Search guides

Fix an ad blocker that breaks a site

We'll confirm the ad blocker is the cause, whitelist the site or use the element picker to allow specific elements, so you can use both the blocker and the site.

Troubleshooting · Home maintenance
5–15 min
What you'll need
  • Browser with an ad blocker extension (uBlock Origin, AdBlock, AdBlock Plus, etc.)
Step 1 of 6

Quick triage — pick your path

Get started

Choose the option that matches what you see. You can jump straight to that section.

Show full guide

Steps

Goal: Confirm the ad blocker breaks the site, then whitelist it or use the element picker so the site works.

  • Open the site in incognito (Chrome/Edge: Ctrl+Shift+N; Firefox: Ctrl+Shift+P).
  • Good: The site works in incognito—the ad blocker is the cause. Proceed to Whitelist the site.
  • Bad: The site still breaks—the problem may be the site or your connection. See When to get help.

Confirm the ad blocker is the cause

Goal: Verify the blocker is responsible before changing settings.

  • Incognito or private mode usually disables extensions. If the site works there, the ad blocker is the cause.
  • Or disable the ad blocker temporarily and reload. If the site works, the blocker is the cause.
  • Good: Site works without the blocker. Proceed to Whitelist the site.
  • Bad: Site still breaks—problem is elsewhere.

Whitelist

Goal: Add the site to the ad blocker allow list so the site works with the blocker on.

  • Click the ad blocker icon on the broken site. Look for “Disable on this site,” “Whitelist,” “Allow this site,” or “Pause on this page.”
  • Add the site to the allow list. Reload.
  • Good: The site works with the blocker still on.
  • Bad: No whitelist option, or whitelisting shows too many ads—proceed to Use the element picker.

Element picker

Goal: Allow only the element the blocker hides, without whitelisting the whole site.

  • uBlock Origin: Click the icon, open the dashboard (gear), go to “My filters.” Use the element picker to create an allow rule for the hidden element.
  • AdBlock Plus: Click the icon, “Block an ad on this page,” then create an exception for the element.
  • Good: The hidden element reappears.
  • Bad: Your blocker has no element picker—try uBlock Origin or disable the blocker for this site only.

When to get help

If the site breaks in incognito with the ad blocker off, the problem is not the ad blocker—it may be the site, your connection, or another extension. Try another browser or see fix-browser-will-not-load-site.

Verification

  • The site loads and works correctly.
  • The ad blocker still works on other sites (if whitelisted) or is disabled only for the broken site.
  • No broken layout or missing buttons on the site.

Escalation ladder

Work from the device outward. Stop when the problem is fixed.

  1. Confirm cause Test in incognito—if site works, ad blocker is the cause.
  2. Whitelist Add the site to the ad blocker allow list.
  3. Element picker Use uBlock or AdBlock Plus picker to allow specific elements.
  4. Try different blocker Switch to uBlock Origin if yours has no whitelist.
  5. Get help If site breaks with blocker off, problem is elsewhere.

What to capture if you need help

Before calling support or posting for help, have these ready. It speeds everything up.

  • Site URL
  • Ad blocker name and version
  • Whether incognito works
  • Steps already tried

Does the site work in incognito or with the ad blocker off?

Incognito usually disables extensions. If the site works there, the ad blocker is the cause.

Open the site in incognito (Chrome/Edge: Ctrl+Shift+N; Firefox: Ctrl+Shift+P). Or disable the ad blocker and reload. Good: site works—ad blocker is the cause. Bad: site still breaks—problem may be the site or connection.

Yes No

You can change your answer later.

Can you whitelist the site?

Most ad blockers let you add sites to an allow list.

Click the ad blocker icon on the broken site. Look for "Disable on this site," "Whitelist," or "Allow." Add the site. Reload. Good: site works with blocker on. Bad: no whitelist or whitelisting shows too many ads—try element picker.

Yes No

You can change your answer later.

Use the element picker

uBlock Origin and AdBlock Plus have an element picker to allow specific elements.

uBlock Origin: icon → dashboard → My filters. Use the picker to create an allow rule for the hidden element. AdBlock Plus: icon → "Block an ad on this page" → exclude the element. Good: element reappears. Bad: no picker—try uBlock Origin or disable for this site only.

Yes No

You can change your answer later.

Try uBlock Origin or disable for site

Install uBlock Origin if your blocker has no whitelist or picker. Or disable the blocker for this site only. The site should work.

Done

Site works

The site is whitelisted or the element is allowed. Continue using both the blocker and the site.

Done

Get help

If the site breaks in incognito with the ad blocker off, the problem is not the ad blocker. Try another browser or see fix-browser-will-not-load-site.

Done

Reviewed by Blackbox Atlas

Frequently asked questions

Why does an ad blocker break a site?
Ad blockers hide or block scripts, images, and requests that match filter lists. Some sites use the same domains or patterns for ads and core features—the blocker cannot tell them apart, so it blocks both.
What is the element picker?
A tool in uBlock Origin and AdBlock Plus that lets you click an element on the page and create a rule to allow it. Use it when the whole site works except one button or section the blocker hides.
Should I whitelist the whole site or use the element picker?
Whitelist the whole site if the page is broken or unusable. Use the element picker if only one element (e.g. a login button or video player) is hidden and the rest works.

Rate this guide

Was this helpful?

Continue to