https://www.windowscentral.com/software-apps/streaming-video/google-throttling-youtube-adblock-users [] Skip to main content (*) ( ) Open menu Close menu Windows Central Windows Central [ ] Search Search Windows Central [ ] Sign in * * View Profile * Sign out RSS * * Windows 11 * Copilot & AI * Xbox & Gaming * PC & Surface * How To * Reviews * Deals * Forums * More + Podcasts + Buying Guides + News + About Windows Central Trending * Windows 11 * Xbox Ally X * ID@Xbox Spotlight * Copilot+ PCs * Windows 10 EoL Recommended reading YouTube as a Progressive Web App on Windows 11 Software Apps Poll: Is YouTube right to block ad blocker Clair Obscure: Expedition 33 launch trailer screenshot of a boss Gaming YouTube just spoiled Clair Obscur for me, but this extension will ensure that never happens again Whatsapp for Windows PC Software Apps Meta is bringing ads and paid subscriptions to WhatsApp In this photo illustration a Microsoft Edge logo of a web browser developed by Microsoft is seen on a smartphone and a pc screen. Browsing uBlock Origin ships to Edge Android while Google phases it out on Chrome Google Chrome on PC Browsing DOJ demands Google divest Chrome, states "Google's conduct presents genuine danger to freedom" Xbox Series X, Series S Software Apps YouTube app for Xbox, PlayStation, and Smart TVs now separates Shorts and long videos Microsoft Teams app and logo running on a laptop and smartphone. Software Apps Putin says Russia should "throttle" Microsoft Teams, Zoom, and other US tech firms 1. Software Apps 2. Streaming Video Google is intentionally throttling YouTube videos, slowing down users with ad blockers News By Kevin Okemwa published 16 June 2025 Google may block you from watching YouTube videos if you have an ad blocker installed on your Windows PC or mobile device. * * * * * * * * Comments ( 0 ) () When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here's how it works. A person holds a phone in front of the YouTube logo. Google is reportedly intentionally slowing down YouTube videos in its latest campaign against ad blockers. (Image credit: Getty Images | NurPhoto) Google is seemingly ramping up its campaign against ad blockers on YouTube. Over the past few years, it's become increasingly annoying to watch content on the social video sharing platform, as many videos are rife with multiple unskippable ads. Last week, reports emerged about Google preventing playback on YouTube videos for users with ad-blockers installed on their devices. "Ad blockers violate YouTube's terms of service," added Google. Google's aggressive campaign against ad-blockers in YouTube has now taken a turn for the worse, after reigning down on the remaining few loopholes in browsers and third-party extensions that allowed users to enjoy ad-free videos without necessarily getting the $14/month YouTube Premium subscription. You may like * YouTube as a Progressive Web App on Windows 11 Poll: Is YouTube right to block ad blocker * Clair Obscure: Expedition 33 launch trailer screenshot of a boss YouTube just spoiled Clair Obscur for me, but this extension will ensure that never happens again * Whatsapp for Windows PC Meta is bringing ads and paid subscriptions to WhatsApp Users have flagged a new issue, indicating that Google is intentionally slowing down YouTube videos for users with ad-blockers installed on their devices (via PCWorld). According to a user on the Brave browser forum: "Hi, been using brave to block YouTube ads and it's technically working but most videos will be black screen for the length of an ad or two with YouTube saying "experiencing interruptions" on the bottom left corner, and one of the possible reasons being ad blockers from what it is saying, is there anything I can do." Some users have even indicated that they received a three-video countdown asking them to disable their ad-blockers or get blocked from watching YouTube videos. Failure to disable the third-party software resulted in users being barred from watching videos until they updated and restarted their browsers. Users have shared accounts of experiencing a 5 to 10 second pause on every video with an "Experiencing interruptions? Find out why" popup. YouTube users with ad-blockers installed on their devices are redirected to a technical support page by Google that directs them on how to troubleshoot YouTube video errors: Get the Windows Central Newsletter All the latest news, reviews, and guides for Windows and Xbox diehards. [ ][ ]Contact me with news and offers from other Future