How to remove "Play No Ads" adware and the advertisements it displays
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on (updated)
What is Play No Ads adware?
While inspecting suspicious download webpages, our researchers discovered the Play No Ads browser extension. According to its promotional material, this piece of software promises to block advertisements displayed on YouTube videos. However, after analyzing Play No Ads, we determined that it operates as adware instead.
Play No Ads adware overview
Adware is designed to run intrusive advertisement campaigns (displays ads). These adverts promote untrustworthy/hazardous sites and software, online scams, and even malware. Some intrusive advertisements are capable of stealthily downloading/installing software - when clicked on.
It is noteworthy that any legitimate products encountered through these ads are highly unlikely to be promoted by their developers. Instead, this endorsement is undertaken by scammers who abuse the products' affiliate programs to obtain illegitimate commissions.
It has to be mentioned that advertising-supported software may require certain conditions (e.g., compatible browser/system specs or user geolocation, visits to particular webpages, etc.) to deliver intrusive advert campaigns. However, regardless of whether Play No Ads (or other adware) displays adverts or not - its presence on a system endangers device/user safety.
Furthermore, adware usually spies on users' browsing activity - and Play No Ads is not an exception. Software within this classification tends to target visited URLs, viewed webpages, searched queries, personally identifiable details, usernames/passwords, finance-related information, etc. The collected data is then shared with and/or sold to third-parties.
To summarize, the presence of advertising-supported software like Play No Ads on devices - may lead to system infections, severe privacy issues, financial losses, and identity theft.
| Name | Ads by Play No Ads |
| Threat Type | Adware, Unwanted ads, Pop-up Virus |
| Browser Extension(s) | Play No Ads |
| Supposed Functionality | Adblocker for YouTube advertisements |
| Symptoms | Seeing advertisements not originating from the sites you are browsing. Intrusive pop-up ads. Decreased Internet browsing speed. |
| Distribution Methods | Deceptive pop-up ads, free software installers (bundling), fake Flash Player installers. |
| Damage | Decreased computer performance, browser tracking - privacy issues, possible additional malware infections. |
| Malware Removal (Windows) | To eliminate possible malware infections, scan your computer with legitimate antivirus software. Our security researchers recommend using Combo Cleaner. |
Adware examples
We have analyzed thousands of adware samples; fill darker, Video Skipping Ads, Healthiness, and Get Icons are just some of our newest finds. This software typically appears legitimate and harmless. Users are lured into download/installation with promises of "useful" features. However, the promised functionalities are rarely operational.
How did Play No Ads install on my computer?
Adware is proliferated using various deceptive techniques. "Bundling" - packing regular programs with unwanted/malicious supplements - is used to spread this software. Download from untrustworthy channels (e.g., unofficial and freeware sites, P2P sharing networks, etc.) and rushed installations - increase the risk of allowing bundled content into the device.
Adware is also distributed through intrusive advertisements. Once clicked on, some of these ads can make stealthy downloads/installations.
Advertising-supported software is promoted via deceptive promotional webpages and scam sites as well. Most users enter such pages through redirects caused by websites using rogue advertising networks, spam browser notifications, intrusive advertisements, or installed adware (with browser force-opening capabilities).
How to avoid installation of adware?
We strongly advise researching software and downloading only from official/verified sources. Installation processes must be approached with caution, e.g., reading terms, exploring possible options, using the "Custom/Advanced" settings, and opting-out of all additions.
We also recommend being vigilant when browsing - since illegitimate and malicious content typically looks innocuous. For example, intrusive adverts appear ordinary yet redirect to highly questionable sites (e.g., gambling, pornography, adult-dating, etc.).
If you encounter ads/redirects of this kind, check your device and immediately remove all suspicious applications and browser extensions/plug-ins. If your computer is already infected with Play No Ads, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate this adware.
Screenshot Play No Ads adware's "official" promotional website:
Screenshot of deceptive sites used to promote Play No Ads adware:
Instant automatic malware removal:
Manual threat removal might be a lengthy and complicated process that requires advanced IT skills. Combo Cleaner is a professional automatic malware removal tool that is recommended to get rid of malware. Download it by clicking the button below:
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By downloading any software listed on this website you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. To use full-featured product, you have to purchase a license for Combo Cleaner. 7 days free trial available. Combo Cleaner is owned and operated by Rcs Lt, the parent company of PCRisk.com read more.
Quick menu:
- What is Play No Ads?
- STEP 1. Uninstall Play No Ads application using Control Panel.
- STEP 2. Remove Play No Ads ads from Google Chrome.
- STEP 3. Remove 'Ads by Play No Ads' from Mozilla Firefox.
- STEP 4. Remove Play No Ads extension from Safari.
- STEP 5. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.
