Turn off ads in Chrome's built-in settings

Chrome has a native ad-blocking feature that stops intrusive ads — ones that play sound, flash, or cover the page — without installing anything extra. You reach it through Chrome's own settings, not through an extension.

Open Chrome and click the three vertical dots in the top right corner. Select Settings, then click Privacy and security on the left sidebar. Choose Site settings. Scroll down and click Ads. Toggle the switch next to "Blocked on sites that tend to show intrusive ads" to the on position (it should turn blue). This blocks ads that meet Google's definition of intrusive — the ones most people find annoying.

This setting blocks only the worst offenders. Most regular display ads will still show. If you want to block nearly all ads, you will need an extension instead.

Key Takeaways

  • Chrome's built-in ad blocker stops only intrusive ads (ones with sound, video, or pop-ups), not all ads, and requires no installation.
  • Ad-blocking extensions like uBlock Origin, Adblock Plus, and AdGuard block most ads but use more memory and may slow Chrome slightly.
  • Some websites detect ad blockers and ask you to turn them off or pay for ad-free access before you can read their content.
  • Blocking ads on a website means that site earns no money from your visit, so consider turning off your blocker for sites you want to support.
  • Always install extensions only from the Chrome Web Store, never from random websites, because malicious extensions can steal your data.

Install an ad-blocking extension from the Chrome Web Store

If Chrome's built-in blocker is not enough, you can add an extension. The most widely used are uBlock Origin (free, lightweight), Adblock Plus (free, more aggressive), and AdGuard (free version available, paid version adds more features). All three block the vast majority of ads across most websites.

Go to the Chrome Web Store by typing chrome.google.com/webstore into your address bar. Search for the extension you want — for example, type "uBlock Origin" in the search box. Click the extension name in the results. Click the blue Add to Chrome button. A popup will ask you to confirm; click Add extension. The extension will install in seconds and appear as an icon in your toolbar.

Never install extensions from anywhere except the Chrome Web Store. Websites that offer extensions outside the store may contain malware or spyware that steals passwords and personal information.

Understand what each popular extension does differently

uBlock Origin is the lightest on your computer's memory and loads pages fastest. It blocks most ads by default and lets you customize which ones to block or allow. It has no paid version — the free version is the full version. Most technical users prefer it because it gives you fine control.

Adblock Plus blocks ads aggressively and is simpler to set up if you want everything blocked when ready. It has a feature called "Acceptable Ads" that lets some non-intrusive ads through by default; you can turn this off in settings if you want to block everything. Adblock Plus also offers a paid version with extra features, but the free version works well for most people.

AdGuard blocks ads, trackers, and some malware in one extension. The free version covers basic ad blocking. The paid version ($20 to $30 per year) adds features like blocking YouTube ads and filtering your DNS requests. If you want the simplest all-in-one tool and do not mind paying, AdGuard is a solid choice.

Manage which sites can show ads

Most ad blockers let you turn off blocking on specific websites. This is useful when you want to support a site you like, or when a site refuses to load until you disable your blocker.

Click the extension icon in your toolbar (it will look like a shield, a hand, or the extension's logo depending on which one you installed). You will see a menu with options. Look for a button that says something like "Disable on this site" or "Turn off for this domain." Click it. The page will reload and ads will show. To turn blocking back on for that site, click the icon again and select "Enable" or "Turn on for this domain."

You can also right-click the extension icon and select Manage extension to see a full list of every site where you have turned off blocking, and remove sites from that list if you change your mind.

Handle sites that block you for using an ad blocker

Some websites detect that you are using an ad blocker and will not let you read their content until you turn it off. This is common on news sites, streaming services, and forums. You have three options: turn off your blocker for that site, pay for an ad-free subscription, or leave and find the information elsewhere.

If you want to read the site, click your ad blocker's icon and select "Disable on this site." Reload the page. The site should now load normally. Remember that the site makes money from ads, so if you use it regularly, turning off your blocker helps keep it running.

Some paid subscriptions (like for newspapers or streaming services) remove ads entirely. If you use a site frequently, paying for ad-free access is often worth it and supports the creators.

Check your extension's memory use and remove ones you do not need

Ad blockers use extra memory and can slow Chrome slightly, especially if you have many extensions installed. If you notice Chrome running slowly, check how much memory each extension is using.

Click the three dots in the top right and select More tools, then Task manager. You will see a list of every tab and extension running, along with how much memory and CPU each one uses. Look for your ad blocker in the list. If it is using a large amount of memory (more than 100 MB), or if you have installed multiple ad blockers, remove the ones you do not use.

To remove an extension, click the three dots and go to More tools, then Extensions. Find the extension you want to remove and click the trash icon next to it. Confirm the removal. Most people need only one ad blocker; having two or three installed wastes memory and can cause conflicts.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will ad blockers break websites or make them load wrong?

Rarely. Most websites are built to work even if ads do not load. Occasionally a site's layout depends on ads being present, and blocking them leaves blank spaces. This is a display issue, not a broken website. Reload the page or disable your blocker for that site if it bothers you.

Can websites see that I am using an ad blocker?

Yes, websites can detect that ads are not loading. That is why some sites ask you to turn off your blocker before you can read their content. They cannot see which blocker you are using or what you are blocking, only that ads are not showing.

Is it illegal to use an ad blocker?

No. Ad blockers are legal in most countries. Websites can ask you to turn yours off, and they can refuse to let you use their site if you do not, but they cannot punish you for installing one.

Do ad blockers slow down Chrome a lot?

A single lightweight ad blocker like uBlock Origin adds minimal slowdown — usually less than 5 percent. Multiple blockers or heavier extensions like AdGuard can add noticeable slowdown on older computers. Check Chrome's Task Manager to see if your blocker is the problem.

What if an ad blocker stops working on a website I use?

Websites sometimes change their code to work around blockers. Update your extension by going to More tools > Extensions and checking for updates, or uninstall and reinstall it. If that does not work, try a different blocker — uBlock Origin and Adblock Plus often block different ads, so switching may help.