMirror commented

@Intercity225 commented on GitHub (Jun 20, 2025):

In the meantime is there any alternatives?

@Intercity225 commented on GitHub (Jun 20, 2025): In the meantime is there any alternatives?

GiteaMirror commented

https://github.com/yt-dlp/yt-dlp

@wukko commented on GitHub (Jun 20, 2025):

In the meantime is there any alternatives?

@wukko commented on GitHub (Jun 20, 2025): > In the meantime is there any alternatives? https://github.com/yt-dlp/yt-dlp

GiteaMirror commented

@Intercity225 commented on GitHub (Jun 20, 2025):

Thank you, and hoping it's solved promptly!

@Intercity225 commented on GitHub (Jun 20, 2025): Thank you, and hoping it's solved promptly!

GiteaMirror commented

@ledsales commented on GitHub (Jun 20, 2025):

In the meantime is there any alternatives?

I just installed JDownloader 2 as a backup until Cobalt is online, it works fine, interface is a bit meh because it grabs everything, not just the vid, but audio streams, images etc, so you have to turn those off. I also haven't found how to make it stop creating subfolders, even for a single video file. But aside from those issues, which are probably me needing more time to play with the interface, it seems to be a good alternative and very quick to download vids.

@ledsales commented on GitHub (Jun 20, 2025): > In the meantime is there any alternatives? I just installed JDownloader 2 as a backup until Cobalt is online, it works fine, interface is a bit meh because it grabs everything, not just the vid, but audio streams, images etc, so you have to turn those off. I also haven't found how to make it stop creating subfolders, even for a single video file. But aside from those issues, which are probably me needing more time to play with the interface, it seems to be a good alternative and very quick to download vids.

GiteaMirror commented

@JoaoFelipe3 commented on GitHub (Jun 20, 2025):

aw dangit can't download sonic cd soundtrack now can i 😭

@JoaoFelipe3 commented on GitHub (Jun 20, 2025): aw dangit can't download sonic cd soundtrack now can i 😭

GiteaMirror commented

@G1tR4kt commented on GitHub (Jun 20, 2025):

In the meantime is there any alternatives?

Ive been downloading from yt for years with random sites, they ALL stopped working last year, i think you would have to wait until cobalt figures it out, its the only way currently i guess

@G1tR4kt commented on GitHub (Jun 20, 2025): > In the meantime is there any alternatives? Ive been downloading from yt for years with random sites, they ALL stopped working last year, i think you would have to wait until cobalt figures it out, its the only way currently i guess

GiteaMirror commented

@MrCoreyTys commented on GitHub (Jun 20, 2025):

This is truly mayhem. I'm sure why YouTube is doing this is to promote YT Premium instead of letting people use other video downloaders like Cobalt, I think that's it.

@MrCoreyTys commented on GitHub (Jun 20, 2025): This is truly mayhem. I'm sure why YouTube is doing this is to promote YT Premium instead of letting people use other video downloaders like Cobalt, I think that's it.

GiteaMirror commented

2025-11-09 10:00:38 -06:00

@pansy4life commented on GitHub (Jun 21, 2025):

Is there any ETA on when this could be fixed?

@pansy4life commented on GitHub (Jun 21, 2025): Is there any ETA on when this could be fixed?

GiteaMirror commented

@andyfoxmsconfig commented on GitHub (Jun 22, 2025):

Are there any news regarding the project's current state? ;-;

@andyfoxmsconfig commented on GitHub (Jun 22, 2025): Are there any news regarding the project's current state? ;-;

GiteaMirror commented

2025-11-09 10:00:38 -06:00

@dumbmoron commented on GitHub (Jun 22, 2025):

Are there any news regarding the project's current state? ;-;

@andyfoxmsconfig the project is not dead, everything other than youtube still works. if there were any updates, we would post them here (amongst other places)

@dumbmoron commented on GitHub (Jun 22, 2025): > Are there any news regarding the project's current state? ;-; @andyfoxmsconfig the project is not dead, everything other than youtube still works. if there were any updates, we would post them here (amongst other places)

GiteaMirror commented

2025-11-09 10:00:38 -06:00

@dumbmoron commented on GitHub (Jun 22, 2025):

self hosted instances are not affected by this, so if you need it to work urgently you could also host your own instance, we have instructions on how to set it up here

