Brave Ads is a key feature of the Brave browser, allowing users to earn rewards by viewing privacy-respecting ads. Sometimes, however, these ads might not show up on Windows 11, which can be frustrating. The good news is that this issue can usually be fixed with some simple troubleshooting steps.
This guide will walk you through the most common reasons why Brave Ads might not appear and how to resolve them. We will start with easy checks and progress to more advanced solutions if needed.
By following these steps carefully, you should be able to get Brave Ads working again on your Windows 11 system. Let’s dive in.
Before you start, make sure you have a few basic things ready to avoid unnecessary delays.
Quick Note: Prerequisites and Basic Checks
- Check your Brave browser version: Ads support depends on having the latest browser updates. Go to Settings > About Brave and make sure you are running the newest version.
- Confirm you are logged in to Brave Rewards: Ads only show if Brave Rewards is enabled. Click the Brave Rewards icon (triangle symbol) near the address bar and ensure you are signed in and rewards are active.
- Verify your internet connection: Ads require an active internet connection to download and display.
- Ensure you are in a supported region: Brave Ads are not available in all countries. Check Brave’s official list of supported regions.
Step 1: Enable Brave Ads in Settings
First, make sure the Brave Ads feature itself is turned on. This is the simplest cause when ads don’t appear.
- Open Brave browser.
- Click on the three horizontal lines (menu) in the top-right corner.
- Go to Settings.
- Click on Brave Rewards in the left menu.
- Find the Ads toggle and make sure it is switched On.
Turning on ads is essential because Brave blocks them by default until you explicitly activate this feature.
Step 2: Adjust Windows 11 Focus Assist and Notifications
Windows 11’s Focus Assist or notification settings might block Brave Ads notifications, causing ads not to show.
- Press Windows + I to open Settings.
- Click System and then select Focus Assist.
- Set Focus Assist to Off or Priority only, and make sure Brave is allowed to send notifications.
- Next, go to Notifications under System settings.
- Ensure notifications are enabled and that Brave browser is allowed to send notifications.
Brave Ads rely on notification pop-ups to show ads, so disabling Focus Assist or allowing notifications is crucial.
Step 3: Check Brave Shields and Extensions
Brave’s built-in Shields or other browser extensions might block ads unintentionally.
- Click the Brave Shields icon (lion symbol) near the address bar while on any website.
- Temporarily turn off Shields for that site by toggling the switch off.
- Try to see if ads appear after disabling Shields.
- Additionally, disable any third-party ad blockers or privacy extensions temporarily:
- Go to Settings > Extensions.
- Turn off extensions like uBlock Origin, AdBlock, or Privacy Badger.
If ads show after disabling Shields or extensions, they were blocking Brave Ads notifications.
Step 4: Clear Brave’s Cache and Data
Sometimes corrupted cache or data can interfere with Brave Ads.
- Open Brave and go to Settings > Privacy and Security.
- Click on Clear browsing data.
- Choose Cached images and files and Cookies and other site data.
- Set the time range to All time and click Clear data.
- Restart Brave and check if ads appear.
Clearing cache removes temporary files that might cause unexpected behavior.
Step 5: Verify BAT Wallet and Payment Settings
Brave Ads use Basic Attention Token (BAT) to reward users. If your wallet or payment settings are not properly configured, ads might not show.
- Go to Settings > Brave Rewards.
- Check that your wallet is verified and properly set up.
- If you recently created a wallet, wait a few hours as it can take time to activate.
- Ensure you haven’t set a limit on ad frequency too low (under Ads settings).
Having a working wallet ensures the system recognizes your account and delivers ads accordingly.
Step 6: Update or Reinstall Brave Browser
If none of the above works, your Brave browser installation might be corrupted or outdated.
- Download the latest Brave installer from the official site: https://brave.com/download.
- Run the installer to update or repair your browser.
- If issues persist, uninstall Brave completely:
- Press Windows + I > Apps > Apps & features.
- Find Brave, click it, and select Uninstall.
- Restart your computer, then reinstall Brave using the downloaded installer.
A fresh installation can fix deep software issues blocking ads.
FAQs
Why am I not seeing Brave Ads even though I enabled them?
Make sure notifications are allowed on Windows 11 and that Focus Assist is off. Also, verify your region supports Brave Ads.
Can I see Brave Ads if I use a VPN?
VPNs can change your apparent location, sometimes causing ads not to show if the region is unsupported. Try disabling VPN temporarily.
How often do Brave Ads appear?
Ads appear roughly every 30 minutes to an hour, depending on your settings and availability of campaigns.
Do I need to keep Brave Rewards enabled all the time?
Yes, Brave Ads require Brave Rewards to be enabled to function and earn tokens.
Will disabling Shields affect my browsing security?
Disabling Shields temporarily is safe for troubleshooting, but you should enable them again after testing to maintain privacy protection.
When Nothing Works
If you have tried all the above steps and Brave Ads still do not show, consider the following options:
- Visit the Brave Community forums for help from other users and developers.
- Check the Brave Support Center for updated troubleshooting guides.
- Contact Brave support directly through the browser or website.
Sometimes, certain issues may be due to temporary server-side problems that only Brave can resolve.
Conclusion
Brave Ads not showing on Windows 11 can be caused by a variety of simple settings or deeper software issues. By starting with basic checks like enabling ads and allowing notifications, and moving towards clearing cache and reinstalling the browser, most users can fix the problem themselves.
Remember to verify your region, wallet status, and Windows notification settings carefully. If you still face issues, the Brave community and official support are valuable resources.
Following this step-by-step guide should help you enjoy Brave Ads and earn rewards smoothly on your Windows 11 device.