YouTube AdBlock Not Working | Easy Solutions to Fix

If your adblocker is no longer working on YouTube, it’s a common issue due to the ongoing “cat-and-mouse” game between YouTube’s anti-adblock measures and adblocker developers.

YouTube is constantly updating its ad delivery techniques to bypass adblockers, while adblocker developers try to keep up with new filter updates. Google’s Manifest V3 update for Chrome has also limited the capabilities of many adblocking extensions.

🔧 Why It’s Happening

In 2023–2024, YouTube began actively detecting ad blockers and either:

• Showing a warning to disable your ad blocker

• Preventing videos from playing

• Forcing ads to show even with ad blockers enabled

✅ Easy Fixes for “YouTube AdBlock Not Working”

🔹 1. Update Your AdBlock Extension

YouTube often breaks old versions. Make sure you’re using the latest version.

• Go to: chrome://extensions/

• Enable Developer Mode

• Click Update

✅ Most popular ad blockers:

• uBlock Origin (Recommended)

• AdGuard

• AdBlock Plus

🔹 2. Switch to uBlock Origin (Best for YouTube)

If you’re using AdBlock or AdBlock Plus, they’re often less effective now.

Install uBlock Origin:

• Chrome: uBlock Origin on Chrome Web Store

• Firefox: uBlock Origin for Firefox

Then:

• Open the dashboard → Go to Filter Lists

• Enable Annoyances and uBlock filters – YouTube Ads

Also Read : Why is my YouTube Buffering with Fast Internet 

🔹 3. Use SponsorBlock (Skips In-Video Promotions)

This doesn’t block YouTube ads but skips in-video sponsorships.

• Install from: SponsorBlock Extension

Works with uBlock Origin for full coverage.

🔹 4. Try a Custom YouTube Front-End (No Ads)

Use an alternative interface for YouTube that doesn’t serve ads.

Examples:

• Invidious (open source, privacy-focused)

• Piped (smooth, modern UI, ad-free)

You just paste the YouTube video URL into those sites.

🔹 5. Use a Modified YouTube Client (Advanced)

For mobile/PC, some apps bypass ads entirely:

📱 Mobile:

• YouTube Revanced (Android) – blocks all ads, background play

• NewPipe (Android) – lightweight, no ads, no tracking

  ⚠️ Not on Play Store. Download from F-Droid or official sites.

💻 PC:

• LibreTube (Desktop Linux, also Android)

• Vanced (discontinued but still used)

🔹 6. Try a VPN

YouTube shows different ads depending on your location. Using a VPN may reduce or avoid ads in certain regions.

Good regions: Netherlands, Switzerland, Norway

🔹 7. YouTube Premium Trial

As a last resort, consider:

• Free 1-month trial of YouTube Premium

• Cancel before billing if you just need temporary relief

❌ Not Recommended

• Modifying hosts files – rarely works now, and can break other services

• Random scripts from Reddit/YouTube – can be risky or break your browser

Summary: Best Combo (Oct 2025)

• ✅ uBlock Origin (with YouTube filter lists)

• ✅ SponsorBlock

• ✅ Use Invidious or Piped for a completely ad-free experience

• ✅ Optionally, use Revanced or NewPipe on mobile