Troubleshooting Guide: When Ad Blocking Isn't Working

So you've set up ad blocking, but you're still seeing ads? Don't worry - you're not alone, and there's usually a simple fix. Let me walk you through the most common issues and solutions.

Quick Diagnostic Checklist

Before diving into specific issues, run through this quick checklist:

• [ ] Is ad blocking actually enabled? (Check Settings)
• [ ] Are you connected to WiFi or cellular? (Some settings only work on one)
• [ ] Have you restarted your browser/app?
• [ ] Have you tried a different website to test?

If you've checked all these and still have issues, read on.

Issue #1: Ads Still Appearing on Certain Sites

Why it happens: Some websites serve ads from their own domain (first-party ads), which DNS blocking can't distinguish from regular content.

Common examples:

• Amazon product recommendations
• Sponsored posts on social media
• Native advertising on news sites
• YouTube video ads

Solutions:

1. Accept the limitation - These types of ads are the hardest to block without breaking the site
2. Use a browser extension - For in-browser ads, extensions like uBlock Origin can block more
3. Try a different browser - Brave has built-in blocking that catches more

For YouTube specifically:

• Use YouTube Premium (paid, but supports creators)
• Use Brave Browser on mobile
• Use NewPipe (Android alternative app)

Issue #2: DNS Settings Keep Reverting

Why it happens: Your phone might be resetting DNS when switching networks or after updates.

iOS Solutions:

1. Make sure the profile is properly installed:

   • Go to Settings > General > VPN & Device Management
   • Verify the DNS profile is listed and active

2. If using multiple profiles, check for conflicts:

   • Remove other VPN/DNS profiles temporarily
   • Reinstall your ad-blocking profile

3. After iOS updates:

   • Check if the profile is still active
   • Reinstall if necessary

Android Solutions:

1. Verify Private DNS is set to "Private DNS provider hostname"

   • Not "Off" or "Automatic"

2. Check your exact hostname spelling:

   • Common mistake: typing "https://" (don't include this)
   • Make sure there are no trailing spaces

3. Some carriers override DNS:

   • Try switching to WiFi to test
   • Contact carrier about DNS restrictions

Issue #3: Some Apps Still Show Ads

Why it happens: Some apps use hardcoded IP addresses instead of domain names, bypassing DNS entirely.

What to do:

1. For games with forced ads: Unfortunately, these often can't be blocked without root/jailbreak
2. For apps with optional ads: Check app settings for "ad-free" or "premium" options
3. Consider alternatives: Many apps have ad-free competitors

Apps that commonly bypass DNS blocking:

• Mobile games (especially free-to-play)
• Streaming apps with their own ad servers
• Social media apps (Facebook, Instagram)

Issue #4: Websites Detecting Ad Blocking

Symptom: "Please disable your ad blocker to continue"

Why it happens: Some websites use scripts to detect ad blocking and restrict access.

Solutions:

1. Whitelist the site:

   • If it's a site you trust, add it to your allowlist
   • Most DNS services have this option

2. Try incognito/private mode:

   • Sometimes works as a temporary fix

3. Find alternative sources:

   • Same news is often available elsewhere

4. Subscribe:

   • If you value the site, consider a subscription

Issue #5: Certain Content Not Loading

Symptom: Images, videos, or page elements missing (not just ads)

Why it happens: Overly aggressive blocklists can sometimes block legitimate content.

Solutions:

1. Temporarily disable blocking:

   • Test if the content loads without blocking
   • If yes, the blocklist is too aggressive

2. Adjust your blocklist settings:

   • Use a less aggressive list
   • Whitelist the specific domain

3. Report false positives:

   • Good DNS services accept reports of false positives
   • Helps improve the blocklists for everyone

Issue #6: Slow Internet After Enabling DNS Blocking

Why it happens: Usually means the DNS server is far from your location or overloaded.

Solutions:

1. Try a different DNS server:

   • Most services have multiple server locations
   • Choose one closer to you geographically

2. Check server status:

   • Visit your DNS provider's status page
   • They might be experiencing issues

3. Test your speed:

   • Run a speed test with and without the DNS settings
   • If significantly slower, try another provider

Issue #7: Ad Blocking Works on WiFi but Not Cellular

iOS Specific Issue:

Check your DNS profile settings:

1. Go to Settings > General > VPN & Device Management
2. Select your DNS profile
3. Ensure it's set to work on both WiFi AND Cellular

Android Specific Issue:

Private DNS should work on both, but:

1. Some carriers block custom DNS on cellular
2. Try using a VPN as a workaround
3. Contact your carrier to ask about restrictions

Issue #8: Battery Drain After Setup

Why it happens: This shouldn't happen with DNS blocking, but if it does:

Check for:

1. VPN apps running unnecessarily
2. Multiple ad-blocking solutions conflicting
3. Unrelated battery issues (check battery settings)

DNS blocking alone should NOT drain battery. If you're experiencing drain, something else is likely the cause.

Testing If Ad Blocking Is Working

Here's how to verify your setup:

Quick Test Sites:

1. Visit ads-blocker.com - Should show "Ad blocking detected"
2. Visit blockads.fivefilters.org - Should show blocked elements
3. Visit any news site - Compare ad load with and without blocking

DNS Leak Test:

1. Visit dnsleaktest.com
2. Run the test
3. Verify you see your ad-blocking DNS provider, not your ISP

When to Reach Out for Help

If you've tried everything above and still have issues:

1. Check your DNS provider's help docs - They often have specific troubleshooting
2. Visit their community forums - Others may have solved your exact issue
3. Contact support - Most reputable services have responsive support
4. Try a different provider - Sometimes it's just not a good fit

Prevention Tips

To avoid issues in the future:

1. Keep things simple - Don't use multiple blocking solutions simultaneously
2. Start with default settings - Only customize if needed
3. Update regularly - Keep profiles and apps current
4. Bookmark your DNS provider's status page - Check there first if issues arise

Still Stuck?

Here's what I recommend:

1. Reset and start fresh:

   • Remove all ad blocking settings
   • Follow my setup guide from scratch
   • Use default settings initially

2. Try a different DNS provider:

   • If NextDNS isn't working, try AdGuard DNS
   • Different providers work better for different people

3. Consider your specific needs:

   • If you need YouTube ad blocking, you'll need browser-based solutions
   • If you need app-specific blocking, consider a local VPN app

Remember: No ad blocking solution is perfect. The goal is to block most ads while keeping your browsing experience smooth. A few ads slipping through is normal and expected.

Good luck, and happy ad-free browsing!