How to Block Ads on a Smart TV

Updated 6 November 2026 · Standard formula, shown below

Smart TVs are great for streaming, but the ads that pop up on the home screen, in apps, and during playback can be annoying and even slow down your device. This guide shows you practical ways to reduce or block ads on most major smart TV platforms, including Samsung, LG, Android TV/Google TV, and Roku. You’ll learn built-in settings, DNS-based blocking, and router-level options. No technical expertise is required for most steps, though a few involve your home network settings.

What You’ll Need

Access to your smart TV’s settings menu (remote control required).
Your TV’s network connection (Wi-Fi or Ethernet).
For DNS-based blocking: your router’s admin login (usually printed on the router or in its manual).
Optional: a computer or phone to test DNS changes.

Step-by-Step

Turn off personalized ads (all platforms). Go to your TV’s Settings menu, look for “Privacy,” “Advertising,” or “General.” Disable options like “Personalized Ads,” “Interest-Based Ads,” or “Use Information for TV Personalization.” This won’t remove all ads, but it stops targeted ones and often reduces their frequency.
Disable smart TV features that cause ads (Samsung, LG). On Samsung, go to Settings > General > Smart Features and turn off “Auto Run Smart Hub” and “Voice Wake-up.” On LG, go to Settings > All Settings > General > Additional Settings and turn off “Live Plus” and “Advertising ID.” These features often load ad content in the background.
Use a private DNS on your TV (Android TV/Google TV). Go to Settings > Network & Internet > Advanced > Private DNS. Select “Private DNS provider hostname” and enter a DNS that blocks ads, such as dns.adguard.com (free, no account needed). This filters ad domains at the network level, reducing ads in apps and on the home screen.
Change DNS on your router (all TVs). Log into your router’s admin page (usually at 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1). Find the DNS settings (often under WAN or Internet). Change the DNS to a public ad-blocking service like AdGuard (94.140.14.14 and 94.140.15.15) or NextDNS (you’ll need to create a free account to get your own DNS addresses). Save and reboot your router. This blocks ads for every device on your network, not just the TV.
Install a dedicated ad-blocking app (Android TV/Google TV). From the Play Store, install an app like “Blokada” or “AdGuard for Android TV.” These apps run a local VPN that filters ad traffic. Open the app, enable it, and follow the on-screen instructions. Note that some apps may require enabling “Unknown sources” for installation.
Use a streaming device with better controls (alternative). If your TV’s built-in ads are unavoidable (e.g., some budget models), consider using an external device like an Apple TV, Roku, or Amazon Fire Stick. These often have more ad-blocking options or at least fewer intrusive ads. For Roku, you can disable ad tracking in Settings > Privacy > Advertising.

Common Mistakes

Only disabling personalized ads. This stops tracking but doesn’t remove the ad slots themselves. You need DNS or app-level blocking to actually hide ads.
Forgetting to reboot the TV after changing settings. Some changes only take effect after a full restart. Unplug the TV for 30 seconds and plug it back in.
Using a DNS that breaks streaming apps. Some ad-blocking DNS servers can interfere with services like Netflix or Hulu. If you experience issues, switch to a different DNS or whitelist the app.
Changing DNS on the TV but not the router. If your TV uses DHCP (the default), it may override the DNS you set manually. Always set DNS on the router for consistency.
Installing too many ad-blocking apps at once. Running multiple VPN-based blockers can cause conflicts. Stick to one.

Tips

Check for a “Home Screen” or “Launcher” setting. Some TVs (like Sony with Google TV) let you change the home screen layout to show fewer promoted content rows.
Use a Pi-hole for advanced blocking. If you’re technically inclined, set up a Pi-hole on a Raspberry Pi to block ads network-wide. It’s free and highly effective, but requires some setup.
Keep your TV’s firmware updated. Manufacturers sometimes add more ad controls in updates, though they also sometimes add more ads. Check the changelog.
Use a wired connection. Ethernet is more stable and can make DNS changes more reliable than Wi-Fi.
Be patient. Some ads are embedded in the streaming service’s content (e.g., Hulu’s ad-supported plan) and cannot be blocked without breaking the app’s terms of service.

Troubleshooting

Ads still appearing after DNS change. First, verify the DNS is working by visiting a site like dnsleaktest.com on a computer using the same network. If it shows your new DNS, the TV may be using a cached DNS. Reboot the TV. If that fails, try a different ad-blocking DNS.
Streaming apps won’t load or buffer. This is often caused by an over-aggressive DNS filter. Switch to a less strict DNS (e.g., from AdGuard to NextDNS with a blocklist that allows streaming). Or, temporarily disable the DNS to see if the issue resolves.
Private DNS option is grayed out. On some Android TVs, you may need to disable the “Automatic” DNS first. Go to Settings > Network & Internet > Advanced > Private DNS and select “Off,” then re-enable it with your custom hostname.
Ad-blocking app won’t start. Ensure the app has permission to run in the background. Go to Settings > Apps > [App Name] > Battery and select “Unrestricted.” Also, make sure you haven’t enabled a second VPN simultaneously.
Router DNS settings won’t save. Some routers require you to disable “Auto DNS” or “Obtain DNS from ISP” first. Look for a checkbox or toggle. If you’re stuck, consult your router’s manual or ISP support.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will blocking ads on my smart TV slow down my internet?

No. DNS-based blocking actually reduces the amount of data your TV loads, so it can feel faster. VPN-based apps may add a tiny overhead, but it’s usually negligible.

Can I block ads on all streaming services?

No. Ads that are part of the service’s content (like on Hulu’s basic plan or YouTube’s free tier) are embedded in the video stream and cannot be blocked without breaking the app. DNS blocking only filters ads from ad servers, not in-video ads.

Is it legal to block ads on my smart TV?

Yes, blocking ads on your own device is legal in most jurisdictions. However, using ad-blockers to bypass subscription requirements or to access content you haven’t paid for is against the service’s terms of service.

Will these methods work on any smart TV brand?

Most steps work on Android TV, Google TV, Samsung, LG, and Roku. Some brands like Vizio or Hisense may have slightly different menu names, but the principles are the same. For less common brands, search online for your specific model.

Do I need to pay for an ad-blocking DNS?

No. AdGuard’s public DNS is free. NextDNS offers a free tier with limited customization. Pi-hole is free if you have the hardware. There are also paid options with extra features, but they’re not necessary for basic ad blocking.

What if I want to see ads from a specific service?

You can whitelist domains in your DNS settings or in the ad-blocking app. For example, if you want to support a YouTuber, you can allow YouTube’s ad domains. This is easier with NextDNS or Pi-hole than with a public DNS.

Method: the standard formula for this calculation, rounded as each result states. See how the calculators work or report an error.