If you’ve integrated AdMob into your app but your ads are not displaying, you’re not alone. This frustrating issue can stall your revenue, whether you’re monetizing a social app like Tango Live or a utility tool like Google Tasks. The good news? Most AdMob problems have straightforward solutions. In this article, we’ll walk through five quick troubleshooting fixes—covering ad settings, mediation, and more—to resolve ads not displaying and get your AdMob ads back online fast.
Why Aren’t Your AdMob Ads Showing?
AdMob is a powerful platform for mobile monetization, but when ads are not displaying, it’s usually due to a misstep in setup or configuration. Common culprits include incorrect ad settings, network issues, or problems with mediation. Before you panic, let’s pinpoint the cause and fix it with these troubleshooting steps.
5 Quick Fixes for AdMob Ads Not Displaying
Here’s how to get your AdMob ads working again in no time.
Fix 1: Verify Your AdMob Setup and Ad Unit Configuration
The most common reason for ads not displaying is a setup error. Let’s start with basic troubleshooting of your AdMob ad settings.
Check Your Ad Unit ID
- Log into your AdMob dashboard and navigate to “Apps” > “Ad Units.”
- Ensure the Ad Unit ID (e.g., ca-app-pub-1234/5678) matches the one in your app’s code.
- For example, a mismatch in Samsung Internet could silence your banners.
Confirm App Linking
- Verify your app is linked correctly in AdMob. If it’s unpublished (e.g., on TestFlight), manually add it with the right platform (Android/iOS).
- A missing link can stop ads from displaying.
Test with Sample IDs
- Use AdMob test IDs (from their docs) to rule out account issues. Replace your live ID temporarily:
- Android: ca-app-pub-3940256099942544/6300978111 (banner).
- iOS: Same process in Xcode.
- If test ads appear in Google Download, the problem isn’t your code.
Fixing these ad settings often resolves ads not displaying instantly.
Fix 2: Ensure Proper Ad Implementation in Code
A coding error during AdMob integration can prevent ads from displaying. Let’s troubleshoot your ad implementation.
Android Checklist
- SDK Added: Confirm implementation \’com.google.android.gms:play-services-ads:22.6.0\’ is in your build.gradle.
- Manifest Correct: Check AndroidManifest.xml for:
xml
<meta-data
android:name=\"com.google.android.gms.ads.APPLICATION_ID\"
android:value=\"ca-app-pub-1234~5678\"/> - Ad Load Call: In your activity (e.g., for Chrome Browser):
java
AdView adView = findViewById(R.id.adView);
AdRequest adRequest = new AdRequest.Builder().build();
adView.loadAd(adRequest);
iOS Checklist
- Pod Installed: Verify pod \’Google-Mobile-Ads-SDK\’ in your Podfile, followed by pod install.
- Initialization: In AppDelegate.swift:
swift
GADMobileAds.sharedInstance().start(completionHandler: nil) - Ad Load: In your view controller (e.g., for Zoiper):
swift
let bannerView = GADBannerView(adSize: kGADAdSizeBanner)
bannerView.adUnitID = \"ca-app-pub-1234/5678\"
bannerView.load(GADRequest())
Common Coding Mistakes
- Missing internet permissions (<uses-permission android:name=\”android.permission.INTERNET\”/>).
- Ad view not visible (e.g., hidden in MXL TV layouts).
Run your app in Android Studio Download or Xcode—if test ads show, your live ad settings might need tweaking.
Fix 3: Check AdMob Account and Policy Status
Sometimes, ads not displaying stems from account-level issues rather than code. Here’s how to troubleshoot:
Account Approval
- New AdMob accounts take 24-48 hours to activate. If you just signed up for Apps Stock, wait it out.
- Check your email for approval delays or verification requests.
Policy Violations
- Log into AdMob’s Policy Center. If flagged for invalid traffic or content issues (e.g., adult material in Public App), ads won’t serve until resolved.
- Fix violations (e.g., adjust ad settings in Citrix Workspace) and appeal if needed.
Payment Details
- Unverified payment info can pause ad serving. Update your AdMob payment settings to unlock ads.
A quick dashboard check can pinpoint these troubleshooting wins.
Fix 4: Optimize Mediation and Ad Sources
If you’re using mediation to boost fill rates, a misconfiguration could explain ads not displaying. Let’s fix it.
Verify Mediation Setup
- In AdMob, go to “Mediation” and check your mediation group.
- Ensure ad networks (e.g., Unity Ads, Meta) are added and SDKs are integrated (e.g., for Dubsmash).
- Test with mediation test suite—available in AdMob’s tools.
Check Network Status
- Some networks fail to fill requests in regions with low demand (e.g., niche tools like Android Developer). Add more sources via mediation.
- Enable Google Ad Manager as a fallback in mediation settings.
Bidding Issues
- If using bidding, confirm all partners are active. A glitch here can stop ads from displaying in Tango Live.
Proper mediation setup ensures ads flow smoothly—tweak it and test again.
Fix 5: Adjust Ad Settings and Network Connectivity
Your ad settings or device environment might be the final hurdle. Here’s the troubleshooting fix:
Ad Frequency and Filters
- In AdMob’s ad settings, check frequency caps. Too restrictive (e.g., one ad per hour in Google Tasks) limits impressions.
- Review ad filters—blocking too many categories (e.g., in Digital Wellbeing) reduces inventory.
Device and Network
- Test on a real device, not just emulators—some (e.g., Android Studio Download) block ads.
- Ensure a stable internet connection. Weak signals in Mobile Banking apps can prevent ad loads.
- Disable ad blockers or VPNs on your test device (common in Samsung Internet).
Ad Request Errors
- Enable AdMob logging:
- Android: AdRequest.Builder().setRequestAgent(\”test\”).build();
- iOS: Set GADMobileAds.sharedInstance().requestConfiguration.testDeviceIdentifiers.
- Check logs for errors like “No fill” or “Internal error”—low demand might need mediation.
Adjust these ad settings, and your ads should reappear.
Additional Troubleshooting Tips
Still stuck? Try these extras:
- Update SDK: Older versions (e.g., pre-20.x) miss features. Upgrade in Zoho Invoice.
- Clear Cache: Reset app data on your device to clear glitches (e.g., in Revolut Business).
- Contact Support: Use AdMob’s Help Center if all else fails—include logs and screenshots.
Common Scenarios and Fixes
- New App: Wait 24-48 hours post-integration for ads to display.
- Low Traffic: Small apps like TestFlight betas may lack ad inventory—add mediation.
- Overlapping Ads: Fix layouts in Citrix Workspace Download to comply with policy.
How Much Revenue Are You Losing?
If ads aren’t displaying, a small app earning $50 daily loses that until fixed. For bigger apps like Public App, it could be hundreds. Quick troubleshooting minimizes the hit.
Conclusion: Get Your AdMob Ads Back Now
AdMob ads not displaying doesn’t have to derail your monetization. With these five fixes—checking ad settings, verifying code, reviewing account status, optimizing mediation, and testing connectivity—you can troubleshoot and resolve the issue fast. Whether it’s MXL TV, Google Download, or your next project, AdMob ads are within reach.
Log into AdMob, test these solutions, and watch your ads light up again. Your revenue fix is just minutes away!