Stop Chrome notifications in three places

Chrome notifications come from three separate sources, and you need to turn them off in different places depending on where they're coming from. Websites send notifications through your browser settings. Chrome itself sends notifications about updates and security alerts through your system settings. And individual extensions can send their own notifications. Most people only need to handle the first one — websites — but if notifications keep coming back, you'll need to check all three.

The fastest way to stop most notifications is to change your Chrome settings so websites can't ask permission in the first place. This prevents new notifications from starting. If you already have notifications turned on from specific websites, you can also block them one at a time from the notification itself or from Chrome's site settings menu.

Key Takeaways

  • Block all website notifications at once by going to Chrome Settings > Privacy and Security > Site Settings > Notifications and switching the default to "Block".
  • Remove notifications from websites you've already allowed by finding them in the same Notifications menu and clicking "Remove".
  • Turn off Chrome's own system notifications (updates, security alerts) in your computer's notification settings, not in Chrome itself.
  • Check your Chrome extensions if notifications continue after you've blocked websites, since extensions can send their own alerts.
  • On your phone, Chrome notifications are managed through your Android or iOS settings, not through the Chrome app itself.

Block all website notifications at the source

The cleanest way to stop website notifications is to prevent Chrome from letting websites ask for permission in the first place. Open Chrome and click the three vertical dots in the top right corner. Select "Settings" from the menu.

On the left side, click "Privacy and Security," then click "Site Settings." Look for "Notifications" in the list — it's usually near the top. Click on it. You'll see a toggle next to "Notifications" that currently says "Ask (default)." Click that toggle to switch it to "Block." From now on, websites won't be able to ask you for permission to send notifications.

This setting stops new notifications from starting, but it doesn't remove notifications you've already allowed. If you've been getting notifications from specific websites for a while, you'll need to remove those separately in the next section.

Remove notifications from websites you've already allowed

If you've already said yes to notifications from certain websites, switching the default to "Block" won't stop the ones already running. You need to remove them individually. Go back to Chrome Settings > Privacy and Security > Site Settings > Notifications.

Under the "Allow" section, you'll see a list of websites that currently send you notifications. Find the ones you don't want and click the three dots next to each one, then select "Remove." The notification will stop immediately. If the list is long, you can use the search box at the top to find specific websites faster.

Some websites try to re-ask for permission after you remove them. If a website keeps asking, you can add it to your "Block" list instead. Click the three dots next to the website name and select "Block" rather than "Remove." This tells Chrome to refuse the request automatically if the website asks again.

Turn off Chrome's own system notifications

Chrome itself sends notifications about browser updates, security warnings, and sync status. These don't come from websites — they come from Chrome as an application on your computer. You can't turn these off inside Chrome's settings. Instead, you need to go to your computer's notification settings.

On Windows: Click the Start button and type "Notifications." Open "Notifications & actions settings." Scroll down to "Get notifications from these senders" and find "Google Chrome" in the list. Click it and toggle off "Show notifications from this app."

On Mac: Click the Apple menu and go to "System Settings" (or "System Preferences" on older versions). Click "Notifications" on the left side. Find "Google Chrome" in the list and click it. Toggle off "Allow notifications" at the top of the panel.

Check your Chrome extensions for notifications

If you've blocked websites and Chrome's system notifications but still see alerts popping up, the source is likely a Chrome extension. Extensions can send their own notifications independent of website or browser settings. Open Chrome and click the three vertical dots, then go to "Settings" > "Extensions."

Look through your list of extensions and identify any you don't recognize or no longer use. Click on each one to see its details. Some extensions have their own notification settings within the extension page — look for a toggle or settings button. If you don't use an extension, the simplest fix is to remove it entirely by clicking "Remove."

If an extension you want to keep is sending unwanted notifications, check whether it has its own settings menu. Some extensions let you turn off notifications from within the extension itself. Click on the extension icon in your toolbar (top right of Chrome, near the address bar) and look for a settings or gear icon.

Stop notifications on your phone

Chrome on Android and iPhone doesn't have its own notification settings the way the desktop version does. Instead, notifications are controlled through your phone's operating system. This means you're managing notifications from Chrome the same way you'd manage notifications from any other app.

On Android: Open your phone's Settings app and go to "Apps" or "Applications." Find and tap "Chrome." Tap "Notifications" and toggle off "Allow notifications." You can also choose to block notifications from specific categories if you want to keep some but not others.

On iPhone: Open Settings and scroll down to find "Chrome." Tap it and tap "Notifications." Toggle off "Allow Notifications." On iPhone, you can't block notifications from specific websites within Chrome — you either allow all Chrome notifications or none.

What to do if notifications keep coming back

Sometimes websites try to re-ask for notification permission after you've removed them. This is especially common with news sites and social media. If a website keeps showing a notification request banner, you have two options: block the website entirely (as described in the "Remove notifications" section), or just dismiss the banner each time it appears.

If you see a notification request pop-up in the address bar, click the X to dismiss it. If the same website keeps asking, click the three dots next to the request and select "Block" to prevent future requests. You can also go to Chrome Settings > Privacy and Security > Site Settings > Notifications and add the website to your "Block" list manually.

If notifications are coming from an extension and you can't find settings within the extension itself, your only option is to remove the extension. Some extensions don't provide a way to turn off their notifications, so removal is the cleanest solution.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I block notifications from one website but allow them from another?

Yes. Go to Chrome Settings > Privacy and Security > Site Settings > Notifications. You'll see separate lists for websites you've allowed and websites you've blocked. You can remove any website from the "Allow" list or add specific websites to the "Block" list. This gives you full control over which websites can send notifications.

Will blocking notifications stop me from getting important alerts?

Blocking website notifications only stops pop-up alerts from websites. You'll still receive emails, text messages, and alerts within apps themselves. If a website has critical information, it will usually send you an email instead of relying on notifications.

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

Some websites are programmed to ask again after a certain amount of time or when you visit a different page on their site. If this happens repeatedly, add the website to your "Block" list instead of just removing it. This tells Chrome to refuse the request automatically without asking you again.

Do I need to turn off notifications in both Chrome settings and my computer settings?

No. Website notifications are controlled in Chrome settings. Chrome's own system notifications (updates, security alerts) are controlled in your computer's settings. You only need to change the settings for the type of notification that's bothering you.

What's the difference between "Remove" and "Block" for a website?

"Remove" stops the current notifications from that website but allows it to ask for permission again later. "Block" stops notifications and prevents the website from asking for permission in the future. Use "Block" for websites that keep asking repeatedly.