Are you seeing a strange message that says “uBlock Origin not supported on Chrome”? That can be super frustrating, especially if you rely on it to block ads and pop-ups. But don’t worry—we’re here to help! In this guide, we’ll explain what’s going on and how to fix it. We’ll keep it fun and easy to understand.
What is uBlock Origin?
uBlock Origin is a free and powerful ad blocker. It stops ads, trackers, and bad scripts from loading on websites. Your pages will look cleaner and load faster. It also helps protect your privacy.
Many people use it on Google Chrome, but sometimes it stops working or shows a message saying it’s not supported. Let’s find out why that happens.
How Chrome Extensions Work
Before we jump into causes and fixes, let’s look at how Chrome extensions work. Chrome uses something called the Manifest. That’s a set of rules that tells Chrome what an extension can and can’t do.
The old version is called Manifest V2. The new one is Manifest V3. Chrome is slowly moving all extensions to this new version. It’s part of their plans to make the browser more secure.
But there’s a problem—Manifest V3 makes it harder for content blockers like uBlock Origin to work as they should.
Why You Might See the “Not Supported” Error
There are a few reasons why uBlock Origin might stop working or show a warning in Chrome. Here are the most common ones:
- You’re using an outdated version of Chrome
- You have the wrong version of uBlock Origin installed
- Chrome switched to Manifest V3
- Your Chrome settings or another extension is causing a conflict
- Google removed or blocked the extension
Let’s Break It Down
1. Outdated Browser
If your version of Chrome is old, uBlock Origin might not work correctly.
Fix: Update Chrome!
- Click the three dots at the top-right of Chrome.
- Go to Settings > About Chrome.
- Chrome will check for updates and install them if needed.
- Then, restart Chrome.
2. Wrong uBlock Version
There are different versions of uBlock Origin. One is the real one by Raymond Hill, the original developer. There are a few copies that don’t work as well.
Fix: Reinstall the correct version.
Go to the official Chrome Web Store link for uBlock Origin by Raymond Hill (gorhill).
Click here for the correct link.
3. Manifest V3
This is a biggie. As mentioned earlier, Chrome is phasing out Manifest V2. Sadly, uBlock Origin relies heavily on V2 to work properly.
Google wants everything to move to V3 for security, but that comes with some downsides. Extensions like uBlock can’t run some of their powerful filters.
Fix: You can’t fully stop this one, but there are workarounds:
- Use Firefox: Firefox still supports Manifest V2 and runs uBlock Origin perfectly.
- Use a Chromium-based browser like Brave: Some of them still give you more control and better ad-blocking.
4. Conflicts with Other Extensions
Other extensions might clash with uBlock. Especially extensions that also block ads or change how pages load.
Fix: Disable other extensions one by one:
- Go to chrome://extensions
- Turn off extensions you don’t need.
- Refresh the web page and see if uBlock works now.
5. Google Took it Down
Sometimes, Google removes extensions from the Web Store. Maybe it breaks a rule or gets flagged by mistake.
Don’t worry—developers usually fix these issues quickly and reupload a new version.
Fix: Be patient and check the official GitHub page for uBlock Origin for updates and news.
Can You Still Use uBlock Origin?
Yes! Even though the shift to Manifest V3 makes things tricky, uBlock Origin is still functional. The developer is working hard to make it work under the new rules.
You may not get the full power of older versions, but it’s still way better than no blocker at all.
Tips to Keep It Working Smoothly
- Keep Chrome updated
- Only install trusted extensions like uBlock Origin
- Regularly check for extension updates
- Try switching to Firefox if you need the full features
- Use backup blockers or filters if needed
Bonus: Try Alternate Blockers
While waiting for full support in Manifest V3, some users try other tools too. Here are a few:
- AdGuard for Chrome
- Privacy Badger
- Brave Browser (has built-in blocking)
Just don’t stack too many blockers—they might cancel each other out!
Final Thoughts
Chrome’s changes can be confusing, but you don’t have to go without a good ad blocker. Even if you see “uBlock Origin Not Supported on Chrome”, it doesn’t mean it’s gone forever.
Follow the tips in this article to bring it back or use great alternatives. And remember—if it gets too annoying, switching to Firefox is always an option.
Happy browsing—ad-free!