Twitch is a dream for gamers but, as any regular user will tell you, Twitch adverts can turn that dream into a nightmare.

They constantly interrupt your sessions and the dreaded purple screen is now infamous and much hated among users.

There are some acceptable ads, but most ads are very annoying. A lot of users get tired of ads quickly and would do anything to avoid ads by any means necessary.

This is why an ad-blocker is so important when using the service, so you can block Twitch ads and watch live streams in peace.

However, Twitch uses ads to generate revenue, so it does its best to try and stop an ad block from working with video streams on their service. This means that you have to find an ad block that works reliably with Twitch, meaning that it can actually block Twitch ads.

There are a few ad-blockers that are up to the task. But there are other ways to block ads on Twitch too, including, perhaps surprisingly, a VPN.

In this guide, we will tell you everything you need to know to stop adverts ruining your experience.

Is there an AdBlock that works on Twitch?

Twitch updated its website to stop adblock from working on its service because this is how it makes money.

To do this, it has invested a lot of time and money into its adblock extension detection service.

This identifies when users have an ad-blocker switched on and informs them that if they want to keep using the streaming site, they will need to switch off or disable the adblock and not block Twitch ads.

But there are still a number of different Adblock extensions that can work with Twitch. Most users tend to access the service through either the Google Chrome or Firefox browsers, so some of these are only available for those browsers.

If you use a different browser, check to see if your preferred ad blocker has an adequate browser extension. If not, you may have to try a different adblock or even a VPN.

What is the best ad blocker for Twitch?

Here is a brief rundown of our top 5 recommended ad blockers for Twitch:

1. Adblock Plus

Adblock Plus is the go-to adblock for a lot of people and it is definitely one of the best and most user-friendly tools out there, with a browser extension for all the most popular browsers, including Chrome and Firefox.

However, being one of the most popular ad blockers means Adblock Plus has also been targeted by Twitch. They have fought back, but while this one works some of the time, it may not work all of the time.

When it does work, this is the best adblock around. It’s free, although there is a paid-for upgrade available and it’s easy to download and use too. Be sure to keep it updated to the latest version to maximize its effectiveness too.

If you are struggling to make Adblock Plus work, we’ll cover more tips later on how to keep it working.

2. Video Ad-Block For Twitch

This extension is designed specifically for Twitch fans and is available on both Chrome browser and Firefox browsers.

This one works by changing the stream quality from whatever your current setting is and reducing it to 480p while the advertisement plays. The ad is not shown, but your picture quality drops for a few moments. Then it reverts back to normal once the ad is over.

Most viewers have proved willing to sacrifice video quality briefly in exchange for skipping adverts and this ad blocker has proved very popular.

Even better, it is safe and open source, which means it is being improved all the time. It seems to work consistently too, which is great.

3. uBlock Origin

uBlock Origin is another ad blocker focused on Chrome and Firefox users that still seems to be able to block Twitch ads.

To get it working with Twitch ads, you need to use the Notify Reload function. This works by telling the website that video ads have been watched and then reloading the video.

It isn’t perfect. While it does reduce ad frequency, you do still need to cycle through between 3 and 10 ad reload notifications which is not ideal.

It is not the most user-friendly of tools either and not one we would recommend for beginners.

But it does the job and is popular with a lot of Twitch app users.

4. Purple Ad-Block

This is another popular Twitch adblock that is available on both Chrome browser and Firefox browser.

It works by proxying M3U8 playlist files from the Twitch platform, which allows Twitch videos to play without ads.

But be aware that this tool only works on the official Twitch site, so if you use an alternate player, you will still find the ads appearing.

It could also affect things like using an instant replay and other features, so be warned.

If you don’t use an alternative player, Purple Ad-Block is a pretty effective tool.

5. TTV LOL

If you scroll through Reddit or other forums looking for Twitch ad blockers, TTV LOL is one you are likely to come across a lot.

It is reasonably new and claims to block livestream Twitch ads on streams without interfering with the video quality or performance in any other way.

In our tests, it seems to work too and the only reason it isn’t higher up this list is that, as word spreads and usage grows, it seems inevitable that Twitch will catch on and make life harder for TTV LOL users.

But for now though, TTV LOL is well worth trying out.

How do I permanently block ads on Twitch?

This is the US$64,000 question for lots of Twitch users and the definitive answer is perhaps not what you might expect.

Most people are looking around for an ad blocker that works perfectly with Twitch and can provide an ad-free experience that will continue to do so for the foreseeable future.

This solution would be ideal but we are not there yet and, given the games of cat and mouse we have seen between Twitch and ad blocker companies, such a solution seems unlikely.

The easiest solution is to remove ads by subscribing to your favourite streamer with Twitch Prime, as subscriptions can prevent ads. But, this can be costly if you follow many of them.

But there is an alternative. Instead of trying to block ads on Twitch, why not try and find a Twitch service that doesn’t use ads in the first place.

Twitch works like a streaming service with different services in different countries. If you sign on in the USA, you get additional services, different ads, and a different frequency of ads to users from the UK and other countries around the world.

But did you know that there are a number of countries where Twitch offers far fewer adverts than the service you might be used to? And there are a few where it has no ads at all!

So, if you can switch to a Twitch service with no ads, you can permanently remove the ad issues from your Twitch experience! The question is, how?

