Software⏱️ 3 min read📅 2026-06-11

How to Fix: What to do now that "youtube-dl.exe -U" yields "ERROR: can't find the current version. Please try again later."?

Update youtube-dl using the --version flag to find the current version.

Quick Answer: Try running youtube-dl.exe --version again, as it may have already updated.

The 'ERROR: can't find the current version. Please try again later.' error message when using youtube-dl.exe -U is frustrating for users who have previously updated youtube-dl successfully. This issue affects Windows users who rely on youtube-dl to download videos from YouTube.

This problem is caused by an outdated version of youtube-dl, which can lead to errors and inconsistencies in video playback. It's essential to update youtube-dl regularly to ensure compatibility with the latest YouTube features.

🛑 Root Causes of the Error

  • The primary reason for this error is that youtube-dl.exe -U requires internet connectivity to check for updates. If the internet connection is unstable or unavailable, the command will fail and display the 'ERROR: can't find the current version' message.
  • Another possible cause is that the user's system clock may be incorrect, causing youtube-dl to think it's running an older version than it actually is.

🛠️ Step-by-Step Verified Fixes

Updating youtube-dl using internet connectivity

  1. Step 1: Open Command Prompt as administrator and navigate to the directory where youtube-dl.exe is installed. You can do this by typing 'cd' followed by the path to the directory.
  2. Step 2: Type the command youtube-dl -U and press Enter. This will check for updates and download the latest version of youtube-dl if available.
  3. Step 3: Once the update process is complete, verify that you have successfully updated youtube-dl by running the --version command (youtube-dl.exe --version).

Updating youtube-dl using a local update

  1. Step 1: Download the latest version of youtube-dl from a reliable source, such as the official github repository or a trusted mirror.
  2. Step 2: Extract the downloaded archive to a directory on your system. This will overwrite any existing youtube-dl.exe file.

✨ Wrapping Up

To resolve the 'ERROR: can't find the current version' issue when using youtube-dl.exe -U, try updating youtube-dl using internet connectivity or by downloading and installing the latest version from a local source. If you continue to experience issues, ensure that your system clock is accurate and your internet connection is stable.

Did this fix your problem?

If not, try searching for specific error codes.

🔍 Search Error Database

❓ Frequently Asked Questions