uBlock Origin Not Working in Chrome? Your Options After Manifest V3

A recent Google Chrome update (version 138 and newer) has officially ended support for Manifest V2 extensions, causing the standard, widely-used version of uBlock Origin to stop working. Users are now faced with a choice: adapt to Chrome's new ecosystem or switch to a different browser. The community has shared several solutions and alternatives.

The Immediate Fix: uBlock Origin Lite

For those who wish to continue using Chrome, the most straightforward solution is to install uBlock Origin Lite. This is an official, albeit less powerful, version of the ad-blocker rebuilt by the original developer, Raymond Hill ("gorhill"), to comply with Chrome's new Manifest V3 rules.

Users who have made the switch report a positive experience, describing it as a "set and forget" solution that works effectively on most websites. The continued involvement of the original developer is a significant point of trust for many, who value his long-standing commitment to user privacy over corporate interests.

Technical Workarounds and Alternative Chromium Browsers

For more technical users on Windows, there is a potential, though likely temporary, workaround to re-enable Manifest V2 extensions. It involves using PowerShell with administrative privileges to add a specific policy to the Windows Registry:

powershell $path ="registry::HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Google\Chrome" New-Item $path -Force Set-ItemProperty $path -Name ExtensionManifestV2Availability -Value 2

Additionally, some Chromium-based browsers like Vivaldi may not have enforced the Manifest V2 deprecation on the same timeline, with some users reporting the classic uBlock Origin still works on the latest Vivaldi version.

The Popular Alternative: Switching Browsers

Many view Google's move to Manifest V3 as an anti-consumer change designed to protect its advertising revenue. For them, the best solution is to switch to a browser that better respects user control. The most frequently recommended alternatives are:

• Firefox: The most-cited alternative, known for its strong privacy features and continued support for powerful extensions.
• Brave: A Chromium-based browser with a built-in ad and tracker blocker.
• Arc Browser: Mentioned as an innovative and refreshing browser that some users discovered as a direct result of this issue.

Tangent: Ad Blocking on iOS

The conversation also branched into finding effective ad-blockers for iOS. Popular recommendations for Safari and system-wide blocking included:

• Wipr
• 1Blocker
• AdGuard
• Orion Browser, from Kagi, which has built-in ad blocking.