Question about "The volume key is unknown for this disc - video can't be decrypted"

[TheOfficialRD3]

Thank you to the MakeMKV team and everyone contributing keys via disc dumps on the forums. I've used MakeMKV flawlessly for years—over 400 movies and many more TV shows—with no "Volume key unknown" errors ever.
Around December 2025, I had to disable "Enable internet access" because MakeMKV stopped automatically downloading keys. I now manually update keydb.cfg or use the KeyDB Helper tool, and the community does an incredible job adding new keys quickly from dumps.
What puzzles me: Many discs I ripped successfully before now fail with "Volume key unknown" because the key isn't in the database anymore.
I'm not complaining at all—you're all amazing. Just curious: What changed so that automatic key downloads stopped, and why are previously supported keys suddenly missing?
I'm sure there is a reason that I just don't comprehend with the process but I would like to learn.
Thanks for any insight.

[MartyMcNuts]

Thank you to the MakeMKV team and everyone contributing keys via disc dumps on the forums. I've used MakeMKV flawlessly for years—over 400 movies and many more TV shows—with no "Volume key unknown" errors ever.
Around December 2025, I had to disable "Enable internet access" because MakeMKV stopped automatically downloading keys. I now manually update keydb.cfg or use the KeyDB Helper tool, and the community does an incredible job adding new keys quickly from dumps.
What puzzles me: Many discs I ripped successfully before now fail with "Volume key unknown" because the key isn't in the database anymore.
I'm not complaining at all—you're all amazing. Just curious: What changed so that automatic key downloads stopped, and why are previously supported keys suddenly missing?
I'm sure there is a reason that I just don't comprehend with the process but I would like to learn.
Thanks for any insight.

Nothing has changed. Enable downloads and if the keys aren't automaticaly downloaded, then you have an issue on your PC. Most likely geo-bocking Russia. Try running MakeMKV through a VPN.

[TheOfficialRD3]

Yup, that sure as shit did it. God Damn US blockin God Damn Russian websites lol.
Thank for the info.