Chrome blocks most pop-ups automatically, but you can turn that off for specific websites or disable it entirely
Google Chrome comes with a built-in pop-up blocker that stops most pop-ups from appearing. Sometimes you need to see a pop-up — maybe a login window, a form, or content from a website you trust. You can disable the blocker for just that one site, or turn it off completely if you prefer. The steps are different depending on whether you want to allow pop-ups everywhere or just on one website.
The fastest way is usually to allow pop-ups for a single site. When Chrome blocks a pop-up, it shows you a small notification at the top of the address bar. You can click that notification and choose to allow pop-ups from that website going forward. If you do not see the notification, or if you want to change the setting later, you can do it through Chrome's settings menu.
Key Takeaways
- Chrome shows a notification at the top of the address bar when it blocks a pop-up, and you can click it to allow pop-ups from that site.
- You can allow pop-ups for one website without turning off the blocker for all websites.
- To disable the pop-up blocker entirely, go to Chrome Settings, then Privacy and Security, then Site Settings, then Pop-ups and redirects.
- If a website keeps blocking pop-ups even after you allow them, clear your browser cache or try opening the site in an incognito window.
Allow pop-ups from one website using the notification
When Chrome blocks a pop-up, you will see a small icon or message near the top left of the address bar. The exact appearance depends on your Chrome version, but it usually says "Pop-up blocked" or shows a small pop-up icon with a number. Click on that notification.
A small menu will appear with options. Look for the choice that says "Always allow pop-ups and redirects from [website name]" or simply "Allow". Click that option. Chrome will now let pop-ups through from that website, and the notification will disappear. The next time you visit that site, pop-ups should appear normally.
This method only affects the one website you clicked on. The pop-up blocker stays active for all other websites. If you visit the same website later and want to block pop-ups again, you can reverse this by going back to the same notification menu and selecting "Block".
Allow pop-ups for one website through Chrome Settings
If you do not see the pop-up notification, or if you want to change the setting for a site you have already visited, you can do it through the Settings menu. Open Chrome and click the three vertical dots in the top right corner. Select "Settings" from the menu that appears.
On the left side of the Settings page, click "Privacy and security". Then click "Site settings". Scroll down until you see "Pop-ups and redirects" and click on it. You will see two lists: one for sites where pop-ups are allowed, and one where they are blocked.
To add a website to the allowed list, click "Add" next to "Allow". Type the website address — for example, example.com — and click "Add". Chrome will now allow pop-ups from that site. To remove a site from the allowed list later, click the trash icon next to its name.
Disable the pop-up blocker completely
If you want to turn off the pop-up blocker for all websites, follow the same path: open Chrome Settings, click "Privacy and security", then "Site settings", then "Pop-ups and redirects". At the top of the page, you will see a toggle or radio button labeled "Blocked (recommended)". Click on it and select "Allowed".
Once you do this, Chrome will stop blocking pop-ups on any website. This means you may see unwanted pop-ups more often, which is why Chrome recommends keeping the blocker on. If you change your mind, you can turn it back on by returning to the same menu and selecting "Blocked".
Disabling the blocker entirely is rarely necessary. Most websites you trust will work fine with the blocker on, and you can always allow pop-ups for specific sites as needed. Only turn off the blocker completely if a website genuinely does not work with it on.
What to do if pop-ups still do not appear after you allow them
Sometimes you allow pop-ups for a website, but they still do not show up. This usually happens because your browser cache is storing old settings, or because the website has other reasons for blocking pop-ups. The first thing to try is clearing your browser cache. In Chrome, press Ctrl+Shift+Delete on Windows or Command+Shift+Delete on Mac. Select "All time" from the time range dropdown, make sure "Cookies and other site data" is checked, and click "Clear data". Then reload the website.
If that does not work, try opening the website in an incognito window. Press Ctrl+Shift+N on Windows or Command+Shift+N on Mac. Incognito windows do not store cache or cookies, so they start fresh. If pop-ups appear in incognito mode, the problem was your cache. If they still do not appear, the website itself may be preventing them for a different reason — contact the website's support team for help.
Another possibility is that the pop-up is being blocked by a browser extension you have installed. Extensions can add their own pop-up blocking on top of Chrome's built-in blocker. To check this, click the puzzle-piece icon in the top right of Chrome (or the three dots, then "More tools", then "Extensions"). Look through your list of extensions and disable any that sound like they block ads or pop-ups. Then reload the website and try again.
The difference between pop-ups and other types of notifications
Chrome's pop-up blocker only stops windows that open in new tabs or windows. It does not block notifications that appear in the corner of your screen, or messages that appear within the website itself. If you are seeing a message on a website that looks like a pop-up but is actually part of the page, the pop-up blocker is not involved — that is the website's own content.
Similarly, Chrome has a separate setting for notifications, which are the small alerts that appear in the corner of your screen even when you are not on the website. If a website is asking permission to send you notifications, that is a different setting from the pop-up blocker. You can allow or block notifications for individual websites through the same Site Settings menu, but look for "Notifications" instead of "Pop-ups and redirects".
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does Chrome block pop-ups in the first place?
Most pop-ups are advertisements or malicious content that websites use to track you or get you to click on things you do not want. Chrome blocks them by default to protect your privacy and keep your browsing experience cleaner. You can always allow pop-ups for websites you trust.
Will disabling the pop-up blocker slow down my browser?
No, turning off the pop-up blocker will not make Chrome slower. It may cause more pop-ups to appear on some websites, which could be annoying, but it will not affect Chrome's speed or performance.
Can I allow pop-ups only during certain times?
Chrome does not have a built-in way to allow pop-ups on a schedule. You can only turn the blocker on or off, or allow pop-ups for specific websites. If you need pop-ups for work during business hours, you can allow them for those websites and block them again when you are done.
What if I allow pop-ups for a website and then change my mind?
Go back to Chrome Settings, then Privacy and Security, then Site Settings, then Pop-ups and redirects. Find the website in the "Allow" list and click the trash icon next to it. Chrome will block pop-ups from that site again.
Does this setting work the same way on Chrome mobile?
Chrome on Android and iPhone has a pop-up blocker, but the settings menu is slightly different. On mobile, tap the three dots in the bottom right, go to Settings, then Site Settings, then Pop-ups. The allow and block options work the same way as on desktop.