By adjusting the tick speed, players can influence the game’s pace to suit their preferences. If you’re a Minecraft beginner, we’ll explain how to change the tick speed in Minecraft below.

What Is Tick Speed in Minecraft?

Your Minecraft tick speed refers to the rate at which the game processes various events and updates, such as block updates, mob movements, and random events like crop growth and weather changes.

The default tick speed is set to a reasonable pace for most players, but you may want to change the tick speed for various reasons, such as speeding up farming processes or making the game more challenging.

Remember that the higher the tick speed, the faster various events and updates will occur in the game. Setting it too high may cause performance issues or create an overly chaotic gameplay experience. Finding a balance that works best for you and your specific gameplay objectives is crucial.

How to Change Tick Speed in Minecraft Using Commands

In Minecraft, the tick speed determines how often random events occur, such as crop and tree growth. In the Java edition of Minecraft, the default tick speed value is 3, while the Bedrock edition of Minecraft has the tick speed set to 1.

Tip: If you’re running Bedrock, enable ray tracing in Minecraft (as long as your GPU supports it).

You can use the randomTickSpeed command in the chat window to alter your tick speed. This is typically only possible on an online or LAN-hosted server.

Again, remember that increasing the tick speed may result in game lag or server lag if you set it too high. To change the tick speed in Minecraft, follow the steps below.

1. Open your Minecraft world and ensure you have the required permissions to use commands. If you run the Minecraft server, enable cheats by setting the Allow Cheats value to On. If you don’t run the server, ensure that the server operator has enabled them and allows you to make changes.

2. Press either the T or / (forward slash) keys to open the chat window.
3. In the chat window, type /gamerule randomTickSpeed <value> in the chat window, where <value> is replaced with the number you’d like to set the tick speed to.

4. Press Enter to execute the command—the tick speed will be changed accordingly.

Note that setting the tick speed too high or too low might affect the game’s performance and cause unintended side effects. Stay within reasonable limits when altering the tick speed—setting it too high could cause your game to crash.

Managing Your Minecraft Experience

The easiest way to change your tick speed in Minecraft is to use the in-game commands we’ve explored above. If you want greater control over the Minecraft gaming experience, you can also use the MultiMC launcher instead, which allows you to customize your game before you launch it.

Are you having any other issues with Minecraft? If you encounter a black screen issue with Minecraft or need to fix Minecraft exit codes, you’ll need to troubleshoot the problem further.

You may want to unsubscribe from a YouTube channel that you no longer find useful, subscribed to by mistake, or that you’ve simply lost interest in. Unsubscribing from a YouTube channel will stop you from being notified when new videos are released and can help to clean up your YouTube recommendations.

Whatever the reason, you can easily unsubscribe from a YouTube channel using your web browser or by using the YouTube mobile app using the steps below.

How to Unsubscribe from a YouTube Channel on a Web Browser

The easiest way to remove a YouTube subscription from your account is to use your web browser. You can control your account preferences (such as your current channel subscriptions) from the YouTube website on your PC, Mac, or Chromebook.

1. From your web browser, open YouTube, sign in with your Google account, and select the Subscriptions tab from the sidebar on the left.

2. You’ll see a list of channels that you’re subscribed to and their latest videos. Select the Manage button in the top-right.

3. To unsubscribe from a channel, click the Subscribed button next to it, then choose Unsubscribe from the drop-down menu.

4. Alternatively, open a channel’s home page via your Subscriptions tab or YouTube’s search tool and press the Subscribed button in the top-right, then choose Unsubscribe from the drop-down menu.

5. When prompted, press Unsubscribe in the pop-up to confirm your choice.

6. Once you’ve unsubscribed from the channel, the button will change to Subscribe—this will confirm that you’re no longer subscribed to the channel.

You can also unsubscribe from a channel while watching one of its videos—just click on the Subscribed button below the video and confirm your action to remove the subscription.

How to Unsubscribe From a YouTube Channel on the YouTube Mobile App

If you prefer to use YouTube on your mobile device, you can control your subscriptions using the app. To remove a YouTube subscription on mobile, follow these steps.

1. Open the YouTube app on your mobile device and sign in with your Google account.
2. Tap the Subscriptions icon from the menu at the bottom of the screen. You’ll see a list of channels that you’re subscribed to at the top and their latest videos.

3. Tap on a channel name, channel icon, or search for it manually using the YouTube search tool to go to its homepage.
4. On the channel’s homepage, tap the Subscribed button below the channel’s name.

5. A pop-up window will ask you to confirm your action—tap Unsubscribe to confirm.

6. Once you’ve confirmed the removal of the subscription, the button below the channel’s name will change to Subscribe again. This is confirmation that you’re no longer subscribed to the channel.

Like PC users, you can also unsubscribe from a channel while you’re watching one of its videos. Below the playing video (outside of fullscreen mode), tap the Subscribed button to remove the subscription—you’ll need to confirm that you want to unsubscribe when you do this.

Managing Your YouTube Account

Thanks to the steps above, unsubscribing from YouTube channels is a quick and easy process that you can complete from a PC, Mac, or mobile device. Removing channels you don’t watch anymore from your subscription list will limit the notification spam, but you can always disable your YouTube notifications to help this further.

Struggling with the amount of ads you’re seeing while a video is playing? You can always look at different ways to block YouTube ads, from a YouTube Premium subscription to other methods, such as using a VPN.

If YouTube isn’t working on your Android device, it can be frustrating to resolve. To help you, here are six different fixes you can try to resolve YouTube if it isn’t working on your Android device.

Restart Your Android Device

One of the simplest ways to fix an issue with YouTube not working on your Android device is by restarting it. Restarting your Android device can help clear any temporary glitches and allow the app to function properly.

To restart your Android device, follow these steps.

1. Press and hold the power button on your device until the power options menu appears.
2. Tap the Restart or Power Off option, depending on your device’s menu.

3. If you choose Power Off, wait for a few seconds and press the power button again to turn it back on.
4. Once your device has restarted, try opening the YouTube app to check if the issue has been resolved.

With a freshly restarted Android device, your YouTube app should start to work again. If it isn’t, however, you’ll need to try one of the further fixes below.

Check Your Time Is Synced Properly

It might seem odd, but if your Android device has the wrong time, YouTube might stop working. This is because the time between your device and YouTube’s servers need to be synced properly for certain (hidden) services behind-the-scenes to work properly.

To ensure your device’s date and time are synced correctly, follow these steps.

1. Open the Settings app.
2. Look for Date & time settings—this may be listed under General, System, or similar, depending on your version of Android.

3. Enable the toggle for Automatic date & time. Your device will default to using your network-provided date and time settings.

4. The changes should be applied immediately, but you can restart your device to be sure the changes have taken effect.

If enabling the automatic date and time feature doesn’t work, you can manually set the correct date and time for your device.

1. To do this, open the Settings app on your Android.
2. Open your Date & time settings (under General, System, or similar).

3. Disable the toggle for Automatic date & time.
4. Tap Set date and choose the correct date, then tap OK.
5. Tap Set time and choose the correct time before tapping OK.

After adjusting your device’s date and time settings, open the YouTube app and check if the issue has been resolved.

Check Your Data or Wi-Fi Connection

One of the most common reasons that YouTube might not work properly on your Android device is a poor internet connection. Issues like YouTube videos pausing or choppy video playback can often be resolved by checking that your mobile data or Wi-Fi connection is active and working properly.

To check your data connection, follow these steps.

1. Open your Android device’s Settings app.
2. Open your Network & Internet or Connections menu. The name of this menu will vary, depending on the device you’re using and the version of Android it runs.

3. First, open your Data usage menu and make sure that the Mobile data or Cellular data setting is enabled. If it’s already on, try turning it off and back on again. Look for a data indicator (such as 4G, 5G, or similar) next to the signal strength bars at the top of the screen to confirm that you have a signal.

4. Next, open your Wi-Fi settings menu.
5. Make sure that Wi-Fi is enabled and you’re connected to a network. Once you are, check the Wi-Fi signal strength bars at the top of the screen to ensure a strong connection.

Clear the Data and Cache for the YouTube App

If you’re having trouble trying to troubleshoot an issue with YouTube not working on Android, you may find it easier to clear your cached data from the app. This can help you resolve minor glitches with the app itself that could stop it from working, such as the YouTube search bar not working.

To clear the data and cache for the YouTube app, follow these steps. The steps below might slightly vary depending on your phone model.

