Pop-up blockers are usually on by default, but you may need to check your settings or adjust them for specific websites

Most modern browsers — Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge — block pop-ups automatically without you doing anything. If pop-ups are still appearing on your screen, either your blocker is turned off, a website has permission to bypass it, or you are using an older browser version that needs updating. The steps to check and enable your blocker depend on which browser you use.

Pop-ups are small windows that open on top of the page you are viewing. Some are ads, some are fake security warnings, and some are legitimate (like a login window or a file download prompt). A pop-up blocker stops most of them from opening, but it cannot catch every one, and it sometimes blocks pop-ups you actually want.

Key Takeaways

  • Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge block most pop-ups by default, so if you see them, check whether your blocker is on or whether the site has permission to bypass it.
  • You can allow pop-ups from a specific website without turning off the blocker entirely — most browsers let you add sites to an exception list.
  • If you see a notification bar asking permission to show pop-ups, you can click "Block" or "Allow" to control that one site.
  • Updating your browser to the latest version ensures your blocker works as designed and patches security gaps.

How to check if pop-up blocking is on in Chrome

Open Chrome and look at the top right corner, where you will see three vertical dots. Click them, then click Settings. On the left side, click Privacy and security, then click Site settings. Scroll down and click Pop-ups and redirects. At the top, you should see a toggle or dropdown that says Blocked (recommended). If it says Allowed, click it and change it to Blocked.

If pop-ups are still appearing even though the setting says Blocked, the website may have permission to bypass your blocker. Scroll down on that same Pop-ups and redirects page and look for a list under "Allowed". If you see the website there, click the three dots next to it and select Remove. Close the settings page and reload the website.

How to check if pop-up blocking is on in Firefox

Open Firefox and click the three horizontal lines (called a hamburger menu) in the top right corner. Click Settings, then click Privacy & Security on the left. Scroll down to the section called Permissions. You should see a checkbox next to "Block pop-up windows" — make sure it is checked. If it is not, click it to turn blocking on.

If pop-ups are still appearing, scroll down further on the same page to find Exceptions under the Permissions section. Look for any websites listed there. Click the X next to any site you do not want to allow pop-ups from, then reload that website.

How to check if pop-up blocking is on in Safari

Open Safari and click Safari in the top menu bar (on the far left). Click Settings (or Preferences on older Macs). Click the Security tab. You should see a checkbox next to "Block pop-up windows" — make sure it is checked. If it is not, click it to turn blocking on.

Safari does not have a separate list of exceptions like Chrome and Firefox do. If a website needs to show you a pop-up, you can temporarily allow it by clicking Safari in the menu bar, then Settings, unchecking the box, reloading the page, and then checking the box again. This is less convenient, but Safari's approach blocks more unwanted pop-ups overall.

How to check if pop-up blocking is on in Edge

Open Edge and click the three dots in the top right corner. Click Settings, then click Privacy, search, and services on the left. Scroll down to Security and look for Block pop-ups. The toggle should be On. If it is Off, click it to turn blocking on.

If pop-ups are still appearing, scroll down to find Manage exceptions under the Block pop-ups setting. Look for any websites listed there. Click the X next to any site you want to block pop-ups from again, then reload that website.

What to do when a website asks permission to show pop-ups

Sometimes when you visit a website, a notification bar appears at the top or bottom asking "Allow this site to show pop-ups?" or something similar. You can click Block to keep the blocker on, or Allow to let that one site bypass it. Choose based on whether you trust the site and whether you actually need the pop-ups it wants to show.

If you click Allow by mistake, you can undo it. Go back to your browser's pop-up settings (using the steps above for your browser), find that website in the Allowed or Exceptions list, and remove it. The next time you visit, the permission request will appear again, and you can click Block.

Update your browser if pop-up blocking is not working

If your blocker is on but pop-ups are still getting through, your browser may be out of date. Older versions have weaker blocking and security gaps that pop-ups can exploit. Updating is free and takes a few minutes.

In Chrome, click the three dots, then click Help, then About Google Chrome. Chrome will check for updates automatically and install them. In Firefox, click the hamburger menu, click Help, then About Firefox. In Safari, click Safari in the menu bar, then About Safari — updates come through your Mac's System Settings instead. In Edge, click the three dots, click Help and feedback, then About Microsoft Edge. After updating, restart your browser and try the website again.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why am I still seeing pop-ups if my blocker is on?

The website may have permission to bypass your blocker, or the pop-up may be part of the page itself rather than a true pop-up window. Check your browser's exceptions list and remove the website if it is there. If the pop-ups continue, the site may be using a different method that blockers cannot catch — consider using an ad blocker extension instead.

Can I block pop-ups from one website but allow them from another?

Yes. When a website asks for permission to show pop-ups, click Allow to add it to your exceptions list. For websites that do not ask, go to your browser's pop-up settings, find the Allowed or Exceptions section, and add the website manually. You can remove it anytime by clicking the X next to its name.

Will turning on pop-up blocking break websites I use?

Rarely. Most websites work fine with pop-up blocking on. If a site does not work — for example, if a login window or file download does not appear — you can allow pop-ups from that site only, without turning off blocking everywhere. Add it to your exceptions list and reload the page.

What is the difference between a pop-up blocker and an ad blocker?

A pop-up blocker stops new windows from opening. An ad blocker hides ads that are already part of the page. Your browser's built-in pop-up blocker handles most unwanted windows, but if you want to block ads too, you can install a separate ad blocker extension from your browser's store.