Play No Ads adware removal:
Windows 11 users:
Right-click on the Start icon, select Apps and Features. In the opened window search for the application you want to uninstall, after locating it, click on the three vertical dots and select Uninstall.
Windows 10 users:
Right-click in the lower left corner of the screen, in the Quick Access Menu select Control Panel. In the opened window choose Programs and Features.
Windows 7 users:
Click Start (Windows Logo at the bottom left corner of your desktop), choose Control Panel. Locate Programs and click Uninstall a program.
macOS (OSX) users:
Click Finder, in the opened screen select Applications. Drag the app from the Applications folder to the Trash (located in your Dock), then right click the Trash icon and select Empty Trash.
In the uninstall programs window, look for "Play No Ads", select this entry and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".
After uninstalling the potentially unwanted application (which causes Play No Ads ads), scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components or possible malware infections. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.
Remove Play No Ads adware from Internet browsers:
Video showing how to remove Play No Ads adware using Combo Cleaner:
Remove malicious extensions from Google Chrome:
Click the Chrome menu icon 
(at the top right corner of Google Chrome), select "More tools" and click "Extensions". Locate "Play No Ads", select this entry and click the trash can icon.
Optional method:
If you continue to have problems with removal of the ads by play no ads, reset your Google Chrome browser settings. Click the Chrome menu icon (at the top right corner of Google Chrome) and select Settings. Scroll down to the bottom of the screen. Click the Advanced… link.
After scrolling to the bottom of the screen, click the Reset (Restore settings to their original defaults) button.
In the opened window, confirm that you wish to reset Google Chrome settings to default by clicking the Reset button.
Remove malicious plugins from Mozilla Firefox:
Click the Firefox menu 
(at the top right corner of the main window), select "Add-ons". Click "Extensions", in the opened window, remove "Play No Ads".
Optional method:
Computer users who have problems with ads by play no ads removal can reset their Mozilla Firefox settings.
Open Mozilla Firefox, at the top right corner of the main window, click the Firefox menu, in the opened menu, click Help.
Select Troubleshooting Information.
In the opened window, click the Refresh Firefox button.
In the opened window, confirm that you wish to reset Mozilla Firefox settings to default by clicking the Refresh Firefox button.
Remove malicious extensions from Safari:
Make sure your Safari browser is active, click Safari menu, and select Preferences....
In the opened window click Extensions, locate any recently installed suspicious extension, select it and click Uninstall.
Optional method:
Make sure your Safari browser is active and click on Safari menu. From the drop down menu select Clear History and Website Data...
In the opened window select all history and click the Clear History button.
Remove malicious extensions from Microsoft Edge:
Click the Edge menu icon 
(at the upper-right corner of Microsoft Edge), select "Extensions". Locate all recently-installed suspicious browser add-ons and click "Remove" below their names.
Optional method:
If you continue to have problems with removal of the ads by play no ads, reset your Microsoft Edge browser settings. Click the Edge menu icon (at the top right corner of Microsoft Edge) and select Settings.
In the opened settings menu select Reset settings.
Select Restore settings to their default values. In the opened window, confirm that you wish to reset Microsoft Edge settings to default by clicking the Reset button.
- If this did not help, follow these alternative instructions explaining how to reset the Microsoft Edge browser.
Summary:
Commonly, adware or potentially unwanted applications infiltrate Internet browsers through free software downloads. Note that the safest source for downloading free software is via developers' websites only. To avoid installation of adware, be very attentive when downloading and installing free software. When installing previously-downloaded free programs, choose the custom or advanced installation options – this step will reveal any potentially unwanted applications listed for installation together with your chosen free program.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What harm can adware cause?
The presence of adware on a system can diminish its performance and negatively affect the browsing experience (e.g., slow down browsing speed, overlay webpage content, etc.). Additionally, this software usually has data tracking abilities, which make it a threat to user privacy. Furthermore, adware-delivered adverts can be deceptive/malicious and cause severe issues (e.g., system infections, financial losses, etc.).
What does adware do?
Adware stands for advertising-supported software. It is designed to enable the placement of various ads on visited websites and/or different interfaces. Some types may also be capable of force-opening webpages and collecting private information.
How do adware developers generate revenue?
Adware developers generate most of their profit through affiliate programs by promoting various websites, software, products, services, and similar.
Will Combo Cleaner remove Play No Ads adware?
Yes, Combo Cleaner can scan devices and eliminate installed adware-type apps. It is pertinent to mention that manual removal (unaided by security software) might be ineffective. In some cases, even after the adware itself has been (manually) removed - various leftover files remain in the system. What is more, such remnants may continue running and causing problems. Therefore, it is crucial to eliminate adware thoroughly.
Outstanding!
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