Video DownloadHelper Not Working? Complete Review and Best Alternative

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Video DownloadHelper is one of the most widely-used browser extensions for downloading online videos. From YouTube and Niconico to lesser-known streaming sites, this tool makes saving videos easy with just a few clicks. However, many users run into problems like the extension not detecting videos, downloads failing halfway, or strange “Companion App” requirements.

Therefore, in this article, we will explan how to use Video Downloadhelper on Chrome or Firefox browser, its safety, we also tell you the best alternative tool to Video Downloadhelper. So please read on this article.

What is Video DownloadHelper?

Video DownloadHelper is a browser extension designed to capture and download video and image files from websites. Originally built for Firefox, it has since expanded to support Chrome and Edge. It’s especially popular because of its broad compatibility with streaming platforms, ease of use, and free tier.

Key Features:

• Detects videos from most streaming websites
• Supports MP4, WEBM, FLV, 3GP, and more
• Batch download and filtering
• Download YouTube playlists (via Companion App)
• Option to convert video formats (paid feature)
• Pause/resume functionality (with Companion App)

How to Install Video DownloadHelper?

Now, let’s introduce how to use the Firefox and Chrome version of Video Downloadhelper.

On Firefox:

Step 1. Go to the Firefox Add-ons site: https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/video-downloadhelper/

Step 2. Click Add to Firefox.

Step 3. Once installed, you’ll see the Video DownloadHelper icon in the toolbar.

On Chrome:

Step 1. Visit the Chrome Web Store page: https://chromewebstore.google.com/detail/video-downloadhelper/lmjnegcaeklhafolokijcfjliaokphfk

Step 2. Click Add to Chrome.

Step 3. You will see a message that the installation was successful. You can check by clicking the extension icon in the top right.

Note: Chrome restricts certain download features, which may require installing the Companion App.

How to Use Video DownloadHelper to Download Videos?

The way to use Video DownloadHelper is basically the same for both Chrome and Firefox, so this time we will explain it using Firefox as an example.

Step 1. Visit a webpage with video content (e.g., YouTube, Facebook, Dailymotion).

Step 2. Play the video.

Step 3. Click the DownloadHelper icon on your browser toolbar.

Step 4. A dropdown will list detected media files, select your desired quality, and click Download.

Do I Need a Companion App?

Video DownloadHelper is free to use, but if you want to use its full features you will need to install a companion app, and purchase a license. Once installed, it enables video conversion, support for more sites, and download formats not supported directly through the browser.

How to Install the Companion App:

Step 1. When prompted by the extension, click Install Companion App.

Step 2. Follow the link to the official site: https://www.downloadhelper.net/install-coapp.

Step 3. Download and install the appropriate version for Windows, macOS, or Linux.

Step 4. Restart your browser.

What to Do If Video DownloadHelper Not Working?

Issue 1: Video Not Detected

Cause: Site may be using encrypted streams (like YouTube or Netflix).

Fix: Play the video, then refresh the page. If that fails, try a different quality setting or enable the Companion App.

Issue 2: Companion App Error

Cause: App not installed, outdated, or blocked by antivirus.

Fix:

• Reinstall the Companion App.
• Check your firewall or antivirus settings.
• Make sure browser and extension are updated.

Issue 3: Cannot Download YouTube Videos

Cause: YouTube’s policies prevent direct downloads via Chrome extensions.

Fix: Use Firefox with Companion App or try a desktop YouTube downloader.

Issue 4: Video Downloads but Doesn’t Play

Cause: Corrupted download or unsupported format.

Fix: Try redownloading in a different format. Use VLC Media Player to test playback.

Issue 5: Download Button Grayed Out

Cause: No video detected or site is blocking detection.

Fix: Try another browser, reload the page, or test on a supported site like Dailymotion.

Is Video DownloadHelper Safe?

According to the results of some safety check sites, Video DownloadHelper is basically a safe tool to use. However, it is important to download and install it from the official website. If you download it from an unofficial site, there is a risk that viruses or unnecessary software will be installed, so be careful.

Best Alternative to Video DownloadHelper

If DownloadHelper isn’t working or doesn’t meet your needs, you can try video download tool. A professional and powerful video downloader will help you solve many problems, including video quality, format conversion, batch downloading and compatibility with various media websites, etc.

Here, we recommend iDownerGo Video Downloader. This tool can download videos from various video sites such as YouTube, Niconico, Bilibili, Netflix, U-NEXT, etc. With the built-in browser, you can download videos up to 8K resolution on your computer with just a few clicks, and save them in MP4, MP3, MKV and other formats, then you can enjoy movies anytime and anywhere.

How to Download YouTube Video with iDownerGo?

Step 1 Click the download button below to install and launch iDownerGo Video Downloader on your computer.

Step 2 Select “YouTube” from the “Online” section. The YouTube homepage will open automatically.

Step 3 Use the YouTube search bar to find the video you want. Open the detail page of the desired video and click the download button at the bottom right of the operation interface.

Step 4 The download status of YouTube videos will be displayed on the “Downloading” panel.

With the above steps, you have successfully downloaded YouTube videos to your computer. You can check the downloaded video files by clicking “Downloaded” at the top of iDownerGo.

Conclusion

Video DownloadHelper remains one of the most convenient tools for downloading online videos. However, its increasing reliance on the Companion App and Chrome limitations may frustrate some users. If you’re having trouble with it, don’t give up, many issues are easy to resolve.

And if not, there is an excellent alternative out there to suit all needs – iDownerGo Video Downloader, so you can enjoy your content offline anytime and anywhere.