To block YouTube ads on an LG Smart TV, the only guaranteed method is a YouTube Premium subscription, which removes all pre-roll, mid-roll, and banner ads across every device linked to your account. For free workarounds that reduce ads without paying, you can change your TV's DNS settings or use an external streaming device with a dedicated ad-blocking app.
The only guaranteed way to block YouTube ads on LG smart TV
YouTube Premium is the sole official method to eliminate all ads on your LG Smart TV. While free workarounds can reduce ad frequency, they cannot match the complete removal that a paid subscription provides. This section explains the official solution before introducing the alternative approaches that many users find effective.
Subscribe to YouTube Premium
A YouTube Premium subscription removes all pre-roll, mid-roll, and banner ads on every device linked to the account, including your LG Smart TV. This means no interruptions before or during videos, and no promotional overlays on the YouTube interface. The subscription works seamlessly across the YouTube app on your TV, requiring no additional setup or technical adjustments. For users who want a hassle-free experience and watch YouTube frequently, this is the most reliable path to an ad-free viewing environment.
Change your LG TV's DNS to block ads
Changing your TV's DNS settings to an ad-blocking service like AdGuard DNS can reduce the number of YouTube ads you see, though it may not eliminate all of them. This method works by filtering out requests to ad-serving domains before they reach your TV. To configure this on your LG Smart TV:
- Go to Settings > Network > Wi-Fi connection.
- Select Advanced Settings.
- Disable the "Set Automatically" option.
- Enter the primary DNS address (for example, 94.14.14.14).
- Enter the secondary DNS address (for example, 94.14.15.15).
- Save the changes and restart your TV.
This approach is free and requires no extra hardware, but its effectiveness varies. Some users report a noticeable drop in ad frequency, while others find that certain ads still slip through because YouTube serves ads from the same domains as video content.
Use an external streaming device with an ad-blocker
Connecting an external streaming device like a Fire Stick or Android TV box to your LG Smart TV opens up more powerful ad-blocking options. These devices allow you to install apps such as SmartTubeNext, which is specifically designed to block YouTube ads and integrates SponsorBlock to skip sponsored segments within videos. The process involves:
- Plug the external device into an HDMI port on your LG TV.
- Set up the device on your home network.
- Install SmartTubeNext or a similar ad-blocking app from the device's app store.
- Open the app and sign in to your YouTube account.
This method provides a near-complete ad-free experience on YouTube, including blocking mid-roll ads and banner overlays. It works independently of your LG TV's built-in software, so you bypass the limitations of the native YouTube app entirely.
Stop LG's own ads and tracking (does not block YouTube ads)
While the following settings do not block YouTube video ads, they stop LG from displaying promotional content on your home screen and collecting your viewing data. These adjustments improve your overall TV experience by reducing clutter and protecting your privacy. To disable these features:
- Navigate to Settings > General > System > Additional Settings > Home Settings.
- Turn off "Home Promotion" and "Content Recommendation."
These steps prevent LG from showing banner ads and suggested content on the home screen. If you want to limit ad tracking for personalized advertising, go to Settings > Support > Privacy & Terms > Advertising, enable "Limit AD Tracking," and then select "Reset AD ID." Additionally, disabling "Live Plus" under Settings > All Settings > General prevents the TV from using Automatic Content Recognition to collect viewing data for ad personalization. This is particularly useful if you're concerned about how your viewing habits are used, and it addresses common questions like how to get rid of the banner on an LG smart TV or how to stop LG from inserting its own advertisements into the interface. Note that removing apps from a smart TV is a separate process that does not affect YouTube ads, but it can help declutter your home screen if you have pre-installed apps you never use.
