How to block ads on Roku TV in 2024

Frequent Roku TV ads are not just an annoyance, especially when you’re bombarded with 5 to 8 commercials in a single movie. At this point, the amount of ads you get served is not much better than your run-of-the-mill cable subscription. And to top that, targetted Roku advertising through web trackers should raise at least one eyebrow for anyone valuing their online privacy.

Here’s a thing: you don’t have to put up with them, and we are here to help. Whether it’s kicking out banner ads or dodging unskippable commercials, ad blockers and a few neat tricks can help you take back control of your streaming time. Even though Roku’s closed system is a tough nut to crack, but where there's a will, there’s a way!

In this quick guide, we'll unravel how to block ads on Roku TV, how they work, and lay out some savvy strategies to combat them. If time is of the essence, here’s how to block Roku ads on your browser in mere moments.

Why you would want to block ads on Roku TV?

Roku is one of the most budget-friendly streaming options out there, and it’s all thanks to the current ad-supported business model. However, blocking ads on Roku isn't just about a steady stream of uninterrupted content. So, let's dig into why adding a top-notch ad blocker to your Roku kit could be a game-changer:

• Save your precious time. Sitting through multiple Roku commercials every 15 minutes of your favorite show really takes the joy out of a chill evening. In fact, we found that every movie on Roku is packed with 5-8 commercial breaks, while TV shows get around 4 interruptions each episode. Stopping ads with an ad blocker on the Roku Channel or tricking up your Roku device will save you countless hours in the long run.
• No more online tracking. Like most free services, Roku collects tons of your data through its online trackers and browser cookies. Better yet, all this data is used against you by target Roku advertising through banners and commercial breaks. These days, any solid ad-blocking solution is usually already equipped with an integrated tracker blocker to keep any sneaky snoopers at bay.
• Saving mobile data. As no surprise, you can stream Roku content on your mobile devices as well as their dedicated hardware. Blocking ads on Roku TV channels means less of your mobile data is wasted loading unnecessary clutter and may even save you money.

Of course, not every off-the-shelf ad blocker is guaranteed to reap all the benefits listed earlier. However, after testing a dozen of the best-known ad blockers out there, we can safely say Total Adblock is your best bet. What’s more, it’s not only extremely effective for streaming Roku TV without commercials but also cleans up numerous streaming platforms like YouTube, Hulu, or Twitch.

How to block Roku TV ads with ad blocker: detailed guide

If you want to learn how to stop ads on Twitch, our first and most effective solution lies in using an ad blocker. Ready to declutter your Twitch screen? Here's a simple guide to get you started:

1. Get a trustworthy ad blocker. While not all are fit for the job, I found that Total Adblock, proved to be the most effective choice.
2. Visit your browser's add-on store (e.g. Chrome Web Store or another preferred platform). Find your selected ad blocker and click on the installation prompt.
3. Add and activate the extension in your browser's extension panel.
4. Head to the Roku TV online platform
5. Stream Roku TV with no interruptions!

Get the best Roku TV ad blocker

Other ways to get rid of ads on Roku

Hands down, the easiest and most effective method to enjoy Roku TV without ads is by streaming it through your browser with an ad blocker. However, Roku hardware doesn't support any ad blocker natively, but there are alternative ways to reduce ads for a better streaming experience. The following tricks offer various ad-blocking benefits without the need for traditional ad blocker software.

1. Limit Roku ad tracking
2. Secret menu trick
3. Subscribe to streaming services
4. Block ad domains

1. Limit commercials on Roku device

If you own a Roku Device, there's one easy and quick method to cut down on the frequency of ads, minimize repetitions, and limit tracking. Of course, while this will not eliminate every possible Roku commercial along the way, it will definitely stop any unwanted data collection. Simply follow these steps:

1. Open the settings menu on your Roku device
2. Head to “Privacy” tab
3. Select “Advertising” and opt for “Limit Ad Tracking”
4. Restart your Roku device after enabling the setting
5. Stream Roku TV with no targeted advertising!

2. Secret Menu hack

Not every Roku knows about the not-so-secret Secret Menu trick every savvy Roku user uses to customize their streaming experience. This hidden menu can be found with a game-like button combination of your Roku remote. To access these secret settings, carefully follow these steps:

1. Head to the home screen of your Roku device
2. Press the Home button five times
3. Input the following combination: up, right, down, left, up
4. Set "Cycle scrollable ads" to "Always Disabled"
5. Change "Cycle home screen ad banner server" to "Demo 3"
6. Turn off your Roku TV, then turn it back on.
7. If ads still appear, restart your Roku TV a few more times.
8. Stream Roku TV without interruptions!

3. Get subscriptions to paid streaming services

Using any third-party app or streaming platform on Roku always comes with every advertisement you usually get directly from the source. While not quite the most wallet-friendly option, choosing a premium plan from a streaming service is a valid way to skip the ads legitimately. However, such subscriptions only stop ads on that specific service and don’t affect ads on any other channels or streaming platforms you access through Roku.

