How to Fix No Sound in Videos Downloaded from YouTube?

Quick Navigation

1. Why Your YouTube Download Has No Sound?

2. How to Fix No Sound in YouTube Downloads?

3. A Simpler Alternative

Whether you used youtube-dl, yt-dlp, or another third-party downloader, it can be a real pain when you experience no sound after downloading a video from YouTube. This guide will explore the causes and provide detailed solutions to fix the problem, ensuring a smooth offline viewing experience.

Disclaimer

This following guide is demonstrated for instructional purpose and is limited to personal fair-use only. It is illegal to download copyrighted materials from YouTube for distribution without the copyright holder's consent. WonderFox does not approve of copyright infringement in any way.

Why Your YouTube Download Has No Sound?

When you encounter the "YouTube download no audio" or "YouTube to MP4 no sound" issue, it typically stems from several factors:

Video-Only Files: At times, the downloaded file might only contain the video without any audio. This often happens when downloading HD content, such as 1080p or higher, from YouTube, where the platform streams video and audio separately.
Missing Audio Codec: Your system might lack the necessary codec to play the audio stream of the video. This issue commonly arises with videos in the WEBM format, which uses the Opus audio codec that might not be natively supported by your computer.
Copyrighted Audio: YouTube continually updates its algorithms to prevent the download of copyrighted audio tracks. This might result in videos downloading without sound if the audio track is protected.

Solutions to Fix No Sound in YouTube Downloads

#1. Merge Video and Audio with FFmpeg

For those using command-line tools like youtube-dl or yt-dlp, one big challenge is that they cannot merge video and audio streams on their own. By default, these tools will try to find the highest available quality with the video and audio already merged, such as 720p or lower. To download HD YouTube video with sound, here comes ffmpeg to the rescue:

Download and install FFmpeg on your computer.
Place the FFmpeg executable (ffmpeg.exe) in the same directory as youtube-dl or yt-dlp.
Run youtube-dl or yt-dlp with the appropriate commands for YouTube video download.
If separate video and audio streams are available (1080p or higher), FFmpeg will automatically merge them into a single file.

#2. Install Required Audio Codecs or VLC

Sometimes, the issue of no sound in downloaded YouTube videos can be caused by your computer lacking the required audio codec to play the video. One common codec used by YouTube is Opus, which is often found in videos with the WEBM format. To fix this issue:

Install Web Media Extensions: For Windows users, downloading the Web Media Extensions from the Microsoft Store can enable your system to support the Opus audio codec, which is commonly used in WEBM files.
Use VLC: VLC media player comes with a wide range of audio and video codecs. If your default media player can't handle the format, switching to VLC might resolve the issue.

#3. Wait for Software Updates

If the issue is due to YouTube's ever-evolving algorithms, keep your video downloading tools updated. Developers frequently release updates to adapt to changes on YouTube's end, patience is key.

Consider A Simpler Alternative

For those seeking a less technical solution, WonderFox HD Video Converter Factory Pro offers a comprehensive toolset for downloading YouTube FHD/UHD videos with sound. It simplifies the process, ensuring that both video and audio streams come out merged:

Download YouTube Videos with Audio

DownloadDownload and install the application on your computer.
Open the "Downloader" module and click "New Download".
Copy and paste the URL of the YouTube video for parsing.
Select your desired resolution and format, and start the download.
The software will automatically merge the video and audio into one file.

Change Audio Format in Downloaded Videos

If the downloaded video is perfect but the audio format is not compatible with your devices, you can easily convert the audio within the video:

Open the "Converter" module on the main interface.
Add your video, select MP4 or another format from the output profiles.
Open "Parameter settings" and change the audio encoder to AAC.
Start the conversion to get your video with the newly encoded audio.

Change Audio Format in Downloaded YouTube Videos

Record YouTube Videos with Sound

If YouTube's encryption algorithm changes, you can wait for the software update, or temporarily use the built-in Recorder.

Open the "Recorder" module on the main interface.
Select a recording mode (Custom, Full-screen, Game, and Audio-only).
Choose your preferred format and quality.
Enable audio recording from your desktop or microphone.
Choose a location, and click "REC" to record YouTube with audio.
Click "Ctrl + F1" to end it.

Wrapping Up

A silent YouTube video download doesn't spell the end of your viewing pleasure. With the appropriate tools and methods, you can solve the problem with ease. Hope this article can be helpful to you guys. Remember to always respect copyright laws and terms of service when downloading and using copyrighted content.