1. Open the Settings app on your Android phone.
2. Select Apps or Apps & Notifications (depending on your Android version).

3. Choose YouTube from the list of apps. If you don’t see it in the list, use the search bar at the top to help you locate it.

4. Next, tap the Storage or Data option.

5. Select Clear cache to remove cached files. This step will not delete your saved data, like account information and preferences.
6. Next, select Clear data to delete all the app’s saved information. This will also remove your account details and preferences from the app, so you’ll need to sign in again afterward.

After clearing your data, restart the YouTube app and check if the issues are resolved.

Check for App and Device Updates

Keeping your YouTube app and device software updated is crucial as it ensures that you have the latest bug fixes, security patches, and features. By regularly updating the app, you can minimize the chances of encountering any issues.

To update your YouTube app, follow these steps.

1. Open the Google Play Store app on your Android device.
2. Select your profile icon in the corner and select Manage apps and devices from the menu.

3. In the Manage apps and device menu, tap the Manage tab, then tap the Updates available icon below it.

4. Look for the YouTube app in the list of apps with updates available. If an update is available, tap it to select it, then press the update button in the top-right.

Once the YouTube app is updated, open it to see if the issues are resolved.

Remove and Reinstall YouTube App Updates

If you’re still having problems with YouTube crashing on Android, you might need to try and remove any recent updates and reinstall them. Most Android devices come with YouTube preinstalled, so you won’t be able to remove it entirely.

However, removing and reinstalling any app previous YouTube app updates will ensure that you have the latest version with any available bug fixes.

To remove and reinstall the YouTube app, follow these steps.

1. Open the Google Play Store and search for the YouTube app.
2. Select Uninstall from the menu. This will remove the updates from your phone and restore the original version of YouTube that was preinstalled on your phone.

3. Once removed, tap Update to reinstall the updated version of the YouTube app.

4. Tap Open to launch the updated YouTube app afterward.

After successfully reinstalling the updated version of the YouTube app, check to see if the issues you’ve been having are now resolved.

Use the YouTube Mobile Website

It’s a last resort, but if the YouTube app still isn’t working on Android, you can try and use the mobile website instead. You won’t have the same level of functionality as you would have in the app, but using the YouTube website will still allow you to watch videos.

To do this, open your preferred mobile web browser—Chrome is recommended, but you can use Firefox or an alternative if YouTube isn’t working in Chrome. In the address bar, type m.youtube.com and press Enter.

The YouTube website will load and you can begin to watch videos. If you want to access your watch history or subscription list, you can sign in using your Google account details first.

Using YouTube on Android

By following the steps above, you can quickly resolve the problem with YouTube not working on Android (in most cases). If the YouTube app is too slow, don’t forget to give your device a quick restart—it should help to fix things quickly.

If you still have trouble, don’t forget to try using YouTube on another device, such as using the YouTube app on Roku. If you get a black screen on YouTube, make sure to check that your connection is working properly and you’re not using any ad blockers on your device.

There isn’t a way to turn off read receipts on Instagram, but there are some workarounds if you want a quick peek at a message without alerting the sender. If you want to control your read receipts on Instagram, follow the steps below.

Can You Turn Off Read Receipts on Instagram?

There isn’t a setting to turn off read receipts on Instagram (at this time). However, that doesn’t mean it’s impossible to stop read receipts from being sent—temporarily, at least.

There isn’t a permanent method to stop them, but you can use airplane mode on your device as a workaround to view messages without sending read receipts immediately. This works by blocking Instagram from updating its servers (and thus the sender) that you’ve read the message.

However, once you turn off airplane mode and connect to the internet again, the read receipts will be sent. You’ll need to keep this in mind.

How to Disable Instagram Read Receipts Using Airplane Mode

One way to indirectly disable read receipts on Instagram is by using the airplane mode feature on your device. This method allows you to read messages without notifying the sender that you’ve seen them.

As we’ve mentioned already, this isn’t a permanent solution. It’ll only give you a quick way to view your Instagram messages, and only if the app has loaded the messages for you without opening the message thread directly.

This should happen if you open your Instagram app’s messages ‘folder.’ However, if you’ve missed out on a long thread of messages, you may only see that a small selection of them load (or they don’t load at all).

To use airplane mode to read messages on Instagram, follow the steps below.

1. Launch the Instagram app on your device and tap the messages icon in the top-right to open your message inbox. Allow the messages to load, but don’t open or read them just yet.

2. Before opening any message, you’ll need to enable airplane mode. To do this on Android, swipe down from the notifications panel and tap the airplane mode or flight mode icon (depending on your device). Recent iPhone users can do this by swiping from the top-right and tapping the airplane icon in the Control Center.

3. Airplane Mode will disable all wireless connections on your device, including Wi-Fi and mobile data. Ensure the Wi-Fi symbol is grayed out or has a line through it before proceeding.
4. Next, return to the Instagram app and open the message you want to read. Since your device is not connected to the internet, Instagram cannot register that you’ve read the message.

5. After reading the message, close the Instagram app and make sure it’s not running in the background.
6. When you’re ready, open your notifications panel (on Android) or Control Center (on iPhone and iPad) to disable airplane mode and reconnect your device to your Wi-Fi network or mobile data.

With any luck, Instagram will still not show the message as read, because it wasn’t connected to the internet when you opened it. However, this may not last for long (or work at all), so your mileage may vary.

How to Disable Instagram Message Notifications

If you tap a message notification on Instagram, it’ll take you straight to the message (and send a read receipt in the process). If you’re worried about your privacy, it’s probably a good idea to disable these message notifications.

This will stop you from accidentally opening up a message without intending to. You’ll need to manually check and open any messages you receive afterward.

To disable message notifications on Instagram, follow these steps.

1. Open the Instagram app on your device and navigate to your profile by tapping your profile icon at the bottom, then tap the menu icon (with three horizontal lines) in the upper-right corner.

2. Next, tap the Settings and privacy option (with the gear icon) located at the top of the pop-up menu.

3. Select Notifications from the list of available settings.

4. Next, tap Messages and calls.

5. Tap the Off option next to each setting in the Messages and calls section to disable all message notifications in your Instagram app.

Once you’ve completed these steps, you’ll no longer receive message notifications from Instagram. This means you can access your messages at your own pace and read them without the sender knowing instantly that you’ve seen their message.

However, don’t forget to check your Instagram inbox regularly to avoid missing any important messages.

Managing Your Instagram Account

While you can’t directly turn off read receipts on Instagram, you can use the workarounds above to help you avoid them (at least temporarily).

Having trouble sending messages on Instagram yourself? You’ll need to troubleshoot the problem by reinstalling the app or signing out of your profile.

Don’t forget; if you’re worried about your privacy, you can always delete your Instagram account and switch to another platform.

It’s also a necessity if you previously shared your Netflix account with others outside of your household, as Netflix has begun to charge extra to share your account. To manage devices using your Netflix account, follow the steps below.

How to View and Remove Active Devices on Netflix

Every time a device signs into Netflix, the device type, location, and sign-in time is registered by Netflix. You can individually remove a device that’s signed in using your account settings.

The easiest way to manage this is via the Netflix website. To view and remove active devices on Netflix, follow these steps.

1. Open a web browser and visit the Netflix website.
2. Sign in with your Netflix account credentials, and make sure to select a profile when prompted.
3. Hover over your profile icon in the top-right corner of the page.

4. Select Account from the drop-down menu to access your Netflix account settings.

5. In your Netflix account settings, scroll to the Security & Privacy section and select Manage access and devices.

6. You’ll see a list of devices that are currently signed into your Netflix account within the last 90 days. To remove a specific device, click the Sign Out button next to the device you wish to remove. This will log the device out of your Netflix account.

After you sign out a device, that device will lose access to Netflix, but it may take a few minutes for this to happen. You can do this to sign out of Netflix on any device, including Netflix on your TV.

How to Sign Out of All Devices on Netflix on a PC or Mac

You can also sign out of Netflix on any registered device without changing your password. This is possible via the Netflix settings menu.

To sign out of all devices on Netflix from a PC or Mac web browser, follow these steps.

1. Open your preferred web browser and visit the Netflix website.
2. Hover over your profile icon in the upper-right corner.

3. Select Account from the drop-down menu.

4. In the Security & Privacy section, select the Sign out of all devices option.

5. You’ll be prompted to confirm your action—click Sign Out to proceed.

Once you’ve confirmed your choice, you will have successfully signed out of all devices connected to your Netflix account. It may take a few minutes for the change to propagate across all of your devices, however.

