Many users report that YouTube videos automatically skip to the end or muting video if they are using an ad blocker, making it impossible for them to watch the video.
The issue began yesterday, and although it does not appear to impact everyone, it is far from isolated, with affected users reporting that it affects all YouTube videos.
This unusual behavior is persistent when the user attempts to reload the same video or clicks on the beginning of the video and is immediately fixed when the ad blocker is turned off.
Additionally, the reports come from users of ad blockers on both Chrome and Firefox, like Adblock Plus, as well as web browsers that have integrated ad-blocking systems, such as OperaGX.
A first reported by 9to5Google, many users are accusing YouTube of intentionally causing this problem, as Google has begun cracking down on the use of ad blockers on YouTube over the past year. However, it is unclear what is causing the issue or whether this is an intentional move from Google.
In April, YouTube announced that using third-party applications that block ads on the platform violates its Terms of Service (ToS), and it would soon start taking action against the apps.
In January, Adblock and Adblock Plus users reported performance issues on YouTube, with many rushing to accuse Google of enforcing anti-blocking policies. However, it soon became apparent that a bad update on the extensions themselves caused the problems.
BleepingComputer has reached out to Google to inquire about the latest reports, and a spokesperson sent the following statement:
Ad blockers violate YouTube’s Terms of Service, and we've been urging users for some time to support their favorite creators and allow ads on YouTube or try YouTube Premium for an ad-free experience.
An unrelated push to improve YouTube's performance and reliability may be resulting in suboptimal viewing experiences for ad blocker users. - YouTube spokesperson
Workarounds
Meanwhile, users are sharing possible workarounds online, including the following, which have been reported to eliminate the issue:
- Many users reported that switching from Adblock Plus or other ad blockers to uBlock Origin resolved the issue.
- Using incognito mode on the browser and signing out of YouTube were also reported as temporary fixes.
- Some suggested refreshing the page precisely when the video finished loading and immediately canceling the refresh.
- Using Brave browser appears to block ads on YouTube as usual without the skip-to-end problem.
BleepingComputer has not been able to confirm this YouTube issue independently.
Ultimately, disabling the ad blocker solves the problem universally, so if all else fails, there's always the option of accepting some interruption in your viewing experience until the situation clears up.
Update 5/29 - Added YouTube's statement
Comments
Mahhn - 1 month ago
youtube gives me 20 min adds, to watch 4 min videos often. YT is dead.
goog has no interest in anything other than Spam/Advertising. Since they turned over running the company to Greedbot 9000, YT has not been the same. Most of the content is AI generated with pathetic droning AI voice, and really has no value. Such a shame humans were sold out.
NoneRain - 1 month ago
20 minutes ads in a 4 min video? Most of the content is AI generated? Dude, you might not be in the "right" youtube lol
NoneRain - 1 month ago
I recommend: uBlock Origin or AdGuard.
therealOri - 1 month ago
I wonder when people will realize that you can just download the video (using a variety of tools, scripts, etc), watch it and then delete it all without having to deal with an ad blocker or any of this mess.
Or just use GrayJay if on mobile. YouTube is no longer about YOU but about how to farm consumers for money and please an AI that is bipolar.
NoneRain - 1 month ago
Yeah sure, downloading each single video is sooo much easier than using a good adblocker like Ublock Origin or AdGuard that are basically configure-and-forget, that will not only block whatever on youtube but also in any other website...... Man, you guys are not for real
On Mobile, u also may use Revanced to patch the youtube app....
DrkKnight - 1 month ago
Jaydownloader or IDM, there is more than one way to skin a cat, if YouTube wants to screw with you , screw with em right back.
GT500 - 1 month ago
Almost every time people using ad blockers start complaining about issues watching videos on YouTube with their ad blocker enabled, the issue isn't happening for uBlock Origin users. Granted it's not 100% of the time, but if you want to block ads on YouTube it really does seem like uBlock Origin is the best.
To be fair I usually don't hear of issues with Adguard. It seems like most of the issues keep happening for Adblock and Adblock Plus users. It's possible that these are the ad blockers that have the largest user bases and thus YouTube is specifically targeting them, however it's also possible that something to do with the way they are designed makes them more susceptible to this sort of thing.
0Willy - 1 month ago
Using ABO in Brave, yesterday I had a 'get Chrome' ad appear before the video started.
Possibly unrelated, streaming to speaker, the sound cut out about 1/3 of the way into the album.
mikebutash - 1 month ago
Whenever youtube does this cat and mouse game, I curse them, stop watching youtube, and get more done otherwise. After a while the adblockers update, it works again when I get a link to it or bored enough to look.
Ads simply mean I won't use it. I tend to react like a silver cross to a vampire when I see a commercial.
Elastoer - 4 weeks ago
I hope people realize that it is YouTube's right as a content platform to insert these ads into videos that are on their service. It is not illegal for YouTube to insert ads into videos on their platform. If people truly don't want ads while they are watching YouTube videos, in my opinion they have two options: They can either pay for YouTube Premium, or they can get their videos from another platform. It's always fascinated me that people complain about the cost of YouTube premium, yet are more than willing to buy endless amounts of garbage from Amazon, Temu, and other online retailers.
GT500 - 4 weeks ago
I don't think anyone is talking about whether YouTube has a right to insert ads in videos. What we feel they don't have a right to do is sabotage ad blockers, which are important privacy and security tools.
0Willy - 4 weeks ago
People who install ad blockers have a purpose in mind that is evident in the term 'ad blocker'. I fail to see how and ad blocker is either a privacy or security tool.
FWIW I block advertising because I have no wish to see it, but I do recognise that YouTube is a service and Google has a right to require people watch their advertising to use the service.
GT500 - 3 weeks ago
Since tracking and security risks are part of online advertising (just search BleepingComputer to see how many times malware has been delivered through ads, even on YouTube itself) it is fundamentally important that as many people use ad blockers as possible, not only to protect their privacy and minimize data collection by blocking tracking scripts, but also to help prevent infection through malicious advertisements.
Do I block ads as much because I don't want to see them? Yes. I have no delusions that that is the primary reason for using an ad blocker. But that does not exclude their other valid uses.
armscot - 4 weeks ago
Or just don't use Google Chrome and install a free browser extension such as uBlock Origin.