YouTube Download Option Not Showing [Why and How to Fix]

Has it ever happened that you were scrolling through the YouTube app, watching some DIYs, recipes, or funny videos, and wanted to save them 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. Here, you will learn why the download button is not showing up and different methods to fix the missing download button on YouTube.

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,

• Not using the official YouTube mobile app: The download button is only available on the official YouTube app for Android and iOS. Using YouTube in a browser or desktop app will not show the download option.
• 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.
• 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. 
• 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. 
• 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.
• Outdated YouTube app: Ensure that you are using the latest YouTube app version. Look for pending updates and update the app if available. 
• 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. 

How to Fix the YouTube Download Option Not Showing Up

Fix 1. 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.

Step 1. Go to your device's settings, find Apps or Applications, locate YouTube, and select Uninstall. On Android, you can also long-press the YouTube app icon and drag it to the Uninstall option.

Step 2. Restart your device. This helps clear any residual data from the uninstalled app.

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

Step 4. Open the Google Play Store for Android or the App Store for iOS, search for YouTube, and install the official app.

Step 5. After reinstalling, open the app and see if the download option is visible now.

Fix 2. 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.

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 3. Check YouTube Subscription Status

A common reason for the missing download option is an expired or inactive YouTube Premium membership. The ability to download videos for offline viewing is a core feature of YouTube Premium. Ensuring your subscription is active is crucial for this functionality.

1️⃣ Check if the subscription has expired. The YouTube Premium membership has an expiration date, after which you will no longer be able to download videos from the Internet to your computer through the YouTube app. For instance, the download option will be grey if it expires, and you cannot download the video anymore. Go to the YouTube app, and tap your profile photo > Settings > Purchases and Memberships. If your membership has expired, you will need to resubscribe to regain access to download features.

2️⃣ Check the login limit for an account. A YouTube Premium account can be used on ten devices. Check if the number of devices exceeds the limitation. When a YouTube 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 4. 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.

Step 1. Open YouTube and tap your profile picture. 

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

Step 3. Then, you can manage various download-related settings such as:

• Smart Downloads and adjust the download quality you prefer for downloads, 144p, 360p, 720p, etc. Higher quality uses more storage.
• You can restrict downloads to Wi-Fi to save mobile data or allow downloads using cellular data.
• Enable or disable automatic downloads of videos recommended for you.
• Clear all downloaded videos from your device securely.

Fix 5. Clear YouTube App Cache and Data

Over time, cached data can become corrupted or outdated, resulting in unexpected app behavior, including the absence of features such as the download button. Clearing the cache and data can resolve these issues without requiring a complete app reinstall.

Step 1. On your Android device, long-press the YouTube app icon and tap App info. Or, you can go to Settings > Apps (or Apps & Notifications) > YouTube.

Step 2. Tap on Storage & Cache and then select Clear Cache, which will remove temporary data.

Step 3. If clearing cache doesn't work, return to "Storage & cache" and select "Clear data" (or "Clear storage"). Be aware that this will sign you out of your YouTube account and reset app settings, so you'll need to sign back in.

Step 4. Open the YouTube app and check if the download option is available now.

Pro Tip: Download Any YouTube Video with a Link

If none of the fixes worked, AuryLab YouTube Video Downloader offers a powerful solution for downloading YouTube videos safely and efficiently. It is a versatile online tool designed to help users download YouTube videos in multiple formats, like MP3 and MP4. It supports downloading videos and audio from over 1000 websites, including YouTube, Facebook, Reddit, TikTok, etc. With it, you can download full-length videos in 720p, 1080p, and 4K resolutions.

• Completely free to use this YouTube downloader without registration.
• Supporting videos in multiple resolutions, from low quality up to 8K HD.
• Fast and secure downloads with an intuitive user interface.
• Compatible with many websites beyond YouTube.

👉Just paste the URL of the YouTube video you want to download, and click Search. Then, you can select the video format and quality to save.

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 downloading YouTube music ad-free. But now you know why the download button is greyed out and how you can fix it with some quick solutions.

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 the ad revenue will be. 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.