How to use a VPN to block ads on Twitch?

A VPN service is an online security and privacy tool that works by encrypting all of your data and then redirecting it through an external server.

It is similar to HTTPS filtering, but it takes security to the next level. Many VPNs provide additional features, but these are crucial for keeping you safe.

Most premium VPNs offer server networks around the world and a by-product of redirecting your internet traffic through a server in another country is that it also allows you to access online content from that country that isn’t available elsewhere too.

They can be used on almost any device, including iOS devices, Android devices, Chrome browser, Windows, Mac, Linux, and more.

So, if you chose a VPN with servers in a country where Twitch has no ads (or a lot less) then you can finally watch any Twitch channel without annoying ads and not even have to use ad blocker extensions.

Which countries are we talking about, you might be asking? Some examples include:

• Hungary
• Ukraine
• Serbia
• North Macedonia
• Israel
• Mexico
• Costa Rica

There may well be others too. A little online research will reveal more. Some of these countries may increase adverts over time, but for now, they are all good options for a low or even no-add Twitch experience.

Best VPN to block ads on Twitch

We have already explained why a VPN can help to get rid of Twitch ads.

The next question is which VPN to choose. Once again, here is a rundown of our top 5 options:

1. NordVPN

The most excellent choice for removing ads on Twitch with a huge server network is NordVPN. Users get access to more than 5,000 servers across 60 different locations, including many of the ad-free (or ad-minimal) Twitch countries.

Connections speeds with NordVPN are among the very best available, apps are beautiful, simple to use, and available for most devices. There is also up to 6 simultaneous connections allowed with every account too.

NordVPN doesn’t shirk on its encryption or no user logs guarantee too. And there is a 30-day money-back guarantee on top of some incredibly low prices too.

Best of all, the app comes with built in ad blocking. If you’re using an Android device, you’ll need to grab the app directly from their website as Google forbids ad blocking in Google Play Store apps.

It’s a great bet for Twitch users fed up with ads.

2. Surfshark

The new kid on the block is another top option for ad-averse Twitch viewers.

Surfshark VPN offers thousands of servers across 65+ countries already and this network is growing all the time.

Speeds are competitive too, encryption is sound, and the no user logs guarantee is fine, although this provider does collect a little more metadata than we would ideally like to see. It also hasn’t had its full service audited.

But the Surfshark apps are great, you get unlimited simultaneous connections, and speeds are pretty decent too.

Throw in a 30-day money-back guarantee and some very reasonable prices, and Surfshark is definitely worth your consideration.

It can help you stay safe and eliminate ads on Twitch on as many devices as you need via their CleanWeb adblock feature. It’s not enabled by default, so you’ll need to head into the settings and turn it on.

3. CyberGhost VPN

CyberGhost VPN is perfect for blocking Twitch ads for beginners, thanks to its lovely apps which include a selection of simple one-click features that even your granny could use.

This user-friendly model doesn’t come at the expense of either speeds (which are good) or encryption and security levels, which are as robust as any other provider on this list.

CyberGhost VPN also offers more than 7,000 servers in 91 different countries, which is a big selection and you can even connect up to seven different devices at the same time.

The CyberGhost apps have a built in ad blocker that stop known ad networks. This works across websites and apps, which is beneficial.

Throw in an industry-high 45-day money-back guarantee and some great prices, and CyberGhost VPN is definitely worth your consideration. Best of all, it will let you watch Twitch without interruptions, as it can stop Twitch ads for good.

How to use a VPN to block ads on Twitch

Once you have chosen a VPN, using it to block ads on Twitch is simple.

Simply follow the instructions below:

1. Click on a link on this page and sign up for your chosen VPN. We recommend NordVPN.
2. Download the VPN app onto your device.
3. Open the app and log in using the account details you were given in step one.
4. Check the settings are to see if the required ad-blocker is already enabled. Enable it if not.
5. Choose the country you want to connect to from the server list and click Connect.
6. Wait for the connection to be established and then use your desktop Twitch app or mobile one as usual.

How to bypass the purple screen error

If you are still getting the purple screen error, there are a few options available to you:

1. Try a different ad-blocking software from our list – There are many alternate options, like the AdGuard app, AdBlock, and many others. Be sure to disable and delete your existing one first.
2. Be sure to use the main Twitch site – The purple screen error is far more common on third-party sites.
3. Try a different browser – While Chrome and Firefox are the most popular, other browsers like Brave Browser can be better for Twitch and cause fewer problems too.
4. Invest in Twitch Turbo – If you don’t mind paying for a Twitch turbo subscription, you can enjoy ad-free streaming without any of these workarounds. However, Twitch Turbo will cost you around $9 per month.

Summary

There are a number of solutions to the problem of excessive ads on Twitch.

Our favourite is to use a VPN to block ads, with NordVPN our top recommendation. A VPN might cause a few stream delays, but at least you can watch Twitch without interruptions and with the added security and other benefits.

But there is a wide range of dedicated Twitch ad blockers available that can help too and we have identified our top five in this guide earlier.

There are also a few other workarounds for blocking ads that can help too and we have highlighted the most important in this guide.

The key thing to remember is that you don’t have to let adverts ruin your Twitch streaming experience and in this guide, we have given you a number of different solutions to try.