Freemake Video Downloader Not Working: Reasons & How to Fix
Summary: Freemake Video Downloader is a user-friendly and powerful video downloading software. However, you may encounter limitations when trying to download videos from YouTube using this program. In this instance, we shall elucidate why you may face challenges in utilizing Freemake for video downloads, what alternative steps can be taken, and propose complimentary YouTube download tools.
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Imagine you're about to save a favorite video, open the familiar Freemake Video Downloader, paste the link, and start downloading—only to have the progress bar freeze and a cold message pop up: "Unable to obtain video information." This sudden failure isn't uncommon. Sometimes it's due to platform policy changes, a bug in the software itself, or simply the expiration of your trial period. Regardless, it can be confusing and frustrating.
In this article, I'll break down common Freemake errors, share practical fixes, and offer several more stable alternatives to help you avoid being caught off guard the next time you encounter this situation.
Why Freemake Cannot Download Videos?
1. YouTube Download is Prohibited
When you visit the homepage of Freemake Video Downloader, a window will pop up, displaying a message stating "Attention: Downloading from YouTube is prohibited". This prohibition exists due to the violation of the service terms of YouTube and Google.
However, the official website of Freemake clearly indicates that it "downloads videos from YouTube and over 10,000 other websites".
In reality, Freemake simply informs users that downloading YouTube videos is illegal. You can use Freemake to download YouTube videos that are not protected by copyright. Copyrighted videos are not available for download.
2. You Are Using the Trial Version of Freemake
Although the name of Freemake Video Downloader contains the word "free," it is not actually a free downloading software. The only thing you can do for free is convert videos with their watermark. Paying 0.95 USD will allow you to try it for a week. The annual package (69.95 USD) is more expensive than the lifetime version (on sale for 59.95 USD, original price 99 USD). If you decide to purchase it, having a lifetime license may be a better option.
The reason you may not be able to download Freemake Video Downloader is because you have not paid the 0.95 USD.
3. Changes in Streaming Websites
This may be one of the most common reasons users will experience download failures in 2025. For example, YouTube regularly updates the cryptographic signatures used to play videos (e.g., the nsig parameter). Once this parameter changes, all downloaders relying on the old parsing logic will become inoperable until the development team releases a new version with a fix.
According to the yt-dlp community update log, YouTube released at least three player updates in the first half of 2025, each of which caused most third-party download tools to fail to properly parse videos for a short period of time.
4. Freemake Video Downloader Errors
The actual analytical capability of Freemake Video Downloader is relatively weak, and many websites are not supported. You may also encounter issues such as connection errors or download problems. Any software can experience errors and malfunctions, but the rate and frequency of errors can impact the reputation of the software.
The chart below shows the main reasons why Freemake Video Downloader fails, based on community discussions and recent search data.
How to Fix Freemake Video Downloader Not Working?
1. Check If the Video is DRM Protected
You are unable to utilize the Freemake Video Downloader to download copyrighted videos, so please ensure that the video is not protected by copyright before downloading it.
2. Upgrade to the Paid Version of Freemake Video Downloader
Once the trial period of Freemake Video Downloader expires, it becomes completely unusable. Therefore, the only way to continue using Freemake is to purchase a one-week trial version or a lifetime license. Alternatively, one could opt for a free Youtube downloader, such as Streamfab.
3. Contact Support of Freemake
If you encounter any issues while using the Freemake Video Downloader software, we recommend that you reach out to their technical support for more effective issue resolution. Simply contact support.freemake.com.
4. Use Alternatives
Freemake Video Downloader is not the sole video downloading software available, and it is not provided free of charge. If you are unable to utilize Freemake for video downloads, why not consider exploring alternatives such as StreamFab?
Recommend: Use StreamFab to Download Videos
If you are unable to utilize Freemake Video Downloader for video downloads, consider using StreamFab YouTube Downloader.
Save videos from various popular video websites (including Youtube, Vimeo, Niconico, Bilibili, Dailymotion, NBC, etc.) in up to original lossless 8k resolution and save in MP4/MKV/MP3 format.
1. Compare: Freemake vs StreamFab
2. Why StreamFab is Recommended to Replace Freemake
- Free and permanent YouTube video downloads: StreamFab allows you to download YouTube videos for free forever, while Freemake requires a subscription.
- More affordable: StreamFab's annual and lifetime plans are both cheaper than Freemake's, while offering more powerful features.
- Supports more websites: Covers YouTube, X, Facebook, Instagram, PBS, ABC, Bilibili, Dailymotion, NBC, and more.
- Comprehensive features: Supports batch downloads, automatic downloading of channel videos, saving subtitles, and selecting audio tracks and subtitle languages.
- Built-in browser: Open and download websites directly from within the software. Even websites without icons can be accessed by entering their domain names.
3. How to Use StreamFab YouTube Downloader
FAQs
This is usually because video platforms (especially YouTube) have updated their playback mechanisms or encryption parameters in the background, such as changes to nsig signatures. Once the update occurs, all download tools that rely on the old parsing logic will temporarily become ineffective until the developer releases a new version to fix the issue.
Currently, Freemake only provides a Windows version, and there is no native Mac version or iOS (iPhone/iPad) client. If you need to download videos on Mac or iPhone, you can consider using StreamFab.
Obtain videos from official websites or reputable platforms to avoid downloading cracked versions containing adware or malware. Obtain videos from legitimate, trusted video sites to avoid downloading unknown files or files containing malicious code. Once downloaded, use the videos for personal use only.
Conclusion
In the preceding discussion, we have delineated the reasons why Freemake Video Downloader may fail to download, along with potential solutions and alternative software options. For those seeking to download YouTube videos free of charge, we recommend considering StreamFab as a viable alternative.
