What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
YouTube hid public dislike counts starting in 2021, so for many videos you now only see a single aggregated number for likes and an unlabeled dislike button. If you’re trying to judge quality by community sentiment, that change removes one of the most useful signals.
This guide covers the two practical ways people can bring back YouTube dislike counts for now: using a browser extension that reconstructs dislike totals, and using Invidious instances that sometimes expose the metadata. Both approaches are temporary by nature because YouTube controls the underlying data.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Use the method that fits your browser and risk tolerance. Then verify the numbers on a known video and keep an eye on what stops working after YouTube changes.
Why YouTube removed dislike counts (and what changed)
On November 2021, YouTube began rolling out hidden dislike counts. The dislike button remained, but YouTube stopped showing the dislike totals publicly to reduce harassment and dogpiling. Creators still have access to dislike analytics inside YouTube Studio, but viewers typically don’t.
#1 Best Overall
- Reliable Plug and Play: The USB receiver provides a reliable wireless connection up to 33 ft (1), so you can forget about drop-outs and delays and you can take it wherever you use your computer
- Type in Comfort: The design of this keyboard creates a comfortable typing experience thanks to the low-profile, quiet keys and standard layout with full-size F-keys, number pad, and arrow keys
- Durable and Resilient: This full-size wireless keyboard features a spill-resistant design (2), durable keys and sturdy tilt legs with adjustable height
- Long Battery Life: MK270 combo features a 36-month keyboard and 12-month mouse battery life (3), along with on/off switches allowing you to go months without the hassle of changing batteries
- Easy to Use: This wireless keyboard and mouse combo features 8 multimedia hotkeys for instant access to the Internet, email, play/pause, and volume so you can easily check out your favorite sites
That means any “dislike count” you see today has to be reconstructed or retrieved indirectly. There’s no official, reliable switch in YouTube’s UI that brings the old dislike totals back for everyone.
What you can do to see dislike counts right now
As of recent YouTube updates, the working approaches fall into three buckets: browser extensions that rebuild dislike totals, third-party front-ends (like Invidious) that may display them, and community mirrors that depend on public metadata or scraping.
For most users, the best shot is Return YouTube Dislike in a desktop browser. If you can’t use extensions, an Invidious instance is the main alternative.
Windows Errors? Fix Them Before They Spread
Repair common Windows errors and clear accumulated junk for a smoother, more stable PC - no reinstall needed.Free scan · no reinstallCrashes, No Sound, or Screen Glitches?
Random freezes, missing sound and display glitches usually trace back to one bad driver. Find and replace yours safely.Free scan · under a minuteMethod 1: Use Return YouTube Dislike (browser extension)
The most common solution is the Return YouTube Dislike browser extension. It was built specifically to restore dislike counts by fetching/distributing the values YouTube no longer displays.
What it does
On supported videos, the extension overlays dislike totals where YouTube hides them. It typically shows a dislike count next to the dislike button and may also display a “dislike percentage” depending on the version and page state.
Because it depends on data availability and YouTube page structure, it can break after YouTube deploys UI or API changes.
Rank #2
- Dependable wireless connection: Enjoy the reliability and convenience of 2.4 GHz connectivity with your logitech wireless keyboard and mouse combo, wireless range up to 10 meters away at home, or work.
- Full-Size Wireless Keyboard: Comfortable, quiet typing on a familiar keyboard layout with palm rest, spill-resistant design, and media keys. This wireless keyboard and mouse logitech has easy-access to media keys
- Plug and Play: MK345 works seamlessly with Windows, macOS, and ChromeOS. Experience hassle-free setup with the logitech mk345 wireless combo and wireless keyboard mouse combo for various operating systems.
- Long-lasting Battery: The MK345 combo offers a full size keyboard battery life of up to 3 years and a mouse battery life of 18 months (1); batteries included
- Comfortable Right-handed Mouse: This wireless USB mouse with dongle works well for this wireless mouse and keyboard combo, featuring a contoured shape for all-day comfort and smooth, precise tracking and scrolling for easier navigation.
Chrome, Edge, Brave (Chromium browsers)
- Open the extension store for your browser (Chrome Web Store, Microsoft Edge Add-ons, or the Brave Web Store).
- Search for Return YouTube Dislike.
- Click Add to Chrome (or the equivalent button) and confirm permissions.
- After installation, click the puzzle-piece icon → confirm the extension is Enabled.
- Go to a YouTube video and refresh the page (Ctrl+R / Cmd+R) so the extension can run on the latest DOM.
Firefox
- Open Mozilla Firefox Add-ons.
- Search for Return YouTube Dislike.
- Select the correct extension listing and click Add to Firefox.
- Confirm it’s enabled in the Add-ons manager.
- Open a YouTube video and refresh. If nothing appears, try disabling and re-enabling the extension once.
How to verify dislike counts are back
Pick a video that you know has a clearly meaningful dislike count (a controversial clip works best). When the extension works, you should see a number appear for dislikes where YouTube normally hides it.