It’s a good idea to do this as soon as possible after suffering a security breach. Once you’ve signed everyone out, you can consider changing your Netflix password.

How to Sign Out of All Devices on Netflix Using the Mobile App

You can also manage your Netflix devices using the Netflix app. This is available for Android, iPhone, and iPad users. We’ve shown how to do this using an Android device below, but the steps are the same for iPhone and iPad users.

To sign out of all Netflix devices using the Netflix app, follow these steps.

1. Open the Netflix app on your mobile device and make sure you’re signed in.
2. Tap your profile icon in the top-right corner.

3. Select Account from the list of options.

4. This will open your account settings in a built-in web browser page—scroll down to the Security & Privacy section.
5. Select Sign out of all devices to begin the process.

6. You’ll be asked to confirm—tap Sign Out to proceed.

Once completed, you will be signed out of all devices that were using your Netflix account. This may take a few minutes to take effect on all devices.

How to Manage Download Devices on Netflix

If you’re a Netflix subscriber, you can download TV episodes and movies to a mobile device for offline viewing. Depending on your Netflix plan, you’ll only have a limited number of devices to do this to at any one time.

You may need to manage these devices to free up space for new downloads or to remove unauthorized access. If you need to manage your Netflix download devices, you can do so from the Netflix website.

To manage your download devices on Netflix, follow these steps.

1. Open your preferred web browser and go to the Netflix website.
2. Sign in to your account using your email address and password.
3. Once you’re logged in, hover over your profile icon in the top-right corner of the page and select Account from the menu.

4. On the Account page, scroll down to the Settings section and select the Manage Download Devices.

5. A list of devices with active downloads from your Netflix account will appear. If you want to remove a device, press the Remove Device button next to the device’s name. This will remove all downloaded content from that device and free up space for new downloads on another device.

You can repeat this at any point to quickly remove access to downloaded content on any Netflix device that you’re signed into. If you need to download Netflix content on more devices, you’ll need to consider upgrading your Netflix plan.

You’ll also lose access to your downloads should you decide to cancel your Netflix subscription as soon as your subscription ends.

Managing Your Netflix Devices

Using the steps above, you can take control of your Netflix account and manage any device that has access to it. If you’re a new subscriber, try out some secret Netflix codes to find some exciting new TV shows or movies to watch.

Decided to leave Netflix behind? You can delete your Netflix account to ensure your watch history is wiped for good. There are plenty of Netflix alternatives out there you can try next, including Paramount+ and Max.

You can add up to seven profiles on your Disney Plus account, each with their own watchlist and personalized recommendations. If you want to edit or delete a Disney Plus profile, you can do this via the website or mobile app. We’ll explain how below.

Editing a Disney Plus Profile on a PC or Mac

There are a few ways you can edit your Disney Plus profile. For instance, you could change your profile icon, set custom language settings, or switch to a kid-friendly profile.

You can manage these changes using a PC or Mac via the Disney Plus website.

1. First, open the Disney Plus website and sign in with your account.
2. Select your profile icon in the top-right corner and select Edit Profiles.

3. Choose the profile you want to edit. You can also create a new profile from this menu, if you prefer, by pressing Add Profile.

4. You can now begin to edit your profile. To edit your avatar, select your existing image and choose a new image from the options listed.
5. Select and edit your profile name in the Name box.

6. To control playback settings, select and make changes to the options in the Playback and Language settings section. For instance, if you want to change to a different language for this user profile, select this from the App Language drop-down menu.

7. You can also stop content (such as the next episode in a series) from autoplaying by tapping the Autoplay slider.
8. If you want to restrict access to certain content, use the Parental Controls options. For instance, enable a kids-only profile by pressing the Kid’s profile slider.
9. You can also enable a PIN or set a specific content ratings limit by tapping those options.

10. When you’re done, click Done in the top-right.

Editing a Disney Plus Profile on Mobile Devices

You can also edit your Disney Plus profile using the Disney mobile app on Android and iPhone devices. The interface is the same across both platforms, so you can follow these steps on any mobile device.

1. Start by opening the Disney Plus app and selecting your profile icon in the bottom-right.
2. From the menu, tap Edit Profiles.

3. Select the profile that you want to edit.

4. In the Edit Profile menu, select your current user picture to change your profile’s avatar image, and then select a preset option from the menu.
5. To change your profile name, tap your name in the Name box and make a change.

6. If you want to choose a new language, tap App Language, then select a new language from the options provided.
7. You can also stop content from autoplaying (such as to the next episode in a series) by tapping the Autoplay slider.

8. To restrict access to content, scroll to the Parental Controls section and make changes. You can enable a Kid’s profile by tapping the slider next to that option.
9. You can also enable a PIN or set a specific content ratings limit (such as 18+).

10. When you’re finished, tap Done in the top-right.

Deleting a Disney Plus Profile on a PC or Mac

Decided to delete your current profile? As long as you don’t delete your primary Disney Plus profile, you can remove the surplus profile via the Disney Plus website using these steps.

1. First, open the Disney Plus website and sign in with your account.
2. Select your profile icon in the top-right corner and select Edit Profiles.

3. Select a profile you want to delete from the Edit Profiles menu.

4. Scroll through the list of options and select Delete Profile at the bottom.
   

5. You’ll be asked to confirm your choice, so press Delete again to delete the profile.

Once you’ve deleted the profile, you won’t be able to restore it. You’ll lose any recommendations and previous watch history that you’ve built up on that profile.

Deleting a Disney Plus Profile on the Mobile App

Prefer to use the mobile Disney Plus app? You can delete surplus profiles using the app instead on your Android or iPhone device.

1. Open the Disney Plus app and select the profile icon in the bottom-right.
2. Next, select Edit Profiles.

3. Select the profile you want to delete from the Edit Profiles menu.

4. Scroll to the bottom of the menu and tap Delete Profile.

5. Tap Delete again to confirm your choice.

Managing Your Disney Plus Account

The steps above will help you edit or delete a Disney Plus profile on your account. As long as you keep to the seven-profile limit, you can split up your account into profiles that suit your family and loved ones.

Having trouble streaming your favorite Disney content? If Disney+ stops working, you’ll need to investigate some troubleshooting fixes. For instance, if you see Disney Plus error code 39 pop up, you’ll need to check for corrupt user data or temporary files.

Want to try something different? You can stream Disney Plus on Discord and set up a watch party with your friends.

Syncing means your changes are saved online and updated across all your OneNote-capable devices. This way, you can always have the latest version of your notes wherever you go. You can access your notes from any device with the OneNote app installed (or from your web browser).

To sync a notebook in OneNote for Windows, you can choose between manual and automatic syncing. Manual syncing lets you control when and how often you sync your notebooks. Automatic syncing lets OneNote sync your notebooks in the background whenever you make changes or close them.

How to Sync a OneNote Notebook Manually

Your OneNote notebooks should sync automatically with Microsoft’s servers. However, if you want to ensure that the latest notes you’ve made are accessible to all your devices, you can manually sync your notebooks at any point.

To sync OneNote manually, follow these steps.

1. First, open OneNote on your Windows PC and open a notebook.
2. Press the Notebooks drop-down arrow next to your current notebook in the top-left corner.
3. In the list of notebooks, right-click the name of the notebook that you want to sync manually.
4. Select Sync This Notebook to manually sync it.

Repeat these steps for each of your notebooks. As long as you have an active internet connection, your notebook (or notebooks) will be syncing across manually.

How to Sync a OneNote Notebook Automatically

OneNote is a cloud-based service by default, so you shouldn’t need to worry about your notes syncing. However, if they aren’t, or you’ve previously disabled the feature, you’ll need to restore OneNote’s ability to sync automatically.

Automatic syncing lets OneNote sync your notebooks in the background whenever you make changes or when you close them. This way, you don’t have to worry about syncing manually.

To enable automatic OneNote syncing, follow these steps.

1. Open OneNote on your Windows PC.
2. Press File > Options.

3. In the Sync tab in the OneNote Options window, check the box next to Sync notebooks automatically to ensure automatic syncing is enabled.

4. In the Save & Backup tab, check the box next to Automatically back up my notebook at the following time interval, then choose a time interval from the drop-down menu between one minute and six weeks.

5. Press OK to save your choice.

With these settings active, your OneNote notebooks should begin syncing automatically. This will continue whenever you make a change.

How to Check Your Notebook Synchronization Status in Microsoft OneNote

If you have any issues syncing your notebooks, and you’re sure it isn’t a problem with your internet connection, you may want to check the cause. You can do this by checking the sync status for your OneNote notebooks.