brands[ ]Receive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsors[Sign me up] By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over. "Check whether your browser extensions that block ads are affecting video playback." An AdGuard representative referred to Google's aggressive campaign against ad-blockers in YouTube videos as "a classic cat-and-mouse game", as users are coming up with ingenious ways to bypass ads that make the viewing experience unpleasant. Kevin Okemwa Kevin Okemwa Social Links Navigation Contributor Kevin Okemwa is a seasoned tech journalist based in Nairobi, Kenya with lots of experience covering the latest trends and developments in the industry at Windows Central. With a passion for innovation and a keen eye for detail, he has written for leading publications such as OnMSFT, MakeUseOf, and Windows Report, providing insightful analysis and breaking news on everything revolving around the Microsoft ecosystem. While AFK and not busy following the ever-emerging trends in tech, you can find him exploring the world or listening to music. You must confirm your public display name before commenting Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name. Logout Read more YouTube as a Progressive Web App on Windows 11 Poll: Is YouTube right to block ad blocker Clair Obscure: Expedition 33 launch trailer screenshot of a boss YouTube just spoiled Clair Obscur for me, but this extension will ensure that never happens again Whatsapp for Windows PC Meta is bringing ads and paid subscriptions to WhatsApp In this photo illustration a Microsoft Edge logo of a web browser developed by Microsoft is seen on a smartphone and a pc screen. uBlock Origin ships to Edge Android while Google phases it out on Chrome Google Chrome on PC DOJ demands Google divest Chrome, states "Google's conduct presents genuine danger to freedom" Xbox Series X, Series S YouTube app for Xbox, PlayStation, and Smart TVs now separates Shorts and long videos Latest in Streaming Video In this photo illustration, the YouTube Premium logo is seen displayed on a smartphone screen. Google doubles down on ad-blocker ban on YouTube again Windows95man Windows95man drops new track 'Paperclip,' a love letter to Clippy A Surface Pro X tablet with Disney+ on the screen, with a white ASUS ROG Ally in the background with Hulu's sign-up page on the screen. Windows Central's "Cyber Monday Deals" badge is in the corner. The best, last-minute Cyber Monday streaming deals for those late to the party Amazon Prime Video and Blur Studios have revealed Secret Level, a new anthology series inspired by fifteen video games. Love, Death & Robots creator reveals new gaming-themed anthology series for Prime Video during Gamescom Opening Night Live YouTube logo on ZTE Axon YouTube reportedly offering "lumps of cash" to major recording labels to train its AI models with huge libraries of music YouTube Premium trial pop-up message on a TV Is Google's big push for its YouTube Premium subscription and crackdown on ad blockers why I'm seeing more ads than ever before? Latest in News Bungie Marathon gameplay reveal Runner Bungie's Marathon is delayed past September 2025 with no new release date A Monster Hunter: World mod featuring Thomas The Tank Engine Nexus Mods' new owners answer questions from the community YouTube as a Progressive Web App on Windows 11 Poll: Is YouTube right to block ad blocker Microsoft sign at an event Microsoft expands Sovereign Cloud as Europe pushes for control over data Xbox Ally So, just how much will the Xbox Ally cost? Here's what we know so far. Sarah Bond Xbox CVP Xbox announces multi-year AMD partnership for next-gen, with full support for your existing games LATEST ARTICLES 1. Sarah Bond Xbox President 1 Xbox announces multi-year AMD partnership for next-gen, with full support for your existing games 2. 2 Poll: Is YouTube right to block ad blocker 3. 3 Nexus Mods' new owners answer questions from the community 4. 4 Top 5 PC case features I can't live without 5. 5 Copycat Xbox review: Four hours of heartbreak and healing and hugging my cat Windows Central is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site. * Terms and conditions * Contact Future's experts * Privacy policy * Cookies policy * Accessibility statement * Careers * Licensing * About us * Newsletter * Advertise with us * Android Central * iMore (c) Future US, Inc. Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, New York, NY 10036. Close Please login or signup to comment Please wait... Login Sign Up