YouTube users have reported being unable to view comments while using ad-blocking tools, with some claiming it’s even happening to YouTube Premium subscribers.
YouTube has made a number of changes to the platform in the last few months, including some that have had unintended consequences for users. This included custom subtitles, which VTubers often use in music videos, being removed for a period.
On top of that, as of February 16, some users have reported being unable to view comments on various YouTube videos. Some, including Redditors ZBLongladder and stev1234567890, have claimed that this is because they use ad-blocking software.
“Update: I turned off my adblocker, and they’re turned on again,” stev1234567890 confirmed after the confusion.
However, they have also reported that it’s been happening to YouTube Premium subscribers, too. “Comments are turned off,” the comments section on videos says, as if the uploaders had disabled them manually.
“So this has been happening to me, except nothing works until I refresh once,” another chimed in. “That’s why most of the videos I watch have comments disabled. I get it now,” another said.
Dexerto tested this issue with YouTube Premium and didn’t encounter the issue, however.
The issue isn’t affecting everyone
While there have been numerous complaints from users, it doesn’t appear to be affecting everyone.
“That has to be AB testing / regional. Use FF + Ublock origin and have zero issues, videos load instantly, no popup BS, no blocked comments, just normal YT but ad free,” another redditor said after testing it for themselves.
“That’s the problem. AB testing. Some users get horrible changes, others don’t,” another answered.
As AndroidAuthority reported, there are numerous comments about this happening across Reddit and social media, but YouTube has not yet addressed it themselves.
When custom subtitles were knocked offline, the platform’s support account noted that it was a “temporary issue” due to “video playback” problems.
