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How to Block Twitch Ads
Our Verdict
To block Twitch ads using uBlock Origin, add a custom script within its settings. However, uBlock Origin doesn’t work on mobile and is prone to downtime. For a more consistent ad-blocking solution that works on every device, use a VPN free trial to change your IP address location to Costa Rica, a region where Twitch ads aren’t broadcast.
NOVEMBER 2023 UPDATE: Thanks to newly released scripts, uBlock Origin works to block Twitch ads again.
As such, we’ve updated our guide and included new instructions for configuring uBlock Origin further down the page.
Twitch contains a large number of ads that often interfere with your viewing experience. If you’ve tried to watch a livestream on Twitch, you’ll know how disruptive advertisements can be before or during the stream.
Twitch ads can be divided into two categories:
- Static, on-page advertisements that appear throughout the website.
- Video ads that run during or before livestreams, also known as pre-roll or mid-roll ads.
Summary: How to Block Twitch Ads
Using an adblocker such as uBlock Origin reliably blocks the majority of on-page advertisements, including the ‘Homepage Carousel’ and the banners that appear when scrolling.
Sadly, its default settings won’t block pre-roll or mid-roll ads on Twitch. If you want to block all ads types, you’ll need to update uBlock Origin’s script.
Alternatively, and more simply, you can change your IP address location with a VPN to block on-page, pre-roll, and mid-roll ads on Twitch.
It’s also the only method that works on every major platform and device, including mobile.
6 Simple Methods to Block Twitch Ads
The six methods listed below are the most effective ways to block pre-roll and mid-roll ads on Twitch, so you can stream uninterrupted.
Here’s a table comparing the pros and cons of each method:
| Blocks all ads | Set-up Difficulty | Stream Quality | Open-Source | Earn Channel Points | Earn Twitch Drops | Cost | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Top-rated VPN | Yes | Easy | Good | Sometimes | Yes | Yes | Varies |
| Ad Block Extension | No | Very Easy | Good | Yes | Yes | Yes | Free |
| Ad Block Browser | No | Very Easy | Okay | Yes | Yes | Yes | Free |
| Twitchls | No | Very Easy | Bad | Yes | No | No | Free |
| Ad Block Proxy | Yes | Very Easy | Okay | Yes | Yes | Yes | Free |
| Alternative Platform | Yes | Very Easy | Good | Yes | No | No | Free |
We’ve covered each method, in greater depth, in the sections that follow.
1. Use uBlock Origin
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Easy to install | Frequently shut down by Twitch |
| Free | Only works on desktop |
| Open-source | Can cause pages to load incorrectly |
| Doesn’t affect stream quality | Requires additional configuration to block video ads |
Using uBlock Origin, an ad blocking browser extension, is the easiest and quickest way to block on-page advertisements on Twitch. It’s free, open-sourced, and takes less than a minute to setup and use.
However, uBlock Origin is often shut down by Twitch and will not block pre-roll or mid-roll video ads.
To fix this, you’ll need to apply multiple custom scripts within its settings. Once added, uBlock Origin can block all types of Twitch ads.
How to Block Twitch Ads Using uBlock Origin
- Add the extension. Go to uBlock Origin’s website and locate the link for your preferred browser.
- Open uBlock Origin’s settings. Select the uBlock Origin icon in your toolbar and click on the three-gear symbol to open settings.
- Add a new filter. Click on the My filters tab and type in
twitch.tv##+js(twitch-videoad). Then click Apply changes. - Go to advanced settings. Return to the Settings tab and tick the I am an advanced user box. Click on the cog that appears next to it to access the advanced settings.
- Apply the custom scripts. Scroll to userResourcesLocation at the bottom and change the text from unset to
https://github.com/pixeltris/TwitchAdSolutions/blob/master/vaft/vaft-ublock-origin.js, then add a space and enterhttps://github.com/pixeltris/TwitchAdSolutions/blob/master/vaft/vaft.user.js. - Save your changes. Click Apply Changes and then toggle the ad blocker on and off to ensure that the new scripts are registered.
- Turn on the ad blocker. Go back to uBlock Origin’s home screen and click on the large power button to start blocking Twitch ads.
uBlock Origin’s power symbol will turn blue when enabled.
By adding this script, any pre-roll or mid-roll ads are supplanted by a low quality version of the stream. Once the ad has finished your stream will return to a normal resolution.
2. Install a Virtual Private Network (VPN)
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Won’t affect how a page loads | Connecting to a distant server can cause the stream to buffer |
| Provides online anonymity and security | A quality VPN can cost money |
| Can be used on any browser | |
| Twitch struggles to detect them | |
| Can block all types of ads | |
| Compatible with desktop and mobile |
Using a Virtual Private Network (VPN) is the most effective way of blocking all ads on Twitch.
