Pop-up ads appear because websites and apps use them to make money, and your browser settings usually allow them by default
Pop-up ads are separate windows or tabs that open on top of what you're viewing. They arrive through two main routes: websites you visit deliberately, and malicious software installed on your device without your knowledge. The legitimate ones come from ad networks that websites use to fund free content. The unwanted ones often come from adware — programs that slip onto your computer or phone and display ads whether you want them or not.
Stopping them depends on which type you're dealing with. Browser settings can block most pop-ups from websites. Removing adware requires finding and deleting the software itself. Phone pop-ups usually come from apps you installed, or from a browser setting that needs adjustment. The steps differ by device and browser, but the principle is the same: you're either telling your browser to refuse pop-ups, or you're removing the software that's generating them.
Key Takeaways
- Most browsers have a built-in pop-up blocker that you can turn on in settings, and it stops the majority of unwanted pop-ups from websites.
- Adware — software installed on your device that shows ads — requires you to find and uninstall the program itself, not just adjust browser settings.
- On Windows, check your installed programs list and remove anything you don't recognize; on Mac, drag suspicious apps to the Trash and empty it.
- On phones, check your installed apps for ones you don't remember downloading, and uninstall them from your app store.
- If pop-ups return after you've blocked them, run a malware scan using built-in tools like Windows Defender or a third-party scanner.
Enable pop-up blocking in your browser settings
Most modern browsers — Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge — have pop-up blockers built in and turned on by default. If you're still seeing pop-ups, the blocker may have been turned off, or the pop-ups are coming from adware rather than websites.
In Chrome, click the three-line menu in the top right, select Settings, then Privacy and Security, then Site Settings. Scroll down and click Pop-ups and redirects. Make sure "Blocked (recommended)" is selected. In Firefox, go to Settings, then Privacy & Security, scroll to Permissions, and check the box next to "Block pop-up windows." In Safari on Mac, click Safari in the menu bar, select Settings, go to Security, and check "Block pop-ups." On Edge, click the three-dot menu, select Settings, then Privacy, search and security, and Site permissions. Click Pop-ups and redirects and toggle it to Block.
After you've enabled blocking, close and reopen your browser. If pop-ups still appear, they're likely coming from adware on your device, not from websites.
Uninstall adware and unwanted programs on Windows
Adware is software that installs on your computer and displays ads. It often arrives bundled with free programs you download, or through deceptive ads that say "Click here to speed up your computer." Once installed, it runs in the background and generates pop-ups no matter what browser settings you use.
To find and remove it, open the Start menu and type "Control Panel," then click it. Select "Programs" or "Programs and Features," depending on your Windows version. Look through the list for programs you don't recognize or don't remember installing. Common adware names include Conduit, Delta Toolbar, Search Protect, and Optimizer Pro, but adware can have almost any name. Click on anything suspicious and select Uninstall. Follow the prompts to remove it.
After uninstalling, restart your computer. If pop-ups continue, run a malware scan. Open Windows Defender (built into Windows 10 and 11) by clicking the Start menu and typing "Windows Defender." Click "Virus & threat protection," then "Scan options," select "Full scan," and click "Scan now." This can take 30 minutes to an hour. Let it finish and remove anything it finds.
Remove unwanted software on Mac
Macs are less common targets for adware than Windows computers, but it does happen. Unwanted programs on Mac often arrive the same way: bundled with free downloads or installed through deceptive ads.
Open Finder and click Applications in the sidebar. Look through your installed programs for anything you don't recognize or don't remember downloading. Adware on Mac often has names like Search Protect, Optimizer Pro, or MacKeeper. Click on the suspicious program and drag it to the Trash in your dock. Then click Finder in the menu bar, select Empty Trash, and confirm. Restart your Mac.
