Modern television is impossible to imagine without streaming services, but free use of the platform YouTube Smart TVs are increasingly being accompanied by intrusive video ads that are impossible to skip within the first few seconds. Owners of LG devices with the operating system webOS Many people face this problem daily, as built-in browser or app mechanisms don't offer native ad blocking without a paid Premium subscription. The solution lies in properly configuring the network connection, allowing you to redirect traffic through specialized filters or change DNS addresses.
Using a wireless connection Wi-Fi Bypassing ad blocks requires not only a router, but also an understanding of how the TV interacts with external servers. Changing DNS servers directly in the LG TV settings is the most secure method, as it does not require installing third-party software on the device itself. In this article, we'll take a detailed look at the steps you can take to enjoy uninterrupted content using only the capabilities of your home network.
It's important to remember that blocking methods are constantly evolving, and what worked yesterday may require adjustments today. However, the basic principles of traffic routing remain unchanged. We'll cover both software-based methods for configuring the TV itself and more advanced router configuration methods, giving you complete control over incoming traffic.
How ad blockers work on Smart TVs
To effectively remove unwanted content, you need to understand the technical side of the process. When you play a video on your TV LG Smart TV, the device sends a request to Google servers to receive a data stream. Along with the main video stream, ads are also requested. Blockers work by filtering these requests, preventing the TV from accessing advertising domains.
There are two main approaches to implementing this task within a home network. The first method involves changing the DNS (Domain Name System) settings directly in the TV interface. The second, more reliable method involves configuring the router that distributes the internet over Wi-FiIn this case, the filter is applied to all devices on the network automatically.
It's important to note that using third-party DNS services may slightly affect the interface's response speed, but for viewing high-definition video, this is practically unnoticeable. AdGuard DNS And NextDNS are leaders in this niche, providing free addresses for blocking trackers and advertising.
⚠️ Attention: Some methods may stop working after updating the YouTube app or the webOS operating system itself. Always check the DNS addresses on the official websites of your service providers to ensure they are up-to-date.
Below is a table comparing the main blocking methods available to LG TV users:
| Method | Difficulty of setup | Efficiency | Impact on speed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Changing DNS on TV | Low | Medium/High | Minimum |
| Setting up a router | Average | High | Absent |
| Blocker apps | High | Low (on webOS) | Noticeable |
| Smart DNS services | Low | High | Depends on the server |
Preparing to set up a network and checking the connection
Before making any changes to system settings, you should ensure that your current connection is stable. Unstable signal Wi-Fi This may cause errors when applying new DNS addresses, making it impossible to launch the YouTube app. Go to your LG TV's settings menu and check the connection status.
You'll need to know your router's IP address (default gateway), as in some cases you may need to access its admin panel. It's also recommended to write down your current DNS settings so you can quickly restore them if something goes wrong. These are usually addresses obtained automatically from your ISP.
- 📶 Make sure your TV and smartphone/PC are on the same Wi-Fi network for easy testing.
- 🔢 Write down the current DNS IP addresses listed in the connection status (often 0.0.0.0 when obtained automatically or the ISP address).
- 📡 Check your Wi-Fi signal strength; if it's weak, use a LAN cable to connect to the network to avoid interruptions.
For users who are not confident in their abilities, there is a simplified way - using ready-made configuration profiles, if this function is supported by your version webOSHowever, manual data entry remains the most universal method for all LG models released after 2015.
Setting up DNS servers directly on your LG TV
The most direct way to reroute requests is to configure blocker URLs in the TV's settings. This method doesn't affect other devices on your network, which is convenient if you only want to block ads on the big screen. To begin, go to the main menu by pressing the gear button on the remote.
In the window that opens, select the section All settings, then go to the category Net and select Wi-Fi Connection (or Wired connection, if you are using a cable). Click on the name of your network or the button Advanced settingsto open detailed IP parameters.
In the list of parameters, find the item Edit or the button to change IP settings. You need to switch the IP acquisition mode from Automatic (DHCP) on ManuallyWithout changing the IP address and subnet mask, find the field DNS ServerThis is where you need to enter the address of the selected blocker.
Popular DNS addresses for ad blocking:AdGuard Default: 94.140.14.14
AdGuard Family: 94.140.14.15
NextDNS (requires registration): individual IP
After entering the numbers, save the changes. The TV may lose connection for a few seconds, after which it will attempt to reconnect. If the connection status changes to "Connected," the setup was successful. Now, when launching YouTube, requests for advertising domains will be redirected to nowhere.
⚠️ Attention: When manually entering the IP address, make sure the gateway matches your router's address. A single digit error will result in complete loss of internet access.
☑️ Checklist for setting up DNS on LG TV
Blocking ads through router settings
A more advanced approach is to set up filtering at the router level. This solution is ideal for those who want to eliminate ads from all devices in the home, including smartphones and tablets connected to Wi-Fi. The logic is the same: the router acts as a gateway, filtering traffic before sending it to the TV.
