Troubleshooting Common Telegram Downloader Issues
Quick solutions to the most common problems users face when downloading media from Telegram
While Telegram Downloader is designed to work seamlessly, you might occasionally encounter issues. This comprehensive troubleshooting guide will help you quickly resolve the most common problems and get back to downloading your media.
Issue #1: Downloads Not Starting
Symptoms:
- Click download button but nothing happens
- Extension icon appears but downloads don't begin
- No error message displayed
Solutions:
1. Check Browser Permissions
Make sure the extension has the necessary permissions:
- Right-click the extension icon
- Select "Manage Extension"
- Ensure "Site access" is set to "On all sites" or "On web.telegram.org"
2. Refresh Telegram Web
Press Ctrl+F5 (or
Cmd+Shift+R on Mac) to hard refresh the page and
clear cache.
3. Reinstall the Extension
If the above steps don't work:
- Remove the extension completely
- Restart your browser
- Reinstall from the Chrome Web Store
Issue #2: Slow Download Speeds
Symptoms:
- Downloads taking much longer than expected
- Speed slower than your internet connection
- Progress bar moving very slowly
Solutions:
1. Upgrade to Pro Version
The Pro version includes 6x speed acceleration with parallel downloading. Free users are limited to basic download speeds.
2. Reduce Concurrent Downloads
If downloading multiple files simultaneously, try reducing the number to 2-3 at a time to improve individual download speeds.
3. Check Your Internet Connection
Run a speed test at fast.com to ensure your connection is stable and fast enough.
Issue #3: "Download Failed" Error
Symptoms:
- Error message: "Download failed" or "Failed to fetch"
- Some files download successfully, others fail
- Downloads stop midway
Solutions:
1. Check File Availability
The file might have been deleted from Telegram. Try opening it in Telegram first to verify it's still available.
2. Clear Browser Cache
Clear your browser's cache and cookies:
- Go to browser Settings
- Privacy and Security → Clear browsing data
- Select "Cached images and files"
- Click "Clear data"
3. Retry the Download
Sometimes network hiccups cause temporary failures. Simply try downloading the file again after a few seconds.
Issue #4: Can't Download from Private Channels
Symptoms:
- Download button doesn't appear on private channels
- Error: "Access denied" or "Unauthorized"
- Works on public channels but not private ones
Solutions:
1. Verify Channel Access
Make sure you're logged into Telegram Web with an account that has access to the private channel. Try opening a message in the channel first.
2. Use Telegram Web K
Ensure you're using web.telegram.org/k (not the old
version). The extension is optimized for the K version.
3. Re-login to Telegram
Log out and log back into Telegram Web to refresh your session and permissions.
Issue #5: Videos Download as WebM Instead of MP4
Symptoms:
- Downloaded videos have .webm extension
- Videos won't play on some devices
- Expected MP4 format but got WebM
Solutions:
1. This is Normal Behavior
Telegram stores some videos in WebM format for better compression. The downloader preserves the original format to maintain quality.
2. Convert to MP4
Use a free converter like HandBrake or online tools to convert WebM to MP4 if needed.
3. Check Original Format
The format depends on how the video was originally uploaded to Telegram. The downloader cannot change the source format.
Prevention Tips
-
Keep Extension Updated:
Enable automatic updates in your browser to always have the latest bug fixes and features.
-
Use Supported Browsers:
Chrome and Edge are officially supported. Other browsers may have compatibility issues.
-
Stable Internet Connection:
Use a reliable internet connection to avoid interrupted downloads.
-
Disable Conflicting Extensions:
Other download managers or Telegram-related extensions might interfere. Try disabling them temporarily.
Still Need Help?
If you've tried all the solutions above and still experiencing issues, we're here to help!
Email us at: [email protected]
Please include: browser version, extension version, and a detailed description of the issue.