Sunday, December 14, 2025
How to Fix "MakeMKV Automatic HK Downloading is Disabled or Failed"
If you’ve recently tried to rip a 4K UHD disc using MakeMKV and ran into the error message "Automatic HK downloading is disabled or failed," you aren't alone. This is one of the most common hurdles for enthusiasts looking to digitize their physical media library.
The "HK" in this error stands for Hashed Keys. These keys are essential for MakeMKV to decrypt the specific protection found on UHD Blu-rays. When this process fails, your drive essentially doesn't know how to "read" the movie data. Why Is This Happening?
MakeMKV needs a specific key to decrypt the AACS 2.0/2.1 protection on 4K discs. Since new movies are released constantly, the software tries to connect to a central server to download the latest "hashed keys" automatically. The error occurs for three main reasons:
Server Downtime: The primary server hosting the keys is temporarily offline.
Firewall Restrictions: Your Windows or Mac firewall (or an antivirus) is blocking MakeMKV from accessing the internet.
Internet Settings: A configuration within the software itself is preventing the download. Step 1: Enable "Allow Unit Internet Access"
Before diving into manual fixes, ensure the software actually has permission to look for keys. Open MakeMKV. Go to View > Preferences. Navigate to the General tab. Ensure the box "Allow unit internet access" is checked. Click OK, restart the program, and try the disc again. Step 2: The Manual Fix (The "KeyDB.cfg" Method) makemkv automatic hk downloading is disabled or failed
If the automatic download is failing because the server is down, you can provide the keys yourself. This is the most reliable long-term fix.
Download the Key File: Visit a trusted community source (like the MakeMKV forums or the "vencen.org" key database) to download the latest keydb.cfg file. Locate Your Data Directory: In MakeMKV, go to Preferences > General.
Look at the "MakeMKV data directory" path (usually C:/Users/[YourName]/.MakeMKV on Windows).
Place the File: Copy the downloaded keydb.cfg file into that folder.
Restart: Close and reopen MakeMKV. It will now look at this local file for the necessary keys before trying the internet. Step 3: Check Your Firewall and DNS
Sometimes, your ISP or a third-party firewall (like Bitdefender or Norton) flags the MakeMKV key server as suspicious.
Create an Exception: Add makemkv.exe to your firewall's "Allowed Apps" list. How to Fix "MakeMKV Automatic HK Downloading is
Change DNS: Some users find that switching to Google DNS (8.8.8.8) or Cloudflare DNS (1.1.1.1) resolves connection issues where the software can't "find" the update server. Step 4: Ensure Your Drive is "LibreDrive" Ready
If you are trying to rip 4K UHDs and see this error, ensure your optical drive has LibreDrive-compatible firmware.
Standard official firmware on 4K drives often blocks the reading of encrypted sectors entirely. If your drive isn't "friendly" or flashed with decrypted firmware, no amount of key downloading will fix the issue. You can check your drive status in the right-hand information panel of MakeMKV; it should say "LibreDrive Information: Status: Enabled."
The "Automatic HK downloading failed" error is usually just a communication hiccup. By enabling internet access in settings or manually placing a KeyDB.cfg file in your data directory, you can get back to backing up your media in minutes.
The "Automatic HK downloading is disabled or failed" error occurs when MakeMKV cannot download the Hash Key (HK) table required to decrypt a specific disc. This frequently happens with 4K UHD Blu-rays when the necessary decryption key isn't already stored in your local database. Primary Causes for Failure
Geo-IP Blocking: The HK servers (e.g., hkdata.fairuse.org) are often hosted in the Russian Federation. Many ISPs, firewalls, and routers (like Ubiquiti or Unifi gear) automatically block traffic from this region for security reasons.
DNS Issues: Your ISP's DNS may fail to resolve the specific domains used for these downloads. Install the latest version from makemkv
Software Restrictions: Antivirus or "threat protection" software may flag the download as suspicious and block it.
Configuration: The "Allow contacting web server for updates" option may be unchecked in MakeMKV's settings. Verified Workarounds
Reviewers and users on the MakeMKV Forum suggest the following fixes: Automatic HK download disabled or failed - www.makemkv.com
The error "Automatic HK downloading is disabled or failed" in MakeMKV occurs when the software cannot reach its key server to download the Hashed Keys (HK) required to decrypt newer discs, particularly 4K UHD titles. This is often due to network-level blocking of the server, which is located in a region frequently flagged by security software or ISPs. Common Fixes Automatic SDF/HK downloading is disabled or failed messages
For advanced users, you can bypass MakeMKV’s HK system entirely using libaacs + KEYDB.cfg.
Quick steps:
KEYDB.cfg from github.com/KeyDB/KEYDB.cfg.%USERPROFILE%/.MakeMKV/ (Windows) or ~/.MakeMKV/ (Linux/macOS).hashedkeys.txt to hashedkeys.old.This library contains thousands of manually extracted keys and often works when the official HK server fails.
As a workaround, edit settings.conf:
autoUpdate = "0"
But this may prevent decryption of newer discs.