Chrome blocks most pop-ups by default, and you can disable this for specific sites or turn it off entirely
Google Chrome comes with a built-in pop-up blocker that stops most pop-ups from appearing. If a website you trust needs pop-ups to work properly — for example, a banking site that opens statements in new windows, or an online tool that displays content in pop-up windows — you can turn off the blocker for that site alone, or disable it across Chrome entirely. The steps differ depending on whether you want to unblock one site or change the setting everywhere.
The fastest route is usually to unblock a single website rather than disable the blocker for all sites. This keeps you protected from unwanted pop-ups on other websites while letting the one you need work normally.
Key Takeaways
- Chrome's pop-up blocker is on by default, and you can see when it has blocked pop-ups by looking for a small icon in the address bar.
- To unblock pop-ups from one website, click the pop-up blocker icon in the address bar and select "Always allow pop-ups and redirects" for that site.
- To turn off the pop-up blocker entirely, go to Chrome Settings, find Privacy and Security, then Sites, then Pop-ups and redirects, and change the setting to Allow.
- You can also block pop-ups from specific sites even when the blocker is off by using the same menu and selecting "Block" instead of "Allow".
How to unblock pop-ups for a single website
When Chrome blocks a pop-up, a small icon appears in the address bar on the right side — it looks like a stacked window or a blocked symbol. Click this icon to see what was blocked. A menu will appear showing the pop-ups that were stopped.
At the top of this menu, you will see an option that says "Always allow pop-ups and redirects on [website name]". Click this option, and Chrome will stop blocking pop-ups from that site going forward. You do not need to reload the page — the change takes effect immediately, and any pop-ups the site tries to open next will appear.
If you change your mind later and want to block pop-ups from that site again, click the same icon in the address bar and select "Block pop-ups and redirects on [website name]".
How to turn off the pop-up blocker for all websites
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 it.
At the top of the Pop-ups and redirects page, you will see a toggle or dropdown that currently says "Blocked". Click this and change it to "Allowed". Chrome will now permit pop-ups from all websites. Close the Settings tab, and the change is complete.
How to block pop-ups from specific sites when the blocker is off
If you have turned off the pop-up blocker entirely but want to block pop-ups from one particular site, you can do this without turning the blocker back on for everything.
Go to Settings, then Privacy and security, then Site settings, then Pop-ups and redirects. Under the "Block" section, click "Add" and type the website address you want to block. Chrome will now stop pop-ups from that site only, while allowing them everywhere else.
What to do if the pop-up blocker icon does not appear
If you do not see the pop-up blocker icon in the address bar even though a site is trying to open pop-ups, the blocker may already be off. Check your settings by going to Settings, Privacy and security, Site settings, and Pop-ups and redirects. If the setting shows "Allowed", the blocker is disabled.
Some websites also use redirects instead of pop-ups, or they may open new windows in ways that Chrome does not classify as pop-ups. If a site is opening unwanted windows and the pop-up blocker is on but not catching them, the site may be using a different method. In this case, you can manually block that site using the steps in the section above.
Difference between pop-ups and redirects
Chrome's pop-up blocker controls two things: pop-ups and redirects. A pop-up is a new window that opens on top of the page you are viewing. A redirect is when a website automatically sends you to a different page without you clicking anything. Chrome treats both the same way — it blocks them by default and lets you unblock them per site or globally.
Some websites use redirects legitimately — for example, a shortened link might redirect you to the full page. If you unblock pop-ups and redirects for a site, you are allowing both behaviors.
Why Chrome blocks pop-ups and when to unblock them
Pop-ups are blocked by default because many websites use them to show ads, collect information, or trick users into clicking things. Blocking them protects your browsing experience and your privacy.
You should unblock pop-ups only for websites you trust. Common reasons to do this include banking sites that open documents in new windows, email services that use pop-ups for certain features, or online tools that display results in separate windows. If you are unsure whether a site is trustworthy, it is safer to leave the blocker on.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will turning off the pop-up blocker affect other browsers on my computer?
No. Chrome's settings only affect Chrome. If you use Firefox, Safari, Edge, or another browser, they have their own pop-up blocker settings that are separate from Chrome. Changing Chrome's settings will not change anything in other browsers.
Can I unblock pop-ups temporarily without changing my settings permanently?
Not directly. Once you unblock pop-ups for a site, Chrome remembers that choice. If you want to block them again, you have to go back to the pop-up blocker icon or the settings menu and change it. There is no temporary override option.
What if a website says pop-ups are blocked but I do not see the blocker icon?
The site may be using a method that Chrome does not classify as a pop-up, or the blocker may already be off. Check your Pop-ups and redirects settings to confirm the blocker is on. If it is on and you still do not see the icon, the site may need a different fix — try refreshing the page or clearing your browser cache.
Does disabling the pop-up blocker slow down Chrome?
No. The pop-up blocker has no noticeable effect on Chrome's speed whether it is on or off. Turning it off will not make Chrome faster, and keeping it on will not slow it down.