@dumbmoron commented on GitHub (Jun 22, 2025): self hosted instances are not affected by this, so if you need it to work urgently you could also host your own instance, we have instructions on how to set it up [here](https://github.com/imputnet/cobalt/blob/main/docs/run-an-instance.md)

GiteaMirror commented

@MatthewSH commented on GitHub (Jun 22, 2025):

self hosted instances are not affected by this, so if you need it to work urgently you could also host your own instance, we have instructions on how to set it up here

This, from my testing, is only true if you're on residential IPs or not flagged IPs. My self-hosted instance is impacted because it requires yt-session-generator and keeps throwing the YouTube login error which it hadn't prior.

@MatthewSH commented on GitHub (Jun 22, 2025): > self hosted instances are not affected by this, so if you need it to work urgently you could also host your own instance, we have instructions on how to set it up [here](https://github.com/imputnet/cobalt/blob/main/docs/run-an-instance.md?rgh-link-date=2025-06-22T18%3A24%3A36.000Z) This, from my testing, is only true if you're on residential IPs or not flagged IPs. My self-hosted instance is impacted because it requires yt-session-generator and keeps throwing the YouTube login error which it hadn't prior.

GiteaMirror commented

@wukko commented on GitHub (Jun 23, 2025):

keeps throwing the YouTube login error which it hadn't prior

then your ip address probably got blocked by youtube. there’s no way around it aside from using account cookies (not recommended, they also tend to get blocked) or using a different ip address :(

@wukko commented on GitHub (Jun 23, 2025): > keeps throwing the YouTube login error which it hadn't prior then your ip address probably got blocked by youtube. there’s no way around it aside from using account cookies (not recommended, they also tend to get blocked) or using a different ip address :(

GiteaMirror commented

@rupertgti commented on GitHub (Jun 23, 2025):

You could self-hosted a cobalt-api and cobalt-web at this moment, if you have a regional block for example like my case....

I use this easy docker-compose, I reference the sources of this:

#https://github.com/imputnet/cobalt/blob/main/docs/examples/docker-compose.example.yml
services:
  cobalt-api:
    image: ghcr.io/imputnet/cobalt:11
    init: true
    read_only: true
    network_mode: "bridge"
    restart: unless-stopped
    container_name: cobalt-api
    ports:
      - 9000:9000/tcp
      # if you use a reverse proxy (such as nginx),
      # uncomment the next line and remove the one above (9000:9000/tcp):
      # - 127.0.0.1:9000:9000

    environment:
      # replace https://api.url.example/ with your instance's url
      # or else tunneling functionality won't work properly
      API_URL: "http://YOUR_IP:9000"
      # if you want to use cookies for fetching data from services,
      # uncomment the next line & volumes section
      # COOKIE_PATH: "/cookies.json"
      # it's recommended to configure bot protection or api keys if the instance is public,
      # see /docs/protect-an-instance.md for more info
      # see /docs/run-an-instance.md for more variables that you can use here

#custom project:
#https://github.com/imputnet/cobalt/issues/768
#https://github.com/NotNite/cobalt-web-docker

  cobalt-web:
    container_name: cobalt-web
    network_mode: "bridge"
    restart: unless-stopped
    build:
      context: https://github.com/NotNite/cobalt-web-docker.git
      dockerfile: Dockerfile
      additional_contexts:
        cobalt-src: https://github.com/imputnet/cobalt.git

      args:
        WEB_HOST: "http://YOUR_IP:9001/"
        WEB_DEFAULT_API: "http://YOUR_IP:9000/"

