Complete Guide to Fix Disney Plus Downloads Not Working

Grace

August 13, 2025

Disney+ allows Premium users to download movies and shows on mobile devices. However, this convenient feature can become frustrating if your downloads won’t start, fail, or even disappear. There are several reasons why Disney+ downloads are not working as expected, and most issues can be fixed with simple steps. This guide helps you diagnose Disney+ download problems and provides effective solutions, ensuring that your favorite Disney, Pixar, Marvel, and Star Wars stories are always available for offline viewing.

1. Why Can’t You Download Disney+ Videos
2. Basic Steps to Fix Disney+ Downloads Not Working
3. Advanced Solutions to Disney+ Download Issues
4. Troubleshooting Specific Disney+ Download Errors
5. Preventing Future Disney+ Downloading Issues

Part 1. Why Can’t You Download Disney+ Videos

Before diving into the fixes, understanding why your Disney+ app download fails can quickly guide you to the right solutions.

1. Account Issues

Reason: Only Disney+ Premium users can download content for offline viewing. This includes subscribers to both the Disney+ Premium plan and bundles with Premium. Disney+ Basic plan (with ads) doesn’t support the download feature.

Fix: Upgrade Disney+ Subscription

2. Device Restrictions

Reason: Disney+ Premium users can only download content on mobile devices, including iPhone, iPad, Android phones and tablets, Amazon Fire tablets, and Apple Vision Pro. You’ll also need to meet the system requirements to run the Disney+ app:

• iPhone and iPad: iOS 16.4 and later
• Android phones and tablets: Android OS 5.0 (Lollipop) or later.
• Amazon Fire tablet: Fire OS 5.0 and later.
• Apple Vision Pro: visionOS  

Fix: Use a supported mobile device or update the device system if necessary.

3. Internet Connection Issues

Reason: A stable connection is crucial for downloading videos from any streaming service, including Disney+. Slow internet or a network outage can prevent Disney+ downloads from working.

Fix: Check and fix your internet connection. Contact your Internet Service Provider (ISP) if needed.

4. App/Device Glitches

Reason: Outdated Disney+ app and device software, corrupted cache data, software conflicts, and other device and app glitches can also cause download issues.

Fix:

• Restart the Disney+ app and your device
• Update or reinstall the app
• Clear app cache and data
• Update the device’s system software.

5. Insufficient Storage Space

Reason: One often overlooked reason for Disney+ download issues is out of storage space on your device. This can cause failed or incomplete downloads, issues with using the Disney+ app, and even slow down the overall device performance.

Fix: Free up Storage Space, or lower the download video quality

6. Download Limits

Reason: With the Disney+ app, you can download the same movie or episode on up to 10 mobile devices. If you’ve reached this limit, you won’t be able to download the title on your current device.

When you log out of the Disney+ app, all downloads will be removed. You’ll need to redownload them again after logging in. Downloaded content will also be removed if your device remains offline for more than 30 days.

Fix:

• Remove downloaded video on another device before downloading on the current one.
• Download the content again

Related: What Are Disney+ Download Limits and How to Remove Them

7. Content Licensing/Availability

Reason: Not all Disney+ content is available for downloads due to licensing constraints. If you’re on the Premium plan and don’t see the Download button with a specific movie or show, then the title cannot be downloaded.

Fix: Download another title or use a third-party download tool

8. Server Outage

Reason: Occasionally, download failures can be caused by a server outage on Disney+’s end. While not frequent, such an outage will prevent downloads when it occurs.

Fix: Check the Disney+ server status and wait for service to be restored.

Part 2. Basic Steps to Fix Disney+ Downloads Not Working

When your Disney+ downloads fail to work, start with these basic troubleshooting steps. They can often resolve the most common issues quickly and efficiently.

1. Upgrade Disney+ Subscription

Downloading content for offline viewing is a feature exclusive to Disney+ Premium subscribers. If you’re on a Basic plan (With Ads), you’ll need to upgrade to Premium to download with the Disney+ app. Alternatively, you can use a third-party software such as Pazu Disney Plus Downloader, which usually allows you to download content with any Disney+ subscription.

Here’s how to upgrade your Disney+ plan:

1. Open the Disney+ app on your mobile device or log into the Disney+ website.
2. Tap your profile image from the bottom right (mobile) or top right (web player) and select “Account.”
3. Find your plan type under Subscription. Tap it and follow the instructions to select a Premium plan. Complete the change by paying the prorated amount for the first month or year of your new plan. The upgrade will take effect immediately after the transaction.

Note: If you’re charged by Google or Apple, you’ll need to manage your Disney+ subscription through the Google Play Store or the Apple App Store.