If pop-ups continue, open Activity Monitor (search for it in Spotlight by pressing Command + Space). Look for processes with unusual names running in the background. If you see something suspicious, click it and click the X button to force quit it. Then restart your Mac again. For a deeper scan, download and run Malwarebytes for Mac, which is free and designed to find Mac-specific adware.
Stop pop-ups on your phone
Phone pop-ups usually come from apps you installed, or from your browser settings. On Android, open Settings, scroll to Apps or Application Manager, and look through your installed apps for ones you don't recognize. Tap the app and select Uninstall. If you're not sure whether an app is legitimate, search its name online before removing it. Then open your browser (Chrome, Firefox, or whatever you use), tap the three-dot menu, select Settings, then Site settings, and toggle Pop-ups off.
On iPhone, open Settings, scroll to Safari (or your browser), and toggle "Block Pop-ups" on. If pop-ups are coming from an app rather than Safari, open Settings, tap General, then iPhone Storage, and look for apps you don't use or don't recognize. Tap the app and select Offload App or Delete App. Offload removes the app but keeps your data; Delete App removes everything.
If pop-ups appear in a specific app and you want to keep using it, the app itself may be generating them as part of its design. Check the app's settings for an ad-related option, or consider using a different app instead.
Prevent adware from installing in the first place
The easiest way to deal with pop-ups is to avoid installing adware. When you download free software, read the installation prompts carefully. Many installers ask whether you want to install additional programs or toolbars — uncheck these boxes. Avoid clicking ads that promise to speed up your computer, clean your disk, or remove viruses, especially if they appear as pop-ups themselves.
Download programs from official sources: the software maker's website, the Microsoft Store, the Mac App Store, or Google Play. Avoid downloading from file-sharing sites or torrent sites, where adware is often bundled in. If a website asks you to download something to view content, close the tab and find the content elsewhere.
What to do if pop-ups return after you've blocked them
If you've enabled pop-up blocking, uninstalled suspicious programs, and pop-ups still appear, run a full malware scan. On Windows, use Windows Defender as described above. On Mac, download Malwarebytes and run a full scan. On phone, back up your data and consider a factory reset if nothing else works — this erases everything and reinstalls the operating system fresh.
If pop-ups only appear in one specific app, the app itself may be the problem. Uninstall it and look for an alternative. If they only appear on one website, that website may be using an ad network that your blocker isn't catching — try a different browser or use a browser extension like uBlock Origin (available for Chrome and Firefox) for more aggressive blocking.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it safe to click the X button on a pop-up to close it?
Usually yes, but be careful. The X is often in the top right corner of the pop-up window. Some deceptive pop-ups hide the X or make it very small, and clicking where you think the X is actually clicks an ad instead. If you can't find a clear X button, close the entire tab or window instead of clicking anything inside the pop-up.
Do browser extensions that block ads also block pop-ups?
Most ad blockers also block pop-ups, but not all. uBlock Origin, Adblock Plus, and similar extensions block both ads and pop-ups. Install them from your browser's extension store. Be aware that some websites detect ad blockers and ask you to disable them before viewing content — that's the website's choice, and you can decide whether to comply.
Can pop-ups steal my passwords or personal information?
Pop-ups themselves can't access your passwords or files. However, if you click on a pop-up and it takes you to a fake login page, you could enter your password into the wrong place. Never log into accounts from a pop-up — close it and go directly to the website by typing the address in your address bar.
Why do pop-ups keep appearing even after I uninstall programs?
Adware sometimes installs multiple components, and uninstalling one program doesn't remove them all. Run a full malware scan with Windows Defender or Malwarebytes to find and remove the rest. If the scan finds nothing but pop-ups continue, restart your computer in Safe Mode (which loads only essential programs) and run the scan again.
Is it okay to use a pop-up blocker on websites I trust?
Yes. Pop-up blockers are on by default in all modern browsers, and legitimate websites work fine with them enabled. If a website needs to show you a pop-up for a legitimate reason — like a login window or a form — it can request permission, and your browser will ask you whether to allow it.