Turn off Chrome notifications in three places

Google Chrome stores notification settings in three separate locations, and you may need to change them all to stop the alerts. The quickest route is Chrome's main settings menu, but websites can also request notification permission directly, and your operating system (Windows, Mac, or Linux) has its own notification controls that override Chrome's settings.

Most people find that adjusting Chrome's site-by-site settings stops the notifications they see most often. If you want to block all notifications from all websites at once, that's also possible — but some websites may stop working properly if you do.

Key Takeaways

  • Chrome's notification settings live in Settings > Privacy and security > Notifications, where you can block all sites or manage individual websites.
  • You can block a specific website's notifications the moment it asks by clicking "Block" in the permission prompt, without opening settings at all.
  • Your operating system's notification settings can override Chrome's choices, so check Windows Settings, System Preferences, or your Linux desktop environment if Chrome settings alone don't work.
  • Clearing your browser cache and cookies does not reset notification permissions — those settings stay until you manually change them.

Block all Chrome notifications at once

Open Chrome and click the three vertical dots in the top right corner. Select Settings, then click Privacy and security in the left sidebar. Click Notifications.

At the top of the Notifications page, you'll see a toggle next to "Sites can ask to send notifications." Turn this toggle off. Chrome will now block every website from sending you notifications, and the permission requests will stop appearing.

If you turn this toggle off, some websites may not work as expected — for example, a calendar app or email service might not be able to alert you to new messages. You can always turn the toggle back on later if you need it.

Block notifications from specific websites

In the same Notifications settings page, scroll down to find two lists: Allow and Block. The Allow list shows websites that currently have permission to send you notifications. The Block list shows websites you've already told Chrome to block.

To remove a website from the Allow list, click the three dots next to its name and select Remove. That website will move to the Block list, and its notifications will stop. To add a website to the Block list without removing it from Allow first, click Add under the Block section, type the website's address, and click Add.

You can also type a website's address in the search box at the top of the Notifications page to find it quickly. This is useful if you've allowed notifications from many sites and need to locate one specific address.

Block notifications when a website asks

When a website requests permission to send notifications, Chrome shows a small popup at the top of the address bar. You'll see text like "example.com wants to show notifications" with two buttons: Allow and Block.

Click Block to refuse that website's notifications immediately. Chrome will add that site to your Block list, and it won't ask again. This is the fastest way to stop notifications before they start — you don't have to open settings at all.

If you accidentally click Allow, go back to the Notifications settings page and move that website from the Allow list to the Block list using the method described above.

Check your operating system's notification settings

Chrome's settings control which websites can send notifications, but your computer's operating system has a separate layer of control. Even if you allow notifications in Chrome, your OS can block them from appearing on your screen.

On Windows: Open Settings, click System, then Notifications. Scroll down to find Google Chrome in the list of apps. Turn off the toggle next to Chrome's name, or turn off Allow notifications from apps and other senders at the top of the page to block all notifications from every app.

On Mac: Open System Preferences, click Notifications & Focus, and find Google Chrome in the list on the left. Click Chrome and turn off Allow notifications.

On Linux: Notification settings vary by desktop environment. In GNOME, open Settings, click Notifications, and toggle Chrome off. In KDE Plasma, right-click the system tray and look for notification settings.

Why you might still see notifications after changing settings

If notifications continue after you've changed Chrome's settings, the problem is usually your operating system blocking the change. For example, if you allow notifications in Chrome but turn them off in Windows Settings, Windows will prevent the notifications from reaching your screen — Chrome can't override that choice.

Check both your Chrome settings and your OS settings to make sure they're aligned. If you want notifications from Chrome, both must be set to allow them. If you want to block them, changing either one will work.

Another possibility is that the notification is coming from a different browser or app entirely. Check your OS notification settings to see which apps have sent recent notifications — that will tell you whether Chrome is actually the source.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to block notifications one website at a time?

No. You can turn off the master toggle at the top of Chrome's Notifications settings to block all websites at once. This stops every site from sending notifications, but some websites may not work properly without notification permission. You can turn the toggle back on anytime.

Will clearing my cache and cookies reset my notification settings?

No. Notification permissions are stored separately from cache and cookies. Clearing your browsing data will not change which websites you've allowed or blocked for notifications. Your notification settings stay the same until you manually change them in the Notifications page.

What if a website keeps asking for notification permission even after I blocked it?

Make sure the website is actually in your Block list by searching for it in the Notifications settings. If it's there and still asking, the website may be using a different address than the one you blocked — for example, "mail.google.com" instead of "google.com". Block the exact address the permission request shows.

Can I allow notifications from one website but block them from all others?

Yes. Turn off the master toggle to block all websites, then add the specific website you want to allow to the Allow list. Only that website will be able to send notifications.