"Initial player response not valid"

[CZython]

Testing requested (edit by kavin)

Hi everyone, I request everyone to please use https://pipedtesting.kavin.rocks/ temporarily as it would help with debugging and fixing this issue. Thanks!

In LibreTube, you can set the custom API URL to https://pipedtestingapi.kavin.rocks

Workaround Found

use one of these instances (because they somehow work):

1. https://piped.syncpundit.io/
2. https://piped.kozmik.studio/
3. https://piped.projectsegfau.lt/
4. https://piped.pfcd.me/
5. https://piped.yt/

Official Instance

• [X] The bug is reproducable on the official hosted instance or is API related.

Describe the bug

Youtube dropped support for API version that Piped uses to load videos. update: some videos seem to still work

To Reproduce

1. open ~~any~~ official piped instance
2. click on a video
3. profit ???

Expected behavior

Loads name and Video

Logs/Errors

instead of video there is a message: This content isn't available.

instead of video name there is this text: Video Not Available

Browser, and OS with Version.

No response

Additional context

UPDATE:

depending on your location different videos seem to be unavailable source: verification | different result

[ghost]

yup, having this happen to me too, kinda scared me at first that every video was the same

[aviallon]

[Akanksh12]

Can confirm this, all instances are affected. However, I have noticed that only some videos are effected by this e.g. charlie bit my finger works but typical unixporn user doesn't.

[ghost]

the first video mightve worked because you have it in cache, for me no video at all works

[FireMasterK]

Some regions still appear to work - CA and FR.

[maboroshin]

You won't even get a channel feed.

[NearestWater262]

How does NewPipe do it? Can we use their method?

[ghost]

can confirm

[ghost]

Same here : The content isn't available, whatever video, channel. I first thought that the video/channel had changed to soon find out the issue was global. Came here, discovered the culprit : Youtube dropped support for API version that Piped uses to load videos. I'm in France, by the way.

As we all I do hope the issue may be resolved, I'm totally relying on Piped ...

[radhealaniesoftware]

Im also had a same issue. Also im trying to play my upload videos and its still works. Here is the screenshot when i play my video: Here is the screenshot when i play the another video:

Thank you.

[ghost]

Im also had a same issue. Also im trying to play my upload videos and its still works. Here is the screenshot when i play my video:

sussy sonic

[CZython]

Require double check!

some videos seem to be still functioning while others are not:

• functioning video: N++ by killingpepsi and XandoToaster in 18:23 - Summer Games Done Quick 2023
• non-functioning video: Trine Enchanted Edition by GrosHiken in 16:43 - Summer Games Done Quick 2023

and appears to be independent of channel:

• functioning video: Building SpaceX's Starship Super Heavy One Ring At A Time.
• non-functioning video: Starship Launch Pad Foundation Upgraded | SpaceX Boca Chica

Please verify and use emojis to signal if you can replicate.

[ghost]

@CZython, functioning and non-functioning videos you mention bring same results here as yours, exactly.

[DanielProg39]

@CZython A bit different for me: the last video you mentioned works, others don't

[DanielProg39]

Seems that Invidious experienced something similar today: https://github.com/iv-org/invidious.io/issues/71 But now everything works as intended in all Invidious instances. Maybe they know how to deal with this issue?

[ghost]

I have dozens of videos and channels bookmarked to Piped, cannot test them all. Yet, besides replicating @CZython's tests, at this time all of my video channels linked to a Piped instance display correctly whilst no video does (besides those mentioned by @CZython)

[ghost]

Require double check! Please verify and use emojis to signal if you can replicate.

it's the opposite for me. the ones you say don't work, are working, and vice versa.

[ghost]

I'm mentioning Invidious instances because they faced the same issue and it seems they no longer do : https://github.com/iv-org/invidious.io/issues/71#issuecomment-1573515478

[CZython]

in hope of not DDOSing, i need a check these of instances:

1. https://piped.syncpundit.io/
2. https://piped.kozmik.studio/
3. https://piped.projectsegfau.lt/
4. https://piped.pfcd.me/
5. https://piped.yt/

because they seem to work...

@Cade66 @DanielProg39 @cyberhardt

[flexagoon]

@CZython the instances you listed work fine

[ghost]

@CZython, all 5 Piped instances you mention above display correctly, channels and videos are fully functional here. Note : I use mainly two Piped instances which, as all others I've tested, display their homepage and channels correctly but not videos (The content isn't available) : https://piped.adminforge.de/ AND https://piped.chauvet.pro/

Odd as it seems that the culprit defined as 'Youtube dropped support for API version that Piped uses to load videos' affects some Piped instances (perhaps most) yet not all, at least not those you mention.

[CZython]

I'm staring think that the "update/dropped support" is only partial, because on some instances no videos work, while on others some videos work.

and as if by magic, these specific instances work fine.

I'll close this issue and put these instances to the top as workaround, because is obviously no longer satisfies: "open any piped instance"

Or is there any reason to keep this issue open?

[Bnyro]

It makes sense to keep the issue open as long as the official instance (piped.video) is affected.

[Bnyro]

Which is still the case.

[CZython]

ok, i'll leave it open

[ghost]

Be noted, for those who redirect embedded YouTube videos as well, that not all Piped instances have ever managed those. Among the 5 working Piped instances mentioned by @CZython only https://piped.syncpundit.io/ (Cloudflare) accepts embedded YouTube redirected videos in my experience.

[ghost]

in hope of not DDOSing, i need a check these of instances:

1. https://piped.syncpundit.io/

2. https://piped.kozmik.studio/

3. https://piped.projectsegfau.lt/

4. https://piped.pfcd.me/

5. https://piped.yt/

because they seem to work...

@CZython

First one is a 404 for me. the other ones work - I've tested the same video on those instances (except the first one) and on the ones I use: piped.video, piped.qdi.fi and il.ax. The ones I use aren't working, but those you provided seem to work normally.

[ghost]

Yup, it seems like not all instances were hit by that error. piped.video, piped.qdi.fi and il.ax are definitely having issues. shall we make a list?

[ghost]

im thinking that the mentioned unaffected instances might have updated their method of getting yt videos, while the others didnt

im not sure if this is true tho, seeing as then youd have to maintain your own piped api

[ghost]

Not sure making a list of working instances is pertinent: 1- Maybe instance efficiency depends of user's device location; 2- When there's such an issue as the ones some (most) instances are facing, no doubt there's barain storming going on and not only here.

The scenario seems dynamic. Good to know some instances work (thanks @CZython), perhaps others will within the coming hours. Personally I'll use https://piped.syncpundit.io/ (though Cloudflare) because it's 100% efficient here (no 404, site, channels, videos AND embedded videos all 100% efficient) given the Piped instances I use exclusively (https://piped.adminforge.de/ AND https://piped.chauvet.pro/) do not run videos (hence embedded videos) correctly at this time.