Last updated: (JST)
When trying to download videos generated with Sora, many users encounter the error message “Error preparing download”. This issue has been frequently reported on social media and forums, and often seems to be caused by server-side problems. I ran into the same situation myself, but found an easy workaround. Here’s how to fix it.
The Error
When you press the official “Download” button, you may see the following error:
The Solution (Workaround)
Even if the official download button fails, you can save the video directly.
On Mobile
- Long press on the video area
- Select “Download video”
- The file will be saved as
source.mp4
On PC
- Right click on the video area
- Choose “Save video as…”
- Save it to your preferred location
Why does this happen?
The official “Download” button tries to provide an encoded file prepared on the server. When the server is overloaded, the process fails and displays “Error preparing download”. However, the raw video file is already accessible in the browser, so saving it directly works without problems.
Additional Tips
If the workaround above still doesn’t work, try:
- Clearing browser cache and cookies, then retry
- Using another browser or device
- Waiting and trying again (the server may be congested)
Summary
- Even if you see “Error preparing download”, the video itself is still downloadable
- Mobile → long press, PC → right click is the most reliable method
- If it still fails, try clearing cache or waiting before retrying
Until OpenAI officially fixes the download button, this workaround is the best solution.
