diff --git a/.env.example b/.env.example
index 49b3f2b..cafd098 100644
--- a/.env.example
+++ b/.env.example
@@ -3,4 +3,7 @@ PREFIX=YOUR_BOT_PREFIX_HERE
 INVITE_LINK=YOUR_BOT_INVITE_LINK_HERE
 
 # Commands you want to disable (comma separated)
-DISABLED_COGS=general.context_menus 
+DISABLED_COGS=general.context_menus
+
+# yt-dlp cookies (for media/download command)
+YTDLP_COOKIE_FILE=/absolute/path/to/cookies.txt
diff --git a/.gitignore b/.gitignore
index 00170c9..9f0c101 100644
--- a/.gitignore
+++ b/.gitignore
@@ -149,3 +149,5 @@ cython_debug/
 # Log file
 discord.log
 
+cogs/media/files/
+
diff --git a/cogs/media/download.py b/cogs/media/download.py
index cad1e66..79fbaaf 100644
--- a/cogs/media/download.py
+++ b/cogs/media/download.py
@@ -89,6 +89,7 @@ def download_command():
             processing_msg = await context.send(embed=processing_embed)
 
         temp_dir = tempfile.mkdtemp()
+        temp_cookie_file = None
         
         ydl_opts = {
             'format': 'bestvideo[filesize<200M]+bestaudio[filesize<200M]/best[filesize<200M]/bestvideo+bestaudio/best',
@@ -102,6 +103,45 @@ def download_command():
             'merge_output_format': 'mp4',
         }
 
+        cookie_file_env = os.getenv('YTDLP_COOKIE_FILE') or os.getenv('YT_DLP_COOKIE_FILE')
+        cookies_text_env = os.getenv('YTDLP_COOKIES') or os.getenv('YT_DLP_COOKIES')
+
+        resolved_cookie_path = None
+        if cookie_file_env:
+            resolved_cookie_path = cookie_file_env
+        elif cookies_text_env:
+            try:
+                fd, temp_cookie_file = tempfile.mkstemp(prefix='yt_cookies_', text=True)
+                with os.fdopen(fd, 'w') as tmpf:
+                    tmpf.write(cookies_text_env)
+                resolved_cookie_path = temp_cookie_file
+            except Exception:
+                temp_cookie_file = None
+        else:
+            default_local_cookie = os.path.join(os.path.dirname(__file__), 'files', 'cookies.txt')
+            resolved_cookie_path = default_local_cookie
+
+        if not (resolved_cookie_path and os.path.exists(resolved_cookie_path)):
+            embed = discord.Embed(
+                title="Error",
+                description=(
+                    "Cookies file not found. Provide one via `YTDLP_COOKIE_FILE` or place a file at "
+                    "`cogs/media/files/cookies.txt`."
+                ),
+                color=0xE02B2B,
+            )
+            embed.set_author(name="Media", icon_url="https://yes.nighty.works/raw/y5SEZ9.webp")
+            if interaction is not None:
+                if not interaction.response.is_done():
+                    await interaction.response.send_message(embed=embed, ephemeral=True)
+                else:
+                    await interaction.followup.send(embed=embed, ephemeral=True)
+            else:
+                await context.send(embed=embed, ephemeral=True)
+            return
+
+        ydl_opts['cookiefile'] = resolved_cookie_path
+
         try:
             with yt_dlp.YoutubeDL(ydl_opts) as ydl:
                 info = await asyncio.get_event_loop().run_in_executor(
@@ -232,9 +272,15 @@ def download_command():
                         await context.channel.send(file=file)
                         
         except Exception as e:
+            err_text = str(e)
+            needs_cookies = ('Sign in to confirm' in err_text) or ('cookies' in err_text.lower()) or ('consent' in err_text.lower())
+            if needs_cookies:
+                extra = "\n\nThis source may require authentication. Provide cookies via env: `YTDLP_COOKIE_FILE` (path) or `YTDLP_COOKIES` (contents). See: https://github.com/yt-dlp/yt-dlp/wiki/FAQ#how-do-i-pass-cookies-to-yt-dlp"
+            else:
+                extra = ""
             embed = discord.Embed(
                 title="Error",
-                description=f"Failed to download video: {str(e)}",
+                description=f"Failed to download video: {err_text}{extra}",
                 color=0xE02B2B,
             )
             embed.set_author(name="Media", icon_url="https://yes.nighty.works/raw/y5SEZ9.webp")
@@ -262,5 +308,10 @@ def download_command():
                 os.rmdir(temp_dir)
             except:
                 pass
+            if temp_cookie_file:
+                try:
+                    os.remove(temp_cookie_file)
+                except:
+                    pass
     
     return download
\ No newline at end of file