What pop-ups are and why they appear

Pop-ups are windows that open on top of what you're looking at on the web. Some are real — they come from the website you're visiting or from ads the website runs. Others are fake — they pretend to be system warnings or software updates, but they're actually trying to get you to click them or download something.

Real pop-ups usually appear when you click a button or link. Fake pop-ups often appear on their own, especially if you've visited a site that hosts malicious ads. The difference matters because how you stop them is different.

Key Takeaways

  • Most pop-ups can be closed by clicking the X button in the corner, but fake warning pop-ups should never be clicked — close them by pressing Escape or closing the entire browser tab.
  • Your browser has a built-in pop-up blocker that you can turn on in Settings, and it stops most unwanted windows before they appear.
  • If pop-ups keep coming back, your computer may have adware installed, which requires running a scan with a tool like Malwarebytes to remove.
  • Changing your browser's homepage and search engine back to what you chose stops some pop-ups from reappearing automatically.

Close a pop-up that's open right now

If a pop-up window is covering your screen, look for an X button in the top right corner of the pop-up itself. Click it. The pop-up closes and you're back to what you were doing.

If there's no X button, or if the pop-up looks like a fake warning saying your computer has a virus or needs to update, do not click anything inside the pop-up. Instead, press the Escape key on your keyboard. If that doesn't work, close the entire browser tab or window by clicking the X at the top of your browser window, not the pop-up.

Closing the tab is safe — you won't lose anything important. The website will still be there if you want to go back to it later.

Turn on your browser's pop-up blocker

Every major browser — Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge — has a built-in pop-up blocker. It's usually on by default, but if pop-ups are still getting through, you can check and strengthen the setting.

In Chrome: Click the three dots in the top right corner. Go to Settings. Click Privacy and Security on the left. Click Site Settings. Scroll down and click Pop-ups and redirects. Make sure "Blocked (recommended)" is selected.

In Firefox: Click the three horizontal lines in the top right. Go to Settings. Click Privacy & Security on the left. Scroll down to Permissions. Find "Block pop-up windows" and make sure the checkbox is checked.

In Safari: Click Safari in the top menu bar. Click Settings. Click Security. Make sure "Block pop-up windows" is checked.

In Edge: Click the three dots in the top right. Go to Settings. Click Privacy, search, and services on the left. Scroll down to Site permissions. Click Pop-ups and redirects. Make sure "Block" is selected.

Stop pop-ups from returning by checking your homepage

Some pop-ups come back because malware or adware has changed your browser's homepage or search engine. When you open your browser, it loads a page that triggers pop-ups automatically. Changing these settings back stops the cycle.

In Chrome: Click the three dots in the top right. Go to Settings. Click Home on the left. Under "New Tab page," select "Open the New Tab page." Then click Search engine on the left and make sure Google is selected.

In Firefox: Click the three horizontal lines in the top right. Go to Settings. Click Home on the left. Under "Homepage," select "Firefox Home." Then click Search on the left and make sure Google is selected under "Default Search Engine."

In Safari: Click Safari in the top menu bar. Click Settings. Click General. Under "Homepage," clear any text and leave it blank, or type a website you trust like google.com.

In Edge: Click the three dots in the top right. Go to Settings. Click Home on the left. Under "Show," select "New Tab page." Then click Privacy, search, and services on the left, scroll to Search engine, and make sure Bing or Google is selected.

Scan for adware if pop-ups keep appearing

If you've turned on your pop-up blocker and changed your homepage back, but pop-ups are still appearing constantly, your computer likely has adware installed. Adware is software that was downloaded without your knowledge, usually bundled with something else you installed. It runs in the background and generates pop-ups to make money.

The most reliable way to remove it is to download and run Malwarebytes, which is a free scanning tool. Go to malwarebytes.com on a different device or browser if you need to. Download the free version. Run the installer and follow the prompts. Once it's installed, open Malwarebytes and click "Scan Now." Let it run completely — this can take 10 to 30 minutes. When it's done, it will show you what it found. Click "Quarantine" to remove the threats.

After the scan finishes, restart your computer. Open your browser and check whether the pop-ups have stopped. If they haven't, run the scan again or consider taking your computer to a local repair shop, because some adware requires manual removal.

Prevent pop-ups in the future

Most pop-ups come from websites that host low-quality ads or from adware you've accidentally installed. You can reduce how many you see by being careful about what you download and where you browse.

When you download software from the internet, use the official website of the company that makes it. Avoid downloading from third-party sites that bundle extra software with what you actually want. During installation, read each screen carefully. If you see a checkbox that says something like "Install [random toolbar]" or "Set [random site] as your homepage," uncheck it before you click Next.

If you visit websites known for hosting malicious ads — often sites with pirated movies, TV shows, or software — use a separate browser or device, or don't visit them at all. The safest approach is to stick to well-known websites and avoid clicking on ads that look suspicious.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it safe to click the X on a pop-up?

It depends on the pop-up. If it looks like a normal ad or a window from the website you're on, clicking the X is fine. If it looks like a fake warning saying your computer has a virus or your software is out of date, do not click anything on it — press Escape or close the tab instead. Clicking on a fake warning can download malware.

Why do pop-ups appear even with the blocker on?

Some websites are designed to get around pop-up blockers, and some pop-ups are triggered by clicking a link or button on the page itself — the blocker only stops unsolicited windows. If pop-ups are constant, you likely have adware installed. Run a Malwarebytes scan to check.

Can I remove adware myself or do I need help?

You can remove most adware yourself by running Malwarebytes and following the prompts. If the pop-ups return after scanning, the adware may be stubborn. At that point, a local computer repair shop can remove it manually, though this usually costs money.

What's the difference between a pop-up and a pop-under?

A pop-under is a window that opens behind your current browser window instead of in front of it. You won't see it until you close or minimize your browser. Your pop-up blocker should stop pop-unders too, but if they get through, they're harmless — just close your browser window when you're done.

Do I need to buy pop-up blocker software?

No. Your browser's built-in blocker is free and handles most pop-ups. Third-party pop-up blockers rarely do anything the built-in one doesn't already do, and some of them are adware themselves. Stick with your browser's settings.