failed to load ad : 3

Question

I'm setting an ad to my Android application using DoubleClick and can't manage to show the final ad, can someone help me?

When I test an ad by adding ".addTestDevice("xxx...")" I get the test ad but when I remove this line I get the following error :

W/Ads: No fill from ad server

W/Ads: Failed to load ad: 3

I set my ad like this :

PublisherAdRequest adRequest = new PublisherAdRequest.Builder().build();
mPublisherAdView.loadAd(adRequest);

And my publisherView look like this :

    <com.google.android.gms.ads.doubleclick.PublisherAdView
        android:id="@+id/pronostics_ad"
        android:layout_width="wrap_content"
        android:layout_height="wrap_content"

        android:layout_gravity="center"

        ads:adSize="BANNER"
        ads:adUnitId="@string/ad_unit_pronostic">
    </com.google.android.gms.ads.doubleclick.PublisherAdView>

What could be wrong?

Thank's in advance for your answers.

Answer 1

W/Ads: Failed to load ad: 3

As per the Documentation you are getting the following error code:

public static final int ERROR_CODE_NO_FILL

The ad request was successful, but no ad was returned due to lack of ad inventory.

Constant Value: 3

Based on the post onFailedToReceiveAd - Ad request successful, but no ad returned due to lack of ad inventory when using admob with adwhirl:

If you are getting this error, then your code is correct. The issue is that AdMob does not always have an ad to return for every request. This may happen particularly if you have just registered your AdMob publisher ID, as it takes some time and multiple requests before the new ID starts returning ads.

Another reason your fill rate may be low is that you don't have AdSense backfill enabled, or you have filtered out some ads. Check your app settings to see if that is the case.

Answer 2

There is one option which helped in our case. As @blizzard mentioned in your application settings in Google Developer Console there is a section which called "Pricing and Distribution". In this section there is a checkbox "CONTAINS ADS". In our case it was disabled. After enabling we successfully received ads. Hope it helps.

Answer 3

One new and update answer: Many apps that were removed this October(2018) for the lack of Privacy Policy are unable to receive ads after they get back in Play Store. You must use this form to request a "reset" for that app's ads. https://support.google.com/admob/contact/appeal_policy_violation

Took me a few days to realize and find the answer. Hope you get your ads back.

Answer 4

Option 1: Go to Settings-> search Reset advertising ID -> click on Reset advertising ID -> OK. You should start receiving Ads now

No search option? Try Option 2

Option 2: Go to Settings->Google->Ads->Reset advertising ID->OK

No Google options in Settings? Try Option 3

Option 3:Look for Google Settings (NOT THE SETTINGS)->Ads->Reset advertising ID

Answer 5

If error continues last try is create a new placement in admob. This works for me. Without changing anything(except placement id string) else in code ads start displaying.

Answer 6

This is a simple WORKAROUND (no solution):

You can install a mediation such as InMobi: https://developers.google.com/admob/android/mediation/inmobi

In this way, if for whatever reason admob is not showing you ads, you can still show them from other ad networks.