ytdl-org/youtube-dl · error · ExtractorError
This video is DRM protected.
Error message
This video is DRM protected.
What it means
Error "This video is DRM protected." thrown in ytdl-org/youtube-dl.
Source
Thrown at youtube_dl/extractor/npo.py:250
stream_ext = determine_ext(stream_url)
if stream_type == 'application/dash+xml' or stream_ext == 'mpd':
formats.extend(self._extract_mpd_formats(
stream_url, video_id, mpd_id='dash', fatal=False))
elif stream_type == 'application/vnd.apple.mpegurl' or stream_ext == 'm3u8':
formats.extend(self._extract_m3u8_formats(
stream_url, video_id, ext='mp4',
entry_protocol='m3u8_native', m3u8_id='hls', fatal=False))
elif re.search(r'\.isml?/Manifest', stream_url):
formats.extend(self._extract_ism_formats(
stream_url, video_id, ism_id='mss', fatal=False))
else:
formats.append({
'url': stream_url,
})
if not formats:
if drm:
raise ExtractorError('This video is DRM protected.', expected=True)
return
self._sort_formats(formats)
info = {
'id': video_id,
'title': video_id,
'formats': formats,
}
embed_url = url_or_none(player.get('embedUrl'))
if embed_url:
webpage = self._download_webpage(
embed_url, video_id, 'Downloading embed page', fatal=False)
if webpage:
video = self._parse_json(
self._search_regex(
r'\bvideo\s*=\s*({.+?})\s*;', webpage, 'video',View on GitHub (pinned to 956b8c5855)
Solutions
- DRM-protected content cannot be downloaded by youtube-dl; use an official player.
When it happens
Trigger: Thrown at youtube_dl/extractor/npo.py:250 when the library encounters an invalid state.
Common situations: See trigger scenarios.
AI-assisted analysis of ytdl-org/youtube-dl@956b8c5855 (2026-08-14).
Data as JSON: /api/errors/f1e637e516960faa.
Report an issue: GitHub.