    ports:
      - 9001:3000/tcp

@rupertgti commented on GitHub (Jun 23, 2025): You could self-hosted a cobalt-api and cobalt-web at this moment, if you have a regional block for example like my case.... I use this easy docker-compose, I reference the sources of this: ``` #https://github.com/imputnet/cobalt/blob/main/docs/examples/docker-compose.example.yml services: cobalt-api: image: ghcr.io/imputnet/cobalt:11 init: true read_only: true network_mode: "bridge" restart: unless-stopped container_name: cobalt-api ports: - 9000:9000/tcp # if you use a reverse proxy (such as nginx), # uncomment the next line and remove the one above (9000:9000/tcp): # - 127.0.0.1:9000:9000 environment: # replace https://api.url.example/ with your instance's url # or else tunneling functionality won't work properly API_URL: "http://YOUR_IP:9000" # if you want to use cookies for fetching data from services, # uncomment the next line & volumes section # COOKIE_PATH: "/cookies.json" # it's recommended to configure bot protection or api keys if the instance is public, # see /docs/protect-an-instance.md for more info # see /docs/run-an-instance.md for more variables that you can use here #custom project: #https://github.com/imputnet/cobalt/issues/768 #https://github.com/NotNite/cobalt-web-docker cobalt-web: container_name: cobalt-web network_mode: "bridge" restart: unless-stopped build: context: https://github.com/NotNite/cobalt-web-docker.git dockerfile: Dockerfile additional_contexts: cobalt-src: https://github.com/imputnet/cobalt.git args: WEB_HOST: "http://YOUR_IP:9001/" WEB_DEFAULT_API: "http://YOUR_IP:9000/" ports: - 9001:3000/tcp ```

GiteaMirror commented

2025-11-09 10:00:40 -06:00

@Notaroror commented on GitHub (Jun 25, 2025):

Is there an estimated time we'll see this fixed, i want to not have to use shady websites.

@Notaroror commented on GitHub (Jun 25, 2025): Is there an estimated time we'll see this fixed, i want to not have to use shady websites.

GiteaMirror commented

@gitboiaa1 commented on GitHub (Jun 25, 2025):

Is there an estimated time we'll see this fixed, i want to not have to use shady websites.

use yt-dlp until Cobalt is fixed, but its a bit confusing as it needs the windows console

@gitboiaa1 commented on GitHub (Jun 25, 2025): > Is there an estimated time we'll see this fixed, i want to not have to use shady websites. use yt-dlp until Cobalt is fixed, but its a bit confusing as it needs the windows console

GiteaMirror commented

2025-11-09 10:00:40 -06:00

@mgytr commented on GitHub (Jun 25, 2025):

I have my own instance, if someone wants it, kindly message me on Telegram or Discord. But don't download a lot please.

@mgytr commented on GitHub (Jun 25, 2025): I have my own instance, if someone wants it, kindly message me on Telegram or Discord. But don't download a lot please.

GiteaMirror commented

2025-11-09 10:00:40 -06:00

@Andy-Mckelvey05 commented on GitHub (Jun 25, 2025):

self hosted instances are not affected by this, so if you need it to work urgently you could also host your own instance, we have instructions on how to set it up here

what version do we host for this?
i have mine running locally but i still cant download Youtube locally
Something about 'libav-6.5.7.1-remux-cli.thr.mjs' not existing idk :(

@Andy-Mckelvey05 commented on GitHub (Jun 25, 2025): > self hosted instances are not affected by this, so if you need it to work urgently you could also host your own instance, we have instructions on how to set it up [here](https://github.com/imputnet/cobalt/blob/main/docs/run-an-instance.md) what version do we host for this? i have mine running locally but i still cant download Youtube locally Something about 'libav-6.5.7.1-remux-cli.thr.mjs' not existing idk :(

GiteaMirror commented

@mgytr commented on GitHub (Jun 25, 2025):

self hosted instances are not affected by this, so if you need it to work urgently you could also host your own instance, we have instructions on how to set it up here

what version do we host for this? i have mine running locally but i still cant download Youtube locally Something about 'libav-6.5.7.1-remux-cli.thr.mjs' not existing idk :(

Use this

@mgytr commented on GitHub (Jun 25, 2025): > > self hosted instances are not affected by this, so if you need it to work urgently you could also host your own instance, we have instructions on how to set it up [here](https://github.com/imputnet/cobalt/blob/main/docs/run-an-instance.md) > > what version do we host for this? i have mine running locally but i still cant download Youtube locally Something about 'libav-6.5.7.1-remux-cli.thr.mjs' not existing idk :( Use [this](https://github.com/imputnet/cobalt/issues/1356#issuecomment-2995278422)

GiteaMirror commented

@wukko commented on GitHub (Jun 30, 2025):

main instance is able to download videos from youtube again!

we also released the 11.2 update with some cool features: https://cobalt.tools/updates#11.2

@wukko commented on GitHub (Jun 30, 2025): main instance is able to download videos from youtube again! we also released the 11.2 update with some cool features: https://cobalt.tools/updates#11.2

GiteaMirror commented

@slittle95 commented on GitHub (Jun 30, 2025):

are you sure

getting the "youtube asked the instance to prove it's not a bot" error repeatedly, should I report it as a new issue or is it part of this one?

