A number of reports indicate that YouTube completely shuts down when an ad blocker is identified.
What you ought to know:
– YouTube’s video service is allegedly creating difficulties for users with ad blockers, but these issues appear to be confined to one specific browser: Opera GX.
– Users assert that even with ad blockers in Chrome, they are able to access YouTube; however, the built-in blocker in Opera GX conflicts with the platform.
– YouTube, particularly YouTube TV, is already facing challenges due to its ongoing dispute over Disney content, with users expressing willingness to abandon the service entirely if the issue remains unresolved.
Amid the current situation with YouTube (specifically YouTube TV), users are now reporting that the site has ceased functioning, possibly due to ad blockers.
There is an expanding discussion thread on the YouTube subreddit where users are addressing the recent difficulties in accessing the platform (via 9to5Google). The persistent issues seem very targeted, as users with the Opera GX browser are reporting widespread problems. The OP (original poster) mentioned they were streaming music on YouTube in the background, but then everything abruptly stopped working.
The website became unresponsive, and the thumbnails for the videos disappeared.
While users initially suspected this meant that YouTube was down or possibly experiencing server issues, additional reports suggest that ad blockers could be the culprit. One user mentions that trying to access YouTube through Opera GX encounters the same issue, while others note that using a different browser presents no problems. Another report states, “Mine was also broken, seems to be Adblock related, as the site loads fine without it, and completely breaks with it. At least on my end.”
Interestingly, one user explains they’ve been unable to access YouTube via Opera GX with ad block activated; however, using Google Chrome (with ad block) works without issue. User SH4DE_RL claims it’s the integrated ad blocker in Opera GX that is creating the difficulty and that deactivating it “resolves the issue.”
The issues continue to escalate:
These complications were surfacing for users earlier this morning (Nov 7). If these problems are ongoing for you while using the Opera GX browser, consider trying the solutions some users have indicated on Reddit. This may potentially rectify the situation, but it’s not as if users with ad blockers on YouTube haven’t faced their share of challenges.
Earlier this summer, there was a concern involving users and ad blockers, with reports claiming that YouTube was “slowing down” their videos. The platform reportedly opted to throttle or reduce the speed of videos for those using ad blockers. Reports indicated that the platform would delay videos and also attempt to direct users to a Google support page, as if it were a separate issue. Naturally, the support page recommended removing any extensions (like ad block).
YouTube has been in this ongoing battle against ad blockers for several years and has employed various tactics. One of the most visible efforts by the platform was its trial of completely halting all video streaming unless users disabled the blocker or subscribed to YouTube Premium.
YouTube is already facing enough challenges at this moment, as users become exceedingly frustrated with its TV streaming service. Recent reports suggest that users are seriously contemplating discontinuing the service, considering they are missing channels offered by Disney, such as ESPN and ABC. Moreover, a significant number of users reportedly surveyed indicate that if this situation continues, they will seek alternative options.
