Troubleshooting 'How to Get Rid of This?' uBlock Origin Problems

I recently came across a post online, simply titled “How to get rid of this? (ublock).” While the context was minimal, it immediately sparked several thoughts about the common challenges people face when using uBlock Origin, especially on mobile devices, and how these challenges relate to broader ad-blocking strategies. It highlights the importance of understanding the nuances of ad blockers and their configurations to achieve optimal browsing experiences.

Let’s break down the potential issues someone might encounter when asking about “getting rid of” something related to uBlock Origin, and how we, as proponents of ad-free mobile browsing, can approach these problems.

Understanding the Underlying Issue

Before diving into specific solutions, it's crucial to understand what the user might be referring to. The question “How to get rid of this?” could imply several scenarios:

1. Unwanted Elements Still Appearing

• Ads are still showing despite uBlock Origin being active.
• Specific page elements (not necessarily ads) are causing visual clutter.
• Anti-adblock messages are appearing, hindering access to content.

2. uBlock Origin Itself is the Problem

• The extension is causing conflicts or performance issues.
• The user wants to disable uBlock Origin temporarily or permanently.
• There are issues with the extension's settings or updates.

3. Overly Aggressive Blocking

• Important website functionalities are being blocked.
• Websites are displaying incorrectly.
• The user wants to whitelist specific sites or elements.

Troubleshooting Steps for Common uBlock Origin Issues

Assuming the user is facing one of the above challenges, here's a breakdown of how to troubleshoot and resolve them. Remember, the context of mobile browsing adds a layer of complexity due to the limitations of browser extensions on iOS and the variability of Android browsers.

1. Ads Still Showing

If ads are still slipping through uBlock Origin, several factors could be at play:

a. Outdated Filter Lists

• Problem: uBlock Origin relies on filter lists to identify and block ads. If these lists are outdated, new or unconventional ads might bypass the filters.
• Solution:
  • Open uBlock Origin’s settings.
  • Go to the “Filter lists” tab.
  • Click “Purge all caches.”
  • Click “Update now.”
  • Ensure all relevant filter lists are enabled (e.g., EasyList, EasyPrivacy, Peter Lowe’s List).

b. Custom Filters Needed

• Problem: Some websites use unique ad delivery methods that aren’t covered by standard filter lists.
• Solution:
  • Use uBlock Origin’s element picker tool to manually select and block the ad element.
  • Right-click on the ad and choose “Block element.”
  • Adjust the generated filter rule if necessary to avoid overblocking.

c. Whitelisted Website

• Problem: The website might be accidentally whitelisted, disabling uBlock Origin.
• Solution:
  • Check the uBlock Origin icon in the browser toolbar.
  • If it’s greyed out, click it to re-enable blocking for the current site.
  • Alternatively, check the global whitelist in uBlock Origin’s settings.

d. Conflicting Extensions

• Problem: Other browser extensions might interfere with uBlock Origin’s functionality.
• Solution:
  • Disable other browser extensions one by one to identify any conflicts.
  • If a conflicting extension is found, consider disabling it or finding an alternative.

e. DNS-Level Interference

• Problem: If you're using a custom DNS server that doesn't block ads, it can override uBlock Origin's efforts.
• Solution:
  • Ensure your DNS settings are properly configured. Consider using a DNS service like AdGuard DNS or NextDNS in conjunction with uBlock Origin for layered protection. This is particularly relevant on Android, where Private DNS settings are common.

2. uBlock Origin Causing Issues

If uBlock Origin itself is the source of the problem:

a. Excessive Resource Usage

• Problem: uBlock Origin might consume too much memory or CPU, especially on older mobile devices.
• Solution:
  • Disable unnecessary filter lists to reduce the extension’s overhead.
  • Consider using a lighter ad-blocking solution if performance remains poor.

b. Website Compatibility Issues

• Problem: uBlock Origin might block essential website elements, causing functionality to break.
• Solution:
  • Use uBlock Origin’s logger to identify which filters are blocking the element.
  • Create a custom exception filter to allow the specific element.
  • Alternatively, temporarily disable uBlock Origin for the affected site.

c. Extension Errors or Crashes

• Problem: uBlock Origin might encounter errors or crash, especially after updates.
• Solution:
  • Try reinstalling uBlock Origin to fix corrupted files.
  • Check for known issues or bug reports on the uBlock Origin forums or GitHub repository.
  • Consider using an older version of the extension if the issue persists.

