debian 13.1, yt-dlp 2025.10.14

I’m wondering is this a regular occurrence meaning google changed something in the code again which renders this application useless and I just have to wait till the yt-dlp developers release an update and it works again or if it’s something more serious.

error reads: ERROR: unable to download video data: HTTP Error 403: Forbidden

I also changed the MAC and username to get the same error message. Now I’m thinking about proxifying my computer, so each time I use yt-dlp it runs through tor, but I have no idea how to do it.

help appreciated.

  • Maiq@piefed.socialEnglish
    51·
    2 days ago

    A lot of this has to do with youtube blocking IP addresses. When it happens to me I change IP and it works again.

    How have you installed the yt-dlp app? Through apt or with pip? You can probably get faster updates if you use pip.

    • arsus5478@lemmy.mlOP
      2·
      2 days ago

      asking as a noob now, can I use this to set a static ip address on my computer?

      I don’t even know the difference between router and computer.

      How have you installed the yt-dlp app?

      all I know is I update executing yt-dlp -U, not using apt sources

      • yoevli@lemmy.worldEnglish
        4·
        2 days ago

        The article you linked is describing how to set a static internal IP address (i.e. the address your computer uses within your local network) whereas YouTube would be seeing your external IP address (which is typically assigned automatically by your ISP). I’m not sure what the parent comment is referring to with “changing” their address, but I would assume they’re probably using a VPN or something similar so that YouTube sees the address of the current VPN server instead.

        • Maiq@piefed.socialEnglish
          2·
          2 days ago

          You are correct about me using a vpn to change my IP… I probably should been more descriptive.

          Side note, thanks for helping OP in my absence.