YouTube Download Option Not Showing🔎What to Do

Rel updated on Oct 25, 2024 to Video & Audio Downloading

Is the YouTube download option not showing, and you cannot download YouTube videos on Windows/Mac? Check our post to find the reasons and the best four methods.

Has it ever happened that you were scrolling through the YouTube app, watching some DIYs, recipes, or funny videos, and wanted to save it offline for future use? But oops! Is the YouTube download button not showing? Multiple reasons can cause the issue, causing a hindrance in your YouTube video download and ruining your entertainment experience. 

But wait! We have covered your back!

Here, you will learn why the download button is not showing up and four different methods to download YouTube videos to a computer on Windows/Mac and Android/iPhone. These methods will surely help to fix the problem and save your favorite videos on PCs or phones for offline watching. Let's dive in for detailed information.

Fix 1. Download YouTube Videos with Professional YouTube Downloader

While a YouTube Premium subscription helps you download high-definition YouTube videos, the membership works only for YouTube. Plus, the reasons listed above still surround you with download issues. So, wouldn't finding a professional and safe YouTube downloader to eliminate any video-related issues and engage in a limitless entertainment experience be a blessing? 

EaseUS Video Downloader is an optimal solution for downloading streaming videos online. The professional video downloader helps you download high-quality videos, up to 4K UHD, without quality loss from 1,000+ sites, including YouTube, TikTok, and other live video sites. Moreover, it can download protected videos without a black screen. 

But that's not it. You can download and install EaseUS Video Downloader to experience its feature-rich functions first-hand. 

💻The following part will guide you to download YouTube videos with the EaseUS Video Downloader. 

Step 1. Customize the video format and quality from the dropdown.

Step 2. Copy the YouTube URL and click "Paste Link" on EaseUS Video Downloader.

Step 3. Wait for the downloading process to finish and then click "Open" to check the YouTube video.

Disclaimer: This guide is compiled for personal fair use ONLY. EaseUS is in no way collaborated or affiliated with YouTube and never advocates any copyright infringement action. The end-user should be solely responsible for their behavior.

Actually, with EaseUS Video Downloader, you can also manage to download YouTube videos to an SD Card/HD Card. If you are looking for ways, click and read the passage below to find the answers:

How to Download Music to SD Card from YouTube | Full Guide

In this passage, we will guide you on how to download music to an SD card from YouTube on your phone or computer. 

Fix 2. Reinstall YouTube

The YouTube download option might be unavailable due to a malfunction in the app. However, you can restart YouTube or reinstall the software to eliminate the problem.

💻Check out these steps to reinstall the YouTube app on your device. 

Step 1. Go to the Play Store on your Android phone or tablet. Click the profile picture or icon in the upper right corner. 

Step 2. Click "Manage apps and device" and select "Manage".

Step 3. Find YouTube on the list and check the box on the right.

Step 4. To uninstall the YouTube app, click the Bin icon at the top right corner. Tap Install or Enable

Fix 3. Sign in or Re-sign the YouTube Premium Account

Users with YouTube Premium subscriptions can try the account option. Ensure you have signed into the Google account linked to the YouTube Premium membership.

💻Check out these steps to log in to the correct YouTube account. 

Step 1.  Sign out of your current Google account.

Step 2. Sign in again to the Google account linked with YouTube Premium.

Step 3. Upon signing into the correct account, you shall see the YouTube Premium logo instead of the YouTube logo at the app's top-left corner. 

Fix 4. Check YouTube Subscription Status

You must check the YouTube Premium subscription expiry and account login limit here.

1️⃣ Check if the subscription has expired or not. The YouTube Premium membership has an expiration date, after which you shall not be able to download videos from the Internet to computers through the YouTube app. For instance, the download option will be grey if it expires, and you cannot download the video anymore.

You must tap your profile photo in the YouTube app > Paid Memberships > Scroll down to "Manage" to check your membership expiration.

2️⃣ Check the log in limit for an account. YouTube Premium account can be used on ten devices. Check if the number of devices exceeds the limitation. When a YouTibe video is downloaded on a new device, the oldest device automatically deauthorizes upon reaching the device limit. However, you can do so only up to 4 times within a year. 

Fix 5. Check Download Settings

YouTube's download settings are crucial to save a video for offline viewing. For example, if you set the app settings to download videos only over WiFi, they will not be downloaded when using mobile data.

💻You can follow these steps to change the settings and learn how to enable the download option on YouTube. 

Step 1. Open YouTube and tap your profile picture. 

Step 2. Tap Settings (gear icon) > Library & Downloads

Step 3. Click Download connection and ensure you select the All connection types option. 

Note: 
View the settings on your smartphone and ensure you have enabled the background data for the YouTube app.

Why Is the YouTube Download Option Not Showing

If you are experiencing a problem with the YouTube download button not working on your PC/phone, it could be due to these reasons. For example,

  • #1. Not subscribed to YouTube Premium membership: A YouTube Premium subscription is necessary to download high-quality videos for offline use. So ensure you have one and you're signed in to save offline videos.
  • #2. Video is copyright-protected: Often, YouTube keeps the download button greyed out to protect creators from copyright issues. You can seek the creator's permission and use a YouTube downloader to download and share YouTube videos for personal entertainment. 
  • #3. YouTube Premium unavailable in your location: YouTube Premium benefits work only in the regions/countries where it is available. Ensure you're in a place where YouTube Premium is available to download your favorite videos. 
  • #4. Poor internet connection strength: When you're out of a proper network coverage area, or your device is connected to a weak WiFi connection, the YouTube download button might be unavailable to save offline videos.
  • #5. Outdated YouTube app: Ensure that you are using the latest YouTube app version. Look for pending updates and update the app if available. 
  • #6. Download settings and device limits: Check your download settings and ensure they are connected to download from all device types. Also, ensure your YouTube Premium device limit is at most ten devices. 

Wrap-Up

The YouTube download button not working is problematic, especially when you've planned a spontaneous trip and were looking forward to watching your favorite movie or YouTube music download ad-free. But now you know why the download button is greyed out and how you can fix it with some quick solutions. We suggest you try EaseUS Video Downloader to curb all your downloading restrictions and engage in an uncompromised video-watching experience. 

FAQs

Q1. Why does YouTube not allow users to download some videos?

YouTube does not allow downloading protected and copyrighted content unless you seek the creator's permission. Additionally, YouTube wants to create user loyalty towards the platform, as the longer they stay, the larger ad revenue will be generated. However, you can take YouTube's Premium subscription to download and save YouTube videos.

Q2. Where is the download option on YouTube for a Laptop?

Below the video, you can find a download button on YouTube on your laptop or computer as a dropdown arrow. However, it will only download if you have a YouTube Premium account. 

Q3. How do I find downloaded videos from YouTube in File Manager?

Every Android device has a preinstalled File Manager app to access the file system. Here's how you can find downloaded YouTube videos in File Manager. 

  1. Step 1. Open the File Manager by swiping up from the home screen. Or, locate it in the app drawer. 
  2. Note: The File Manager can have different names like Files/My Files or Downloads, depending upon your Android device model.
  3. Step 2. Access your downloaded YouTube videos in the Internal Storage or SD Card > Downloads folder.