Some of the most popular streaming apps and platforms on Roku with premium “no-ads” plans include:

• Netflix (Standard: $15.49/month; Premium: $22.99/month)
• YouTube Premium ($13.99/month)
• Hulu (No Ads: $17.99/month)

If those prices look suspiciously high to you, then you’re not wrong. However, you can still land some insane YouTube Premium discounts or even get Netflix super cheap if you know how and where to look.

4. Block ad domains via router

Now this one is the hardest of the bunch, and while it’s a super reliable way to stop Roku TV ads, it requires some technical finesse. Adjusting your router settings can block most ads, but it's essential to be well-prepared for this process, as a mistake might require a router reset. However, if you have the basic know-how of routers and DNS blocking, this trick should be perfect for you.

If you're confident or have assistance, follow this short guide:

1. Go to your router’s login page by entering the address found on the router or in its documentation to the browser search bar
2. Log in using the provided username and password (the default is usually “admin” for both)
3. Look for settings “Advanced,” “Security,” “Filtering,” or “Control” in the menu
4. Locate “block domains and keywords” and add these two links: http://analytichtpp/cloufservices.roku.com http://cloudservices.roku.com
5. Save changes, then restart both your router and Roku device
6. Watch ad-free Roku TV without distractions!

How do ads work on Roku TV?

Just like with other free broadcasters, third-party Roku ads are their main source of income for the platform. Most of the ads you get are either banner or video commercials of 15-30 seconds, which is no better than what you usually see with cable. And just like regular cable television, Roku TV drops ads right in the middle of the content or just conveniently blocks half of your home screen.

But that’s just the tip of the iceberg. Roku shows targeted ads based on personal browsing data through trackers. Using this data, Roku finds the perfect audience for specific ads, gets affiliate revenue, and the advertisers reap anything else they sow.

Of course, it may seem a bit shady for some, but it’s a common method of bringing premium content to anyone without subscriptions. This allows Roku to work in a win-win situation where the viewers get free content, advertisers find more potential customers, and Roku gets to grow the platform.

Block Roku ads with Total Adblock

Conclusion

Roku TV and its devices are truly excellent and budget-friendly online streaming alternatives. While the streaming service comes at no direct cost, your time and data become the currency lowering the entry bar and fueling Roku’s ecosystem. Moreover, these ads come hand-in-hand with invasive cross-site tracking, breaching your rightful online privacy.

Fortunately, one of the best ad blockers – Total Adblock – offers an effective and budget-friendly solution for erasing Roku TV ads in just a few clicks. Better yet, it efficiently eliminates interruptions across various streaming platforms, all while safeguarding against online trackers under a single subscription. Employing a proven ad blocker not only cleans up your Roku home screen but also ensures an uninterrupted time during your movie or TV show marathons.

How many ads do you get while streaming Roku content? Do you know any more neat tricks for a better Roku TV experience? Let us know by leaving a comment!

---

You may also like to read:
How to block YouTube ads
How to avoid Twitch ads
How to stop ads on Instagram
Bypass YouTube ad block detection
Best YouTube ad blockers
Best ad blockers according to Reddit

---

FAQ

Can you block ads on Roku TV?

Yes, and there are a few ways to do so. The quickest and easiest one is streaming Roku TV with an ad blocker on a browser. The best ad blockers, such as Total Adblock, filter out any known DNS servers and their traffic, effectively stopping any Roku ads from loading altogether.

Can I block all ads on my Roku device?

No, but there are other ways to reduce ad frequency on various Roku gadgets. Since Roku devices don’t support any ad blockers, the fastest way is to find advertising settings and select “Limit Ad Tracking”. Other ways include the Secret Menu trick or blocking Roku advertising domains using your router.

How can I disable ads on Roku secret menu?

The Secret Roku menu is exclusive to Roku devices. To control the ads you encounter, hit the home button five times, then tap up, right, down, left. Then, set "Cycle scrollable ads" to "Always Disabled" and change "Cycle home screen ad banner server" to "Demo 3." After doing so, restart your Roku TV.

Can I remove the ad on Roku home screen?

No, there's no way to completely eliminate ads from the Roku device home screen. However you can tone down Roku ad frequency a bit by heading to settings and tweaking the Advertisement settings to reduce the number of ads you get served.

Can I get Roku without commercials?

Yes, you can watch Roku without ads, but only by using various tricks to block them. The best way is to watch Roku Channel via a browser with an advanced ad blocker, like Total Adblock. This solution only works with online streaming service, while physical Roku hardware requires more elaborate solutions.

What price is Roku channel without commercials?

The Roku Channel is a completely free service supported only by ads. At the moment, there’s no premium ad-free subscription to this service. However, you can block all ads on Roku Channel by accessing it through your web browser and using a robust ad blocking solution, such as Total Adblock.