Why uBlock Origin stops working and how to turn it back on
uBlock Origin disables itself for one of three reasons: your browser turned it off during an update, a website blocked it from running, or you accidentally disabled it in your extension settings. The fix depends on which one happened. Most of the time, you can re-enable it in under a minute by going to your browser's extension menu and clicking a single button.
The most common cause is a browser update. Chrome, Firefox, Edge, and Safari all periodically review extensions for security. If uBlock Origin hasn't been updated recently enough to pass that review, the browser will disable it automatically until the developer releases a new version. You'll see a warning banner at the top of the extension itself saying it's "not verified" or "needs attention".
Websites sometimes block ad blockers from running on their pages. You'll notice this when you visit a site and see a message asking you to disable your ad blocker, or the page straightforward won't load content until you do. This is different from uBlock Origin being disabled in your browser — it's still on, but that specific website is preventing it from working there.
Key Takeaways
- If uBlock Origin is greyed out or shows a warning in your extension menu, your browser disabled it, and you can re-enable it by clicking the toggle switch next to its name.
- A browser update that makes uBlock Origin "not verified" requires waiting for the developer to release a new version, which usually happens within days.
- If a website is blocking uBlock Origin, you can either allow it on that site through uBlock's own settings, or you can choose not to visit that site.
- Accidentally disabling uBlock Origin in your browser settings is the easiest problem to fix — just turn the toggle back on.
Re-enabling uBlock Origin in Chrome
Open Chrome and click the puzzle-piece icon in the top right corner of your browser window. This opens your extension menu. Look for uBlock Origin in the list. If it has a grey toggle switch next to it, click that switch to turn it back on. The toggle will turn blue when uBlock Origin is active again.
If uBlock Origin shows a red warning icon or a message saying "Remove from Chrome", your browser disabled it because the extension failed a security review. You cannot re-enable it yourself in this case. Instead, check the Chrome Web Store page for uBlock Origin to see if a new version is available. If one is, click "Update" or wait for Chrome to update it automatically, which usually happens within 24 hours. Once the update installs, the warning disappears and uBlock Origin turns back on.
If a website is blocking uBlock Origin, you can allow it on that site. Click the uBlock Origin icon in your extension menu, then click the power button icon at the top of the popup. This disables uBlock Origin only on that page. Reload the page and the site should load normally. The next time you visit that site, uBlock Origin will be off again unless you repeat this step.
Re-enabling uBlock Origin in Firefox
Open Firefox and click the menu button (three horizontal lines) in the top right corner. Select "Add-ons and themes", then click "Extensions" in the left sidebar. Find uBlock Origin in the list. If it shows a toggle switch that is currently off, click it to turn uBlock Origin back on.
If uBlock Origin shows a warning that it is "not verified" or "blocked", Firefox disabled it during a security review. You will need to wait for the uBlock Origin developer to release an updated version. Check the uBlock Origin page in the Firefox Add-ons store to see if an update is available. If one is, click "Add to Firefox" again or wait for Firefox to update it automatically. This usually takes a few days after a new version is released.
If a website is blocking uBlock Origin, click the uBlock Origin icon in your toolbar, then click the large power button icon at the top of the popup. This turns off uBlock Origin for that page only. Reload the page. To turn uBlock Origin back on for all other sites, click the power button again the next time you visit a different page.
Re-enabling uBlock Origin in Edge
Open Edge and click the three-dot menu button in the top right corner. Select "Extensions", then click "Manage extensions". Find uBlock Origin in the list. If the toggle next to it is off, click it to turn uBlock Origin back on.
If uBlock Origin shows a warning that it needs attention or is not verified, Edge has disabled it pending a security review. Visit the Microsoft Edge Add-ons store and search for uBlock Origin. If an update is available, click "Update" or wait for Edge to install it automatically. Once the update completes, the warning clears and uBlock Origin re-enables itself.
If a website is blocking uBlock Origin, click the uBlock Origin icon in your toolbar and click the power button at the top of the popup. This disables uBlock Origin on that page. Reload the page to see the content. uBlock Origin will be on again when you visit other sites.
Re-enabling uBlock Origin in Safari
Open Safari and click "Safari" in the top menu bar, then select "Settings". Click the "Extensions" tab. Find uBlock Origin in the list on the left side. If the checkbox next to it is unchecked, click it to turn uBlock Origin back on. Close the Settings window.
If uBlock Origin shows a warning or appears greyed out, Safari may have disabled it during a security review or because the extension hasn't been updated recently. Check the App Store for an uBlock Origin update. If one is available, install it. Safari will re-enable the extension once the update is installed.
Safari does not allow websites to block extensions the way Chrome and Firefox do. If a website is not loading properly and you suspect uBlock Origin is the cause, you can turn it off for that site by going back to Settings, clicking Extensions, finding uBlock Origin, and unchecking the box next to the website name in the list below it.
What to do if uBlock Origin won't turn back on
If you've clicked the toggle switch and uBlock Origin still doesn't turn on, try closing your browser completely and opening it again. Sometimes a browser needs to restart before an extension change takes effect. If it still doesn't work, uninstall uBlock Origin and reinstall it from your browser's official extension store (Chrome Web Store, Firefox Add-ons, Microsoft Edge Add-ons, or App Store for Safari). This usually fixes any corruption that prevents the extension from running.
If uBlock Origin turns on but then when ready turns itself off again, your browser may be blocking it for a security reason. Check your browser's extension settings to see if there is a warning message. If the message says the extension is "not verified" or "blocked", you will need to wait for the developer to release a new version. You can check the official uBlock Origin repository on GitHub to see if a new version has been released but hasn't yet been approved by your browser's extension store.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a website permanently disable uBlock Origin on my computer?
No. A website can only prevent uBlock Origin from working on that specific page while you are visiting it. Once you leave the site or reload the page, uBlock Origin is active again. Your browser is the only thing that can permanently disable uBlock Origin, and you can always turn it back on yourself.
Will re-enabling uBlock Origin slow down my browser?
uBlock Origin uses very little computer memory and processing power compared to other ad blockers. Re-enabling it will not noticeably slow down your browser. If your browser feels slow after turning uBlock Origin back on, the slowness is likely caused by something else.
What does the power button icon in uBlock Origin do?
The power button turns uBlock Origin off for the current page only. It does not disable uBlock Origin in your browser. When you visit a different page or reload the current page, you will need to click the power button again if you want uBlock Origin off on that new page.
Why does my browser keep disabling uBlock Origin after updates?
Your browser disables uBlock Origin when the installed version fails a security review. This usually happens when the extension hasn't been updated in a long time. Updating uBlock Origin as soon as new versions are released prevents this problem. You can turn on automatic updates in your browser's extension settings.
Is it safe to use uBlock Origin if my browser says it's not verified?
uBlock Origin is open-source software that thousands of people review for security problems. A "not verified" warning usually means the extension is waiting for your browser's security team to review a new version, not that the extension is unsafe. However, your browser will not let you use it until verification is complete, so you will need to wait for the developer to release an updated version.