Most failed downloads come down to the same few causes. Before you give up on a video, work through this list from top to bottom; in most cases you will find the fix in under a minute. Each item explains what you will see, why it happens and what to do.
1. The account is private
What you see: “We could not get this video.”
Why: videos from private accounts are only visible to approved followers, so no outside tool can reach them.
Fix: open the link in a private or incognito browser window. If the platform asks you to log in, the video is not public and cannot be downloaded.
2. The video was deleted or hidden
If the creator removed the video, archived it or changed who can see it, the link no longer points to anything. Ask the creator for the file if you need it.
3. Extra text around the link
Copying from a chat often includes words, emoji or two links in a row. Paste only the link itself, starting with https://. The downloader shows a badge such as “TikTok link detected” when it recognises a clean link.
4. A link to a post or profile, not the video
On Facebook especially, a link to a post that contains a video is not the same as a link to the video. Open the video on its own page and copy that link. On Instagram, make sure the link contains /reel/ or /p/, not just the username.
5. Unsupported content
Stories, live streams that are still running and photo slideshows are not regular videos. Wait until a live stream ends and is published as a recording, then try again.
6. Age or region limits
Some videos are restricted to adults who are logged in, or to certain countries. These cannot be fetched.
7. Too many requests
To keep the service fast and fair, there is a short limit on how many videos one visitor can fetch in a few minutes. If you see a timer on the Download button, wait until it ends, then try again. Bulk or automated downloading is not allowed under our Terms of Use.
8. Slow or unstable connection
Large files take time. Keep the page open until the download starts, avoid switching apps on your phone, and try again on Wi-Fi if it times out.
Quick reference
| Message | Most likely cause | First thing to try |
|---|---|---|
| Paste a video link first | Empty box | Paste the link again |
| This link is not from… | Unsupported site or extra text | Copy the link again from the Share button |
| We could not get this video | Private, deleted or restricted | Open the link in a private window |
| Try again in 0:45 | Rate limit reached | Wait for the timer |
| This is taking too long | Slow connection or long video | Retry on Wi-Fi |
Downloaded, but cannot find the file?
On iPhone, downloads go to the Files app, not Photos. Our guide on finding downloaded videos on iPhone shows where to look. On Android, check the Download folder in your Files app.
Still stuck?
Tell us the link on the contact page and we will take a look. Platforms change their apps often, and reports like yours help us fix problems quickly.
