In today’s digital era, video streaming has become the primary way people consume movies, TV shows, tutorials, and other video content. While tools like yt-dlp have made downloading online videos easier than ever, users occasionally encounter an error that halts their progress:
ERROR: This video is DRM protected .
This message indicates that the video you are trying to download is protected by Digital Rights Management (DRM). DRM is designed to prevent unauthorized copying and distribution of copyrighted content, which presents a challenge for download tools like yt-dlp. In this article, we’ll explore why this error occurs, and whether yt-dlp can download DRM-protected videos.

Before trying to solve the issue, it’s important to understand why yt-dlp cannot download DRM-protected videos. DRM is a technology used by streaming platforms like Netflix, Amazon Prime, Disney+, and Hulu to encrypt video streams. The encryption ensures that only authorized players (with the correct decryption keys) can play the content.
Why yt-dlp fails with DRM videos:
In short, yt-dlp cannot download DRM-protected videos directly , and users must rely on alternative methods to capture or save such content.
While yt-dlp cannot download DRM-protected videos, there are legal alternatives that allow you to access the content offline. These include screen recording and using specialized software like VidJuice UniTube.
Screen recording is a practical method to save videos for offline viewing when DRM prevents direct downloads. It captures the video as it plays on your screen, producing a file that can be viewed later without breaking encryption.
Steps to Record DRM-Protected Videos Using an Screen Recorder:

VidJuice UniTube is a professional video downloader and converter designed to handle multiple streaming sites. Unlike yt-dlp, VidJuice can download videos from a broader range of platforms, including some DRM-protected content, while preserving high quality.
How VidJuice UniTube Works:
Steps to Download DRM-Protected Videos with VidJuice UniTube:

When yt-dlp shows the error
This video is DRM protected
, it signals that the video is encrypted and cannot be downloaded directly.
Users have two alternatives for saving DRM-protected videos:
For anyone regularly facing DRM-related download issues, VidJuice UniTube offers a reliable, efficient, and user-friendly solution. It combines the convenience of automation with high-quality output, helping users save protected videos for personal use.