The fastest way to block YouTube ads depends on your device and what you're willing to pay

YouTube Premium removes ads entirely, but costs $13.99 per month (or $139 per year). If you don't want to pay, browser extensions can block ads on desktop, though they work less reliably on mobile apps. The trade-off: ad blockers may break some YouTube features, and YouTube actively works against them—extensions stop working periodically and need updates.

On phones and tablets, your options narrow. Mobile browsers can run extensions on some platforms, but the YouTube app itself doesn't allow them. Desktop remains the easiest place to block ads without paying.

Key Takeaways

  • YouTube Premium removes all ads but costs $13.99 monthly; a yearly subscription is $139 and saves money if you watch regularly.
  • Browser extensions like uBlock Origin and Adblock Plus block ads on desktop but require manual updates as YouTube changes its systems.
  • Mobile browsers can run some extensions, but the YouTube app does not allow them, so you cannot block ads within the app itself.
  • YouTube actively blocks ad-blocking tools, so extensions that work today may stop working within weeks or months.

YouTube Premium: The official way to remove all ads

YouTube Premium removes ads from videos, shorts, and search results. You also get offline viewing (download videos to watch without internet), background play (listen to videos with your screen off), and access to YouTube Music Premium at no extra cost.

The subscription is $13.99 per month on month-to-month billing. Annual plans cost $139 per year, which works out to about $11.58 per month if you commit for a year. YouTube occasionally offers discounts for new subscribers, usually around $0.99 for the first month. Family plans cost $22.99 per month and cover up to six people in your household.

You can cancel anytime. If you cancel mid-month, your access continues until the end of your billing period. YouTube offers a free trial for some accounts, though may be able to access varies.

Browser extensions that block ads on desktop

uBlock Origin is the most widely used ad blocker for YouTube. It works on Chrome, Firefox, Edge, and Opera. Install it from your browser's extension store, and it blocks ads on YouTube and most other websites. uBlock Origin is free and does not sell your data. It updates automatically, but YouTube regularly changes how ads are delivered, so the extension occasionally stops working for a few days until the developer releases a fix.

Adblock Plus is another common choice, available on Chrome, Firefox, and Edge. It also blocks YouTube ads and works similarly to uBlock Origin. Adblock Plus allows some "acceptable ads" by default (ads that meet certain size and transparency standards), though you can turn this off in settings. Like uBlock Origin, it is free and updates automatically.

AdGuard is a paid extension ($2.99 per month or $24.99 per year) that blocks ads across YouTube and other sites. It offers more customization than free options and includes malware protection. A free version exists but with fewer features.

All three extensions work best on desktop. They may slow your browser slightly because they scan every element on a page. YouTube does not allow these extensions in its official app, so they only work when you watch YouTube in a web browser, not in the YouTube app on your computer.

How to install an ad blocker on Chrome, Firefox, or Edge

Open your browser and go to its extension store. On Chrome, this is the Chrome Web Store. On Firefox, it is Add-ons. On Edge, it is the Microsoft Edge Add-ons store. Search for "uBlock Origin" or "Adblock Plus" by name.

Click the extension name in the search results. On the extension page, click "Add to Chrome" (or "Add to Firefox" or "Add to Edge"). A popup will ask you to confirm. Click "Add extension." The extension icon will appear in your toolbar. You do not need to configure anything—it starts blocking ads immediately.

To check that it is working, go to YouTube and play a video. You should see no ads before or during the video. If ads still appear after a few minutes, refresh the page or restart your browser. If ads persist, YouTube may have updated its system and the extension may need an update; check the extension store for a newer version.

Ad blockers on mobile browsers

On Android, Firefox allows extensions, including uBlock Origin and Adblock Plus. Download Firefox from the Google Play Store, then add extensions the same way you would on desktop. Open the menu (three horizontal lines), tap "Add-ons," search for the extension, and tap "Add to Firefox."

On iPhone and iPad, Safari does not support traditional ad-blocking extensions. Apple offers "content blockers," which are less powerful but still reduce ads. Search the App Store for "ad blocker" to find options. These work only in Safari, not in other browsers or apps.

The YouTube app itself does not allow any extensions or content blockers, whether you use Android or iPhone. If you want to block ads on mobile, you must use a mobile browser instead of the YouTube app.

Why ad blockers stop working and how to fix them

YouTube regularly changes how it delivers ads to make them harder to block. When this happens, ad blockers stop working for a few days or weeks until the extension developer updates the code. You may see ads return suddenly even though the extension is still installed.

To fix this, check your extension store for updates. On Chrome, click the three dots in the top right, go to "Extensions," and click "Update." On Firefox, click the menu (three horizontal lines), go to "Add-ons," and click the refresh icon. Most extensions update automatically, but forcing a manual update can speed things up.

If ads still appear after updating, the extension may be temporarily broken. Check the extension's official website or support page to see if other users are reporting the same issue. If they are, wait a day or two for a fix. If no one else is reporting it, try disabling and re-enabling the extension, or reinstalling it.

What ad blockers cannot do on YouTube

Ad blockers may break some YouTube features. Autoplay sometimes stops working. Playlists may not play all the way through. In rare cases, videos may not load at all. These issues usually resolve after the extension updates, but they can be frustrating in the meantime.

YouTube can also detect ad blockers and show a message asking you to disable them or upgrade to Premium. This is not a technical block—you can dismiss the message and keep watching—but it appears frequently and can be annoying.

Ad blockers do not hide your viewing history from YouTube or prevent YouTube from tracking what you watch. They only remove the video advertisements themselves.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it legal to use an ad blocker on YouTube?

Yes. Ad blockers are legal software tools. YouTube's terms of service discourage them, but using one does not violate any law. YouTube can ask you to disable it or upgrade to Premium, but they cannot punish you for installing one.

Will YouTube ban my account if I use an ad blocker?

No. YouTube does not ban accounts for using ad blockers. They may show you messages asking you to disable it, but account suspension is not a consequence of blocking ads.

Can I block ads on the YouTube app without paying for Premium?

No. The YouTube app does not support extensions or content blockers. Your only options are YouTube Premium or switching to a mobile browser like Firefox on Android, which does support ad blockers.

Do ad blockers slow down YouTube?

Slightly. Ad blockers scan every element on a page to identify and remove ads, which uses a small amount of processing power. Most people do not notice a difference, but older computers may see a slight slowdown.

What happens if I use a VPN with an ad blocker on YouTube?

Both can be used together without technical problems. However, YouTube may show different ads or pricing based on your location, whether you use a VPN or not. A VPN does not block ads on its own—you still need an ad blocker extension for that.