Fixing Youtube on VRChat Guide
Intro
Can't get YouTube to work on VRChat anymore? You can blame Google being angee with something called "yt-dlp"!
What is yt-dlp and its relationship with Google? I can't really tell you, but here is a youtube video about some of the drama! https://youtu.be/V099NR32fE4
What Do?
We have a few options! VRC Video Cacher, YouTube Video URL Conversion Tool, or playing with YT-DLP.
"But Mondo! Why would I choose one over the other?"
An excellent question! The VRC Video Cacher or messing with YT-DLP will fix youtube videos... for ***just*** you! If you're an event host, you may consider the Conversion tool, which rehosts the Youtube video for all to see, for 6 hours.
VRC Video Cacher
-or-
Instructions
- Install, launch, follow on screen instructions, and BAM! Youtube! Consider using a burner account in case it gets banned.
Youtube Video URL Conversion Tool
- 無料 VRchat向け Youtube動画URL変換ツール (Free YouTube video URL conversion tool for VRchat) - You will need a pixiv account (Free!) to download.
Instructions Translation
⚠️ This tool is intended as a backup/emergency alternative when VRChat's built-in yt-dlp is not working properly or when YouTube changes its specifications and videos no longer play. Please use the official support/fix when VRChat officially supports or fixes the issue.
Can't play YouTube videos in VRChat's built-in video player? This is a free tool for those times.
Simply paste a YouTube URL and press a button to convert and copy it into a URL format that VRChat can directly load.
Main Features
- 🎬 Converting Single Videos
- Simply paste a YouTube URL and press a button. You can copy while viewing thumbnails and titles.
- 🎵 Playlist Support
- Enter a playlist URL to display a list of videos. Select and copy only the songs you want to listen to.
- ⚡ URL Auto-Paste
- Automatically pastes YouTube URLs from your clipboard into the input field when the tool launches. Simply copy the URL in your browser and open the tool and you're ready to go.
- 🔗 URL Auto-Normalization
- Properly process any URL format, including shortened URLs (youtu.be), Shorts, and mobile URLs.
- 🔄 yt-dlp Auto-Update
- Automatically updates the YouTube extraction engine (yt-dlp) to the latest version upon startup. Flexibly adapts to changes in YouTube specifications.
How to Use
- Copy the YouTube URL in your browser.
- Launch
VRC_URL_Converter.exe(it will automatically paste it into the input field). - Click Convert.
- Click Copy.
- Paste it into VRChat's video player and play!
Notes
- "Allow Untrusted URLs" must be enabled in VRChat. (Esc → Settings)
- The converted URL will expire in approximately 6 hours.
- The conversion process requires access to YouTube and takes approximately 10 seconds.
- Age-restricted, private, or deleted videos cannot be retrieved.
- Supported resolution is 720p or lower (1080p or higher is not supported due to YouTube specifications).
Included Files
VRC_URL_Converter.exeyt-dlp.exe(automatically updates upon startup)README.txt
System Requirements
- Windows 10/11
- Internet connection required
If you have any issues or questions, please feel free to DM me on Booth or X (formerly Twitter) DM (@tsukkey_VRC)!
Produced by: Tsukki / Tsukki's General Store
Force Refresh YT-DLP
Instructions
- 1.) Start -> Search/Run -> Type "%USERPROFILE%\AppData\LocalLow\VRChat\VRChat\Tools"
- (If you're on Linux, that's ~/.steam/root/steamapps/compatdata/438100/pfx/drive_c/users/steamuser/AppData/LocalLow/VRChat/VRChat/Tools/yt-dlp.exe)
- 2.) Delete yt-dlp.exe
- 3.) Launch VRChat (Which will force update it)
- To check which version you're on, Start -> Search/Run -> CMD -> yt-dlp.exe --version
- As of March 15th, 2026, we're on 2026.03.03
Manually play with YT-DLP
- VRChat-YT-DLP-Fix (Might be outdated)
A Thing I Haven't Tried But Heard About
I heard that if you launch vrchat, THEN delete yt-dlp, then it may work if the above doesnt work? Or something? can someone verify? T_T
