How to Block Ads on Twitch

When you’re invested in a livestream, an intrusive ad popping up can be annoying. Sometimes these ads are louder than the stream itself, and many of them are unskippable. All of this can leave you wondering how to block ads on Twitch.

Twitch sees more than 16 million unique visits a month, so you can see why advertisers flock to it. You’re not there to watch commercials, though, so you probably want to find a way around these ads. Here’s how to block ads on Twitch:

Twitch Turbo

The most surefire way to block ads on Twitch is by subscribing to Twitch Turbo. Turbo is a service Twitch provides for a monthly subscription of $8.99, and it includes ad-free streaming. Since this service comes from Twitch itself, you can be sure it’ll work.

You should note, though, that Turbo’s ad-free claim comes with a few exceptions. It won’t show you any display ads or video ads before, after or during the stream. It will, however, continue showing promotions that are part of the stream itself. No matter what you use, you can’t block these kinds of ads.

When streamers embed an ad into their broadcast, no service or app can remove them. But paying for Twitch Turbo will get rid of all the other, more annoying ads.

Ad Blockers

Perhaps the most popular way for how to block ads on Twitch is with ad-blocking software. You can find plenty of different ad blockers for both desktop and mobile browsers, some free and some paid. With these, all you have to do is install the app and turn it on.

One of the most popular browser extensions you can try is Adblock. Simply download it and add it to your Chrome browser to start blocking ads on all sites, including Twitch. Adblock does note that Twitch has embedded ads so it can sometimes be difficult for the service to catch them all. Usually, you’ll just see a black screen when ads are airing.

TTV ad-block has an option for Chrome and for Firefox, both of which creators have specifically geared towards Twitch ads. Another option is Twitch AdBlock, which is another Chrome extension geared towards Twitch specifically.

Ad blockers, however useful, aren’t perfect. They work just fine if you’re in a browser, but they may not work if you’re using the Twitch app. If you use your phone to watch Twitch, you’ll have fewer options for ad blockers, too.

Make sure you always use the most up-to-date version of your ad blocker of choice. Twitch makes considerable money from advertising, so they take steps to disable these extensions. Updating your software will help you work around Twitch’s efforts to block them.

For mobile users, keep in mind that ad-blocking on desktop browsers is easier. Android devices can use ad-blocking apps for the Twitch app, but Apple users will need to be watching the Twitch stream in a browser for the blocker to work.

More options include AdGuard, AdLock and Ad-Blocker. Check them out and decide which is right for your needs and streaming setup.

Third-Party Twitch Apps

Maybe you don’t want to pay for Turbo, but don’t want to use an ad blocker, either. If that’s the case, you can still block Twitch ads by using a third-party viewing service. These are apps and websites that let you watch Twitch streams, but don’t include ads.

One example is Alternate Player for Twitch, a service that includes ad-blocking but goes above and beyond. Viewers will also get features like less lag, color-changing preferences and rapid start-up.

Some of these sites even offer features Twitch doesn’t, like instant replay. Your options for these services vary depending on what kind of device you use, but there’s lots of variety out there. These sites do come with a few risks, though.

The performance you get from these third-party apps may not be as good as Twitch’s native app. You may also experience some delays, and you can’t always trust these sites. If you opt for a third-party Twitch player, make sure it’s a reputable, safe option.

Why People Don’t Block Ads on Twitch

Some people choose to let the ads run on some or all of the streams they watch on Twitch. The main reason for keeping ads is that they are a source of revenue for streamers. If someone wants to support a streamer, they can leave the ads running so the streamer can make money. Sometimes, the streamer relies on this form of income.

Other times, streamers are trying to raise money for charity. Though they tend to use Bits — a sort of Twitch currency — for raising money quickly.

Viewers can purchase and donate Bits as a form of support, so you don’t need to feel bad about blocking ads. However, you can earn Bits for free by watching ads.

Then, as part of the countless controls in the Twitch chat, you can “cheers” a streamer to donate these Bits.

Pre-Roll Ad Blocking

If streamers are still thinking “How do I block ads on Twitch?” then the issue may be with pre-roll ads. Pre-roll ads are for incoming viewers and can slow down how instantly they join the viewing. Here, you can get rid of ads on Twitch easily.

A streamer must simply play a 30-second ad to prevent pre-roll ads from happening for the next 10 minutes. A 60-second ad prevents pre-roll ads for the next 20 minutes, and a 90-second ad for 30 minutes.

Ad Blocker Not Working?

If you’re still trying to remove ads from Twitch to no avail, try these solutions:

• Update the app or extension.
• Update the mobile device or computer
• Try a different ad-blocker or third-party app
• Try a different browser or platform

With these solutions, you’ll find an easy fix for how to get rid of Twitch ads quickly. Then, you can get to streaming, whether you’re a viewer or broadcaster.

Enjoy Streams Ad-Free

If you’re one of Twitch’s millions of daily users, you’re probably familiar with its many ads. There’s nothing wrong with advertising itself, but sometimes you want to watch streams without interruption. If this description fits you, then you can use one of these three methods for how to block ads on Twitch.

Which method is best comes down to your preference. Twitch Turbo is the most trustworthy option, but it requires a paid subscription, which the other two options may not. Ad blockers and third-party Twitch viewers are often free, but may not offer the best performance.

Whatever method you end up going with, you don’t have to put up with ads to watch streams on Twitch.