Chrome blocks pop-ups by default — here's how to turn that off

Chrome's pop-up blocker stops most unwanted windows from opening, but sometimes you need to see a pop-up that the browser is hiding. You can turn off the blocker entirely, or you can allow pop-ups from just one website while keeping the blocker on everywhere else. The steps take less than a minute.

The method depends on what you want: if you need pop-ups from one specific site to work, allow just that site. If you want to disable the blocker completely, you can do that too — though most people find it safer to leave the blocker on and make exceptions only when needed.

Key Takeaways

  • Chrome's pop-up blocker is on by default and blocks most pop-up windows automatically.
  • You can allow pop-ups from a single website without turning off the blocker everywhere else.
  • To allow pop-ups from one site, click the pop-up blocked icon in the address bar and select "Always allow on this site".
  • To turn off the blocker completely, go to Settings, then Privacy and Security, then Site Settings, then Pop-ups and redirects, and toggle it off.
  • Turning off the blocker entirely leaves you exposed to unwanted pop-ups; allowing specific sites is usually the safer choice.

Allow pop-ups from one website only

This is the fastest way if you only need pop-ups from a specific site to work. When Chrome blocks a pop-up, a small icon appears in the address bar on the right side — it looks like a window with a slash through it. Click that icon.

A menu will appear showing how many pop-ups were blocked. At the bottom of that menu, you'll see "Always allow on this site". Click it. Chrome will remember this choice and let pop-ups through from that website from now on, while keeping the blocker active everywhere else.

If you change your mind later, you can undo this. Go back to that website, click the icon in the address bar again, and select "Don't allow pop-ups on this site".

Turn off the pop-up blocker completely

If you want to disable the blocker across 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.

You'll see a toggle switch next to "Blocked (recommended)". Click the toggle to turn it off. The switch will turn gray, and the blocker is now disabled. Chrome will no longer block pop-ups on any website.

Why you might want to keep the blocker on

Pop-up blockers exist because unwanted pop-ups can slow down your browser, distract you, or in some cases contain malware. Turning off the blocker entirely means you'll see every pop-up that any website tries to open, including ones designed to trick you or waste your time.

For this reason, most people find it safer to leave the blocker on and make exceptions only for websites where you actually need pop-ups — like banking sites that use pop-ups for security verification, or online tools that open settings in a new window. You get the protection of the blocker while still being able to use sites that require pop-ups.

What to do if a pop-up still doesn't appear

Sometimes a pop-up won't appear even after you've allowed it. This usually means the website itself is having a problem, not Chrome. Try refreshing the page by pressing Ctrl+R (or Cmd+R on Mac). If that doesn't work, try closing and reopening the tab.

If the pop-up still doesn't show up, the website may require a specific browser setting beyond just the pop-up blocker. Some sites need JavaScript turned on, or they may not work properly in Chrome at all. In that case, contact the website's support team — they can tell you what's needed to make their pop-ups work.

How to check if the blocker is on or off right now

Open Chrome and go to Settings, then Privacy and security, then Site Settings, then Pop-ups and redirects. If you see "Blocked (recommended)" with a blue toggle, the blocker is on. If you see "Allowed" with a gray toggle, the blocker is off.

You can also tell by visiting a website that uses pop-ups. If you see the blocked pop-up icon in the address bar, the blocker is on. If no icon appears and pop-ups open freely, the blocker is off.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will turning off the pop-up blocker slow down Chrome?

Not noticeably. The blocker itself uses very little processing power. However, if you disable it, you may see more pop-ups open, and those pop-ups can slow things down. This is another reason to allow pop-ups only from sites where you need them.

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

Yes. Keep the blocker on globally, then click the blocked pop-up icon on any site where you want to allow them and select "Always allow on this site". You can do this for as many sites as you need.

What if I accidentally allowed pop-ups from a site I didn't mean to?

Go back to that website, click the pop-up blocked icon in the address bar, and select "Don't allow pop-ups on this site". The setting will change immediately.

Does this setting work on Chrome mobile?

Chrome on Android and iPhone also has a pop-up blocker, but the steps to change it are different. On mobile, tap the three dots, go to Settings, then Site Settings, then Pop-ups, and toggle it off. The same allow-per-site option is available.