Tired of those pesky ads that pop up when using Firestick and YouTube? Well, fret no more, as in this post, we’ll show you how to deal with the situation with finality so you can enjoy your smart TV without interruption.
FireStick ads can be blocked using an ad blocker app or by changing the Wi-Fi network’s configuration. You can block YouTube ads by switching to a premium subscription or using a different video app.
It need not be an uphill climb. Here, we’re giving you complete step-by-step instructions on how to block ads on FireStick and YouTube app, so you should get going in no time — and binge-watch for as long as you like, minus the ads.
Difficulty
Easy ●●○○○
Duration
8 to 10 minutes
Things You Need
Smart TVAny FireStick deviceA working internet connection
How to Block Ads on Firestick
Block ads on Firestick using adblocker applications such as Blokada and AdGuard. Changing your network connection’s DNS settings will also block ads that appear on your Firestick device’s home screen.
Unfortunately, these ad blockers are third-party applications unavailable to download on the Amazon App Store. As a runaround, sideload them using the Downloader app and ensure that the option to Install unknown apps is set.
Follow the steps below to install Downloader on Firestick:
Difficulty
Very Easy ●○○○○
Number of Steps
7
Duration
20 seconds
Tap Home on your remote.
Go to Find>Search.
Type “Downloader”.
Click Downloader from the suggested texts.
Click the Downloader app (orange icon).
Click Download or Get.
Wait a few seconds for the download and installation to conclude.
Enable “Install unknown apps” using the steps below:
Difficulty
Very Easy ●○○○○
Number of Steps
6
Duration
10 seconds
Tap Home on your remote.
Go to Settings.
Click My Fire TV.
Click Developer options.
Click Install unknown apps.
Click on Downloader to toggle it on.
However, if the Developer Option is nowhere to be found, you need to activate it manually on your FireStick device.
Activate developer mode manually using these steps:
Difficulty
Very Easy ●○○○○
Number of Steps
8
Duration
20 seconds
Tap Home on your remote.
Go to Settings.
Click My Fire TV.
Click About.
Click on Fire TV Stick 4K Max repeatedly.
Note: Our example uses a Fire TV Stick 4K Max model. Depending on your Firestick device’s model, the device name shown in the About section may differ.
Click until you’re a developer.
Tap Back on your remote.
Developer options should now be present.
How to Remove Ads on Firestick Using Blokada
Blokada is a free ad blocker compatible with iOS and Android devices such as the Amazon Firestick. With the latest Blokada 5 app, you can block ads, trackers, and malware efficiently.
Plus, this application allows you to save up on data usage while boosting your device’s speed.
Install Blokada using the following steps:
Difficulty
Very Easy ●○○○○
Number of Steps
11
Duration
45 seconds
Run Downloader.
Click the search bar.
Type “blokada.org” and click Go.
Click Download.
Go to Android.
Scroll down/click the Blokada 5 download button.
Stand by until the download progress is complete.
Click Install to continue.
Click Done after the installation.
Click Delete to delete the downloaded Blokada APK file.
Click Delete once more for confirmation.
Use Blokada to block ads on Firestick:
Difficulty
Very Easy ●○○○○
Number of Steps
4
Duration
7 seconds
Run Blokada on Firestick.
Toggle the switch on for ad blocking.
Click Continue.
Click OK to allow Blokada’s connection.
Blokada’s ad blocking is now active.
Check Blokada’s settings using the steps below:
Difficulty
Very Easy ●○○○○
Number of Steps
5
Duration
20 seconds
Click the Home panel on the main screen to access the ad blocker switch.
Click the Activity panel to see a list of allowed and blocked requests.
Click the Döner menu on the Activity panel to see the entries option.
Click All Entries to see the list of all allowed/blocked websites and domains.
Click Blocked Only to see which websites and domains are blocked.
Click Allowed Only to see which websites and domains are allowed.
Click Ad blocking Settings to configure advanced settings.
How to Remove Ads on Firestick Using AdGuard
Another ad blocker that’s a worthy addition to your Firestick device’s library is AdGuard. This application is easy to use and doesn’t require root access.
AdGuard is versatile. It blocks ads and maintains page functionality, speeds up load times, protects your data, defends
phishing and malicious web links, and provides parental control options for children.
Install AdGuard using the following steps:
Difficulty
Very Easy ●○○○○
Number of Steps
12
Duration
50 seconds
Run Downloader.
Click the search bar.
Type “28907” and tap Go.
Tap Menu on your remote twice to use fullscreen mode.
Scroll down/click the Tools category.
Scroll down/click AdGuard.
Scroll down/click Download.
Stand by until the download progress is complete.
Click Install to continue.
Click Done after the installation.
Click Delete to delete the downloaded AdGuard APK file.
Click Delete once more for confirmation.
Use AdGuard to remove ads on Firestick using these steps:
Difficulty
Very Easy ●○○○○
Number of Steps
5
Duration
10 seconds
Run AdGuard on Firestick.
Toggle the switch on to enable ad blocking.
Click CREATE LOCAL VPN.
Click OK to allow AdGuard’s connection.
AdGuard’s ad blocking is now active.
How to Block Ads on Firestick Without Any App by Changing DNS
Do you ever feel sick and tired of ads showing up on your Firestick/Fire TV but are unable to install any more apps due to a lack of storage space or other reasons? If yes, there’s a nifty trick for blocking ads without installing an extra application.
All you have to do is change your network connection’s DNS as shown in the example below.
Change your network’s DNS on Firestick using the steps below:
Difficulty
Very Easy ●○○○○
Number of Steps
12
Duration
1 minute
Open Settings.
Click Network.
Highlight your Wi-Fi network.
Tap Menu on your remote to forget the network.
Tap Select on your remote to confirm.
Click on the network to reconnect to it.
Enter the password and click Advanced.
Set an IP address and click Next.
Set a Gateway and click Next.
Set the Network Prefix Length and click Next.
Set DNS 1 to “176.103.130.130” and click Next.
Set DNS 2 to “176.103.130.131” and click CONNECT.
How to Remove or Block Youtube Ads on Firestick
If you’re looking for a reliable way to remove YouTube ads on Firestick, the easiest solution would be to purchase a Youtube Premium subscription. However, this might not be an ideal option if you’re on a shoestring budget.
In this case, using SmartTubeNext serves as a great alternative. This app gives you the best of both worlds—you can watch YouTube videos and enjoy an ad-free experience at the same time.
Install SmartTubeNexT on Firestick by following these steps:
Click Delete to delete the downloaded Blokada APK file.
Click Delete once more for confirmation.
FAQs about Firestick and Youtube Ads
Why does Firestick have ads?
Amazon allows advertisers to reach consumers using their Firestick/Fire TV devices. All ads on the Firestick are reviewed to ensure that they conform with the Amazon Ads Guidelines and Acceptance Policies.
Do ad blockers work on Firestick?
Compatible ad blockers should work on Firestick. Ad blockers that can run on the Android OS should also work on any Firestick/Fire TV device.
How do I disable the video ads on my Firestick home screen?
Video ads can be disabled by going to Firestick’s Settings>Preferences>Featured Content and turning off the Allow Video Autoplay option.
Is it okay to use an ad blocker on YouTube?
Ad blockers are legal to use. Using an ad blocker on YouTube hurts the platform and the creator’s revenue, but it will not get you into legal trouble.
Jerome Siacor is a certified digital marketing expert who loves to help people stay on top of smart technology. His burning passion for lending a hand led to his certifications in social…
