Installing uBlock Origin takes three minutes and requires no technical knowledge
uBlock Origin is a free extension that blocks ads and tracking scripts on websites you visit. To use it in Chrome, you download it from the Chrome Web Store, add it to your browser, and it starts working immediately. The extension runs in the background and does not require any setup beyond installation.
Chrome makes the process straightforward because extensions install directly into your browser without needing to restart or change settings. Once installed, uBlock Origin appears as an icon in your toolbar and begins filtering ads on every page you load.
Key Takeaways
- uBlock Origin installs from the Chrome Web Store in under a minute and begins blocking ads right away.
- The extension icon appears in your Chrome toolbar after installation, and you can click it to see what it blocked on each page.
- uBlock Origin works on all websites automatically — you do not need to turn it on for individual sites.
- If a website stops working after you install it, you can temporarily disable uBlock Origin for that site by clicking its icon and selecting the power button.
Step-by-step installation in Chrome
Open Chrome and go to the Chrome Web Store by typing chrome.google.com/webstore into your address bar. In the search box at the top left, type "uBlock Origin" and press Enter.
The first result should be uBlock Origin with a red and white shield icon, made by Raymond Hill. Click on it to open the extension page. Then click the blue "Add to Chrome" button in the top right corner. A popup will appear asking you to confirm — click "Add extension" to finish.
Chrome will download and install the extension in seconds. You will see a small notification at the top of the page saying the extension has been added. The uBlock Origin icon (a red and white shield) now appears in your toolbar, usually in the top right corner next to your profile picture.
How to know it is working
Visit any website with ads — a news site, YouTube, or a shopping page works well. You will notice fewer ads appear than usual. To see what uBlock Origin blocked, click its icon in your toolbar. A popup shows a list of blocked items on that page, including ads, trackers, and scripts.
The number next to the shield icon tells you how many items were blocked on the current page. This number changes from site to site depending on how many ads and trackers each page contains. If you see a number, the extension is active and working.
What to do if a website breaks or looks wrong
Occasionally a website stops working properly after you install uBlock Origin — a video will not play, a button will not respond, or the page layout looks broken. This happens because the extension sometimes blocks scripts that the website needs to function, not just ads.
To fix this, click the uBlock Origin icon while on that website. You will see a large power button icon at the top left of the popup. Click it once to turn off uBlock Origin for that site only. The page will reload and usually work normally. The extension remains on for all other websites.
If you want to turn it back on for that site later, click the icon again and click the power button a second time. You can also click the three horizontal lines (menu icon) in the popup to access more detailed settings, though most people do not need to adjust anything beyond the power button.
Updating and managing the extension
Chrome updates extensions automatically in the background, so you do not need to do anything to keep uBlock Origin current. If you ever want to check that you have the latest version, click the three vertical dots (menu) in the top right corner of Chrome, go to "Extensions," then click "Manage extensions." You will see uBlock Origin listed with its version number.
From the Extensions page, you can also turn the extension off temporarily by clicking the toggle switch next to it, or remove it entirely by clicking "Remove." Most people leave it on all the time once installed.
Why uBlock Origin instead of other ad blockers
uBlock Origin is free, does not sell your data, and uses less computer memory than many other ad blockers. It is maintained by volunteers and does not have a business model that depends on tracking you or showing you ads elsewhere. Many people choose it because it is straightforward — it blocks ads and trackers without asking for permission to access your browsing history or selling that information to advertisers.
Other ad blockers exist, including built-in options in some browsers, but uBlock Origin is popular because it blocks more types of ads and tracking while using fewer system resources. If you switch browsers later, uBlock Origin is also available for Firefox, Edge, and Safari, so you can use the same extension across devices.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does uBlock Origin slow down my browser?
No — uBlock Origin actually uses very little memory and processing power. Most people notice their browser feels faster because pages load without ads and tracking scripts. If your browser feels slow, the cause is usually something else.
Can websites detect that I am using uBlock Origin?
Yes, some websites can detect ad blockers and may ask you to turn them off or disable them for that site. You can choose to do so, or you can leave the extension on and simply not visit that website. No website can force you to disable it.
Will uBlock Origin break my online banking or shopping?
Rarely. Most banks and shopping sites work fine with uBlock Origin because they do not rely on ads or the scripts it blocks. If something does not work, use the power button to turn it off for that site, and it will work normally.
What is the difference between uBlock Origin and uBlock?
uBlock Origin is the original, volunteer-maintained version. "uBlock" is a different extension made by a different person. uBlock Origin is the one most people recommend because it has no ads or business model behind it.
Can I use uBlock Origin on my phone?
Chrome on Android does not support extensions the way desktop Chrome does. However, Firefox on Android does support uBlock Origin, so you can install it there if you switch browsers on your phone.