Why did cobalt stop working with YouTube?
Because YouTube blocks it. The cobalt team switched YouTube off on the main cobalt.tools site: YouTube's limits on download requests made it impossible to keep working at that scale, and every workaround stopped working after a while. In 2026 the main instance still shows that YouTube downloading is disabled. Other services cobalt supports are not affected.
So if cobalt shows an error for every YouTube link, nothing is wrong with your browser or the link — YouTube is simply not available there.
What are your options?
| Option | Effort | Video | MP3 | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Self-host cobalt | high | yes | yes | needs a server and maintenance; YouTube may block it too |
| yt-dlp (command line) | medium | yes | yes | free, open source, the engine most tools use |
| YT320MP3 (web) | none | no | yes | free, no pop-ups, no account, 128/192/320kbps |
Self-host cobalt
Cobalt is open source, so you can run your own instance. It is a good project, but you need a server, updates, and a network that YouTube does not block — which is exactly the problem the main instance ran into.
Use yt-dlp directly
If you are comfortable with a terminal, yt-dlp is the most reliable option. For MP3:
yt-dlp -x --audio-format mp3 --audio-quality 0 <link>
Use a clean web converter
If you used cobalt because it was simple and had no ads, that is the experience YT320MP3 aims for — for audio:
- No pop-ups, redirects, notification prompts or installers.
- No account and no daily limits, including 320kbps.
- Built on yt-dlp, always starting from YouTube's best Opus audio stream (why that matters).
- Tagged MP3s with "Artist - Title" names and square cover art.
- Playlists: the first 10 tracks, one by one or as one ZIP (playlist converter).
How to convert a YouTube link to MP3 in the browser
- Copy the YouTube link (video, Short, YouTube Music song or playlist).
- Paste it into the box at the top of this page — or type the song name and pick a result.
- Choose 128, 192 or 320kbps and press Convert.
- Press Download.
Shortcut: on any YouTube video, change youtube.com to yt320mp3.com in the address bar and the conversion starts by itself.
Honest limits
- Audio only. No MP4 video downloads.
- YouTube only. Cobalt supports many more sites.
- Fair-use limits. 10 tracks per playlist conversion and videos up to 60 minutes.
More context: how YT320MP3 compares with other converters and is YouTube to MP3 safe?
Frequently asked questions
Why does cobalt.tools not work with YouTube anymore?
The cobalt team disabled YouTube on the main cobalt.tools instance because YouTube blocks its requests at scale and keeping workarounds alive became too costly. The project itself still works with other sites and can be self-hosted.
Is there a cobalt alternative for YouTube to MP3 without ads?
Yes. YT320MP3 is a free web converter built on yt-dlp with no pop-ups, no redirects and no account. It converts YouTube videos, Shorts, YouTube Music songs and playlists to 128, 192 or 320kbps MP3.
Can I still use cobalt for YouTube?
Only through a self-hosted cobalt instance or a community instance that still allows YouTube. Self-hosting needs a server and some setup; community instances come and go.
Does YT320MP3 download video like cobalt?
No. YT320MP3 only makes MP3 audio. For video, yt-dlp (free, open source) is the most reliable tool.