Recommended Free Tools
To be confident, compare across two browsers on the same machine (for example, Chrome and Firefox). If both show a dislike count for the same video, you’re likely seeing a reliable reconstruction.
Limitations and when it stops working
- Video format changes: Some YouTube pages load content dynamically. If the extension can’t hook the correct elements, counts won’t show.
- Regional or account differences: Certain experiments and feature flags may affect what data is accessible.
- Temporary breaks: When YouTube updates their player or UI, the extension may need an update before it works again.
Method 2: Use an Invidious instance (if dislikes are exposed)
Invidious is a popular third-party front-end that mirrors YouTube content. Some instances can display dislike counts if they can obtain the underlying metadata or maintain compatibility with YouTube’s current response patterns.
What Invidious is
Instead of using the official YouTube web app, you browse an Invidious server that renders the video page and comments. Depending on the instance configuration, you may see extra fields like “likes” and sometimes dislikes.
Because Invidious is not owned by YouTube, dislike visibility can vary by instance and over time.
How to find and use an Invidious instance
- Search for Invidious instance lists on trusted sources (for example, community-maintained directories or the official Invidious GitHub project).
- Choose an instance that is currently online.
- Open the instance URL in your browser.
- Paste the YouTube video link into the Invidious search bar, or use the direct pattern the instance supports (often based on the YouTube video ID).
- Open the video page and look for a dislike count near the like/dislike controls.
How to check whether dislikes are shown
On the video page, scan for a dislike number next to likes/dislikes or a “dislikes” field in the action row. If the instance is compatible, it will show a numeric dislike total rather than only the unlabeled button.
Rank #3
- 【Ergonomic Wireless Keyboard Mouse 】: Wireless ergonomic keyboard is equipped with adjustable height tilt legs to increase comfort and prevent your wrists injury when typing for a long time. The full size wireless keyboard with numeric keypad and 12 multimedia shortcut keys, such as play/ pause, volume increase and decrease, and email, to help you improve work efficiency
- 【Stable & Reliable Wireless Connection】: This wireless keyboard and mouse combo share the same USB receiver(stored in the mouse), and they can also be used separately. Plug & play, no need to download any software, 2.4 GHz wireless provides a powerful and reliable connection up to 33 feet(10m) without any delays.You can enjoy the convenience and freedom of wireless connection at home or at work
- 【Comfortable Optical Mouse】: This compact lightweight wireless mouse features a hand-friendly contoured shape for all-day comfort, and smooth, precise tracking.1600 DPI to meet your daily needs. Perfect for home & office work and entertainment
- 【Long Battery Life】: Up to 365 Days of battery life for keyboard and mouse wireless, say goodbye to the hassle of charging cables and replacing batteries. After 10 minutes of inactivity, the wireless keyboard mouse combo will automatically go into sleep mode to save energy. The wireless keyboard requires one AAA battery, and the wireless mouse requires one AA battery.
- 【Less Noise, More Quiet Keys】: Soft membrane keys provide a quiet and comfortable typing experience, So you can type with confidence on a wireless keyboard crafted for comfort, precision and fluidity. The wireless mouse adopts silent micro-motion technology, which is almost completely silent when clicked. No more concerns about disturbing others.
Common reliability issues
- Instance downtime: Public instances can go offline. If a page fails, switch to another instance.
- Different feature sets: One instance might show dislikes; another might not.
- Playback and comments: Some instances focus on browsing rather than smooth playback, especially during load spikes.
Method 3: Use an alternative feed/source that mirrors metadata
Some third-party services and community mirrors attempt to republish like/dislike metadata. Results vary because they depend on the same underlying changes that can break extensions and scrapers.
Community mirrors and why results vary
If a mirror pulls data from endpoints that are still accessible, it may display dislikes. If it doesn’t, you’ll see only likes or no dislike field at all.
Because these services aren’t guaranteed, treat them as “best effort,” not a permanent fix.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsHow to sanity-check counts
When a mirror shows dislike numbers, cross-check the same video using the extension method (if available) or another mirror. Matching numbers across two sources is a strong sign you’re seeing the real reconstructed value.
Security, privacy, and policy gotchas
Any solution that reconstructs hidden data can involve elevated permissions in your browser. Read what the extension requests (permissions like site access or network access), and be cautious about installing tools from unofficial listings.
For Invidious, recognize that you’re routing traffic through a third-party server. Use HTTPS-only endpoints, avoid entering sensitive information, and understand that instance operators can change behavior without notice.
Rank #4
- 【Lag-free & Efficient】Stable and reliable connection of wireless keyboard and mouse is up to 10m(33ft). This combo share a nano USB receiver, no need to take up additional USB ports (Also the wireless keyboard and mouse can also be used separately). Plug and play, no software needed,convenient and efficient.
- 【Quiet & Type in Comfort】Wireless keyboard come with adjustable height tilt legs to increase comfort and prevent your wrists injury when typing for a long time.Our wireless keyboard adopts a silent structure. Soft membrane keys provide a quiet and comfortable typing experience.The wireless mouse is quiet without any clicking sound also.So whether at home or in the office, you can use this combo as you please without worrying about disturbing others.
