Troubleshooting Guide for Ad Blockers Failing on YouTube
In the digital age, ad blockers have become a necessity for many internet users. However, Google's recent Manifest V3 update has restricted ad blocker capabilities on Chrome, causing problems for users trying to block ads on YouTube. Here's a guide to help you navigate these issues and enjoy ad-free YouTube viewing.
Google's Manifest V3 update has led to the removal of several ad blockers from the Chrome Web Store. If you're using one of the removed ad blockers, it's likely that it won't block ads anymore. Fortunately, there are workarounds and alternatives to ensure you can still block YouTube ads on Chrome.
Switch to or install uBlock Origin
Although Google has disabled the original Manifest V2 version of uBlock Origin, there are ways to restore its functionality in Chrome. By enabling the “Allow legacy extension manifest versions” flag in Chrome’s hidden settings (chrome://flags), you can run the older, more effective uBlock Origin. This requires manually enabling this feature and relaunching Chrome.
Try alternative ad blockers
Many popular ad blockers now struggle on YouTube due to Google's changes in ad loading and detection. However, tools like Total Adblock and Surfshark CleanWeb have updated filters that still block YouTube ads effectively.
Disable or whitelist YouTube for your ad blocker
Strictly blocking all ads can sometimes cause YouTube to block access or functionality related to ads (like the skip ad button). Disabling the ad blocker specifically on YouTube or whitelisting the site can help avoid this issue.
Clear browser cache and cookies
Corrupted cache or stored site data can interfere with ad blocking and playback controls. Clearing these can fix some problems.
Keep Chrome and extensions updated
Using the latest versions helps avoid bugs and compatibility issues with YouTube’s ad handling changes.
If updating filters doesn't work, consider using an ad blocker like Ghostery or uBlock Origin, which still blocks YouTube ads in various browsers. Alternatively, if you're using Chrome and your ad blocker isn't working on YouTube, consider switching to Firefox or Brave.
For users of Mac, iPhone, or iPad, Wipr is a cheap alternative that works great to block YouTube ads.
This article has been fact-checked to ensure the accuracy of any cited facts and has been co-authored by Nicole Levine, MFA, a Technology Writer and Editor for a specific website. With over 20 years of experience creating technical documentation and leading support teams at major web hosting and software companies, Levine brings a wealth of knowledge to the table. The article contains 14 references cited at the bottom of the page.
- To maintain an ad-free YouTube viewing experience on Chrome, it's recommended to switch to or install uBlock Origin, which can be made functional again by enabling the "Allow legacy extension manifest versions" flag in Chrome's hidden settings.
- If your current ad blocker isn't effectively blocking ads on YouTube, you might want to explore alternatives like Total Adblock, Surfshark CleanWeb, Ghostery, or Wipr (for Mac, iPhone, or iPad users).