@slittle95 commented on GitHub (Jun 30, 2025): are you sure ![Image](https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/c3d8eba5-f62c-475b-8077-96fa90bb9a69) getting the "youtube asked the instance to prove it's not a bot" error repeatedly, should I report it as a new issue or is it part of this one?

GiteaMirror commented

2025-11-09 10:00:42 -06:00

@dobkun commented on GitHub (Jul 1, 2025):

it still shows the the for me

@dobkun commented on GitHub (Jul 1, 2025): it still shows the the for me ![Image](https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/5dc08b49-cee3-4f1f-8505-513ceb3e487e)

GiteaMirror commented

@slittle95 commented on GitHub (Jul 1, 2025):

@dobkun @dumbmoron I think we're following 1375 for this now https://github.com/imputnet/cobalt/issues/1375

@slittle95 commented on GitHub (Jul 1, 2025): @dobkun @dumbmoron I think we're following 1375 for this now https://github.com/imputnet/cobalt/issues/1375

GiteaMirror commented

2025-11-09 10:00:42 -06:00

@squabbled commented on GitHub (Jul 5, 2025):

How do other sites still work then?

@MatthewSH It’s because YouTube is the one doing the blocking intentionally. Other sites aren’t as aggressive in trying to block downloading tools and websites as YouTube is. If you mean how other downloading tools work, it’s likely because YouTube hasn’t tried blocking them yet and they’ve flown under the radar, or in the case of YT-DLP, it uses your connection so all YouTube sees is a signed out user.

@squabbled commented on GitHub (Jul 5, 2025): > How do other sites still work then? @MatthewSH It’s because YouTube is the one doing the blocking intentionally. Other sites aren’t as aggressive in trying to block downloading tools and websites as YouTube is. If you mean how other downloading tools work, it’s likely because YouTube hasn’t tried blocking them yet and they’ve flown under the radar, or in the case of YT-DLP, it uses your connection so all YouTube sees is a signed out user.

GiteaMirror commented

2025-11-09 10:00:42 -06:00

@LolproDoesStuff commented on GitHub (Jul 5, 2025):

I found an alternative website some days ago, it's literally cobalt but it runs on a community instance, it works perfectly and youtube still works.
you can try it out here: https://cobalt.meowing.de/

@LolproDoesStuff commented on GitHub (Jul 5, 2025): I found an alternative website some days ago, it's literally cobalt but it runs on a community instance, it works perfectly and youtube still works. you can try it out here: [https://cobalt.meowing.de/](https://cobalt.meowing.de/)

GiteaMirror commented

@fleetimee commented on GitHub (Jul 5, 2025):

I found an alternative website some days ago, it's literally cobalt but it runs on a community instance, it works perfectly and youtube still works. you can try it out here: cobalt.meowing.de

Thanks

@fleetimee commented on GitHub (Jul 5, 2025): > I found an alternative website some days ago, it's literally cobalt but it runs on a community instance, it works perfectly and youtube still works. you can try it out here: [cobalt.meowing.de](https://cobalt.meowing.de/) Thanks

GiteaMirror commented

@ethrydevelops commented on GitHub (Jul 11, 2025):

(commenting again because i sent in wrong thread)

i was working on a possible fix and found that it could be consistently bypassed with tor

not sure if you guys have already tried it, but routing it through tor bypasses the login wall most of the time

this package may be of use: https://www.npmjs.com/package/tor-request

@ethrydevelops commented on GitHub (Jul 11, 2025): (commenting again because i sent in wrong thread) i was working on a possible fix and found that it could be consistently bypassed with tor not sure if you guys have already tried it, but routing it through tor bypasses the login wall most of the time this package may be of use: https://www.npmjs.com/package/tor-request

GiteaMirror commented

@gablilli commented on GitHub (Jul 13, 2025):

(commenting again because i sent in wrong thread)

I don't know if that's true, I think that this thread is more monitored, so yeah.. why not send it there.

@gablilli commented on GitHub (Jul 13, 2025): > (commenting again because i sent in wrong thread) I don't know if that's true, I think that [this](https://github.com/imputnet/cobalt/issues/1375) thread is more monitored, so yeah.. why not send it there.