1. To do this, open OneNote on your PC and press File > View Sync Status.

2. In the Shared Notebook Synchronization window, look for any notebooks with a warning icon appearing over the notebook icon. These indicate an issue with that notebook or a particular section of it.

3. To resolve the issue manually, press the Sync Now button next to the notebook with the sync issues.
4. Alternatively, press the Sync All button to sync all of them instead.

5. Press Close when finished.

If your OneNote notebooks aren’t syncing, you’ll need to troubleshoot the cause next. Remember to double-check your connection status and ensure that Windows Firewall isn’t blocking OneNote before proceeding.

Managing Your Notes in Microsoft OneNote

Syncing your notebooks in OneNote is a great way of keeping your notes updated and accessible—no matter the device you’re using.

OneNote syncing is one of the most basic features on offer, but there are some other, more interesting OneNote features that you can try. For example, if you want to supercharge your OneNote experience, you could try using a notebook template to get started quickly.

It’s natural to be curious about your friends list—especially if you’ve noticed that certain users no longer pop up in your feed. You might not even realize you’ve been ghosted, as Facebook doesn’t alert you if you’ve been removed as a friend.

It can be frustrating and hurtful to learn that you’ve been unfriended. If you want to see if this has happened to you, there are some methods you can try to check if you’ve been unfriended on Facebook without directly asking them.

Are There Official Methods for Checking Who Unfriended You on Facebook?

There’s no official way to check who unfriended you on Facebook. The social media platform won’t alert you when someone removes you from their friends list. There’s no official method to see who unfriended you in the past, either.

While Facebook doesn’t have the best reputation for upholding its user’s privacy, this is an understandable decision. If Facebook did alert you when you were unfriended, it’d probably create a lot of unnecessary drama and conflict.

If you aren’t keeping track, you’ll need to look a bit more closely at your account to see if you can figure it out for yourself. We’ve outlined some possible ways to do this below.

Check Your Timeline

The quickest and best method for seeing if you’ve been unfriended on Facebook is to take a good look through your timeline. If you don’t spot them, you might have been unfriended.

If someone has unfriended you, they’ll no longer be able to see your private posts, but more importantly, you won’t be able to see theirs. If you’re still following the user (which is possible, even if you’ve been unfriended), you’ll only see their public posts.

These posts have a globe icon under their name.

The only way to check this, however, is to go through your timeline and look for anything unusual. If you think someone specifically has unfriended you, but you’re still following that user and see their posts with a globe icon, it’s probable that they’ve unfriended you or restricted you from seeing their private posts.

However, this method isn’t foolproof—some people may only share public posts anyway. If they’ve restricted you instead of unfriending you, you will still be friends with them, but you won’t see their private posts (and won’t know this, either).

Search Within Your Friends List

Another way you can check if you’ve lost a friend is to search within your Facebook friends list for the person’s name. This is a simple and accurate way to check if someone is still your friend or not.

1. First, open the Facebook website and sign in.
2. Click your profile icon in the top-right, then select your name.

3. On your profile page, select Friends.
4. Use the search bar in the Friends tab to search for a specific friend.

If your friend still appears in the list, you’re still friends—you’ve not been unfriended. However, if the person doesn’t appear on the list, you’re (probably) not friends.

The only exception to this rule, however, is if the other person has deactivated or deleted their account. The effect is still the same, however, with the account no longer being accessible to you.

Check That Person’s Profile

The third and final method you can try to check if someone has unfriended you on Facebook is to check that person’s profile directly. This is a very obvious way to see if someone has unfriended you or not, but this is only possible if you suspect someone specifically has removed you.

1. To do this, open the Facebook website and sign in.
2. Type in the friend’s name using the search bar at the top.
3. Select the friend from the search results.

4. If you’re a Facebook friend, you’ll see Friends listed as an icon on that person’s profile.

5. If you aren’t a Facebook friend, you’ll see an Add friend button on the profile instead.

In some circumstances, you may not see an Add friend button on a user’s profile, even if you aren’t their friend. That’s usually because the person is only allowing users with mutual friends to add them in their Facebook privacy settings, for instance.

Can’t find the friend in your search results? You might have been blocked, or the user has deactivated or deleted their account. If you’ve been blocked, you’ve been unfriended, too.

If the friend’s account is only deactivated temporarily, you can see their profile when they reactivate it (and your friendship will continue from that point). Otherwise, the friendship will also be deleted when the account is deleted.

You can also look for other signs on their profile page, such as whether they have any mutual friends with you or whether they have any recent activity. The other person’s privacy settings might restrict access to posts and photos—if you can’t see them, you’ve probably been unfriended.

Can You Use a Third-Party Tool to Check If You’ve Been Unfriended on Facebook?

You might be tempted to try and use a third-party tool to track who has unfriended you on Facebook over time. There are plenty of tools online that claim to be able to tell you if you’ve been unfriended on Facebook—either for free or for a fee.

These tools don’t work, so don’t waste your time. They’re often unreliable and unsafe, requiring unnecessary permissions to your Facebook account. For obvious privacy reasons, we wouldn’t recommend this as an option.

Managing Your Privacy on Facebook

With no official way to know if you’ve been unfriended on Facebook, you’ll need to use your sleuthing skills to figure it out for yourself. The methods above are the best (current methods) for doing this, but don’t be tricked into using third-party apps to help you—they just don’t work (or they risk your safety in the process).

Worried about what you’re sharing online? You can manage your Facebook privacy settings to limit what friends and others can see. For instance, you might want to make your photos private on Facebook to stop others from seeing them.

You can also turn off your Facebook active status to stop yourself from being seen online when you’re scrolling in private.

Downloading Reddit videos isn’t as easy as downloading videos from other websites, but it’s still possible (if you have the right tools). If you want to download Reddit videos onto your PC or Mac, here’s what you’ll need to do.

Is It Legal to Download Reddit Videos?

Before you start downloading Reddit videos, you should check that you’re allowed to do so. Reddit, like all online platforms, is subject to copyright laws. If you share copyrighted material on Reddit, expect it to be deleted. Likewise, if you download copyright material without the owner’s permission, you may end up in trouble.

This is a judgment call for you, depending on the video copyright. If you’ve downloaded a video that the original poster created and owns the copyright to, and they’ve permitted you to download it, it’s acceptable. The same rules apply to public domain videos, where copyright rules aren’t relevant.

Likewise, smaller video creators are unlikely to chase users who download Reddit videos to watch (but not share) elsewhere. Of course, it’s always best to ask for permission to download Reddit videos. But if you’re only planning on watching and not sharing videos, you shouldn’t face any issues with private viewing.

If you’re planning on downloading and sharing Reddit videos elsewhere, however, you’re likely to fall foul of Reddit’s terms of service. The laws in your country, too, may prohibit you from downloading videos from Reddit and other online sources, so make sure to confirm that you’re allowed to do this first.

How to Find and Copy a Reddit Video Link

Before you can download a Reddit video, you’ll need to copy the link to the video itself. When a video is uploaded to Reddit, the video is stored and played back using Reddit’s own video player, making it easy to stream and view video content on the Reddit website or in the Reddit mobile app.

Once you have the link, you can then download the video as a file, which you can then play independently in apps like VLC. You’ll need to follow these steps first before you proceed to download the video using any of the methods listed below.

1. To copy a Reddit link on PC or Mac, open the Reddit website using the new Reddit interface and find the video in the subreddit of your choice. Once you’ve opened a post containing a video, select Share > Copy Link.

2. To copy a Reddit link in the Reddit app, open the app on your mobile device and locate the video you want to save. Once you’ve found it, select Share, then choose to copy the link using your device’s share options.

The link in your clipboard isn’t a direct link to the video but rather a link to the post containing the video. Using this link, you can then use a tool to download Reddit videos (outlined below) to download the video to your device directly.

How to Download Reddit Videos on PC or Mac

As there are no official tools for downloading Reddit videos, you’ll need to use third-party tools to get the job done. One of the best tools available for this is YouTube-DL which, despite the name, is a video downloading tool for Windows, Linux, and Mac users that supports Reddit videos (along with other platforms).

This is an open-source, terminal-based tool, meaning you’ll need to use the Linux or Mac terminal or Windows PowerShell to use it. You’ll also need the video-sharing link for the video you wish to download by following the steps in the section above.

1. To begin, download the latest version of YouTube-DL for your platform. Linux and Mac users will need to open the terminal app and follow the instructions, while Windows users can install YouTube-DL using the latest version as an executable file.

