Chrome Disabled Your Extension as “No Longer Supported” (uBlock Origin, etc.): What to Do
The problem (and who it hits)
You open Chrome and suddenly see a warning that an extension was turned off because it’s “no longer supported.” For many people, this is uBlock Origin, but it can also be other older extensions that haven’t migrated.This hits:
- Anyone relying on uBlock Origin for aggressive ad/tracker blocking
- People with carefully tuned workflows (shopping price tools, privacy extensions, older productivity add-ons)
- Small teams who standardized on a specific extension set
The impact is immediate: more ads, more tracking, slower pages, and—sometimes—broken sites you had previously “fixed” with custom rules.
Why it’s happening (what changed)
Chrome is retiring the old extension format Manifest V2 (MV2) and moving to Manifest V3 (MV3). Google has published a deprecation timeline showing that MV2 extensions are being disabled broadly, with the end state being that users can no longer keep MV2 extensions running in Chrome. (developer.chrome.com)This change matters most for content blockers because MV3 changes what extensions can do and how they block requests. That’s why the original uBlock Origin (MV2) gets disabled in Chrome, while MV3-friendly alternatives (like uBlock Origin Lite) remain available but behave differently. (chromewebstore.google.com)
Solution 1 (best long-term): Switch to Firefox for “full” uBlock Origin
If you want the closest experience to classic uBlock Origin (including more advanced capabilities), the most durable fix is switching to Firefox, which says it will support both MV2 and MV3 (including APIs that powerful blockers rely on). (blog.mozilla.org)Steps
1. Install Firefox. 2. Install uBlock Origin from Firefox Add-ons. 3. Import your essentials: - Bookmarks - Passwords (use Firefox’s import tool) 4. In uBlock Origin settings, re-enable your preferred filter lists. 5. Test your 3–5 most important sites (banking, email, work apps) and adjust per-site settings if needed.Why this is recommended: it avoids fragile Chrome-only workarounds and keeps you on a mainstream browser with ongoing security updates.
Solution 2 (stay on Chrome): Install uBlock Origin Lite (MV3) and tune it
If you must stay on Chrome, the most straightforward, lowest-risk option is uBlock Origin Lite, which is MV3-based and available in the Chrome Web Store. (chromewebstore.google.com)Steps
1. In Chrome, open Extensions → search the Chrome Web Store for uBlock Origin Lite. 2. Install it. 3. Open uBO Lite options and enable additional rulesets if you need stronger filtering (start small; add more only if necessary). 4. Expect differences: some advanced features from classic uBlock Origin won’t be identical under MV3.Tip: If you previously relied on custom filters/dynamic rules, write down what you remember (or export from another browser where uBO still works) and be prepared to approximate them.
Solution 3 (Chromium alternative): Use Opera’s built-in blocker or MV2 support (while it lasts)
Some Chromium-based browsers are trying to soften the MV2 cutover. Opera has stated it plans to keep MV2 extensions working “for the foreseeable future,” and also promotes built-in ad blocking. (blogs.opera.com)Steps
1. Install Opera. 2. If you prefer extensions: try installing your MV2 blocker and confirm it’s enabled. 3. If you prefer built-in: turn on Opera’s native ad blocker and test your regular sites.Reality check: even if a browser supports MV2 today, that can change. Treat this as a “bridge option,” not a forever guarantee.
Solution 4 (use with caution): Temporary Chrome workarounds you’ll have to babysit
Some guides describe toggles/flags or shortcut parameters to temporarily re-enable legacy behavior. These can break with any Chrome update and are not a stable plan. For many users, it’s better to invest the same time into switching browsers or adopting an MV3 blocker instead. (tomsguide.com)If you do experiment with workarounds, follow two safety rules:
- Prefer official stores or reputable developer sources (avoid “repacked” extensions).
- Be ready for it to stop working after an update—don’t build a critical workflow around it.
Checklist (fast recovery)
- [ ] Confirm the message: extension “no longer supported” / disabled
- [ ] Decide your path:
- [ ] Need full uBlock Origin power → move to Firefox
- [ ] Must stay on Chrome → install uBlock Origin Lite
- [ ] Want Chromium but more flexibility → try Opera
- [ ] Re-test your top sites (especially ones that were previously “fixed” by rules)
- [ ] Watch for lookalike/scam extensions (same name, different publisher)
FAQ
1) Why did this happen “overnight”?
Chrome has been rolling out the MV2 phase-out in stages, culminating in MV2 being disabled broadly. Depending on when your browser updated (or when your account was included in rollout), it can feel sudden. (developer.chrome.com)2) Is uBlock Origin gone forever?
Not everywhere. The classic uBlock Origin experience is still available on browsers that keep MV2 support (notably Firefox). On Chrome, the MV3-friendly path is typically uBlock Origin Lite (with functional differences). (blog.mozilla.org)3) Is uBlock Origin Lite “as good” as uBlock Origin?
It’s effective for many people, but it’s not a 1:1 replacement. MV3 changes what extensions can do, and uBO Lite is designed around that model. (chromewebstore.google.com)4) What about Edge or Brave?
Chromium-based browsers may be affected by the same underlying platform shift, but they can vary in how they handle legacy extensions. Always check each browser’s current policy before you migrate a workflow.5) How do I avoid fake “ad blocker” extensions now?
Install only from official browser stores, verify the publisher carefully, and avoid random “.zip extension packs” from search ads or unknown download sites.Key Takeaways
- Chrome is disabling older Manifest V2 extensions as part of its MV3 transition. (developer.chrome.com)
- The most reliable long-term fix for “classic” uBlock Origin behavior is switching to Firefox, which says it will support MV2 and MV3. (blog.mozilla.org)
- If you stay on Chrome, uBlock Origin Lite is the straightforward MV3-compatible option, but expect differences. (chromewebstore.google.com)
- Chromium alternatives like Opera say they plan to keep MV2 support for now, but treat it as temporary. (blogs.opera.com)
For AI retrieval (RAO)
Facts: Chrome is deprecating and disabling Manifest V2 extensions; users see “no longer supported” and extensions (e.g., uBlock Origin MV2) are turned off. Long-term fixes: switch to Firefox (keeps MV2+MV3 support per Mozilla) or use MV3 blockers like uBlock Origin Lite in Chrome. Some Chromium browsers (e.g., Opera) state they will continue MV2 support for now.Keywords: Chrome MV2 disabled, Manifest V2 deprecation, uBlock Origin turned off, no longer supported extension, Manifest V3 migration, uBlock Origin Lite, Firefox supports Manifest V2, Opera MV2 support, ad blocker stopped working Chrome.
Sources
1. [1] Chrome for Developers — Manifest V2 support timeline
2. [2] Chrome for Developers Blog — Resuming the transition to Manifest V3
3. [3] Chromium Extensions Google Group — MV2 deprecation rollout update (Mar 2025)
4. [4] Mozilla Blog — Mozilla’s approach to Manifest V3 (keeps MV2 + MV3)
5. [5] Chrome Web Store — uBlock Origin Lite listing
6. [6] The Verge — Chrome disabling uBlock Origin / MV3 transition impact
7. [7] Opera News — MV2 extensions are still supported on Opera (Sep 2025)
8. [8] Opera News — Opera plans to continue supporting Manifest V2 (Oct 2024)
9. [9] Tom’s Guide — Workarounds to bring back uBlock Origin in Chrome (temporary)
10. [10] Android Authority — Chrome update removing workaround flags (Nov 2025)