You’re watching your favorite YouTuber drop a brand new video. As the beat drops… BAM! An ad interrupts! Wait, aren’t you using Opera GX with its fancy built-in ad blocker? Why are these ads still showing up? Don’t worry — you’re not alone, and you’re not doomed. We’re about to fix this issue fast and get you back to uninterrupted streaming joy.
TL;DR
If YouTube ads are still showing in Opera GX, your browser’s ad blocker might not be up to date or properly configured. Try updating filter lists, enabling enhanced blocking, or switching to a stronger extension. This guide walks you through all the simple fixes. You’ll be ad-free in no time!
Why YouTube Ads Are Sneaking Past Opera GX
Opera GX comes with a built-in ad blocker — but YouTube is no ordinary site. It constantly updates how ads are displayed, making it tricky for generic blockers to keep up. Here’s why ads might still appear:
- Your ad blocker filter lists are outdated.
- YouTube has changed how it serves ads.
- Opera GX settings need a tweak.
- You’re not using a custom rule or enhanced blocking setting.
The good news? All of these have easy fixes. Let’s power up your browser skills!
Step 1: Update Your Filter Lists
The ad blocker in Opera GX relies on “filter lists.” These lists get updated to fight new types of ads. If your list is old, it won’t catch new ad tricks.
- Open Settings in Opera GX.
- Go to Privacy & Security and scroll to the ad blocker section.
- Click Manage Lists.
- Hit the Update button on each list you’ve enabled.
This step alone might fix your problem. But keep reading — there’s more.
Step 2: Turn On Enhanced Ad Blocking
Opera GX lets you fine-tune how aggressively it blocks content. By default, it’s not always very tough on YouTube ads.
Here’s how to level it up:
- Head back to Privacy Settings.
- Look for an option like “Block ads more aggressively”.
- Enable additional tracking and content filters.
Now test it on a YouTube video. Ads gone? No? Don’t worry, we’re just getting started.
Step 3: Add a Custom Extension
If the built-in solution isn’t enough, it’s time to bring in the big guns — browser extensions!
Here are top ad-blocking extensions that work well with YouTube:
- uBlock Origin — Powerful, customizable, and always updated.
- AdGuard — Great at filtering video ads and pop-ups.
- Enhancer for YouTube — Not just for blocking ads but also adds cool features like playback control.
To install one:
- Visit the Opera Add-ons site.
- Search for the extension name (e.g., “uBlock Origin”).
- Click Add to Opera and follow prompts.
Open YouTube again. If ads still slip through, keep reading for some ninja-level tricks.
Step 4: Use a Custom Filter Rule
Sometimes YouTube’s ads are sneaky and load in weird ways. You can block them using custom rules.
If you’ve installed uBlock Origin, follow these steps:
- Click the uBlock icon next to your address bar.
- Open the Dashboard.
- Go to the My Filters tab.
- Paste in this custom rule:
www.youtube.com##+js(set-constant, yt.config_.args.ad3_module, null)
Click Apply Changes.
Reload YouTube and test a few videos. Boom — goodbye, pesky ads!
Step 5: Clear Cookies & Cache
If ads keep popping up even after all this, your browser might be remembering old data.
Here’s how to freshen things up:
- Go to Settings > Privacy and Security.
- Click Clear browsing data.
- Select Cookies and other site data and Cached images and files.
- Set the time range to All time.
- Hit Clear Data.
This resets your YouTube session. Try reloading the site once more.
Step 6: Try a Private Window
Still seeing ads? Open a private window in Opera GX (Ctrl+Shift+N or from the menu).
Private browsing disables many tracking scripts and stored cookies. It’s a great way to test if the issue is from cached settings or extensions.
Ad gone in private mode? Then your regular browser session has some leftover gunk. Clear data (Step 5) and restart.
Bonus: Extra Features Opera GX Offers
Don’t forget, Opera GX is a gamer’s dream browser — and it offers more than ad blocking:
- Performance limiter — keeps your CPU and RAM in check.
- Network limiter — stops YouTube hogging your bandwidth.
- GX Corner — keeps you posted on free games and deals.
Once ads are gone, make sure you explore these too!
Still Having Problems?
If nothing worked, consider contacting Opera support or jumping into their community forums. Your bug might be part of a larger issue — and users often share quick fixes.
Or… worst case scenario, consider using a different browser just for YouTube videos like Brave (which also blocks ads by default).
Final Thoughts: Ads Be Gone!
Opera GX is a solid browser, especially for gamers and power users. But when YouTube slips in ads unexpectedly, it can really spoil the mood.
Remember:
- Update your ad block filters regularly.
- Use stronger blocker extensions if needed.
- Try clearing cookies or using private mode.
- Keep exploring new filter rules and configurations.
With just a few clicks, you’ll be back to binge-watching, streaming, and vibing without interruptions. Happy surfing!