FAQ

How do I get a song ID?

You can find song IDs using the search command:

ncmget search "song name"

Each result displays the song ID. You can also find IDs in the URL when browsing NetEase Cloud Music on the web — the number in the URL (e.g., https://music.163.com/#/song?id=3374579108) is the song ID.

Why does a download fail?

Downloads may fail for several reasons:

  • Copyright restrictions: The song is not available for download in your region
  • Network issues: Temporary connectivity problems
  • Invalid ID: The song ID does not exist

NCMGET retries failed requests 3 times automatically. If the download still fails, try again later or check if the song is available on the NetEase Cloud Music platform.

Some songs are restricted due to copyright and cannot be downloaded. This is a platform limitation, not a bug in NCMGET. You may be able to access restricted content by providing a valid cookie for an authenticated account.

What audio quality is available?

NCMGET supports the following bitrates via the url method or the HTTP server:

  • 128 — Standard quality (128kbps)
  • 192 — Medium quality (192kbps)
  • 320 — High quality (320kbps, default)
  • 999 — Lossless quality (FLAC, requires authentication)

Higher quality may require a premium NetEase Cloud Music account.

Where are downloaded files saved?

By default, files are saved in the current working directory (./). Use the -o, --output option to specify a different directory:

ncmget song 3374579108 -o ~/Music

How are special characters in filenames handled?

Characters that are illegal in filenames (<>:"/\|?*) are automatically replaced with _. For example, a song named 情绪缓冲区溢出: 世界 becomes 情绪缓冲区溢出_ 世界.

You can also customize the filename format using the -f, --format option. See Filename Format for details.

Can I download multiple songs at once?

Yes. Pass multiple IDs separated by spaces:

ncmget song 3374579108 111111 222222

You can also download entire albums or playlists:

ncmget album 372893716
ncmget playlist 7697114803

How do I update NCMGET?

Update NCMGET to the latest version:

npm update -g ncmget

Check your current version:

ncmget -v

How do I uninstall NCMGET?

npm uninstall -g ncmget

How do I report a bug?

Please open an issue on the GitHub repository. Include:

  • NCMGET version (ncmget -v)
  • Node.js version (node -v)
  • The command you ran
  • The error message or unexpected behavior
  • Steps to reproduce the issue