Where to find Chrome notification settings

Chrome stores notification controls in two places: your browser settings and individual website permissions. The fastest route depends on whether you want to block all notifications or just stop them from specific websites.

To reach the main notification settings, open Chrome and click the three vertical dots in the top right corner. Select Settings, then Privacy and security on the left sidebar, then Site settings. You'll see Notifications listed under "Permissions." This is where you control which websites can send you notifications and whether Chrome shows them at all.

Key Takeaways

  • You can block all Chrome notifications by going to Settings > Privacy and security > Site settings > Notifications and selecting "Don't allow."
  • To stop notifications from specific websites only, find them in the "Block" list under Notifications settings and remove them, or add them to the "Block" list if they're currently allowed.
  • Notifications that appear while you're browsing come from websites you've visited; notifications that appear when Chrome is closed come from your Google account or extensions.
  • If a website keeps asking permission to send notifications, you can block it permanently by clicking the X next to the site name in the "Block" list.

Blocking all notifications at once

If you don't want any website to send you notifications, the simplest approach is to disable notifications globally. Open Chrome settings, go to Privacy and security > Site settings > Notifications, and toggle the switch next to "Notifications" to the off position. This prevents any website from showing you notifications, even if you previously said yes to a specific site.

This setting applies only to websites. It does not affect notifications from your Google account, Chrome extensions, or the Chrome browser itself (like download alerts). If you want to stop those too, you'll need to adjust settings elsewhere.

Blocking notifications from specific websites

You may want to keep notifications on overall but stop them from particular sites. In the Notifications settings page, you'll see two lists: "Allow" and "Block." Websites in the "Allow" list can send you notifications. To prevent a site from notifying you, click the three dots next to its name and select Remove. The next time that site tries to send a notification, Chrome will block it.

If a website keeps asking for permission to send notifications even after you've declined, find it in the "Allow" list, click the three dots, and select Block. This tells Chrome to permanently refuse that site's notification requests without asking you again.

Stopping notifications from Chrome extensions

Browser extensions can send notifications independently of websites. To see which extensions have notification permission, go to Settings > Privacy and security > Site settings > Notifications and scroll to the bottom. You'll see a list of extensions with notification access. Click the three dots next to any extension and select Remove to revoke its permission.

Alternatively, you can disable an extension entirely by going to Settings > Extensions. Find the extension you want to stop and toggle it off. This disables all its functions, not just notifications.

Handling notifications from your Google account

Some notifications come from your Google account rather than websites or extensions. These might include alerts about your Gmail, Google Calendar, or Google Drive. To control them, sign into your Google Account at myaccount.google.com, click Notifications in the left sidebar, and adjust settings for each service. You can turn notifications on or off for specific types of alerts.

If you see notifications appearing when Chrome is closed, they're likely from your Google account or a system-level setting on your computer. Check your operating system's notification settings as well — Windows and Mac both have their own notification controls that can override Chrome's settings.

Clearing notifications that are already stacked up

If you have multiple unread notifications sitting in your notification center, you can clear them without changing any settings. On Windows, click the notification icon in the system tray (bottom right corner) and click the X on each notification or select "Clear all." On Mac, open Notification Center from the top right corner and swipe left on notifications to dismiss them.

Clearing old notifications does not prevent new ones from arriving. If you want to stop them permanently, you'll need to adjust the settings described above.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does a website keep asking for notification permission even though I said no?

Websites can ask again after you decline, usually after a certain amount of time has passed or when you visit a new page. To stop the requests permanently, go to Notifications settings, find the site in the "Allow" list, click the three dots, and select Block. This tells Chrome to refuse without asking again.

Will disabling notifications affect my ability to use websites?

No. Notifications are optional features that websites offer. Turning them off does not prevent you from using the site, logging in, or accessing any content. Websites will function normally.

Can I turn notifications back on for just one website after blocking all notifications?

Yes. If you've disabled notifications globally, you can still allow specific sites. Go to Notifications settings, click Add next to the "Allow" list, type the website address, and click Add site. That site can now send you notifications even though notifications are off for everything else.

What's the difference between removing a site from the Allow list and blocking it?

Removing a site from the Allow list stops it from sending notifications, but the site can ask for permission again. Blocking a site prevents it from asking at all. Use "Block" for sites that repeatedly ask for permission.

Do notification settings sync across my devices?

Chrome syncs some settings across devices when you're signed into the same Google Account, but notification permissions for individual websites do not always sync. You may need to adjust settings separately on each device.