2. If you’re running Windows, open a new PowerShell window after installation by right-clicking the Start menu and selecting Windows PowerShell (Admin).

3. In your open terminal app (on Mac or Linux) or PowerShell window (on Windows), type youtube-dl url, replacing URL with the Reddit share link and then select the Enter key to begin the download.

If the link is correct, the download should begin immediately, saving the video in the source format to your PC or Mac. You can configure this tool further (for example, setting a custom video format or saving additional video information) by using the arguments available in the YouTube-DL documentation.

How to Download Reddit Videos Online

If you’d prefer to use a web-based service to download Reddit videos for offline playback, several platforms exist for this purpose, and you can find them easily with a Google search (e.g. Reddit video downloader).

For example, RedditSave is a simple web-based tool and Google Chrome extension for downloading videos from Reddit using your web browser on any platform.

1. To start, open the RedditSave website and paste the Reddit video sharing URL in the box provided, then select Download.

2. The options on the next page will vary, depending on the source video. Select Download to download the video in the only available resolution, Download HD version to download the highest quality version, or SD Versions to choose a lower-quality version resolution (480p and below).

After downloading the video, you can then play it on a video player of your choice. 

Enjoying Reddit Content

If it isn’t possible to stream videos on the go, downloading Reddit videos is a good way to get around the problem. You may need to check Reddit’s terms of service first but, as long as you’re not sharing the content without the copyright holder’s permission, you should be fine (but, where possible, you should still ask permission).

You can share your own content on Reddit, from text posts and videos to animated GIFs, as long as you have a Reddit account in good standing—if you’ve been shadowbanned on Reddit, your posts might be hidden from view. If you’re just starting, consider a Reddit subscription to go ad-free and gain extra perks.

While you could create your own Discord server, there are no guarantees that you’ll build the community you want. It takes time to find new members, so you may find it easier to join an existing server. If you’re struggling to find the best Discord servers out there to join, here are some suggestions to help you get started.

How to Find Public Discord Servers

Discord is a combination of the many public and private servers that users can join. If you want to chat privately, you can stick to a private server (or drop into a direct message instead). However, finding a public Discord server to join is another way to create new friendships using Discord–as long as you can find them.

To help you do this, Discord offers a directory that you can search through to find public servers that might suit your interests. The directory includes servers related to gaming, music, education, science, technology, and general entertainment. The servers listed are curated by Discord and are (usually) high quality.

You can access this directory using the Discord web app or the desktop app for PC or Mac. Unfortunately, you can’t access this directory feature using the mobile app for Android, iPhone, or iPad devices at present.

1. To access the Discord server directory, open the Discord web app or desktop app and sign in on your PC or Mac.
2. Once you’ve signed in, select the Explore public servers icon at the bottom of your server icons list on the left.

3. In the Discover menu, you’ll be able to search through and join public Discord servers. Use the menu on the left to switch between preset categories, or use the Explore communities search bar at the top to find communities that match your interests.

4. Once you’ve found a server you wish to join, select the server card to view it. This will give you a preview of the channels and server options available to you. To join that server, select the Join button in the top menu.

Using Third-Party Discord Directories

The Discord server directory is a curated list of the best public servers for Discord, but it doesn’t have every public server listed. If you want to find the best Discord servers outside of this list, you’ll need to use a third-party Discord directory.

Several websites exist to help you find public servers on Discord that aren’t accessible through the official directory. These include Disboard, which lets you find servers based on their category tag (e.g., gaming, music, etc.) or by using its search tool. 

Another option is DiscordMe, which (like Disboard) offers a search feature that you can use to find servers based on name or interest. If those platforms don’t work for you, you could give top.gg a go, which allows you to find new servers to join, as well as new Discord bots you can use on your servers.

Other sites exist and can easily be found on Google, each with different servers listed. When you find a server you like on a third-party directory site, select the Join option to use that server’s invitation link.

How to Find Discord Servers Using Google

If you’re struggling to find the best Discord servers that are right for you, you may need to put your Sherlock Holmes hat on and use your advanced Google search skills to locate them on websites related to your interests.

Game development websites, community hubs, Facebook groups—whatever your interest, it’s likely that there’s a Discord server invite link online for you to click on and join. You’ll just need to find it first.

For example, if you’re looking for public Discord servers that relate to the game Call of Duty: Warzone, you might decide to open Google search and use this search query: “warzone” + “discord.gg” to find servers related to this game that have a discord.gg link, which is the domain typically used for Discord invitation links.

Alternatively, you could use “warzone” + “Discord invite” to find web pages, forum posts, and Reddit contributions that include relevant Discord invitation links. It works for any topic, as long as you use this formula (“interest” + “discord.gg” or “interest” + “Discord invite”), although you can try alternative queries.

Once you’ve found a relevant link, select it to join the server. If the link isn’t working or expired, you may need to repeat these steps to find an alternative.

Joining Private Discord Servers

Sometimes, the best Discord servers are the ones that you know about already. If your friends or colleagues are Discord server members on a private server, you may want to ask them for a link to join so you don’t miss out on the fun.

Joining private Discord servers is harder than joining public ones, however. If you don’t have an invite link, you don’t have a way in. You could use the steps above to search for and use a relevant link for a server if it exists, but you’ll need to speak to an existing server member to get a link if that doesn’t work.

Only server owners, administrators, and selected moderators can create Discord links. If you can get a link to a private server, it’s a simple process to join—select the link and follow the on-screen instructions to join, which is usually as simple as selecting Accept invite on the page.

However, you may need to complete additional steps once you join the server, depending on the server’s rules or requirements.

Making Friends on Discord Servers 

Whether you’re joining a new public Discord server or you’ve found a private community to join, you’ll be able to use Discord’s features to chat, play, and make friends with like-minded individuals from across the planet. Make sure to set a custom status on Discord to let your new friends know when you’re ready to chat.

If you’re having trouble with Discord, don’t worry—most problems are easily fixed. However, if you’re stuck on the connection screen or you’re facing other issues, such as an RTC connecting error or robotic voice issues, you should be able to fix the problem. Try changing some settings, switching clients, or using Discord Canary instead.

Facebook users often leave their birthdays visible on their profile, allowing other users to wish them a happy birthday when the day comes (unless they’ve bumped up their privacy settings). You can use this feature to find birthdays on Facebook quickly—here’s how.

How to View Birthday Notifications on Facebook

If you’re friends with somebody on Facebook, and they’ve set their birthday to be publicly available, you should receive a notification on the day of their birthday as long as your notification settings aren’t disabled.

On PC and Mac

1. To view Facebook birthday notifications on your PC or Mac, open the Facebook website and sign in.
2. Once you’ve signed in, select the Notifications icon in the top-right.

3. If one of your friends is having a birthday, Facebook will alert you here. Select the notification to be taken to their profile, allowing you to send a congratulatory birthday message.

On Android, iPhone, or iPad Devices

1. To view Facebook birthday notifications on Android, iPhone, or iPad, open the Facebook app and select the Notifications icon in the menu at the top.

2. If you have a friend with a birthday, Facebook will prompt you to send a message. Select the notification to go straight to their profile, allowing you to send a birthday message publicly.

Facebook may also alert you to birthdays when you sign in by prompting you immediately above your contacts list in the top-right corner.

How to View Upcoming Birthdays on Facebook

Facebook will alert you when it’s a friend’s birthday. But if it isn’t, you can check a calendar of birthdays using your Facebook profile. All your friends with publicly accessible birth dates visible on their profiles will be listed here.

On PC and Mac

1. To view your Facebook birthday calendar, open the Facebook website and sign in.
2. Once you’ve signed in, select the Events option in the menu on the left.

3. In the Events menu, select Birthdays in the left-hand menu.

4. Alternatively, select the Friends icon at the top, then select Birthdays from the left-hand menu.

5. In the Birthdays menu, your Facebook friends will be separated by their birth months. Starting with the current month (or next available birthday, depending on your friends’ list), you’ll be able to see each friend’s birthday listed.

6. Hover over the friend’s profile icon in the Birthdays menu to view their birthday in the pop-up box.

7. If you have a friend with a current birthday, you’ll be able to write a message on their profile directly in the Birthdays menu. Type a message into the box provided and select the Enter key to send the message.

On Android, iPhone, or iPad Devices

1. To view your Facebook birthday calendar on Android, iPhone, and iPad devices, open the app and select the menu icon in the top-right.

