Where to find the pop-up blocker setting

Chromebooks block pop-ups by default, and the setting lives in Chrome's main menu rather than in a separate settings page. Open Chrome, click the three vertical dots in the top right corner, then select Settings. From there, go to Privacy and security in the left sidebar, then click Site settings. You'll see Pop-ups and redirects listed under the "Permissions" section — that's where you control whether pop-ups are allowed.

The setting applies to all websites by default, but you can also allow pop-ups on specific sites only. This is useful if you trust one website to use pop-ups responsibly but want to keep blocking them everywhere else.

Key Takeaways

  • Pop-up blocking is turned on by default in Chrome; you disable it by going to Settings > Privacy and security > Site settings > Pop-ups and redirects.
  • You can turn off blocking for all websites at once, or allow pop-ups only on specific sites you trust.
  • If a website says pop-ups are blocked, look for a small icon in the address bar that lets you unblock them for that site without changing your settings.
  • Turning off the blocker entirely leaves you exposed to unwanted pop-ups on any website, so allowing pop-ups only where you need them is usually the safer choice.

Turning off pop-up blocking for all websites

If you want Chrome to allow pop-ups everywhere, go to Settings > Privacy and security > Site settings > Pop-ups and redirects. At the top, you'll see a toggle next to "Pop-ups and redirects" — click it to turn blocking off. The toggle will turn gray, and pop-ups will now appear on any website.

Most people don't want to do this, because it means every website can show you pop-ups, including ones designed to trick you or slow down your browsing. It's usually better to allow pop-ups only on the sites where you actually need them.

Allowing pop-ups on just one website

If a specific website needs to show you pop-ups — for example, a banking site that uses pop-ups for security codes, or a video player that opens in a new window — you can allow them for that site only. Go to Settings > Privacy and security > Site settings > Pop-ups and redirects, then scroll down to the "Allow" section. Click Add and type the website's address (for example, example.com). Click Add again, and that site can now show pop-ups while the rest remain blocked.

You can also do this faster: when you visit a website and see a message saying pop-ups are blocked, look for a small icon in the address bar (usually a circle with a slash through it). Click that icon and select "Always allow pop-ups on [website name]." Chrome will add it to your allow list automatically.

Removing a website from the allow list

If you change your mind about a website, go back to Settings > Privacy and security > Site settings > Pop-ups and redirects and find the site in the "Allow" section. Click the trash icon next to it to remove it. That website will go back to having pop-ups blocked.

You can remove multiple sites at once by clicking the trash icon next to each one. There's no limit to how many sites you can add or remove from the allow list, so you can adjust it whenever your needs change.

Why pop-ups are blocked by default

Pop-up blocking exists because many websites use pop-ups to show ads, trick you into clicking something, or slow down your browsing. Blocking them by default protects you from these annoyances. Some legitimate websites do use pop-ups for real functions — like opening a document, showing a security code, or displaying a form — but most pop-ups you encounter are unwanted.

This is why allowing pop-ups everywhere is risky: you'll see pop-ups from every website, not just the ones you trust. Allowing them only on specific sites gives you the best balance between functionality and protection.

What to do if pop-ups still appear after disabling the blocker

If you've turned off pop-up blocking but still don't see pop-ups on a specific website, the problem might not be Chrome's blocker. Some websites use other methods to show pop-ups, or the pop-up might be blocked by an extension you've installed. Try disabling any ad-blocking or privacy extensions temporarily to see if one of them is the culprit.

You can also check whether Chrome itself is blocking the pop-up. Look in the address bar for a small icon (usually a circle with a slash) — if it's there, Chrome is still blocking that site's pop-ups even if you've turned off the main setting. Click the icon and allow pop-ups for that specific site.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I block pop-ups on some websites but not others?

Yes. Go to Settings > Privacy and security > Site settings > Pop-ups and redirects. Keep the main toggle on (blocking enabled), then add specific websites to the "Allow" section. Those sites can show pop-ups while all others remain blocked.

Will turning off pop-up blocking affect my security?

Turning it off for all websites increases your exposure to unwanted or malicious pop-ups. Allowing pop-ups only on sites you trust is much safer. If a website tries to show you a pop-up that looks suspicious or asks for personal information, close it immediately.

What's the difference between blocking pop-ups and blocking ads?

Pop-up blocking stops new windows or tabs from opening. Ad blocking stops ads from loading on the page itself. Chrome has a built-in pop-up blocker but no built-in ad blocker — you'd need an extension for that. The two work independently.

How do I know if a website really needs pop-ups?

If a website tells you pop-ups are blocked and you need to unblock them to use a feature, try allowing them for that site. If nothing changes after you allow them, the website might not actually need pop-ups — the message could be outdated or incorrect.