3. Overly Aggressive Blocking

Sometimes, uBlock Origin might be too effective, blocking elements that aren't ads but are essential for website functionality. This is a common complaint I see in online discussions.

a. False Positives

• Problem: Legitimate website content is being blocked due to overly aggressive filters.
• Solution:
  • Use uBlock Origin’s logger to identify the blocking filter.
  • Create a custom exception filter to allow the specific element or domain.
  • Report the false positive to the filter list maintainers to improve accuracy.

b. Broken Website Layouts

• Problem: Website layouts are distorted due to blocked CSS or JavaScript files.
• Solution:
  • Use uBlock Origin’s element picker to identify the problematic files.
  • Create custom exception filters to allow those files.
  • Consult website developer documentation to understand the file dependencies.

c. Anti-Adblock Messages

• Problem: Websites detect uBlock Origin and display messages urging users to disable it.
• Solution:
  • Enable the “Anti-adblock killer” filter list in uBlock Origin’s settings.
  • Use custom filters to block the anti-adblock messages directly.
  • Consider using a user agent switcher to mask your browser identity.
  • If all else fails, temporarily disable uBlock Origin for the affected site (as a last resort).

Mobile-Specific Considerations

When troubleshooting uBlock Origin on mobile, it's important to consider the platform-specific limitations:

iOS

• Limited Extension Support: Safari on iOS has limited extension support compared to desktop browsers. uBlock Origin is not available as a full extension.
• Content Blockers: iOS uses content blockers, which are less powerful than full extensions. They rely on pre-compiled filter lists.
• DNS-Based Blocking: For system-wide ad blocking on iOS, consider using DNS-based solutions like NextDNS or AdGuard DNS, as discussed earlier. This approach works across all apps and browsers.

Android

• Browser Variety: Android offers a wider range of browsers, some with built-in ad-blocking features (e.g., Brave Browser) or support for extensions (e.g., Firefox).
• Private DNS: Android 9+ supports Private DNS, allowing you to configure a DNS-based ad blocker system-wide.
• Local VPN Apps: Apps like Blokada create a local VPN to filter traffic, providing system-wide ad blocking without routing traffic through external servers.

Alternative Ad-Blocking Strategies for Mobile

If uBlock Origin is proving too difficult to manage on mobile, consider these alternative strategies:

1. DNS-Based Ad Blocking

As mentioned earlier, DNS-based ad blocking is an excellent option for mobile devices. It works at the network level, blocking ads across all apps and browsers. Services like NextDNS, AdGuard DNS, and Cloudflare 1.1.1.1 (with Family protection) offer customizable filter lists and easy setup.

2. Brave Browser

Brave Browser has built-in ad blocking and privacy features, making it a convenient choice for mobile browsing. It blocks ads, trackers, and fingerprinting attempts without requiring any additional configuration.

3. Firefox with uBlock Origin (Android)

On Android, you can use Firefox and install the uBlock Origin extension for a more powerful ad-blocking experience. This combination offers greater flexibility and customization compared to content blockers on iOS.

4. Local VPN Apps (Android)

Apps like Blokada and AdGuard for Android create a local VPN to filter traffic, providing system-wide ad blocking. These apps are highly customizable and offer advanced features like custom filter lists and whitelisting.

My Recommendations Based on the “How to Get Rid of This?” Scenario

Considering the ambiguity of the initial question, here are my recommendations based on different potential scenarios:

“I want to get rid of the ads that are still showing.”

• Action: Update filter lists in uBlock Origin, use the element picker to block specific ads, and ensure no conflicting extensions are active.
• Alternative: Consider using a DNS-based ad blocker in conjunction with uBlock Origin for layered protection.

“I want to get rid of uBlock Origin because it’s causing problems.”

• Action: Disable unnecessary filter lists, create exception filters for problematic websites, and ensure uBlock Origin is up to date.
• Alternative: Try Brave Browser or a local VPN app like Blokada for a different ad-blocking approach.

“I want to get rid of the overly aggressive blocking.”

• Action: Use uBlock Origin’s logger to identify blocking filters and create exception filters for legitimate content.
• Alternative: Consider using a less aggressive filter list or whitelisting specific websites.

The Power of Understanding Your Ad Blocker

The key takeaway from this exploration is the importance of understanding how your ad blocker works and how to configure it properly. Ad blocking isn't a one-size-fits-all solution. It requires ongoing maintenance and adjustments to achieve the desired results.

Whether you're using uBlock Origin, a DNS-based ad blocker, or a dedicated ad-blocking browser, taking the time to learn the ins and outs of your chosen tool will empower you to create a more enjoyable and ad-free mobile browsing experience.

If you're looking to dive deeper into setting up ad blocking on your devices, check out our setup guides for detailed, step-by-step instructions.