To implement this method, you need to log into the router's web interface. Enter the gateway IP address (usually 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.1.1) in the address bar of your computer's browser. After entering your username and password (found on a sticker on the bottom of the router), find the section responsible for DNSIn different models (TP-Link, Asus, Keenetic) it may be called differently: "WAN", "Internet", "Network".
In the "Preferred DNS server" field, enter the address of the blocker, for example, 94.140.14.14Save the settings and reboot the router. Afterwards, you'll need to update the network settings on your LG TV: disconnect and reconnect Wi-Fi so the device receives the new DNS addresses from the router.
The advantage of this method is that it doesn't require repeating the procedure on each device. However, if you have children and use DNS with "adult" filtering (such as AdGuard Family), this will affect all devices on the network. Be careful when choosing the server type.
What should I do if my router doesn't save DNS settings?
Some providers force you to use their DNS servers. In this case, try using DNS-over-HTTPS (DoH) or DNS-over-TLS (DoT) if your router supports the "Secure DNS" or "SkyDNS/AdGuard" feature in its built-in apps.
Using specialized applications and Smart DNS
Owners of LG TVs with the operating system webOS limited ability to install third-party software, as the LG Content Store app store does not include classic ad blockers like AdBlock. However, there are workarounds using technology Smart DNS.
Smart DNS is a service that reroutes some of your internet traffic through the servers of a provider specializing in content unblocking and ad filtering. Unlike a VPN, Smart DNS doesn't encrypt all traffic, so it doesn't slow down your connection speed, which is critical for watching 4K video.
Some services offer special applications for Smart TV, which act as a local gateway. You install such an app (if available in your region or through developer mode), activate it, and it reconfigures the TV's network paths. This is a more complex, but sometimes more effective method, as the lists of blocked domains are updated automatically.
- 🚀 Smart DNS does not hide your real IP address, unlike a VPN.
- ⚙️ Setting up often requires registering on the service's website and linking an IP address.
- 📺 Ideal for older LG models where manually changing DNS causes problems.
It's worth remembering that free Smart DNS options may have traffic or speed limitations. For regular use on a TV with high data consumption, it's better to consider paid plans that guarantee a stable connection.
Solution and troubleshooting
Even if you follow the instructions exactly, you may still see ads or YouTube itself stops working. Often, the problem lies in the app cache. Even if DNS blocks the request, the old app may still store ad data. Clear the cache.
Go to Settings → General → Additionally → Storage (The path may vary depending on your webOS version). Find the YouTube app and select Clear data or Clear cacheAfter this, completely close the app (press the Home button on the remote, select YouTube, then swipe up to close) and launch it again.
Another common issue is the use of IPv6. Some ISPs and YouTube services are actively implementing IPv6, which can bypass IPv4-only blocks. If changing your DNS doesn't help, try disabling IPv6 in your router or TV's network settings, leaving only IPv4.
⚠️ Attention: If, after all these steps, the video stops loading completely (network error), the selected DNS server is blocked by your ISP or is not working. Reset your DNS settings to automatic and try an alternative address (for example, Cloudflare's 1.1.1.1, which doesn't block ads but can help test your network).
It's also worth keeping in mind that YouTube is constantly changing its ad delivery algorithms. Periodically check the lists of blocked domains on DNS filter aggregator websites. Sometimes you need to whitelist specific domains on your router if the video stream itself is blocked, but this is rare.
Why does the ad appear at the beginning but disappear after 2 seconds?
This means the DNS filter is working, but the blocking isn't immediate. The TV starts buffering, receives a blocking signal, and disconnects from the ad server. This is normal behavior for DNS methods, unlike software blockers, which prevent the request entirely.
Is it safe to change DNS on an LG TV?
Yes, it's completely safe. You won't be making any changes to your TV's firmware or voiding your warranty. DNS is simply an internet address book. If your settings stop working, you can always reset them to obtain addresses automatically.
Will this help remove ads in other apps, such as online cinemas?
Most likely not. DNS methods are effective against standard YouTube ads. Embedded ads in online movie theater apps (Ivi, Okko, Netflix) are often embedded directly into the video stream or served from the same domains as the content, making it impossible to block them without breaking the app itself.
Do I need to pay for a YouTube Premium subscription after setting up DNS?
No, you can still technically use the free version. However, you'll be depriving content creators of ad revenue. If you frequently follow certain bloggers, consider supporting them directly.
What should I do if my TV displays "No network access" after changing DNS?
This means the DNS address you entered is unavailable. Check that the numbers you entered are correct. If everything is correct, try entering a backup DNS, such as 8.8.8.8 (Google) or 1.1.1.1 (Cloudflare), to restore the default connection, and then find a working ad blocker.
Does this method work on older LG TVs (NetCast)?
On very old models with NetCast OS (pre-2014), the network settings interface may differ, but the manual DNS change procedure is still available. However, the YouTube app on such devices may be too old and not support modern encryption protocols, regardless of DNS settings.