Image

Common Errors When Downloading Shorts & How to Fix Them

6/30/2025

|

Team CapsAI

Common Errors When Downloading Shorts & How to Fix Them

  1. Timeout or stalled downloads
    • What happens: Your browser or downloader hangs partway through.
    • Fix: Use Capsai’s server‑powered downloader (https://capsai.co/upload-video) so the heavy lifting is done remotely, then grab the final MP4 link.

  2. HTTP 403 Forbidden errors
    • What happens: You get a 403 when the tool can’t access the video stream.
    • Fix: Make sure you’re using a supported downloader (Capsai or yt‑dlp) with updated cookies or OAuth credentials if the Short is private or unlisted.

  3. Incomplete or truncated files
    • What happens: The downloaded file stops short of the full length.
    • Fix: Run your download command with resume support (for example: ) or use a download manager that supports pausing and resuming.

yt-dlp --continue --fragment-retries 5 <SHORT_URL>

  1. Incorrect format or container
    • What happens: You receive a WebM file when you need MP4.
    • Fix: Specify the output format explicitly (yt‑dlp example): or remux with ffmpeg:

yt-dlp -f mp4 "SHORT_URL"

ffmpeg -i input.webm -c copy output.mp4

  1. Watermark appearing on download
    • What happens: The video includes a watermark from a free plan.
    • Fix: Use a fully‑free tool like Capsai which delivers watermark‑free MP4s even on its no‑cost tier.

  2. Audio‑video out of sync
    • What happens: Dialogue doesn’t match lip movements.
    • Fix: Download combined bestvideo+bestaudio streams instead of separate tracks:

yt-dlp -f bestvideo+bestaudio "SHORT_URL"

  1. Format not playable on your device
    • What happens: Your phone or player can’t open the file.
    • Fix: Transcode to a universal format with HandBrake or ffmpeg:

ffmpeg -i input.mp4 -c:v libx264 -c:a aac output_compatible.mp4

  1. Geographic or age restrictions
    • What happens: The downloader reports “video unavailable.”
    • Fix: Ensure you’re logged into the region-appropriate Google account in your tool, or use an API‑backed service (Capsai) that can proxy through allowed regions.

  2. API rate limits or tool blocking
    • What happens: Your script errors out after several downloads.
    • Fix: Add exponential backoff retries, rotate API keys, or switch to a bulk service like Capsai’s bulk‑download feature to avoid per-request limits.

  3. Missing subtitles or captions
    • What happens: The downloaded video has no burned‑in captions or separate SRT.
    • Fix: Use Capsai to auto‑generate and embed subtitles during download: go to https://capsai.co/upload-video, choose your language, then download the captioned MP4.
Add Viral Subtitles - Mobile
Related Posts
View all