We’ve all been there. You’re downloading a massive file—a game, a high-res movie, or a big software package—and you’re 90% of the way through. You pause it, or maybe your connection drops, and when you try to continue, you’re hit with the dreaded “Cannot Resume Downloading The File” error in Internet Download Manager (IDM). It’s frustrating, but don’t worry, you don’t have to start all over again!
This common issue usually boils down to one simple thing: the download link your file was using has expired. Many websites use temporary or session-based links for security and to manage server load. The good news is that fixing this is surprisingly easy. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the exact steps to refresh that expired link and get your download back on track without losing your progress.
Step-by-Step: Resuming Your Stuck IDM Download
Step 1: Locate the Paused File and Refresh the Link
First things first, open up IDM and find the file that’s refusing to resume. The key is to tell IDM you need a new, valid download address.
Simply right-click on the stuck download item and from the context menu, select “Refresh download address”. This action tells IDM to prepare for a new link.
Step 2: Go Back to the Source
After clicking “Refresh,” IDM will likely open the original download page in your web browser. You’ll also see a small IDM dialog box confirming that it’s waiting for a new link. Your job now is to get that new link.
In your browser, on the page that IDM opened, simply click the original download button or link for the file again—just like you did when you first started the download.
Step 3: Confirm the New Link in IDM
Because IDM was already waiting, it will instantly intercept this new download attempt. Instead of starting a new file, it will recognize that you’re trying to get a fresh link for the existing, paused file. A confirmation pop-up will appear.
You’ll see a message that says, “New link address for this file was received successfully.” All you have to do is click ‘OK’.
Step 4: Resume and Finish Your Download!
With the new link successfully applied, head back to your main IDM window. Select the file one last time and click the “Resume” button. That’s it! Your download should now pick up right where it left off, saving you time and valuable data.
Pro-Tips for a Smoother IDM Experience
Keep Your Browser Extension Enabled
This whole process works seamlessly because the IDM Integration Module (its browser extension) is active. Make sure it’s installed and enabled in your preferred browser (Chrome, Firefox, Edge, etc.). This ensures IDM can always capture new download links correctly.
What If the Site Requires a Login?
If you were logged into a website to get the original download link, make sure you are still logged in when you go back to the page in Step 2. If your session has expired, log in again before you click the download link. This ensures IDM gets a new, authenticated download address.
Copying the Link Manually
In rare cases, IDM might not automatically open the source page. If that happens, you can find the original page URL by right-clicking the file in IDM, going to “Properties”, and copying the URL from the “Address” field. Paste this into your browser to proceed with Step 2.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- Why do download links expire in the first place?Websites use temporary links as a security measure. It prevents unauthorized users from sharing a direct download link and helps the server manage traffic. These links often have a short lifespan, sometimes tied to your login session or IP address.
- Will this method work for every website?This works for the vast majority of websites that use temporary links, including cloud storage providers and file-hosting services. However, some highly secure or poorly configured sites might not allow resuming. But it’s always the first thing you should try!
- What if IDM doesn’t show the “New link address… received” pop-up?This usually means the IDM browser extension isn’t working correctly. First, check if it’s enabled in your browser’s extension settings. If it is, try restarting your browser or, as a last resort, reinstalling IDM to repair the integration.
- Does this work even after restarting my computer?Yes! As long as you haven’t deleted the partially downloaded files from your computer (usually stored in your Downloads folder), you can use this method to refresh the link and resume the download anytime.
- Can I use a different browser to get the new link?It’s best to use the same browser you originally started the download with. However, as long as the IDM extension is installed and active in another browser, it should still work. Just be sure to log into the website if required.
Conclusion: Download with Confidence!
And there you have it! The “Cannot Resume Downloading The File” error is more of a minor annoyance than a major problem. By following these simple steps to refresh the download address, you can save your progress and avoid the hassle of starting from scratch.
Happy downloading!