Alex Ruben
How To View Dislikes on YouTube Videos Easily
So, you’re probably pretty annoyed that YouTube removed the dislike count, and you’re wondering if there’s any way to get it back. Well, turns out, there’s an unofficial way using a Chrome extension called “Return YouTube Dislike.” It’s not perfect, and it may not work forever, but it’s a decent hack for regaining some insight into how videos are actually received. Basically, this extension tricks the page into showing the dislike count again, which is kinda weird since YouTube took it down intentionally. Still, if seeing those numbers helps you gauge a video better, this might be your shot.
Before diving in, just keep in mind this is a workaround. It doesn’t magically restore data from YouTube’s servers—it just overlays the number on your browser. So, it might act funky sometimes, or break if YouTube updates their code. Anyway, here’s how to do it: install the extension, refresh YouTube, and voilà, dislike counts should reappear. It’s a little manual, but hey, it’s better than guessing and makes you feel like you’re in on a secret.
How to Fix the Dislike Count Visibility on YouTube Videos
Method 1: Installing the Return YouTube Dislike Chrome Extension
This is the main trick. The extension injects the dislike numbers back into the videos. It works by overriding YouTube’s default (hidden) dislike counter with a fetched or stored value, giving the illusion that dislike counts are still visible. On some setups, it’s a hit-or-miss, but most folks report seeing the numbers after installing.
- Open Google Chrome. Yeah, I know, everyone uses it for this kind of thing. Launch it from the menu or your taskbar.
- Head straight to the Chrome Web Store. Just type it in or click the link.
- Use the search bar at the top to find Return YouTube Dislike. It’s usually the top result. If not, try adding “extension” somewhere in the search.
- Click on the extension from the list to open the details page.
- Hit Add to Chrome. A confirmation box will pop up — click Add extension. Sometimes, Chrome might flag it as unverified, but it’s fine for this purpose. Just proceed.
- Once installed, you might see a little icon on the extensions bar. If not, go to chrome://extensions/ and ensure it’s enabled.
- Now, head over to YouTube. If you were already browsing a video, just refresh the page (hit F5 or the refresh button).
Most likely, the dislike counter should pop back up near the like button. Sometimes, you might need to clear your browser cache or refresh twice—because of course, Chrome and YouTube love throwing curveballs. But on most machines, this will bring the disliked stats back for those videos that you care about.
Method 2: Check the Extension Settings & Troubleshoot
If the dislike counter still doesn’t show up, here’s where it gets a little more technical. First off, double-check that the extension is enabled. Sometimes, after an update, Chrome disables extensions. Go to chrome://extensions/, find Return YouTube Dislike, and make sure it’s switched on.
Also, look for any options within the extension itself. Some versions let you toggle the dislike counter on or off. If there’s a toggle, turn it on. Clearing cache sometimes helps, too: in Chrome, press Ctrl + Shift + Delete, select “Cached images and files,” and hit “Clear data.” After that, refresh YouTube one more time.
In rare cases, a Chrome update or YouTube redesign might break the extension temporarily. If that happens, keep an eye on the GitHub repo or community forums. Sometimes, developers post patches or updated versions. For that, check out GitHub Repository: Winhance—it’s got some good tips and scripts if you’re feeling brave.
And yeah, you’ll probably see some inconsistent results early on. On one setup, it worked like a charm. On another, it kinda fizzled out. Refreshing often helps, or disabling ad blockers might interfere, so disable those for YouTube if things aren’t showing up.
Wrap-up
This whole process is kinda a workaround, but it gets the job done if you’re dead set on seeing dislikes again. Just remember, it’s not official, so don’t be surprised if YouTube patches this or it stops working randomly. On the plus side, it’s free and quick to try.
Summary
- Install the Return YouTube Dislike extension.
- Refresh YouTube videos—you should see dislikes pop up again.
- If not, check extension enablement and clear cache.
- Be ready for occasional breaks if YouTube updates their site.
Fingers crossed this helps
Hopefully, this saves some time and frustration for those missing out on dislike data. Not sure why YouTube made it so hard, but at least this way, a little hack can bring some honesty back to videos. Good luck, and don’t forget to refresh if it’s not working the first time!