AdBlock alert on YouTube. The cat-and-mouse game gets serious: Massive Outages in November

Let's be honest: Who among you loves it when in the middle of the most exciting video suddenly an annoying commercial pops up? That's right, nobody!

We all know the feeling of waiting annoyed to ‘skip advertising’. That's why AdBlockers are so popular.

But watch out! In the last few months, YouTube (or Google) has Cat-and-mouse game Take ad blockers to a new level. What used to be a small stumbling block, It has now become a massive hurdle..

What even happened? The "tightening" in detail

If you've had a nasty surprise watching YouTube lately, you're not alone! Current (as of: November 2025), thousands of users worldwide report massive playback problems and outages.

• The ‘Grey Screen of Terror’: Instead of the video, many users currently only see one video. grey, empty area or have massive loading problems. The curious thing: Many thought of a technical malfunction on YouTube itself, but it is due to the activated AdBlocker!
  
• The new detection wave: YouTube has updated its anti-adblocking system. It is believed that the platform is now even more aggressive Failed loading of advertising scripts monitors to identify blocker software and stop playback.
  
• The tech shift: Server-Side Ad Injection (SSAI): This remains the nastiest tactic in the long run that is currently being tested. Here is the advertisement built directly into the video stream, Before he gets to you. This makes it extremely difficult for conventional blockers to even recognize the spots.
  
• Manifest V3 as a long-term threat: Even if it sounds super technical: Google is moving to the new ‘Manifesto V3’ for Chrome extensions. This new system massively limits the possibilities of AdBlockers (such as uBlock Origin).

Why the whole thing? It's about love money!

Clearly: YouTube earns its money through advertising. The platform argues that creators and the free offer can only be funded by advertising revenue (or premium subscriptions) so that the service can be used for Billions of users worldwide can be maintained.

The current hardship is a clear attempt to push us all in one direction:

1. Accept advertising: So that the revenue is right.
2. Subscribe to YouTube Premium: So that you can look ad-free (currently costs 12,99 € / month in Germany).

Now what? What can you do? (The current workarounds)

The good thing is: It is an Cat-and-mouse game, and the AdBlocker developers are fast! Here are a few current tips that often help (without guarantee, as something is constantly changing):

Update filter lists: This is the fastest fix! Open the settings of your AdBlocker (e.g. uBlock Origin or the Light Version) and click on ‘Update filter lists’ and ‘Empty all caches’. Often there are already new ‘quick fixes’ that bypass the current lock.

Browser check: The restrictions don't affect everyone the same! Chromium-based browsers (Chrome, Opera GX) and being logged in seems to make the problem worse.

Firefox advantage: Firefox browser users, often in combination with uBlock Origin and without Google login, There seem to be fewer problems at the moment.

Surprise Edge: According to reports, Microsoft Edge with uBlock Origin Light is still working smoothly for some users at the moment.

Very radical: YouTube Premium: If you are too annoyed by the constant blocking and want to support the creators, the subscription is the only 100% Advertising-free solution. But keep in mind:

Even the cheap premium lite is likely to show more advertising in the future.

My conclusion: The relaxed advertising block on YouTube is over. If you want to look ad-free, you either have to be ready, Maintain your AdBlocker filters regularly, to change the browser or to Premium subscription to be completed. The fronts are hardened and it remains exciting who has the lead in the next round!