Twitch’s advertising policy varies by country, with some locations like Poland omitting all types of ads.
By connecting to a VPN, you can change your IP location to one of these countries and block all types of Twitch ads permanently.
This may cause your recommendations to change but you’ll still be able to watch live streams from anywhere in the world.
We also experienced some buffering in our testing, however this only happened when first loading the livestream.
VPNs also come with the added benefit of increased privacy and security when browsing online, although this usually requires a small subscription fee.
EXPERT ADVICE: ExpressVPN and CyberGhost are two top-rated VPNs with the necessary server coverage and speeds to reliably block Twitch ads without compromising your stream quality.
How to block All Twitch Ads with a VPN
Here’s a video demonstrating how to block Twitch ads permanently with a VPN:
To block Twitch Ads with a VPN:
- Subscribe to ExpressVPN or CyberGhost and download the application to your device.
- Open the VPN client and select a server location from the table below.
- Enable the VPN connection.
- Open your preferred web browser and navigate to Twitch.
- You can now watch Twitch without any advertisements.
EXPERT ADVICE: This method works on all devices and browsers with identical setups. It can also be used on the Twitch App.
Not every VPN location will work with Twitch, so we recommend connecting to a server in one of the following countries.
| VPN Service | Ad-Free Server Locations |
|---|---|
| ExpressVPN | Costa Rica, Guatemala, Poland, Romania, Serbia, Ukraine |
| CyberGhost | Costa Rica, Guatemala, Poland, Romania, Russia, Slovakia |
How to Block On-Page Twitch Ads with a VPN
Some VPNs are also equipped with a built-in ad blocker as one of their features. These VPN ad blockers can’t block pre-roll or mid-roll ads, but they are effective at blocking on-page ads such as frontpage banners.
NordVPN and Private Internet Access are both equipped with proprietary ad blockers that are ideal for blocking Twitch ads while maintaining your online security.
NordVPN and Private Internet Access’ ad blockers are available on Windows, macOS, android, and iOS.
Using a VPN ad blocker will not block Twitch ads that are integrated within the stream, but it will block on-page ads such as the Homepage carousel and ad banners.
NordVPN’s inbuilt ad blocker, Threat Protection, does not effectively block all ads because they use only DNS filtering to block domains and don’t remove ad content from the page.
This method does not rely on changing your location either, which means you can pick a local server and avoid any noticeable loss in stream quality.
To Enable the Ad blocker on NordVPN:
- Purchase the NordVPN Plus or Ultimate subscription to access Threat Protection Pro.
- Open the VPN client and locate the Settings cog in the top right corner.
- Then, Settings > General > Threat Protection: block ads and malicious websites.
- Toggle Threat Protection on.
- Enjoy an ad-free Twitch page.
NordVPN’s ad block settings.
3. Use an Ad Block Browser
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Easy to install | Pages take longer to load |
| Free | Can cause Twitch streams to buffer |
| Open-Source | Can’t block pre-rolls or mid-rolls |
You can also use an ad blocking browser to block on-page Twitch ads. Web browsers such as Opera and Brave block all third-party advertisements and tracking by default, which means you can navigate to Twitch without any disruption.
However, this method cannot block integrated pre-roll and mid-roll ads.
Ad block browsers function in the same way as an ad block extension but the software used is implemented at a browser level. This can cause websites to load incorrectly or even break.
This is a free and simple way to block on-page ads, but Ad block browsers lack the speeds of their mainstream competitors. Twitch livestreams tend to buffer when played on an ad block browser and drops in video quality are not uncommon.
Popular ad block browsers include Opera, Firefox, and Brave. Based on our tests, Opera is not safe to use and Firefox is unable to load Twitch.
Instead, we recommend using Brave as it has the simplest setup and will not compromise your online privacy or security.
We’ve tested some of the best private browsers available and each one can offer its own benefits to your setup.
How to Block Twitch Ads Using an Ad Blocking Browser
- Navigate to the browser’s download page. We recommend the Brave browser.
- Once the download is complete, run the setup file.
- Brave does not require any further setup beyond installation.
- Search for Twitch in your new browser, the page will no longer display any ads.
4. Use an Ad Block Proxy
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Easy to install | Requires access to your Twitch ID and personal IP |
| Free | Regularly blocked by Twitch |
| Open-source | Shady developer behavior |
| Can block all types of ads | Can’t choose your new location |
A proxy acts as an intermediary between you and the website you want to connect to. Your web traffic is routed through a proxy server which connects to websites on your behalf.