- 【Full Size Keyboard】This keyboard saves desktop space while retaining its full size.The full size wireless keyboard with numeric keypad and 12 multimedia shortcut keys, such as play/ pause, volume increase and decrease, and search, to help you improve work efficiency.
- 【Auto Power Saving Function】Wireless keyboard and mouse have a smart auto-sleep mode to save power for long battery life. They will enter sleep mode after stop using a while(Refer to the instructions for details). Unplug the receiver or after the PC shutdown, they will enter sleep mode too.You can press any keys to wake. (battery life may vary based on user and computing conditions)
- 【Comfortable Optical Mouse】This silent wireless mice provides 3 adjustable DPI (800/1200/1600) to meet your different needs in terms of sensitivity.The compact lightweight design of wireless mouse and a hand-friendly contoured shape for all-day comfort, and smooth, precise tracking. Very suitable for office and daily use.
Troubleshooting: dislike counts not showing
If your dislike counts don’t appear, don’t assume the video has no dislikes. More often it’s a compatibility issue between YouTube’s current page layout and the tool you’re using.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →The extension is installed but counts are missing
- Confirm the extension icon shows as Active on YouTube.
- Refresh the video page (Ctrl+R / Cmd+R).
- Open YouTube in a non-embedded context (avoid playlist embeds at first).
- Try the same video in a different browser (Chrome vs Firefox) to isolate whether the issue is YouTube-side or browser-side.
Counts show only sometimes
That usually indicates the tool isn’t attaching to the correct page elements on certain layouts. Try one of these:
- Open the video from the main watch page, not from a Shorts player, embed, or mobile layout.
- Reload the page after the video has fully loaded (wait 5–10 seconds, then refresh).
- Disable and re-enable the extension without restarting the browser.
YouTube updates break the extension
When YouTube changes UI or their underlying responses, extensions often need an update. Check the extension’s page for the latest release, and update it immediately if an update is available.
Ad blockers or privacy tools interfere
Content blockers can prevent the extension from fetching the data it needs. If you’re using uBlock Origin, AdGuard, or aggressive privacy settings, temporarily test with them disabled and then re-enable one-by-one to identify the culprit.
Try a clean browser state
- Open an Incognito/Private window.
- Allow the extension in that window (Chrome requires enabling extensions for Incognito explicitly).
- Navigate to a known YouTube video and check if dislike counts appear.
Comparing options: extension vs Invidious
| Option | Where it works | Dislike counts quality | Common failure mode |
|---|---|---|---|
| Return YouTube Dislike extension | Desktop browsers (Chrome/Edge/Brave/Firefox) | Often accurate when it’s compatible with current YouTube | Breaks after YouTube UI/API updates until extension updates |
| Invidious instance | Any browser (you visit the instance website) | Varies by instance; dislikes may or may not appear | Instance-specific configuration, downtime, or metadata access changes |
If you want the smoothest “back inside YouTube pages” experience, start with the extension. If you need a no-extension workflow, try Invidious—then switch instances until you find one that shows dislikes reliably.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Bottom Line
YouTube doesn’t offer an official way to restore dislike counts for viewers, so “bring back dislike counts for now” means using a temporary workaround. For most people, Return YouTube Dislike in a desktop browser is the most direct path.
Best Value
- Reliable Plug and Play: The USB receiver provides a reliable wireless connection up to 33 ft (1), so you can forget about drop-outs and delays and you can take it wherever you use your computer
- Type in Comfort: The design of this keyboard creates a comfortable typing experience thanks to the low-profile, quiet keys and standard layout with full-size F-keys, number pad, and arrow keys
- Durable and Resilient: This full-size wireless keyboard features a spill-resistant design (2), durable keys and sturdy tilt legs with adjustable height
- Long Battery Life: MK270 combo features a 36-month keyboard and 12-month mouse battery life (3), along with on/off switches allowing you to go months without the hassle of changing batteries
- Easy to Use: This wireless keyboard and mouse combo features 8 multimedia hotkeys for instant access to the Internet, email, play/pause, and volume so you can easily check out your favorite sites
If the extension fails or you prefer not to install it, try an Invidious instance. In both cases, expect occasional breakage after YouTube updates and be ready to troubleshoot or switch tools.
FAQ
Is Return YouTube Dislike safe to use?
It’s a third-party extension, so you should review permissions and install it from an official browser store. If it requests broad access you don’t understand, don’t install it. Treat any extension as part of your browsing threat surface.
Why don’t I see dislike counts on every video?
Because YouTube can load pages and player states differently (and the extension/invidious instance has to hook the right place). It can also depend on data availability for that video.
Does this work on iPhone or iPad?
Browser extensions are limited on iOS, so the extension method usually won’t work the same way. A browser-based approach like Invidious may be the more realistic option, but availability and dislike visibility still vary.
Will dislike counts return permanently?
There’s no guarantee. These approaches are compatibility-dependent. If you rely on dislike counts for decisions, consider cross-checking with likes, comments sentiment, and reputable reviews.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
