Hulu Downloads Not Working? 12 Fixes for All Devices

by Aria Ford

Updated on 2025-07-07

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5min read

Struggling to download videos even though you’re subscribed to Hulu? You’re not alone — Hulu has strict rules and hidden limitations on offline downloads.

In this guide, we’ll explain who’s allowed to download, why the download button might be missing, and provide 12 real fixes. We’ll also show you how to permanently save Hulu videos on your computer using StreamFox for Video — no expiry, no DRM.

Section 1: Who Can and Can’t Download on Hulu

Unfortunately, not all Hulu users can download titles despite having a subscription. It depends not only on the kind of plan you are on, but also on the device you are using.

1. Hulu Download Feature Rules (2025 Updated)

Only subscribers on Hulu (No Ads) and Hulu (No Ads) + Live TV can download content. If you’re using an ad-supported plan, the download feature won’t appear at all.

Additionally:

  1. You can have up to 25 downloads across 5 devices.
  2. Not all content is downloadable — due to licensing restrictions.

2. Devices That Support Hulu Downloads

Device Type Download Support
iPhone / iPad Supported via Hulu app
Android phones/tablets Supported via Hulu app
Amazon Fire Tablets Supported
PC / Mac Not supported
Smart TVs / Consoles Not supported

As you might have figured, you cannot download anything without the Hulu app, since it allows the company to implement DRM protection on the content. Moreover, it helps keep track of the availability of content since downloads expire after a certain point of time.

Tip: Want to download Hulu content on PC or Mac? Try StreamFox for Video, a professional Hulu downloader that lets you save videos permanently without limitations.

Section 2: 12 Common Hulu Download Problems & Real Fixes

In this section, we will discuss 12 of the most common problems users run into when downloading titles on Hulu. We'll also discuss potential fixes for them so that you can troubleshoot on your own.

1. Plan Doesn’t Support Downloads 

The first and most common issue could be that your plan simply doesn't allow you to download titles.

Solution: Upgrade to Hulu (No Ads) or a relevant bundle where downloads are allowed. Log in to your Hulu account > profile icon > select "Account" > Your Subscription > Manage plan > Hulu (No Ads) > toggle it on > "Submit" to confirm.

upgrade to Hulu | why cant i download on hulu

2. Using Unsupported Device (Mac, PC, Smart TV)

As mentioned earlier, not all devices are permitted to download Hulu content. This is also the case if you're using the web version or a living room device.

Solution: Switch to a mobile or tablet running the official Hulu app.

3. Not Logged in as Main or Adult Profile

Another issue you could run into is if you're using the wrong profile. By default, Hulu doesn't allow kids' profiles to download titles.

Solution: Switch from the kid/restricted profile to the main profile.

How to switch profiles:

  1. Hover over the name in the upper right corner of the page.
  2. Select the profile you want to switch to from the list of available options.

switch hulu profiles | why cant i download on hulu

4. Selected Video Isn’t Downloadable

Not all titles on Hulu can be downloaded. Some of them may not be legally permitted for downloads when you're viewing them.

Solution: Check the content label; some third-party licensed content can’t be downloaded and can only be viewed on the platform.

5. Exceeded Device/Download Limit

Hulu only allows you to use a certain number of devices with 1 account. Moreover, there is usually a limit of 25 titles in total across these devices, which might prevent you from adding to your downloads.

Solution: Remove old downloads or deauthorize unused devices to work around this issue.

hulu download limit | why cant i download on hulu

Download restrictions for other streaming platforms:

Everything About the Limit of Devices for Netflix

How Long Does Amazon Prime Downloads Last?

6. No Storage Left on Device

If you're close to running out of space on your device, Hulu might not allow you to download any more movies.

Solution: The simple solution is to clear space on your device by deleting other movies, uninstalling big apps or clearing cache from other apps. Hulu needs around 2GB per movie.

7. App Doesn’t Have Storage Permissions

Hulu might not be able to download movies on your device since it doesn't have permission to access the storage. This makes it impossible to make content offline.

Solution: The simple fix is to enable the storage permission in iOS/Android settings for Hulu.

hulu not have storage permissions | why cant i download on hulu

8. Network Issues Interrupting the Download

A rather common issue among users seems to be network issues interrupting the download. It might take around 30 minutes for a big file to download, depending on how fast your signal is. And without a constant connection, the download won't be completed.

Solution: In such a scenario, use a strong Wi-Fi connection to download files. However, avoid public or throttled networks to protect your device and your personal information.

