Minecraft is famous for its open worlds and creative freedom—but few things break immersion faster than a chat window flooded with ads. Whether you’re running your own server, moderating a community space, or just trying to enjoy survival mode without constant “Visit our store!” spam, chat advertisements can quickly become frustrating. The good news? You can turn them off—or at least drastically reduce them—using a mix of smart server settings, powerful moderation plugins, and client-side tools.

TLDR: You can reduce or eliminate ads in Minecraft chat by adjusting server settings, installing anti-spam plugins, or using client-side mods that filter messages. Server owners have the most control, including permissions management and automated moderation tools. Players on public servers can rely on chat filters and client mods to block unwanted promotions. With the right setup, your Minecraft chat can be clean, readable, and distraction-free.

Why Are There Ads in Minecraft Chat?

Before removing chat ads, it helps to understand where they come from. Typically, ads appear in Minecraft chat for one of these reasons:

  • Server-run announcements promoting donation stores or events
  • Automated plugins broadcasting scheduled promotional messages
  • Player spam advertising other servers
  • Malicious bots joining servers to post links

Each source requires a slightly different solution. If you’re a server owner, you have full administrative control. If you’re a player on a public server, you’ll need client-side fixes.

Server Settings: The Best Fix for Server Owners

If you manage a Minecraft server, you’re in luck. You can control exactly what appears in chat.

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1. Disable or Edit Automated Broadcasts

Many servers use plugins like EssentialsX, AutoMessage, or similar broadcast systems. These rotate advertisement messages at timed intervals.

To turn them off:

  • Open your server’s plugin configuration folder.
  • Navigate to the plugin responsible for announcements.
  • Edit or delete promotional messages in the config.yml file.
  • Restart the server to apply changes.

If you still want announcements but without sounding spammy, reduce broadcast frequency or limit them to important updates only.

2. Use Permissions to Prevent Player Ads

Players often advertise external servers or websites. You can stop this with permission management plugins like:

  • LuckPerms
  • GroupManager

Pair these with chat moderation tools that block messages containing IP addresses or suspicious links.

3. Install Anti-Spam and Chat Control Plugins

If spam is a serious issue, dedicated moderation plugins are your best option.

Highly recommended tools include:

  • ChatControl – Advanced chat filtering with regex support
  • AntiSpam – Automatically detects and blocks repetitive promotions
  • LiteBans – Includes chat moderation and link blocking

These plugins can:

  • Block messages containing IP addresses
  • Filter specific keywords
  • Mute repeat offenders automatically
  • Prevent link posting without permission

Pro tip: Use regex filters to detect disguised IPs like “play dot example dot com.”

Client-Side Fixes for Players on Public Servers

If you’re not the server owner, you can’t change server rules—but you can change what you see.

1. Adjust In-Game Chat Settings

Minecraft includes built-in chat customization:

  • Go to Options → Chat Settings
  • Adjust chat opacity, size, and delay
  • Set chat to “Commands Only” (extreme option)

This won’t fully remove ads, but it can reduce visual clutter.

2. Install Client Mods That Filter Chat

If you’re using Forge or Fabric, several mods allow client-side chat filtering.

Look for mods that offer:

  • Keyword blocking
  • Regex filtering
  • User muting
  • Message hiding

Popular mod types include:

  • Chat filter enhancements
  • Advanced HUD customization tools
  • Spam blocking utilities

With keyword filters, you can block phrases like:

  • “Visit our store”
  • “Buy ranks at”
  • IP address formats (e.g., ###.###.###.###)

Important: Make sure mods are compatible with the server you’re playing on. Some servers disallow certain modifications.

3. Use Muting Strategically

If specific users are repeatedly advertising:

  • Use the /mute command (if available)
  • Add them to your ignore list
  • Report them to moderators

While this doesn’t remove automated server ads, it’s effective against player spam.

Advanced Filtering With Regex (For Power Users)

If you’re comfortable editing configuration files, regex (regular expressions) can be incredibly powerful.

You can create rules that block:

  • IP address patterns
  • URL-like structures
  • Common ad phrasing

Example logic might filter messages containing:

  • Four number groups separated by dots
  • The words “store,” “buy,” and “rank” together
  • Repeated symbols often used in flashy ads

This approach works best for:

  • Server administrators
  • Technical moderators
  • Players running advanced client filters

Regex filtering dramatically reduces disguised or creatively formatted promotions.

When Ads Are Built Into the Server Experience

Some servers rely on ads to fund hosting costs. In those cases, completely disabling them may not be possible—especially if you’re just a player.

Instead of trying to bypass the system:

  • Support servers you genuinely enjoy
  • Choose communities that balance funding and user experience
  • Switch servers if the chat becomes overwhelming

Remember: excessive chat spam often reflects poor server management. There are many well-moderated servers with clean, organized chat systems.

How to Keep Your Own Server Ad-Free

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If you’re starting a new Minecraft server and want a clean chat environment from day one, follow this checklist:

  • Limit broadcast messages to essential updates
  • Install anti-spam plugins immediately
  • Require higher permissions for link sharing
  • Enable CAPTCHA or verification for new players
  • Assign active moderators

Additionally:

  • Log chat activity for review
  • Set cooldown timers between messages
  • Automatically mute excessive caps or repeated text

A proactive setup prevents future headaches.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

When trying to remove chat ads, many administrators make avoidable errors:

  • Over-filtering, which blocks normal conversation
  • Ignoring disguised text formats
  • Failing to update plugins
  • Not backing up config files before editing

Balanced moderation is key. Too many restrictions can frustrate players just as much as advertisements do.

Final Thoughts

Turning off ads in Minecraft chat isn’t always a single-click solution—but it is completely manageable. Server owners have powerful tools at their disposal, from broadcast controls to advanced moderation plugins. Players on public servers can rely on chat filters, mods, and mute functions to reclaim their screen space.

The best approach combines intelligent configuration, thoughtful moderation, and selective filtering. Whether you’re building an immersive survival realm or moderating a bustling PvP server, a clean chat experience dramatically improves gameplay.

After all, Minecraft should be about creativity, collaboration, and adventure—not scrolling past ads every thirty seconds.