UBlock Origin Causing ERR_TOO_MANY_REDIRECTS? What I Think

I recently stumbled upon a fascinating thread detailing a user's experience with the ERR_TOO_MANY_REDIRECTS error in Chrome, seemingly triggered by UBlock Origin. This immediately piqued my interest, as we often discuss the benefits of ad blockers, but rarely delve into potential drawbacks or unexpected conflicts. Let's break down the issue, explore the possible causes, and discuss how to mitigate such problems while still enjoying a cleaner browsing experience.

Understanding ERR_TOO_MANY_REDIRECTS

Before diving into the specifics of UBlock Origin, it's crucial to understand what the ERR_TOO_MANY_REDIRECTS error signifies. This error, commonly encountered in web browsers, indicates that a website is caught in an infinite redirection loop. In simpler terms, your browser is being bounced back and forth between different URLs without ever reaching the intended destination. This can occur for various reasons, including:

• Misconfigured Website: The website itself might have a problem with its redirection rules, causing the loop.
• Cookie Issues: Corrupted or conflicting cookies can sometimes trigger redirection loops.
• Server-Side Problems: Issues on the web server, such as incorrect .htaccess configurations, can lead to this error.
• Browser Extensions: As the user in the thread discovered, browser extensions, particularly ad blockers, can interfere with the redirection process.

The UBlock Origin Connection: Why an Ad Blocker?

So, why would UBlock Origin, a tool designed to block unwanted content, cause redirection errors? The answer lies in how ad blockers function. They operate by intercepting network requests and filtering content based on predefined rules and filter lists. This process can inadvertently disrupt legitimate redirects, especially if the filter lists are overly aggressive or contain incorrect entries.

Here's a breakdown of how UBlock Origin might trigger the ERR_TOO_MANY_REDIRECTS error:

• Overly Aggressive Filters: UBlock Origin relies on filter lists to identify and block ads, trackers, and other unwanted content. If a filter list contains rules that are too broad or incorrectly target legitimate resources, it can block necessary redirects, leading to the error.
• Conflicting Filters: It's possible to use multiple filter lists simultaneously in UBlock Origin. If these lists contain conflicting rules, they can interfere with each other and cause redirection loops.
• Dynamic Filtering Rules: UBlock Origin allows users to create custom filtering rules. While powerful, these rules can also be a source of problems if not configured correctly. A poorly written dynamic filtering rule can inadvertently block legitimate redirects.
• Interaction with Website Anti-Adblock Measures: Some websites employ anti-adblock measures to detect and circumvent ad blockers. These measures might involve complex redirection schemes that UBlock Origin misinterprets, leading to the ERR_TOO_MANY_REDIRECTS error. This is a constant cat-and-mouse game.

Analyzing the User's Experience

The user in the thread specifically mentioned encountering the error when performing Google searches. This suggests that the issue might be related to how UBlock Origin interacts with Google's search results or its advertising network. Google often uses redirects for tracking and analytics purposes, and it's possible that UBlock Origin is inadvertently blocking these redirects.

It's also worth noting that the user mentioned using "UBlock Origin Lite." While I don't have direct experience with the "Lite" version, it's conceivable that it uses a different set of filter lists or has different default settings compared to the standard version, which might contribute to the problem.

Troubleshooting Steps: My Recommended Approach

If you encounter the ERR_TOO_MANY_REDIRECTS error while using UBlock Origin, here's a systematic approach to troubleshooting the issue:

1. Disable UBlock Origin Temporarily

The first step is to disable UBlock Origin completely and see if the error persists. If the error disappears, it confirms that UBlock Origin is indeed the culprit.

2. Clear Browser Cache and Cookies

As mentioned earlier, corrupted cookies can sometimes trigger redirection loops. Clear your browser's cache and cookies, especially those related to the website where you're encountering the error. This can often resolve the issue.

3. Update UBlock Origin and Filter Lists

Ensure that you're using the latest version of UBlock Origin. Outdated versions might contain bugs or have outdated filter lists that cause conflicts. Also, update your filter lists to ensure they contain the most recent rules.