2. From the menu, select the search icon.

3. Using the search bar, type birthdays. Select the Birthdays (see upcoming birthdays) option that appears at the top.

4. In the Birthdays menu, you’ll be able to view all upcoming birthdays for your Facebook friends, starting with the next birthday. Underneath your friend’s name will be the date of their next birthday.

5. If it’s your friend’s birthday, an option will be available to post a congratulatory message on their profile or to contact them on Facebook Messenger. Type a message in the box provided and select the Post button to do this, or select the Facebook Messenger icon above it instead.

How to Find Birthdays on Facebook Profiles

For Facebook friends with visible birth dates on their profile, it’s easy to look this information up at any time by visiting that friend’s profile. If you can view the data, you can check the date. This may or may not include the birth year (and thus the person’s age), depending on that person’s privacy settings.

On PC or Mac

1. To find the birth dates of Facebook friends on a PC or Mac, open the Facebook website and sign in.
2. Once you’ve signed in, use the search bar in the top-left to search for your friend by name.
3. Select the friend’s name in the search results to view their profile.

4. Alternatively, select your profile icon in the top-right, then select Friends on your profile list. Your friends will be listed here—select one of them to view their profile.

5. On your friend’s profile page, select About > Contact and basic info to see information about their birth date. If their birthday is visible, you should be able to see it listed under the Basic Info section.

On Android, iPhone, or iPad Devices

1. To find birthdays on Facebook profiles via Android, iPhone, or iPad devices, open the Facebook app and select the menu icon in the top-right.

2. In the menu, select the search icon.

3. Using the search bar, search for a Facebook friend or another Facebook user to view their profile, then select their name from the search results.

4. Alternatively, select the menu icon > See your profile > See All Friends and select one of your friends from your list. You can also select another Facebook user with a public profile to view their birth date, but only if the information is visible to Facebook users who aren’t friends.

5. On your friend’s profile page (or another Facebook user’s public profile), select the About Info option to view more information.

6. If the friend you’re viewing has their birthday listed on their Facebook profile, this will be visible in the Basic info section.

Using Facebook Effectively

Finding birthdays on Facebook is just one way you can use the platform to stay informed and keep in touch with old friends and distant family. For example, you can use custom Facebook friends lists to organize your friends into different categories or use Facebook’s sharing tools to limit or increase access to your posts.

If you’re nervous about snoopers, you could use self-destructing messages in Facebook Messenger to make sure your secrets remain secret. You could also use Facebook Pay to send or receive money from your friends. Or, if you’re bored, you could try watching some free-to-access video content using Facebook Watch.

One way to keep track of certain Twitter accounts, and curate a special Twitter feed of posts and images from those accounts, is to use Twitter lists. You can create grouped lists of Twitter accounts using lists, but they do have some problems. If you want to know how to set up and use Twitter lists, here’s what you’ll need to do.

What Are Twitter Lists?

To help you curate custom Twitter feeds, you can create Twitter lists based on your interests or topics. These collect tweets from certain Twitter accounts and present them in easy-to-access lists for you to view. 

For example, if you wanted to see technology news from various journalists, you could create a list showing this.

You can follow existing Twitter lists (created by others) to view these collected tweets. Or, if you’d prefer, you can create your own. It isn’t an entirely private matter, however. If you add users to a list, they’ll be informed and can remove themselves. The same applies if you’re added to a list by somebody else, too.

The more Twitter accounts you follow, the harder it is to keep track of the different topics and tweets you’ll see. However, Twitter lists allow you to deal with this problem. So, if you’re struggling to see tweets from the right accounts, you can follow or create a Twitter list instead.

How to Find and Follow a Twitter List

If you’re looking to find and follow existing Twitter lists, you can do so via the Twitter website or the mobile Twitter app for Android, iPhone, and iPad users. You can only find lists that are “recommended” to you by Twitter’s algorithm using the discover new lists feature. 

This feature is generated based on your interests, your current followers, and other data that Twitter collects (such as likes). If you don’t like any of your recommended lists, you can follow lists shared directly by other list creators.

On PC or Mac

1. To see your recommended lists, open the Twitter website and sign in, then select Lists from the menu on the left.

2. In the Lists menu, you’ll see a list of your current lists and recommended lists. To join a list in the Discover new lists section, select the Follow button next to it.

3. If you have a direct link to a Twitter list (e.g., a list owner has shared it with you), open the list page on Twitter and select Follow at the top of the page.

On Mobile Devices

1. To view and join recommended Twitter lists on Android, iPhone, or iPad devices, open the app and select the menu icon in the top left corner.

2. From the menu, select the Lists option.

3. In the Lists menu, select the Follow button next to one of the suggested lists in the Discover new lists section to follow it. You can also select Show more to view a wider list.

4. If you’re viewing a Twitter list that’s been shared with you (or a list you’ve opened directly from your recommendations), you can follow it by selecting the Follow button at the top of the list.

How to Create a Twitter List and Add Users

Twitter list recommendations will vary. And since it isn’t possible to search for lists manually, they may prove to be unsatisfactory. If you’d prefer to create your own, you can, but only if it doesn’t breach Twitter’s terms of service in any way.

On PC or Mac

1. To create a new Twitter list on a PC or Mac, open the Twitter website and sign in, then select Lists from the menu on the left.

2. In the Lists menu, select the New List button in the top-right.

3. In the Create a new List menu, type a name and description in the boxes provided. Select the Make Private checkbox if you want your list to be private (meaning only you can see it).

4. If you want to upload a banner photo for your list, select the Add Photo button in the middle.

5. Select Next to proceed.

6. Next, search for members you wish to add to your list using the suggested recommendations or the search bar. Select Add next to any Twitter users you wish to add to your list. Their tweets will appear in your curated Twitter list feed.

7. When finished, select Done to create and view your new list.

8. Once you’ve created your list, you can view it by selecting Lists. Your created lists will appear in the Your Lists section.

9. If you want to edit or delete the list afterward, select your list in the Lists > Your Lists section, then select Edit List.

10. Edit your list name, description, or banner image using the boxes provided and select Done to save your choice. 

11. Otherwise, select Manage Members to add or remove members or select Delete List to delete the list entirely.

On Mobile Devices

1. To create a Twitter list on Android, iPhone, or iPad devices, open the app and select the menu icon in the top-left.

2. From the menu, select Lists.

3. Select the New List icon in the bottom-right corner.

4. In the Create your list menu, provide a name and description for your new list and upload a banner photo using the options provided. Select the Private slider if you want to make the list private (meaning only you can see it). Select Create when you’re ready to proceed.

5. Use the search menu or recommended options to add new users to your list (meaning you can see their tweets in your list feed) by selecting the Add button next to their names. Select Done at the bottom when you’re ready to create your list.

6. Twitter will redirect you to your new list once it’s created. To edit the list (such as changing the name or adding new members) or to delete it, select the Edit List button.

7. Change your list name, description, or banner photo using the options provided, then select Save in the top-right to save your changes.

8. If you want to add or remove list members, select Manage members. Otherwise, select Delete List to delete your list entirely.

How to Leave a Twitter List

Unfortunately, you can’t restrict the Twitter lists feature, meaning anyone can add you to a list at any point, even if your profile is private. The only way to stop this and leave a Twitter list that you’ve been added to is to block users who create the lists, as this will prevent them from adding (or re-adding) you to lists they create.

1. To do this, visit the profile of a Twitter user you wish to block via the Twitter website or app. On the user’s profile, select the three-dots menu icon > Block to block them.

2. Confirm your choice by selecting Block in the pop-up menu.

Once blocked, the user won’t be able to view your profile, tag you in tweets, or add you to new lists. You’ll be removed from any list they created and the user will be prevented from adding you to any other lists afterward.

If you’re only following a list, however, you can leave it in the usual way by accessing the Lists menu, opening the list, and selecting Unfollow.

Using Twitter Safely

Twitter lists are just one way to personalize the Twitter experience, but they can be abused. If you’re worried about your online safety and privacy, don’t be afraid to hide your Twitter profile or change your Twitter handle for greater anonymity if you need to.

If you’re facing abuse, you can block Twitter users disrupting your experience and report the worst offenders to Twitter for investigation. Of course, Twitter isn’t for everyone, so if you want to try another platform, you can try plenty of Twitter alternatives instead.

One issue with Twitch streaming, however, is the ads. If you don’t subscribe to a channel, you’ll see video ads appear at the start (and occasionally during) a live stream or recorded video. The best way to stop seeing ads on Twitch is to use Twitch Turbo. Here’s everything you need to know about it.

