These issues are often triggered by outdated versions of IDM that cannot properly interact with modern content delivery networks (CDNs), leading to blocked or failed download attempts, commonly resulting in 403 Forbidden errors. In other cases, security software such as firewalls or antivirus programs may incorrectly flag IDM processes, blocking them from accessing or writing data. Now that the causes are clear, let’s explore the proven solutions that have helped many users fix this problem.
1. Update IDM
Many modern websites rely on updated protocols, secure headers, and tokenized URL structures that older versions of IDM may not support. If IDM is outdated, it may fail to capture or authorize downloads correctly, leading to permission errors or blocked requests. Updating IDM ensures compatibility with your browser and allows it to handle modern web configurations.
2. Allow IDM Through Your Firewall
Firewalls monitor all network activity and may block IDM if it’s not listed as a trusted application. If IDM is not added to the firewall’s allowed list, it may be unable to connect to servers or complete download requests.
3. Add IDM Executable to Antivirus Exceptions
Antivirus software may sometimes mistakenly flag IDM as a threat due to its behavior of intercepting downloads or writing executable files. This can result in blocked operations or permission errors. Adding IDM to your antivirus exclusion list ensures it runs without unnecessary interference.
4. Reinstall the Browser Extension
The IDM browser extension is essential for detecting downloadable content and passing session data—such as cookies and authentication tokens—from the browser to IDM. If the extension becomes outdated or corrupted, it may fail to intercept links correctly, causing download requests to be denied by the server. Reinstalling the extension restores proper integration between the browser and IDM.
5. Clear Browser Cookies, Cache & Reload the Page
Browsers store cookies and cached data to retain session details and reduce loading times. However, outdated or corrupted data can interfere with IDM’s ability to receive authentication tokens or session cookies, resulting in blocked downloads. Clearing this data ensures IDM gets fresh session information when attempting to capture links. If none of the above solutions work, consider reinstalling IDM. A clean installation will replace any corrupted files or misconfigured components, giving IDM a fresh start and resolving persistent permission issues.