4. Disable Other Browser Extensions

Other browser extensions can sometimes interfere with UBlock Origin or cause conflicts with website redirects. Try disabling other extensions one by one to see if any of them are contributing to the problem.

5. Check UBlock Origin's Settings and Filter Lists

Examine UBlock Origin's settings and filter lists to identify any potential issues. Here's what to look for:

• Custom Filters: If you've created any custom filtering rules, review them carefully to ensure they're not blocking legitimate redirects. Try disabling them temporarily to see if the error disappears.
• Enabled Filter Lists: Review the list of enabled filter lists. Try disabling some of the less essential lists to see if that resolves the issue. Start with lists that are known to be more aggressive or experimental.
• Whitelist the Website: If you only encounter the error on a specific website, try whitelisting that website in UBlock Origin. This will disable UBlock Origin's filtering on that site, allowing you to access it without the error.

6. Use UBlock Origin's Logger

UBlock Origin includes a powerful logger that allows you to monitor the network requests being blocked by the extension. Use the logger to identify which rules are blocking redirects on the affected website. This can help you pinpoint the specific filter list or custom rule that's causing the problem.

7. Experiment with Different Filter Lists

If you suspect that a specific filter list is causing the issue, try experimenting with different filter lists. UBlock Origin offers a wide variety of filter lists to choose from, so you can try switching to a different list or creating a custom list with only the rules you need.

8. Contact UBlock Origin's Support

If you've tried all of the above steps and are still unable to resolve the issue, consider contacting UBlock Origin's support forum or community. They might be able to provide more specific guidance or identify a bug in the extension.

Alternative Ad Blocking Strategies

While UBlock Origin is a popular and effective ad blocker, it's not the only option available. If you're consistently encountering problems with UBlock Origin, you might consider exploring alternative ad blocking strategies.

1. DNS-Based Ad Blocking

As we often recommend, DNS-based ad blocking is a system-wide approach that blocks ads at the network level. This method doesn't rely on browser extensions and can be more efficient and less prone to conflicts. Services like NextDNS, AdGuard DNS, and Cloudflare 1.1.1.1 for Families offer DNS-based ad blocking that can be configured on your router or device.

2. Browser-Based Ad Blocking

Some browsers, such as Brave, have built-in ad blocking features. These features are often less customizable than UBlock Origin but can provide a simpler and more reliable ad blocking experience.

3. VPN-Based Ad Blocking

VPN-based ad blocking routes your internet traffic through a VPN server that filters out ads and trackers. This approach can block ads in all apps and browsers but might impact your internet speed and battery life.

The Importance of Responsible Ad Blocking

It's important to remember that ad blocking can have a negative impact on website publishers who rely on advertising revenue to support their content. While I understand the desire to block intrusive and annoying ads, it's essential to consider the ethical implications of ad blocking and to support websites that provide valuable content.

One way to do this is to selectively whitelist websites that you want to support. UBlock Origin allows you to whitelist specific websites, allowing ads to be displayed on those sites while still blocking ads elsewhere.

Another approach is to consider subscribing to premium services that offer ad-free content. Many websites and apps offer subscription options that remove ads and provide additional features.

Back to the Original Issue

Returning to the original issue of ERR_TOO_MANY_REDIRECTS, it's clear that ad blockers, while beneficial, can sometimes cause unexpected problems. The key is to understand how these tools work, to troubleshoot issues systematically, and to consider alternative approaches if necessary.

In the case of the user encountering the error with Google searches, I would recommend starting by clearing the browser's cache and cookies, updating UBlock Origin and its filter lists, and experimenting with different filter lists. If the problem persists, I would suggest whitelisting Google in UBlock Origin or considering a DNS-based ad blocking solution.

Ultimately, the best ad blocking strategy is the one that works best for you while also respecting the needs of website publishers. By carefully configuring your ad blocker and supporting the websites you value, you can enjoy a cleaner and more private browsing experience without negatively impacting the online ecosystem.

This situation highlights the constant tension between users seeking a better browsing experience and websites trying to monetize their content. Ad blocking is a tool, and like any tool, it should be used responsibly and with an understanding of its potential consequences.