2. Check Your Internet Connection

If you’re already a Disney+ Premium subscriber, and downloading with the app is slow, incomplete, or never starts, always check your internet connection first. A quick method is to try with another app or a different download. You can also test your internet speed directly on your browser:

1. Visit speedof.me and click the “Start Test” button.
2. Wait for the website to show your download and upload speed.

The ideal download speed for High Definition (HD) videos (720p/1080p) is 5-10 Mbps and 1-3 Mbps for Standard Definition (SD) videos. For faster download speed with the Disney+ app, also try the following fixes:

• Turn your Wi-Fi (or cellular data) off and then back on.
• Restart your router and modem.
• Move your device closer to your router for a better Wi-Fi signal.
• Close any other apps and web browser tabs on your device to avoid competing for bandwidth.
• Temporarily disconnect other devices from your internet connection to ensure more bandwidth is available for your Disney+ download.

3. Lower the Download Quality

Disney+ offers three download video quality settings:

• High: most likely 1080p (Full HD)
• Medium: most likely 720p (HD)
• Standard: most likely 480p (SD)

If your download issue is due to a slow internet connection, try switching the download video quality to Standard or Medium. This can also save storage space on your device.

1. Open the Disney+ app on your phone or tablet.
2. Tap the Profile icon from the bottom right and select “App Settings.“
3. Select “Video Quality” or “Download Quality.”
4. Check “Standard” or “Medium.”

4. Restart the Disney+ App and Device

If your internet connection is stable but you’re still experiencing problems with Disney+ downloads, try force-closing the Disney+ app (swipe up from the bottom and swipe the Disney+ app card away) and perform a full restart of your device. This simple restart can often resolve minor software conflicts, clear temporary glitches, and refresh background processes, including those for downloads on apps like Disney+.

5. Update or Reinstall the Disney+ App

An outdated Disney+ app can be the reason why your download fails. Old app versions can contain bugs that interfere with new features or corrupted app data that affects downloads. Go to the App Store or Google Play Store on your phone or tablet to install any available updates for Disney+.

For better performance of the Disney+ app, you can enable auto updates on your device:

On iPhone

1. Go to Settings on your iPhone or iPad.
2. Tap “Apps” and select “App Store.”
3. Switch on “App Updates” under “Automatic Downloads.”

On Android

1. Go to the Play Store on your Android device.
2. Search for and select Disney+.
3. Tap the three dots in the top right corner and check “Enable auto updates.”

If updating doesn’t resolve the download issue, consider deleting and reinstalling the Disney+ app. Before proceeding, please keep in mind that reinstalling the app will remove all existing downloads, and you’ll need to log back in.

6. Free up Storage Space

If you’ve already downloaded many titles with the Disney+ app, your device may run out of storage space. You can check your available storage directly within the Disney+ app: Tap your Profile icon, select “App Settings,” and you’ll see the available device storage space at the bottom.

To free up your storage space, delete old or watched Disney+ downloads with the following steps:

1. Select the Download icon at the bottom of the Disney+ app.
2. Tap the device icon with a check mark next to a movie or episode and select “Remove Download.”

You can also create more space by deleting unused apps, images, videos, or files from your phone or tablet.

Part 3. Advanced Solutions to Disney+ Download Issues

If the basic troubleshooting steps didn’t resolve your Disney+ download problems, here are some further solutions for potential issues:

1. Disable VPN

If you’re using a VPN on your phone, Disney+ may fail to verify your location and cause downloading errors. Some VPNs are not compatible with Disney+ and lead to streaming and downloading issues. Even with a working VPN, certain titles might not be available for download in some countries or regions due to licensing. For a smoother download experience, temporarily disable your VPN connection, restart the Disney+ app, and try again.

2. Clear App Cache and Data

Over time, app cache and data can become corrupted, leading to various issues such as download failures. Clearing it can force the app to start fresh and resolve the problem. You can clear the Disney+ app cache and data on certain Android phones. However, this feature is not available on iOS devices. The most effective way to clear all cache and temporary files is to reinstall the app.

How to Clear Cache and Data of Disney+ on Android

1. Open Settings on your Android device.
2. Select “Apps/Apps Management” > “Disney+” > “Storage.”
3. Tap “Clear cache” and “Clear data.” You’ll need to log back in after clearing data.

3. Check the Disney+ Server

Occasionally, your download problems might result from the server outage of Disney+. Visit DownDetector or a similar service to check for current problems. You can also check Disney+’s official social media platforms, like Facebook and X, for news regarding server status. If the issue is on Disney+’s end, you’ll simply need to wait for their service to return to normal.

4. Update Device Operating System

An outdated operating system can lead to compatibility issues with the latest version of the Disney+ app and its features, including downloads. Here’s how to update the system on your phone and tablet.

• Android: Go to “Settings” and select “System & updates” > “Software update.” Download and install any available updates.
• iOS: Go to “Settings” > “General” and select “Software update.” Download and install the available update.