What Is Twitch Turbo?

Twitch Turbo is the only guaranteed method for stopping ads on Twitch. Offered as a monthly subscription, it blocks almost all ads during streams. You won’t see pre-roll videos ads before or during a stream or any kind of on-page ads elsewhere, apart from ads presented in the stream by streamers.

While you can gain this benefit by subscribing to streamers with a Twitch Prime (now Prime Gaming) or paid channel subscription, those benefits only apply when you’re viewing that channel’s streams or videos. Twitch Turbo stops ads appearing across all streams, including streams you aren’t subscribed to or don’t follow.

Twitch Turbo doesn’t just block ads. Subscribers gain a special chat badge that shows off their subscription in other channels. You also gain access to two additional Twitch emote sets, as well as the ability to customize your chat username color.

If you’re a Twitch streamer (rather than viewer), you can also save your past broadcasts for 60 days, increased from the usual 14 days offered to other users. Twitch Turbo costs $8.99 a month on a rolling basis. If you decide to back out, you can cancel Twitch Turbo in your account settings area.

Twitch Turbo vs Prime

If you’re an Amazon Prime subscriber, you already have the benefits of Prime Gaming applied to your Twitch account. This unlocks various features, such as game loot drops during streams, one free subscription to a channel per month, a special Twitch emote badge, exclusive chat username colors and emotes, and more.

Sounds familiar? Some of the benefits of a Prime Gaming subscription are similar to those available to Twitch Turbo subscribers. If you consider Twitch Turbo vs Prime, however, remember that an Amazon Prime membership isn’t just about gaming. Prime membership unlocks a huge amount of benefits across Amazon’s platforms.

Amazon Prime membership includes free Amazon next-day delivery, access to free TV, movies, and music, unlimited photo storage, free Kindle ebook renting and discounts, and more. Prime Gaming is just one additional benefit to a Prime subscription, but unlike Twitch Turbo, it doesn’t offer an ad-free experience.

If you’ve been a Twitch user for a while, you may remember that a Prime membership unlocked an ad-free experience across Twitch. This was removed in 2018, leaving Twitch Turbo as the only reliable way to remove ads on the platform without an individual channel subscription.

Prime Gaming complements the Twitch experience, while Twitch Turbo directly enhances it. You can have both, either, or neither—you can still use Twitch for free, but Twitch Turbo and Amazon Prime subscriptions will both unlock additional benefits for regular, committed Twitch users.

Alternatives to Twitch Turbo for Ad Blocking

The biggest benefit to Twitch Turbo is going ad-free across the platform. Rather than subscribe to a single channel, you can ditch the ads on any stream or video you watch for an $8.99 a month subscription.

If you have an ad blocking extension in your browser, you might think you’re safe from Twitch ads. However, to protect revenue, Amazon directly blocks attempts by common ad blockers to stop ads from running. Ad blocking either doesn’t work at all or your stream is likely to be interrupted by black screens or error messages.

It’s also much more difficult to block Twitch ads on platforms like Smart TVs, games consoles, and tablets. While you could go for a DIY route, such as a Raspberry Pi running Pi-Hole, this works in a similar way to ad-blocking extensions. In comparison, Twitch Turbo blocks ads on all platforms, including TVs and consoles.

Unfortunately, there are no reliable alternatives to Twitch Turbo for ad blocking. If you want to stop the ads without subscribing to individual channels, a Twitch Turbo subscription is the best way to do it. While it isn’t a free solution, Twitch Turbo is a cheap way to beat the 30+ second video ads that appear before and during streams.

How to Subscribe to Twitch Turbo

If you want to reliably block ads on Twitch, you’ll need to subscribe to Twitch Turbo. Here’s how:

1. In your web browser, visit the Twitch Turbo website. If you haven’t already signed in, select Log In in the top right.

2. Once you’ve signed in, scroll to the bottom of the page and select Subscribe.

3. In the Complete Purchase menu, complete the form by providing your billing information and chosen billing method. Select Review Purchase to proceed once you’re ready.

4. Follow any additional on-screen instructions to complete the billing process. Once the process is complete, you can return to the Twitch Turbo website and select View Your Subscription to view the status of your subscription.

How to Cancel Twitch Turbo

When you subscribe to Twitch Turbo, the subscription remains active until you cancel it. Each month, you’ll be billed $8.99 on the anniversary date of your first subscription. If you want to cancel Twitch Turbo, you can do so via the Twitch Turbo website or from your Twitch account settings menu by following these steps:

1. To cancel Twitch Turbo, open the Twitch website and sign in by selecting Log In in the top right.

2. Once you’ve signed in, select your account icon in the top right. From the menu, select Subscriptions.

3. In the Subscriptions menu, select the Other Subscriptions tab. If you’re a Twitch Turbo subscriber, your subscription will appear here. Select the Edit Subscriptions icon in the Twitch Turbo card to make changes to your subscription. 

4. In the pop-up menu, select Don’t Renew Subscription. If you’ve subscribed within the last 10 minutes, you can secure a refund and cancel Twitch Turbo immediately by selecting Cancel and Refund instead.

5. If you decide to cancel, you’ll need to provide a reason why. Select a suitable reason in the Don’t Renew Subscription or Cancel Subscription menu (depending on your available options), then select Don’t Renew Subscription or Cancel Subscription to end your Twitch Turbo subscription.

If you don’t renew your subscription, your Twitch Turbo benefits will remain active on your account until your next billing date. If you are within 10 minutes of subscribing to Twitch Turbo, cancelling and refunding the subscription will result in your Twitch Turbo benefits ending immediately.

Live Streaming On Twitch and Other Platforms

Using Twitch Turbo, you can block ads across the entire Twitch platform for a small monthly fee. Twitch Turbo is cheaper than similar products from rivals, such as YouTube Premium subscription, and remains the best way to stay ad-free on Twitch, especially with ad blocking extensions proving so unreliable.

Twitch is a great platform, but it isn’t for everyone. There are some great Twitch alternatives out there to try, but you can also share your screen on Discord if you want to start with a smaller audience. If you start streaming on Twitch, don’t forget to conduct a few Twitch raids to make friends and help other streamers grow.

If you’re having problems with Discord, you might want to restart or reset it. Quickly resetting your Discord client can help you to restore functionality if you’re suffering from connection problems, app crashes, or if your audio, video, or desktop streaming is unstable. If you want to know how to restart Discord, here’s how.

Can You Restart Discord?

If you search for this topic online, you’ll see a lot of misinformation (and, if we’re honest, poorly written articles) that fail to define what exactly is meant by a Discord restart. For example, do you want to restart the Discord client or are you looking to restart your Discord server?

These are two very different things, and it’s important to explain the distinction. For instance, if you’re using Discord and it freezes or has a connection issue, then restarting Discord means closing the client (by force, if necessary) and restarting it. This allows you to resume using Discord without further issues.

If you want to restart a Discord server, however, then this is an entirely different topic. You can’t F4 your way into “refreshing” your server. For the purpose of this article, we’re assuming this means to either turn the server on or off again (not possible) or wipe it and start again with no members or customization (possible).

Discord is a web-based platform, meaning servers are hosted by Discord itself with 24/7 access available for users. Unlike Teamspeak, you don’t host a server that can be switched on or off when there’s a problem. If you’re having problems with Discord, it’s a problem with the client or platform itself, not with your server.

However, if you’re having issues running your server (too many members, difficult moderation issues, bored of the server topic, etc), you may want to delete your server and start again. Only Discord server owners can do this, so if you haven’t created your server or had ownership transferred to you, you’re out of luck.

How to Restart Discord on PC or Mac

If you use the Discord desktop client for PC or Mac, then you can restart it. This helps to recover from connection problems, from app freezes, or from other issues that aren’t caused by a problem with the Discord platform itself, such as server outages.

As Discord may not close properly, the best way to ensure Discord restarts is to force the client to close using the Task Manager on Windows or the Force Quit tool on Mac.

How to Restart Discord on Windows

If you want to force Discord to restart on Windows, here’s what you’ll need to do:

1. Right-click the Start menu or taskbar and select Task Manager.

2. In the Processes tab in the Task Manager window, locate the Discord process (or discord.exe in the Details tab). Right-click the process and select End Task to force it to close.