GiteaMirror commented

@The2AndOnly commented on GitHub (Aug 23, 2025):

It's still happening! Every other YouTube converter website works so I've been forced to go to those shady sites that don't give the highest quality.

@The2AndOnly commented on GitHub (Aug 23, 2025): It's still happening! Every other YouTube converter website works so I've been forced to go to those shady sites that don't give the highest quality.

GiteaMirror commented

2025-11-09 10:00:44 -06:00

@HU1212ICAN3 commented on GitHub (Aug 24, 2025):

Yeah pretty much every other site still works so idk why its an issue. I DMed Wukko but no reply so sounds like this is just abandoned. And that SUCKS because i really like this site. Mostly because it feels very old school like it was from the 2000s. Gonna suck if this doesnt get resolved.

@HU1212ICAN3 commented on GitHub (Aug 24, 2025): Yeah pretty much every other site still works so idk why its an issue. I DMed Wukko but no reply so sounds like this is just abandoned. And that SUCKS because i really like this site. Mostly because it feels very old school like it was from the 2000s. Gonna suck if this doesnt get resolved.

GiteaMirror commented

@wukko commented on GitHub (Aug 24, 2025):

as mentioned in the issue, don’t spam this issue unless it’s something useful

@wukko commented on GitHub (Aug 24, 2025): as mentioned in the issue, don’t spam this issue unless it’s something useful

GiteaMirror commented

2025-11-09 10:00:44 -06:00

@MatthewSH commented on GitHub (Aug 24, 2025):

but no reply so sounds like this is just abandoned

I don't know if this is considered off topic, but as stated in the update on the OP YouTube has implemented some strict ways of blocking services like Cobalt. Other sites may work but inevitably will get blocked in the future. This is not unique to Cobalt. You'd have to use it locally with things like yt-dlp but that requires some more hands on work. Cobalt isn't abandoned (you can see from the commits it's still active), just the YouTube portion of it is not working at this time.

They even share this information on Twitter: https://x.com/justusecobalt/status/1943279590178230618

Cobalt still is active and supports a lot of services. If you want to try to help get YouTube back online, I'm sure they would love some ideas to fix it. :) (lord knows I'm not smart enough for that)

@MatthewSH commented on GitHub (Aug 24, 2025): > but no reply so sounds like this is just abandoned I don't know if this is considered off topic, but as stated in the update on the OP YouTube has implemented some strict ways of blocking services like Cobalt. Other sites may work but inevitably will get blocked in the future. This is not unique to Cobalt. You'd have to use it locally with things like yt-dlp but that requires some more hands on work. Cobalt isn't abandoned (you can see from the commits it's still active), just the YouTube portion of it is not working at this time. They even share this information on Twitter: https://x.com/justusecobalt/status/1943279590178230618 Cobalt still is active and supports a lot of services. If you want to try to help get YouTube back online, I'm sure they would love some ideas to fix it. :) (lord knows I'm not smart enough for that)

GiteaMirror commented

2025-11-09 10:00:44 -06:00

@HU1212ICAN3 commented on GitHub (Aug 24, 2025):

as mentioned in the issue, don’t spam this issue unless it’s something useful

Your discord doesnt have a general chat. Sorry idk where else to get information and i dont use twitter.

@HU1212ICAN3 commented on GitHub (Aug 24, 2025): > as mentioned in the issue, don’t spam this issue unless it’s something useful Your discord doesnt have a general chat. Sorry idk where else to get information and i dont use twitter.

GiteaMirror commented

2025-11-09 10:00:45 -06:00

@MatthewSH commented on GitHub (Aug 24, 2025):

as mentioned in the issue, don’t spam this issue unless it’s something useful

Your discord doesnt have a general chat. Sorry idk where else to get information and i dont use twitter.

You can subscribe to issue updates here on GitHub, @HU1212ICAN3, which will show up in your inbox here on the site and in your email (if configured).

You can also periodically check the original post: https://github.com/imputnet/cobalt/issues/1356#issue-3161002795

It looks like wukko updates it as more information is available. There are options available if you're just looking for updates.