9. Download Paused or Stuck at “Waiting”

The other end of the spectrum could be your download getting paused or stuck, even with abundant space available and a strong connection.

Solution: This scenario might actually be the app acting up. Click on force stop by long pressing the app icon, and then retry by opening it again.

10. Hulu App Outdated or Corrupted

Another instance of the app acting up could be it being outdated or corrupted. This might prevent it from working normally, including downloading movies.

Solution: If you get a message about the app being corrupt, update or reinstall Hulu.

reinstall Hulu | why cant i download on hulu

11. Your Subscription Just Expired

If Hulu isn't allowing you to download anything, your subscription might have just expired.

Solution: Double-check your subscription status and renew it if needed.

12. Region Error: You’re Traveling Abroad

Another recurring issue occurs when users are travelling abroad. The content accessible to you might change based on your location, and you might be unable to download certain titles if they are geolocked and unavailable in certain countries.

Solution: If you're struggling to access content that is geolocked, you could use a VPN to switch to a US IP (with caution), since Hulu can block your account if it detects a VPN.

The key part is selecting the right VPN for this, and you need to choose one that definitely works with Hulu.

Step 1: Pick the right VPN for your needs, considering the price, location, and compatibility with Hulu.

Step 2: Turn on the VPN and set the location to the US (or your home location).

Step 3: Log in to your Hulu account and check whether you can access your desired titles.

Section 3: How to Download Hulu Videos on PC/Mac?

Hulu’s Built-in Limitations (Why You Can’t Download on Desktop)

By default, Hulu only allows downloads on mobile and tablet devices — even if you're paying for a No Ads plan. Here's why it doesn’t work on PC or Mac:

  1. Expires 30 days after download or 48 hours after watching.
  2. Can’t download on PCs, Macs, or Smart TVs.
  3. Not all shows or movies are available offline.

In short, there’s no official way to download Hulu videos on PC or Mac. But there’s a reliable workaround.

Eassiy One-stop Streaming Video Downloader – The Best Hulu Downloader in 2025

If you want to download Hulu videos permanently on your computer — without expiry limits or device restrictions Eassiy One-stop Streaming Video DownloaderStreamFox for Video is your best option. 

  • Save files in lossless 1:1 quality, which is exactly the same as the original.
  • Choose from MP4, MOV, and MKV file formats for your content.
  • Removes DRM restrictions for all content so that you can keep it permanently and move it to any device.
  • Allows users to choose from soft-coded, hard-coded, and external subtitles. You can also convert external subtitles to SRT and VTT.
  • Processes batch downloads up to 10x faster than the rest of the tools on the market.

Whether you’re a student, traveler, or just want to avoid Hulu’s online-only restrictions, StreamFox gives you true freedom to own your Hulu library offline.

Step 1: Install StreamFox on your computer using the official site and open it. Now, select your streaming service (Hulu) from the list, and the website will open in StreamFox’s integrated browser.

select hulu platform | why cant i download on hulu

Step 2: Log into your hulu account.

log into hulu account | why cant i download on hulu

Step 3:  Search for the movie or TV show you want by typing in the name in the search box, pasting the URL. Once you’ve found the title you want to save, drag it to the “+” icon on the right-hand side of the screen.

search movie | why cant i download on hulu

Step 4: Next, select the language, resolution, output format, and bitrate in the following download screen and click “Confirm” once you've picked all the videos you want to save.

confirm convert | why cant i download on hulu

Step 5: Now, click on “Convert All” and wait for the download to complete.

convert all hulu videos | why cant i download on hulu

Step 6: After the download is finished, you can view the files on your device at any time, and transfer them to your phone as well.

finish download | why cant i download on hulu

Section 4: FAQs – Hulu Downloads Not Working

How many devices can I use for Hulu downloads?

You can use up to 5 devices with one Hulu account, provided your subscription allows you to download titles.

Why is there no download button on Hulu?

You might not see a download button on Hulu for several reasons. Firstly, you might be using it on the browser, which doesn't allow downloads. On the other hand, some titles might not be available to download for a multitude of reasons.

Why can’t I download on Hulu even though I pay for it?

You might not be able to download on Hulu if you're using the plan with ads. Otherwise, you might be using Hulu on a web browser, or the title might not be available for download at all.

Conclusion

Now you know why Hulu downloads might not work — from plan limitations to device restrictions and regional errors.

If you’re tired of expiring files and unsupported devices, Eassiy One-stop Streaming Video Downloader is the ultimate workaround. It’s fast, reliable, and lets you enjoy your Hulu favorites offline — forever.

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