You’re finally lying on the couch. Snacks are within arm’s reach. It’s time to marathon your favorite show on Hulu. But… wait! 90 seconds of ads? Again? Just when it was getting good? Ugh. Interruptions ruin the vibe.
Luckily, there are ways around it. You don’t need to put up with constant ads every 5 minutes. Let’s talk about working tips to block or skip Hulu ads—and get back to the good stuff faster.
TLDR: Don’t want to read it all? Here’s the quick fix!
If you’re tired of Hulu ads, you’ve got options. Ad blockers, smart browser extensions, and a few sneaky tricks can help skip or mute ads. If you want a completely ad-free experience, upgrading your Hulu plan is always an option. But if you’re looking for free (and fun) workarounds, we’ve got plenty of those right here!
Why Does Hulu Have So Many Ads?
Hulu makes money with ads—especially with their cheaper plan. The good news? You don’t have to sit through all of them. While it’s not possible to scrub them all out with one magic button, there are creative methods that really help.
Use a Reliable Ad Blocker
The first step is easy. Download an ad blocker. Here’s the catch: not all ad blockers work with Hulu.
Some popular choices are:
- uBlock Origin – Free, fast and effective. Works for some users on Hulu.
- AdBlock Plus – Decent tracker blocker, but often needs tweaking for Hulu.
- AdGuard – Offers advanced filtering, works across multiple devices.
Try these extensions with your browser (Chrome, Edge, or Firefox). If it doesn’t block Hulu ads completely, it may at least remove tracking elements and other pop-ups. That’s still a good win!
Try the “Banner Trick”
Some sneaky users have discovered this method: Open a browser, head to Hulu, start a video and open a random banner ad in another tab. For some mysterious reason, this can stop the ads from being triggered.
Strange? Absolutely. Does it always work? Nope. But when it does, it feels like a gift from the streaming gods.
Use Two Browser Tabs (a clever workaround)
This method is genius if you’re patient. Here’s how:
- Open Hulu on two tabs.
- Start your show in the first tab and let it play until the ad starts.
- Pause it. Then go to the second tab and fast-forward to the same spot.
- You’ll have already “paid” the ad tax in the first tab. Now, the second tab often skips the ads completely.
It’s a bit of a dance. But once you get used to it, it’s an easy way around the worst ad spots.
Mute the Frustration
If you can’t block the ads, you can at least silence them. Some smart browser extensions make this happen automatically.
Try:
- Mute Ads for YouTube™ and Hulu™ – This Chrome extension automatically mutes ads on both platforms.
- Video Ad Muter – Another option that kicks in only during ad breaks.
This won’t eliminate interruptions, but at least your peace and quiet remains intact while ads roll silently in the background.
Upgrade to the No-Ads Plan (the obvious fix)
Sometimes the best solution is the simplest. Hulu offers a No Ads plan. If you’re binging a lot, the upgrade might be worth the cost. Consider this:
- Hulu Basic: Cheaper, but packed with ads.
- Hulu (No Ads): Slightly more expensive, almost ad-free.
*Not totally ad-free though!* Some shows still include brief ads due to streaming rights. But it’s still a huge improvement.
Chromecast + Ad Block Combo
If you use Chromecast to stream from a laptop or desktop, you’re in luck. You can load Hulu in a browser with an active ad blocker and cast it to your TV.
Here’s the trick:
- Install a proper ad blocker (uBlock Origin works best).
- Stream Hulu in Chrome after setting the blocker to ‘strict mode’.
- Cast the tab or screen to your TV. Enjoy!
This combo has worked wonders for a lot of people—and it means streamlined, ad-light viewing.
“Picture in Picture” + Skipping Hack
This nifty trick is best for mobile or tablets. Here’s how to do it:
- Start an episode.
- Put Hulu in Picture in Picture mode so it plays in a mini screen.
- Bring up your app switcher and close the full-screen Hulu application.
Sometimes the ad stops, the vid loads, and you’re magically back to watching with fewer ads. Not perfect, but worth a try!
Use Hulu on Different Devices
Ad behavior can vary across platforms. That’s strange, but true! For example:
- Hulu on Xbox might handle ads differently than on a browser.
- Fire Stick users sometimes get more tailored ads that are easier to skip.
- Mobile apps might not let ad blockers work at all.
So if you’re getting a terrible ad experience on one device, switch it up. You might just get lucky.
Clear Browser Cache and Cookies
This isn’t directly an ad blocker, but it helps. Ads sometimes get more aggressive based on user behavior.
Cleaning out your digital tracks can reset things enough to slow the ad flood down. Here’s how:
- Open your browser settings.
- Find “Clear browsing data.”
- Clear cache, cookies, and browsing history.
Then restart Hulu. Lighter data = less tracking = possibly fewer targeted ads.
Avoid Sketchy “Hacks”
You might find YouTube videos or Reddit threads offering shady software to block Hulu ads completely. Don’t do it. These apps can be risky, filled with malware, or violate Hulu’s terms of service. Losing access to your account is way worse than a few ads, right?
Stick to trusted tools and browser tricks like the ones above.
Final Thoughts: Peaceful Binging Ahead
Annoying ads don’t have to ruin your binge party. With a few smart tools and browser hacks, you can dodge many of them—or at least silence them into submission.
Try a few methods from this list and see what works best for you. And hey, if all else fails, consider calling it an investment in mental health and just go for that No Ads plan.
Your future self—snacks and all—will thank you.