3. Once the Discord process is closed, locate Discord in the Start menu to relaunch it.

How to Restart Discord on Mac

If you want to force Discord to restart on a Mac, follow these steps:

1. While the Discord client is open, select the Apple menu > Force Quit.

2. In the Force Quit Applications menu, locate the Discord entry and select it. Select Force Quit to force the app to close.

3. Confirm you want to force Discord to close by selecting Force Quit in the pop-up menu.

4. After force quitting Discord on your Mac, open the Launchpad on your Dock and select Discord to restart it.

Switch to the Web Version of Discord

Restarting the Discord client by forcefully closing it and restarting it should help to resolve most minor issues. If the Discord desktop app isn’t working, however, you could try switching to the web version of Discord.

Discord’s web client is a fully functional replacement for the Discord desktop app, providing access to almost all of the same features. The interface remains the same, and you’ll be able to access your same servers, messages, and more.

1. To access the Discord web client, open the Discord website and select Login in the top-right.

2. When prompted, type your Discord username and password into the boxes provided and select Login to proceed. You may need to follow additional steps (such as two-factor authentication) at this point to complete the sign-in process.

Once you’ve signed in, you’ll see the standard Discord interface appear in your browser. You can then use Discord as usual, although some features (such as push-to-talk during gameplay) are unavailable in the web app.

Switch to Another Discord Server Region

Restarting the Discord desktop app or refreshing the Discord web app in your browser will cause the connection between you and Discord’s servers to be closed and reconnected. However, if you’re having trouble with your connection to Discord, you may need to switch to another Discord server region in a channel you’re using.

This may help you to restart your Discord connection with lower latency and streaming issues and improve voice and video communication in the process. This change will only apply to voice channels (not text-only channels) and only channel moderators, server administrators, and server owners can make this change.

1. To switch to another Discord server region, open the Discord app on your desktop or via the website and sign in. Once you’ve signed in, select your server on the left, then select a voice channel in the channel list. Select the settings icon next to the channel to make a change.

2. In the Channel Settings menu, scroll down to the Region Override section. Select a region near to you from the Region Override drop-down menu, or select Automatic to allow Discord to choose for you. If you’re having trouble, switch to another region near (although not too far) from your location.

3. Once you’ve changed your channel region, select Save Changes at the bottom to apply it. You may experience a brief interruption in service as your voice channel (with all members) is moved to that region.

Changing server regions for voice channels will force the connection between you and Discord’s servers to be reconnected. If you see issues after changing server regions, follow the steps above to switch to a new region or switch back to using the automatic region selection instead.

How to Restart a Discord Server

As we’ve previously explained, you can’t restart a Discord server in the traditional sense by switching it off and on again like you can with a Teamspeak server, for instance. Discord servers are hosted by Discord and remain active and accessible 24/7 (unless there’s an outage).

The only way to “restart” a Discord server is to delete it and create a new one. This wipes the slate clean, removing your channels, messages, and server users. You shouldn’t do this if you’re having trouble with Discord connectivity, but if you want to close down your server and recreate it, you can follow these steps to do so.

1. To remove your Discord server, open the Discord desktop or web app and sign in, then select your server from the panel on the left. Select your server name at the top of the channels list, then select Server Settings.

2. Select Delete Server at the bottom of the Settings menu.

3. Discord will ask you to confirm that you really want to delete your server—this process can’t be reversed. Type your server name in the box provided, then select Delete Server to delete it. Otherwise, select Cancel to stop the process.

Once you’ve deleted your server, you’ll need to make a new Discord server or join a new one. Deleting your server means losing everything (including messages, servers, and user base), so once you’ve recreated your Discord server, you’ll need to re-invite your users to chat with them again.

Troubleshooting Discord Issues

If you’re trying to figure out how to restart Discord, remember that you can restart your Discord app and re-establish your connection, but you can’t restart or refresh the server. Everything is server-based and remains available, 24/7. If you want to start again, you’ll need to delete your server and make a new one to replace it.

You don’t have to go that far, however. You could delete your Discord DM history if you’re worried about some of your older messages, for instance. If Discord isn’t working for you, you can always try one of the top Discord alternatives out there, including Slack, Teamspeak, and Microsoft Teams.

While you could use moderators (or Discord moderation bots) to help you bring your server under control, you could take advantage of Discord’s slow mode feature instead. This will help you reduce message speed and make it easier to moderate. To help you, here’s everything you need to know about slow mode on Discord.

What Is Slow Mode on Discord?

Discord’s slow mode feature is designed to reduce the number of messages that appear in a channel. When you send a message on Discord, the message usually appears immediately afterwards in the channel for others to view. If you and other users are sending multiple messages, however, this can make it difficult to follow.

A way around this is to use slow mode on Discord to limit how many messages a user can send in a short space of time. For instance, if you send a message in a channel with slow mode enabled, you won’t be able to send another message for the duration of the cooldown period. This can be set to any time between five seconds and six hours.

This restriction will only apply to standard Discord users. If the user has a Discord server role with Manage Channel or Manage Messages permissions, or these permissions are applied to the user in that channel directly, then slow mode won’t apply, and the user will be able to send messages as normal.

Enabling this feature helps to reduce channel message spam, as it allows users to send messages, but only in single bursts. If you’re a standard user, you can also mute other Discord users you don’t like, hiding their messages from view. For server owners, you’re free to kick or ban disruptive users in the server settings menu.

How to Enable or Disable Slow Mode on Discord on PC or Mac

Discord’s slow mode isn’t enabled on channels by default, but you can activate it on your server in channels that are particularly busy. Only server administrators or users with permissions to edit a channel’s settings are able to enable slow mode, and the setting can be switched on or off at any time.

If you want to enable or disable slow mode on a Discord server using your PC or Mac, here’s what you’ll need to do.

1. To start, open the Discord PC or Mac client or open the Discord web client in your web browser. Once you’ve signed in, select your server from the vertical list on the left, then select a channel you wish to enable or disable slow mode in. Select the Edit Channel icon next to the channel name to proceed.

2. In the Overview settings menu for the Discord channel, use your mouse to move the Slowmode slider to the right to enable it, choosing a time period between 5s (five seconds) and 6h (six hours) in length.

3. If you’d prefer to disable Discord’s slow mode, use your mouse to move the slider to the Off position instead.

4. After choosing to enable or disable slow mode, or if you’re increasing or decreasing the slow mode cooldown period, you’ll need to save your new channel settings. Select Save Changes in the menu bar at the bottom to confirm any changes you’ve made.

The new slow mode settings you select will activate immediately. If you choose to enable slow mode, any user without the Manage Channel or Manage Messages permission for that channel will see a cooldown timer underneath the channel message text box. This will run for the cooldown period you selected.

If you’ve disabled slow mode on Discord, however, your users will be able to send messages without any time limitations.

How to Enable or Disable Slow Mode on Mobile Devices

You can actively manage your Discord server setting using the Discord app on Android or Apple iPhone/iPad devices. If you have the app installed, you can follow the steps below to quickly enable or disable slow mode on Discord using your mobile device.

1. To start, open the Discord app on your Android or Apple device and sign in (if you haven’t already). In the Discord app, select the menu icon in the top left to view the server and channel list.

2. Select your server from the vertical channel list on the left. On the right, select and hold a channel in the channel list until the pop-up settings menu appears at the bottom.

3. In the channel menu, select the Edit Channel option.

4. Swipe down to the bottom of the Channel Settings menu to view the Slowmode options. Using your finger, move the Slowmode cooldown slider to the right to enable the feature, choosing any period between five seconds and six hours. 

5. If you want to disable slow mode, move the slider to the furthest point on the left until the Slowmode is off message appears on the right.

6. To save your new channel settings, select the Save button at the bottom of the menu. Once you’ve saved your settings, use the arrow button in the top left or your device’s back button to exit the menu.

Any channel settings you change will be activated as soon as you save the changes. If you enable slow mode, the cooldown period you selected will apply to that channel for any messages sent by users without Manage Channel or Manage Server permissions. The timer itself will appear above the channel message text box.

If you disable slow mode, any message cooldown periods will be removed immediately, allowing users to send messages without any timing restrictions.

Using Discord Effectively

Using slow mode on Discord, you can quickly get to grips with your server moderation, making it easier to read messages and filter inappropriate comments. There are other ways you can use Discord more effectively, from adding color to Discord messages to using the Discord in-game overlay during gameplay.

If Discord isn’t opening or you’re having troubleshooting issues, you can always switch to the Discord web client or Discord Canary, the testing version of the software. Discord isn’t for everyone, however, so if you’re looking for an alternative, you could always give Slack or Teamspeak a try instead.