@MatthewSH commented on GitHub (Aug 24, 2025): > > as mentioned in the issue, don’t spam this issue unless it’s something useful > > Your discord doesnt have a general chat. Sorry idk where else to get information and i dont use twitter. You can subscribe to issue updates here on GitHub, @HU1212ICAN3, which will show up in your inbox here on the site and in your email (if configured). <img width="358" height="159" alt="Image" src="https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/7e928b40-c1de-45d5-a59f-a9de1935752d" /> You can also periodically check the original post: https://github.com/imputnet/cobalt/issues/1356#issue-3161002795 It looks like wukko updates it as more information is available. There are options available if you're just looking for updates.

GiteaMirror commented

2025-11-09 10:00:45 -06:00

@SpareEnderboy commented on GitHub (Sep 6, 2025):

just another day of youtube trying to get you to buy youtube premium...

@SpareEnderboy commented on GitHub (Sep 6, 2025): just another day of youtube trying to get you to buy youtube premium...

GiteaMirror commented

2025-11-09 10:00:45 -06:00

@ungaul commented on GitHub (Sep 13, 2025):

Couldn't we just use YouTube cookies as YT-DLP does?

@ungaul commented on GitHub (Sep 13, 2025): Couldn't we just use YouTube cookies as YT-DLP does?

GiteaMirror commented

@spencermacca commented on GitHub (Sep 14, 2025):

as mentioned in the issue, don’t spam this issue unless it’s something useful

this is lowkey such a silly thing to say. guy is giving a solution to the problem for 99% of people who end up on this thread.

if youtube downloading is going to be broken for as long as it has been, why not give people some alternatives on the popup instead of it just being this message saying "it's broken rn"

without a doubt, cobalt is by far one of my favourite youtube downloaders of all time it's the goat but plz just make the solution to most people's problems obvious 🙏

@spencermacca commented on GitHub (Sep 14, 2025): > as mentioned in the issue, don’t spam this issue unless it’s something useful this is lowkey such a silly thing to say. guy is giving a solution to the problem for 99% of people who end up on this thread. if youtube downloading is going to be broken for as long as it has been, why not give people some alternatives on the popup instead of it just being this message saying "it's broken rn" without a doubt, cobalt is by far one of my favourite youtube downloaders of all time it's the goat but plz just make the solution to most people's problems obvious 🙏

GiteaMirror commented

@MatthewSH commented on GitHub (Sep 14, 2025):

if youtube downloading is going to be broken for as long as it has been, why not give people some alternatives on the popup instead of it just being this message saying "it's broken rn"

It's been mentioned before about YT-DLP @spencermacca. Any recommendation from the Cobalt team would be seen as them supporting or pushing people to a product and if that product turns out poorly or unsafe for users the blame falls back on the Cobalt team which impacts their reputation.

YT-DLP is the only truly "safe" at the moment but still has it's risks, of course.

@MatthewSH commented on GitHub (Sep 14, 2025): > if youtube downloading is going to be broken for as long as it has been, why not give people some alternatives on the popup instead of it just being this message saying "it's broken rn" It's been mentioned before about YT-DLP @spencermacca. Any recommendation from the Cobalt team would be seen as them supporting or pushing people to a product and if that product turns out poorly or unsafe for users the blame falls back on the Cobalt team which impacts their reputation. YT-DLP is the only truly "safe" at the moment but still has it's risks, of course.

GiteaMirror commented

@squabbled commented on GitHub (Sep 15, 2025):

Couldn't we just use YouTube cookies as YT-DLP does?

YouTube rate limits accounts too. On yt-dlp it's less noticeable as you're the only person downloading compared to Cobalt which has millions of people downloading from one server. I've had yt-dlp cookies be revoked and rate limited and had to make several YouTube accounts for bulk downloads. It's not practical for a larger operation like Cobalt to have a surplus of accounts as they'd burn through them extremely fast and cause errors and trouble for users.

@squabbled commented on GitHub (Sep 15, 2025): > Couldn't we just use YouTube cookies as YT-DLP does? YouTube rate limits accounts too. On yt-dlp it's less noticeable as you're the only person downloading compared to Cobalt which has millions of people downloading from one server. I've had yt-dlp cookies be revoked and rate limited and had to make several YouTube accounts for bulk downloads. It's not practical for a larger operation like Cobalt to have a surplus of accounts as they'd burn through them extremely fast and cause errors and trouble for users.

GiteaMirror commented