Chrome blocks most pop-ups by default, and you can turn that off in Settings

Chrome's pop-up blocker is on automatically. To turn it off entirely, open Chrome and click the three vertical dots in the top right corner, then select Settings. Go to Privacy and security on the left, then click Site settings. Find Pop-ups and redirects and click it. Toggle the switch at the top from Blocked (recommended) to Allowed. That disables blocking for all websites.

Most people do not want to disable blocking everywhere. Instead, you can allow pop-ups for just one website. When Chrome blocks a pop-up, a small icon appears in the address bar — it looks like a box with a line through it. Click that icon and select Always allow pop-ups on [website name]. Chrome will then let that site show pop-ups while blocking them everywhere else.

Key Takeaways

  • Chrome blocks pop-ups by default; you can turn this off completely in Settings under Privacy and security, then Site settings, then Pop-ups and redirects.
  • To allow pop-ups from only one website, click the blocked pop-up icon in the address bar and choose to allow that site.
  • Disabling the blocker entirely exposes you to unwanted pop-ups and ads on most websites, so allowing pop-ups per site is usually safer.
  • If you cannot see the blocked pop-up icon, the site may not have tried to open a pop-up, or your browser settings may prevent it from showing.

Where to find the pop-up blocker setting in Chrome

Open Chrome and look for the three stacked horizontal lines (called the menu button) in the top right corner of the window. Click it. A dropdown menu appears. Near the bottom, you will see Settings — click that.

On the left side of the Settings page, you will see several categories. Click Privacy and security. Under that section, you will see Site settings — click it. A new page opens showing different types of permissions Chrome can grant to websites, including camera, microphone, and location. Scroll down until you see Pop-ups and redirects, then click it.

How to allow pop-ups from one website only

When a website tries to open a pop-up and Chrome blocks it, a small icon appears in the address bar on the right side. The icon looks like a box with a diagonal line through it. Click that icon and a small menu pops up showing the blocked pop-up.

In that menu, you will see the option Always allow pop-ups on [website name]. Click it. Chrome will now let that specific website open pop-ups, but will continue blocking pop-ups from other sites. If you change your mind later, you can return to the same Pop-ups and redirects setting page and remove that website from the allowed list.

Why you might want to keep the blocker on

Most websites use pop-ups for advertising, and disabling the blocker everywhere means you will see many unwanted ads. Some pop-ups are also designed to trick you into clicking them or downloading something harmful. Keeping the blocker on protects you from these.

The safer approach is to allow pop-ups only for websites you trust and that actually need them — for example, a banking site that uses pop-ups for security alerts, or a calendar tool that opens events in new windows. For everything else, leave the blocker on.

What to do if you do not see the blocked pop-up icon

If a website tries to open a pop-up but you do not see the blocked pop-up icon in the address bar, it usually means the site did not actually attempt to open a pop-up. Some websites claim they have a pop-up when they do not, or the pop-up may have been blocked by another tool on your computer.

Another possibility is that your Chrome settings prevent the icon from showing. Check your Pop-ups and redirects setting to make sure it is not set to Blocked (recommended) with no exceptions. If it is, and you still do not see the icon, try refreshing the page or clearing your browser cache and cookies, then visiting the site again.

How to remove a website from your allowed pop-ups list

If you previously allowed a website to show pop-ups but want to block them again, go back to Settings, then Privacy and security, then Site settings, then Pop-ups and redirects. Under the Allow section, you will see a list of websites you have allowed. Find the one you want to remove and click the trash icon next to it. Chrome will block that site's pop-ups again.

You can also block pop-ups from a specific site while you are visiting it. Click the blocked pop-up icon in the address bar and select Block pop-ups on [website name] instead of allowing them. This removes the site from your allowed list immediately.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does turning off the pop-up blocker affect my security?

Disabling the blocker entirely makes you more vulnerable to malicious pop-ups and unwanted ads, but it does not directly compromise your passwords or personal data. Chrome's other security features remain active. Allowing pop-ups for only specific trusted websites is much safer than turning the blocker off completely.

Can I block pop-ups on mobile Chrome?

Yes. On an Android phone, open Chrome, tap the three dots in the bottom right, go to Settings, then Site settings, then Pop-ups and redirects, and toggle it off. On iPhone, the process is similar: tap the three dots, Settings, Site settings, Pop-ups and redirects. Mobile Chrome blocks pop-ups by default just like desktop Chrome does.

Why does a website say it has a pop-up if I do not see one?

The website may be trying to open a pop-up that Chrome successfully blocked before it appeared on your screen. You will see the blocked pop-up icon in the address bar even if the pop-up never became visible. Click that icon to see what was blocked.

Will allowing pop-ups for one site slow down Chrome?

No. Allowing pop-ups from a specific website does not affect Chrome's speed or performance. It only changes what that one site is permitted to do. Your browser will run the same way whether you allow zero pop-ups or ten.