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lkubuntu
A listing of random software, tips, tweaks, hacks, and tutorials I made for Ubuntu
How to remove the annoying YouTube lightsaber sound
Posted by on December 7, 2015
Google pulled off a clever marketing stunt for Star Wars, allowing you to “choose your side of the force” – which consequently changes various Google products to fit the theme accordingly.
One change they introduced added lightsaber sound effects when you hover over the volume icon on a Youtube video. While being a cute gimmick, I found this to be quite annoying, especially when listening to music, so I spent the morning trying to make a small script that would disable it.
I thought I would share it, since I’m guessing there are others who also find this annoying
- User script
- Make sure you have the Greasemonkey/Scriptish extension for Firefox, or the Tampermonkey extension for Chrome, then click on the link above and install
- Chrome extension:
https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/210…ber/chrome.crxEDIT: Thanks to saltyjohnson in the comments, the extension is now on the chrome web store! Simply go there and install, no setup needed :DTo install, download the extension, go to the extensions management page (Menu -> More tools -> Extensions), and drag+drop the extension on there.
It’s not in the chrome web store since it costs money to upload extensions, and for an extension as trivial as this, I don’t really consider it worth it
- Firefox extension
It works most of the time, but if you hover over the volume icon before the script has a chance to run, the sound will still happen. Just wait a second or two, and it will work :) Also, if you just installed the extension, you will need to reload the page.
I uploaded a unified codebase to github, mainly since I didn’t like constantly having to copy files from/to various codebases :P Here it is, if anyone’s interested: https://github.com/AnonymousMeerkat/youtube-no-lightsaber
lkubuntu 
I really don’t like it as well.
Literally the only positive side I can think of is that when listening to epic music, you can sometimes time the volume icon so that it will play right before the climax, as a buildup :P
[censored] you man, there is google option to change side you are on and go to default theme as well
I like the other changes though (especially the dark gmail theme)!! This post is just if you want to remove the youtube lightsaber sound, without removing everything else it has to offer :)
Thank you so very much for this.
I only hope my love for the hum of a lightsaber hasn’t already been ruined.
You’re most welcome, I’m glad you enjoy it!! And true haha I’m waiting a bit on the movie, for recovery :P (.. and the fact that there’s no way I can get a ticket for the movie by now, but shhhh, it’s _really_ the hum! XD)
Thanks a lot, It works fine!
No problem!! ^_^
It removes the sound but not the light!
You’re referring to the glow effect? I personally like the glow effect, but here, use this: https://greasyfork.org/en/scripts/15239-remove-star-wars-youtube-player-theme/code :)
And if you want to undo all the effects completely, google.com/starwars, choose change side, slide the icon back to the middle, and click on return to default.
This is the best answer. You don’t need to install a plugin at all.
Certainly, if you don’t mind reverting everything back :)
I really enjoy the youtube and gmail themes though! :D
Yay finally damn that was driving me mad lol Thanks a bunch ;-)
Thank you, Doug!
Thanks.. works with my Firefox :)
You’re welcome, I’m glad it does!! ^^
Muchas gracias! Ya me estaba volviendo loco con ese sonido!
Tiene problemas cuando habilito el modo incógnito en Google Chrome! Podrías revisarlo? De antemano muchas gracias!!
usas el user-script? o la extension?
si la extension, va a el url: chrome://extensions , y marca la casilla ‘permetir in modo incognito’ sur la extension ‘Youtube disable lightsaber sound’ ( http://static.commentcamarche.net/es.ccm.net/pictures/Jy3bsDdsjj3kpTRPISxrp0b9Sg7Uj5pk294dyTUQdslpCROhJxknlgQ4OEqBDgtb-chrome-permitir-modo-incognito.png )
Chrome seems to have finally disabled unlisted extensions entirely. Mind if I upload it to the Web Store myself?
I would very much appreciate it if you did! Send me a link, and I’ll add it to the post :)
We’re live :) The upload was quick and dirty. Shoot me an email if you want me to make any changes.
https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/youtube-disable-lightsabe/eaamonkdclpjhbcjfpbkpgabpfdbijde
Thank you! Works fine on my end, will update the post :D
Thank you so very much! Was driving me crazy with that damn sound. I kept expecting it to go away after a limited time… but no. Good work.
You’re so very welcome!! I’m glad other people can find this useful too! :D
This can be removed by going to google.com/starwars/ then going choose a side and putting your avatar in the middle
The script works perfectly. Thank you so much for getting that damn lightsaber sfx off my youtube vids.
You’re welcome!! It’s annoying, isn’t it? XD
For individuals that may have Edge or IE browser this script isn’t an option. Don’t worry though, there is a solution… you can go to: https://www.google.com/starwars/ and click on the change your side button. It will have a slider in the middle of the screen and if you select the center option it will reset your google experience to normal, no more annoying lightsaber sound on youtube.
Perfect, thank you! As a headphone user, I nearly jumped out of my skin the first time I heard it. Now it’s just irritating…
Haha I know, right? XD I read about it before I enabled it, and I thought ‘ah, the article must have been mistaken … there’s no way google would do something as annoying as thi– ….. nevermind’ XD
To turn off follow link
http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/how-turn-off-google-youtube-star-wars-takeover-1530217
thank you thank you thank you
Hey–just go to your chrome settings–go into advanced–and RESET to your default settings and it will be gone. Promise.