The website you want to connect to only sees your proxy server’s IP address, allowing you to spoof your virtual location.
Similar to using a VPN, you can use a proxy server to connect to a country that is exempt from advertising on Twitch. This is an affordable way to block all Twitch ads, but proxies are not as secure as VPN services.
The two most reliable Ad block proxies available are TTV LOL and Purple Ads Blocker. Both extensions are built specifically for blocking ads on the Twitch platform. However, we do not recommend installing TTV LOL as its effectiveness at blocking Twitch ads comes at the cost of exposing your IP and collecting your personal data.
EXPERT ADVICE: Ad blocking proxies come with security risks and limitations. You can’t select your own server location when using an Ad block proxy, which means you could be assigned a distant server that impacts your stream quality.
How to block Twitch ads with an Ad Block proxy
Why You Shouldn’t Use an Ad Block Proxy
An adbock proxy relies on access to your IP address to function. This raises privacy and security concerns as a proxy may store and leak this identifying information.
In May 2021, it was revealed that TTV LOL leaked users’ Twitch ID and IP address when connecting to its endpoint server.
Furthermore, TTV LOL’s privacy policy is vague and non-committal stating that it “may collect your IP address and “other diagnostic data.” TTV LOL also ambiguously states that it may collect further information “in the future” including your filter settings.
It’s not certain what this information would entail as access to your filter settings suggests that TTV LOL can see which websites you are connecting to. This would be far more invasive than just collecting “usage data.”
Access to your IP address and Twitch ID, as well as confirmed reports of data leaks, confirms that this is a dangerous extension which could compromise your online anonymity. We do not recommend using TTV LOL to block Twitch ads.
TTV LOL’s Privacy Policy.
Purple Ads blocker’s privacy policy is even more opaque with a brief, poorly-written statement:
Purple Ads Blocker’s Privacy Policy.
The lack of clarity surrounding its data collection practices coupled with reported IP leaks means that we can’t recommend an ad block proxy if you are looking to stay secure online. If you want to block all Twitch Ads without compromising your online security, we recommend using a VPN.
5. Use Twitchls
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Easy to use | You can’t earn Channel Points |
| Free | You can’t participate in Twitch Drops |
| Open-source | Twitch ads will appear on occasion |
| Can cause Twitch streams to buffer |
Twitchls is an open-source platform that allows you to open Twitch streams in an embedded video.
This will block all types of Twitch ads, but it does come with some restrictions.
Interaction-based rewards such as Channel Points and Twitch Drops are blocked, but you can still access the stream’s chat.
Entry to the streamer’s chat will require your Twitch account login details. We have no reason to distrust Twitchls as it has not suffered any known data breaches, but it is a third-party platform with no formal affiliation to Twitch. It is up to your own discretion if you want to share your personal details with it.
There’s also some missing quality of life features, namely a lack of a ‘dark mode’ option for the platform as well as automatically loading the stream at a 360p quality. If you want to view the livestream in 1080p you’ll have to manually select the option in the video settings and reload the entire stream.
In our testing, streams loaded in at 1080p suffered from frequent buffering and fluctuations in quality. Lower video resolutions did not have have this issue. We also experienced an occasional mid-roll ad, but this was not common.
How to Block Twitch Ads Using Twitchls
A normal Twitch URL reads as follows: twitch.tv/channelname
By replacing .tv with ls.com we can access a new window that is free of ads.
The new URL would be: twitchls.com/channelname.
6. Use an Alternative Platform
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Easy to use | You can’t earn Channel Points |
| Free | You can’t participate in Twitch Drops |
| Open-source | You can’t interact with Twitch chat |
Multistre.am is an alternative streaming platform which automatically blocks all types of Twitch advertisements.
Multistre.am reliably blocks Twitch ads, but it comes at the cost of total isolation from the Twitch platform.
You aren’t able to earn Channel Points or Twitch Drops, and you can’t interact with the streamer’s chat.
In our testing we also experienced the Twitch ‘Purple Screen of death’ at irregular intervals.
Twitch’s ‘Purple Screen of Death’.
The screen appears infrequently and doesn’t indicate that your account has been suspended or compromised in any way. It is, however, a slight inconvenience from a platform that promises a disruption-free viewing experience.
How to Use Multistre.am to Block Twitch Ads
- Search for Multistre.am in your web browser.
- Input the Twitch Channel name of the streamer you want to watch.
- Select your Screen Proportions.
- Click Watch Stream.
