How to Block Ads in Chrome in 2026 (After uBlock Origin)
Chrome blocks a few of the worst ads on its own, but to block most ads and trackers you need an extension. That got more confusing in 2025, when Chrome turned off older extensions, including the original uBlock Origin. Ad blockers still work in Chrome. They just work differently now.
This guide covers Chrome's built-in settings, what changed with Manifest V3, how to choose and set up an ad blocker, and what to do when a site breaks or asks you to turn it off.
The short answer
- Turn on Chrome's own settings for intrusive ads and pop-ups. They're free and already there.
- Add an ad blocker extension built for Manifest V3, the current extension system in Chrome.
- Pause it per site when a page breaks, instead of turning it off everywhere.
Chrome's built-in ad settings
Chrome has an ad filter, but it's narrow: it only removes ads on sites that repeatedly show intrusive or misleading ads, like full-screen ads and auto-playing video with sound. Regular banners and trackers are untouched. To check it's on:
- Open Settings → Privacy and security → Site settings.
- Go to Additional content settings → Intrusive ads.
- Choose the option to block ads on sites that show intrusive or misleading ads.
While you're in Site settings, open Pop-ups and redirects and make sure sites aren't allowed to send pop-ups. Google's guide to removing unwanted ads and pop-ups covers both, and what to do if ads appear everywhere, which can be a sign of unwanted software.
What changed: Manifest V3 and uBlock Origin
Chrome extensions are built on a platform called a manifest. In 2025 Chrome finished moving to Manifest V3 and switched off extensions built on the older version, so if you used the original uBlock Origin, Chrome disabled it.
The biggest change for ad blockers: instead of inspecting every request themselves, Manifest V3 extensions give Chrome a list of rules, and Chrome applies them. That has upsides. The extension doesn't need permission to read every site you visit, and blocking happens inside Chrome, so it's fast. The trade-off is less flexibility for very advanced filtering.
For most people, a Manifest V3 ad blocker using the standard filter lists blocks the same ads as before. Good options include uBlock Origin Lite, the official Manifest V3 version from the uBlock Origin developer, and the Kipzy extension below.
How to choose an ad blocker for Chrome
- Standard filter lists. EasyList blocks ads and EasyPrivacy blocks trackers. They're maintained by volunteers and used by most ad blockers.
- Few permissions. An ad blocker doesn't need to read and change data on every site to block ads under Manifest V3. Check the permissions on the Chrome Web Store page before you add it.
- A per-site switch. Some sites break or block you when they detect an ad blocker. A one-click pause for that site saves you from turning everything off.
- No paid "acceptable ads" lists. Some ad blockers let certain advertisers through by default. Check the settings if ads you expected to be blocked still appear.
Block ads in Chrome with the Kipzy extension
The free Kipzy extension blocks ads and trackers using EasyList and EasyPrivacy. It's built on Manifest V3 and doesn't need permission to read the sites you visit.
- Open the Kipzy page on the Chrome Web Store and click Add to Chrome.
- Click the puzzle icon in the toolbar and pin Kipzy, so you can see how many ads it blocks on each page.
- Browse as usual. Blocking starts right away, with no account or setup.
Click the Kipzy icon to see the number of ads and trackers blocked on the page. If a site doesn't work, flip the switch to pause blocking on that site only. Kipzy reloads the page and remembers your choice.
The same popup can send the page to your iPhone with a QR code, so you can keep reading in Kipzy for iPhone with ads blocked there too. More in how to send a web page from your computer to iPhone.
Still seeing ads?
- Reload the page. Ads that loaded before you installed the blocker stay until you reload.
- Empty boxes are normal. Blocking the ad can leave the space it was going to fill.
- Some ads come from the site itself. Sponsored posts and ads served from the same servers as the page, like on many video and social sites, are hard to block without breaking the site.
- Ads on every site, even new tabs? That points to unwanted software or a rogue extension, not normal ads. Open chrome://extensions and remove anything you don't recognize.
When a site asks you to turn off your ad blocker
Many sites rely on ads to pay for their content. If you want to support one, or it won't load, pause the blocker for that site only. Everywhere else stays protected, and you can turn it back on with the same switch.
Common questions
Does Chrome have a built-in ad blocker?
Only a limited one. It removes ads on sites with intrusive or misleading ads, but leaves normal ads and trackers alone.
Does uBlock Origin still work in Chrome?
The original uBlock Origin no longer runs in current versions of Chrome. uBlock Origin Lite and other Manifest V3 ad blockers do.
Do ad blockers make Chrome faster?
Usually, yes. Pages skip downloading ads and tracking scripts, which saves data and often makes them load faster.
How do I block ads on my iPhone too?
Chrome extensions don't run on iPhone. See how to block ads on iPhone for the options there.