Part 4. Troubleshooting Specific Disney+ Download Errors

Sometimes, you might encounter specific download issues or error codes on Disney+. Here’s how to address some common ones:

1. No Download Button

While Disney+ offers a vast library, not every title is available for offline viewing. This is typically due to:

• Copyright and licensing: Some content is only available for streaming.
• Regional restrictions: Certain titles can only be accessed in specific countries and regions.
• Content Status: Title is currently unavailable on Disney+.

Please also keep in mind that the download feature is only available to Disney+ Premium subscribers and on mobile devices. Downloading is not supported on a TV-connected device, computer, or Windows 10 & 11 tablet.

What to Do:

• Verify your Disney+ subscription tier.
• Try downloading a different title on your mobile device.
• Use a third-party Disney+ video downloader.

2. Disney+ Downloads Disappeared

Here are the most common reasons your Disney+ downloads might disappear:

• Logged Out: When you log out of the Disney+ app, all downloaded content is automatically removed from your device. A device can also be logged out of Disney+ remotely via “Manage Devices” in your account settings.
• Offline for Too Long: Downloads will be automatically removed if your device remains offline for more than 30 days.
• App Reinstallation or Data Clear: Reinstalling the Disney+ app or clearing its data (on Android) will delete all downloads.
• Content Removal: If a title leaves the Disney+ library, its downloads would also be removed.

What to Do:

• Download the content again after logging back into Disney+.
• Connect to the internet at least once every 30 days to keep your downloads active and verify your subscription with Disney+.

3. Disney+ Error Code 13

This error code means you have reached the maximum number of devices allowed for downloads (10 mobile devices) on your account.

What to Do:

• Remove Disney+ downloads from one of your other devices.
• For a device you cannot access, go to “Manage Devices” in your account settings to remotely log it out, which will clear its downloads.

Disney+ Error Code 24 & 42

These typically indicate internet connection problems or a temporary issue with Disney+’s server. They prevent the app from streaming or downloading content.

What to Do:

• Check Your Internet Connection
• Restart the Disney+ App
• Restart Your Device
• Check Disney+ Server Status

Disney+ Error Code 73

Error Code 73 relates to geographical restrictions, meaning the content to download is not available in your region due to licensing restrictions. This error can appear when Disney+ detects that a VPN is being used and blocks access.

What to Do:

• Disable VPN
• Enable your device’s location services
• Select different content for downloading

Part 5. Preventing Future Disney+ Downloading Issues

If your Disney+ downloads are still not working, try using a professional tool such as Pazu Disney Plus Downloader. It allows you to download Disney+ videos in MP4 or MKV format on both Mac and Windows computers. Downloaded content can be saved on your device directly. This not only helps you avoid future download issues but also eliminates the need to redownload titles every time you log out, reinstall the app, or cancel your subscription.

Additionally, Pazu Disney Plus Video Downloader can download videos with multiple audio tracks and subtitles in various languages. After downloading, you can transfer and enjoy the videos on any device, giving you complete control over your offline viewing experience.

Disney+ Video Downloader

Download Disney+ movies & TV shows to MP4 with HD quality. 

• Download Disney+ titles on Mac and Windows.
• Save Disney+ content in MP4 or MKV format.
• No Disney+ app required
• Download videos in 720P.
• Preserve audio tracks and subtitles.
• Download multiple items simultaneously at high speeds.

Download for Mac

Download for Win

Here’s a guide on how to use Pazu Disney Plus Video Downloader to download movies and shows.

1. Run Pazu Disney+ Video Downloader

Download, install, and launch Pazu Disney+ Video Downloader on your Mac or Windows. Select Disney and log in to your Disney+ account.

Click the key icon and enter your registration code to unlock the full version if you have purchased a registration. If you haven’t, go ahead with the free trial version.

2. Customize the download settings

Click Settings (the three-line icon in the upper right corner) and select “Preferences” to customize the video format (MP4/MKV), video codec (H264, H265), and output path, select the language of audio tracks and subtitles, etc.

3. Download Disney+ movies/TV shows

Click the Browse tab on the toolbar. Find the movie or TV show you want to download with the built-in web player. Click the green + button on the video detail page to add the movie or TV show for downloading.

Or click the Search tab and find a movie or TV show by its title or link from the Disney+ website.

Click the Download icon next to a title.

If you are downloading a movie, click the Download icon to start downloading. For TV shows, click the Download icon to select episodes you want to download. Then, click the Download button in the lower right to start downloading.

Before downloading, you can also use the line-and-gear icon to select audio and subtitle languages for the movie or each episode.

After the download is complete, click the History tab at the top to find the downloaded files. Then you can transfer and enjoy them on any supported device.