How to Download Video Files with VLC Media Player

PDF download Download Article
Use this popular media player to save streaming videos to your computer
PDF download Download Article

This wikiHow teaches you how to download an online video using VLC Media Player. While you can still download streaming videos with VLC, it no longer works with most YouTube videos . Make sure you install VLC Media Player on your Windows or Mac computer before continuing if you haven't already done so.

How do you download videos with VLC?

Copy the URL of the video you want to download. In VLC Media Player, click the File or Media menu and select Open Network Stream . Click the down arrow next to the "Play" button and select Convert . Choose a saving location and save the video as an MP4 file.

Steps

PDF download Download Article
  1. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/0\/02\/Download-Files-Using-VLC-Media-Player-Step-1-Version-5.jpg\/v4-460px-Download-Files-Using-VLC-Media-Player-Step-1-Version-5.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/0\/02\/Download-Files-Using-VLC-Media-Player-Step-1-Version-5.jpg\/v4-728px-Download-Files-Using-VLC-Media-Player-Step-1-Version-5.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    In a web browser, go to the website that hosts the video you want to download. You can start playing the video to ensure it's the correct video.
    • Unfortunately, this process no longer works with most YouTube videos, though you may occasionally find one that will download. If you want to download YouTube videos, check out How to Download YouTube Videos .
  2. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/f\/f7\/Download-Files-Using-VLC-Media-Player-Step-2-Version-5.jpg\/v4-460px-Download-Files-Using-VLC-Media-Player-Step-2-Version-5.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/f\/f7\/Download-Files-Using-VLC-Media-Player-Step-2-Version-5.jpg\/v4-728px-Download-Files-Using-VLC-Media-Player-Step-2-Version-5.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Right-click the video and select Copy video URL or similar. If you don't see this option, try highlighting the address of the video at the top of your browser and pressing Ctrl + C on Windows or ⌘ Command + C on a Mac to copy it.
    Advertisement
  3. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/d\/de\/Download-Files-Using-VLC-Media-Player-Step-3-Version-4.jpg\/v4-460px-Download-Files-Using-VLC-Media-Player-Step-3-Version-4.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/d\/de\/Download-Files-Using-VLC-Media-Player-Step-3-Version-4.jpg\/v4-728px-Download-Files-Using-VLC-Media-Player-Step-3-Version-4.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":342,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":542,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    It's the app with the icon of an orange traffic cone.
    • If you don't have it already, you can download VLC for free at https://www.videolan.org . VLC is an open-source video player with a lot of beneficial features for playing all kinds of files.
  4. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/0\/0c\/Download-Files-Using-VLC-Media-Player-Step-4-Version-4.jpg\/v4-460px-Download-Files-Using-VLC-Media-Player-Step-4-Version-4.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/0\/0c\/Download-Files-Using-VLC-Media-Player-Step-4-Version-4.jpg\/v4-728px-Download-Files-Using-VLC-Media-Player-Step-4-Version-4.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":342,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":542,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    • On Windows: Click Media , then click Open Network Stream .
    • On Mac: Click File , then click Open Network .
  5. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/8\/8d\/Download-Files-Using-VLC-Media-Player-Step-5-Version-5.jpg\/v4-460px-Download-Files-Using-VLC-Media-Player-Step-5-Version-5.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/8\/8d\/Download-Files-Using-VLC-Media-Player-Step-5-Version-5.jpg\/v4-728px-Download-Files-Using-VLC-Media-Player-Step-5-Version-5.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Make sure the entire URL was copied.
  6. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/3\/30\/Download-Files-Using-VLC-Media-Player-Step-6-Version-5.jpg\/v4-460px-Download-Files-Using-VLC-Media-Player-Step-6-Version-5.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/3\/30\/Download-Files-Using-VLC-Media-Player-Step-6-Version-5.jpg\/v4-728px-Download-Files-Using-VLC-Media-Player-Step-6-Version-5.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    This opens an option for converting the streaming video to a format you can save to your computer. [1]
  7. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/f\/fd\/Download-Files-Using-VLC-Media-Player-Step-7-Version-5.jpg\/v4-460px-Download-Files-Using-VLC-Media-Player-Step-7-Version-5.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/f\/fd\/Download-Files-Using-VLC-Media-Player-Step-7-Version-5.jpg\/v4-728px-Download-Files-Using-VLC-Media-Player-Step-7-Version-5.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Click Browse and choose a folder to save your downloaded video in. End the name of the file you're creating with ".mp4". Then, click Open or OK to return to the Convert window.
  8. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/c\/c0\/Download-Files-Using-VLC-Media-Player-Step-8-Version-5.jpg\/v4-460px-Download-Files-Using-VLC-Media-Player-Step-8-Version-5.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/c\/c0\/Download-Files-Using-VLC-Media-Player-Step-8-Version-5.jpg\/v4-728px-Download-Files-Using-VLC-Media-Player-Step-8-Version-5.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    It should be selected by default next to "Profile," but if not, select it now.
  9. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/c\/c8\/Download-Files-Using-VLC-Media-Player-Step-9-Version-5.jpg\/v4-460px-Download-Files-Using-VLC-Media-Player-Step-9-Version-5.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/c\/c8\/Download-Files-Using-VLC-Media-Player-Step-9-Version-5.jpg\/v4-728px-Download-Files-Using-VLC-Media-Player-Step-9-Version-5.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    This will download the video over the network and save it as an MP4 file. The longer the video, the longer this will take.
    • If you get an error, you won't be able to download that particular video using VLC Media Player.
    10. Advertisement

Community Q&A

Search
Add New Question
  • Question
    I saved my file as an .mp4 file. Why can't I insert it into Powerpoint?
    Community Answer
    You'll need to convert the file to an .mp3 file. Powerpoint won't work with .mp4 files.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 0 Helpful 12
Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
      Advertisement

      Tips

      • You can download files from many sites using VLC Media Player; however, if there are server restrictions, you may be unable to download from your selected site (for example, YouTube and websites run by the government).
        Thanks
        Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
      Submit a Tip
      All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
      Name
      Please provide your name and last initial
      Submit
      Thanks for submitting a tip for review!
      Advertisement

      You Might Also Like

      How to
      Rip DVDs with VLC Media Player: PC & Mac
      How to
      Go Through a Video Frame by Frame in VLC
      How to
      Download and Install VLC Media Player
      How to
      Open and Play FLV Files
      How to
      Use VLC Media Player to Stream Multimedia to Another Computer
      Streaming to Multiple Computers on Your Network with Multicast on VLC
      How to
      Use VLC Media Player to Listen to Internet Radio
      6 Quick Steps to Change the Subtitle Color in VLC Media Player
      How to
      Turn Off Subtitle of a Video in VLC Media Player
      5 Easy Steps to Reset VLC Media Player
      How to
      Export Image Files from a Video File using VLC
      How to
      Hide VLC Player Controls
      Advertisement

      References

      1. ↑ https://wiki.videolan.org/Documentation:Streaming_HowTo_New

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      1. Open the video in YouTube.
      2. Copy the URL.
      3. Open VLC.
      4. Click File or Media .
      5. Click Open Network Stream .
      6. Paste the URL.
      7. Click Play or Open .
      8. Copy the "Location" URL.
      9. Paste the URL into a new browser tab.
      10. Right-click the video and select Save video as .

      Did this summary help you?
      In other languages
      Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 436,889 times.

      Is this article up to date?

      Advertisement