Chrome blocks most pop-ups by default — here's how to allow them

Google Chrome has a built-in pop-up blocker that stops most pop-ups from appearing on websites you visit. If a website you trust needs to show you a pop-up — for a login window, a form, a document, or a tool — you can turn off the blocker for that specific site or disable it entirely. Chrome will show you a notification when it blocks a pop-up, and you can unblock it right from there.

The steps differ depending on whether you want to allow pop-ups from one website or turn off the blocker completely. Most of the time, you only need to allow pop-ups for the one site that needs them, which keeps you protected on other websites.

Key Takeaways

  • Chrome shows a notification icon when it blocks a pop-up, and you can click it to allow pop-ups from that site immediately.
  • You can allow pop-ups for a single website without turning off the blocker everywhere else.
  • The pop-up blocker settings are in Chrome's main settings menu under Privacy and Security.
  • Some websites require pop-ups to work correctly, so you may need to allow them to use certain features.

Allow a pop-up from the notification Chrome shows you

When Chrome blocks a pop-up, it displays a small notification at the top right of the address bar — usually a small icon or a message that says "Pop-up blocked." This is the fastest way to allow a pop-up from a website you trust right now.

Step 1: Look for the pop-up blocked notification at the top right of the address bar. It appears as a small icon or text message.

Step 2: Click on the notification. A dropdown menu will appear with options.

Step 3: Click "Always allow pop-ups and redirects from [website name]." Chrome will remember this choice and stop blocking pop-ups from that site in the future.

After you do this, the website can open pop-ups without asking again. If you change your mind later, you can reverse this decision in Chrome's settings.

Allow pop-ups for a website through Chrome settings

If you did not see the notification, or if you want to allow pop-ups for a website before visiting it, you can add it to Chrome's allowed list in the settings menu.

Step 1: Open Google Chrome and click the three vertical dots in the top right corner of the window.

Step 2: Click "Settings" from the dropdown menu.

Step 3: On the left side, click "Privacy and security."

Step 4: Click "Site settings."

Step 5: Click "Pop-ups and redirects."

Step 6: Under "Allow," click "Add" and type the website address (for example, www.example.com). Click "Add" again to confirm.

Chrome will now allow pop-ups from that website. You can see all the websites you have allowed in this same menu, and you can remove any of them by clicking the trash icon next to the address.

Turn off the pop-up blocker completely

You can disable Chrome's pop-up blocker entirely, though this is not recommended because it leaves you unprotected from unwanted pop-ups on most websites. Only do this if you have a specific reason to.

Step 1: Open Chrome and click the three vertical dots in the top right corner.

Step 2: Click "Settings."

Step 3: Click "Privacy and security" on the left side.

Step 4: Click "Site settings."

Step 5: Click "Pop-ups and redirects."

Step 6: Toggle the switch at the top from "Blocked (recommended)" to "Allowed." The switch will turn blue.

Once you do this, Chrome will stop blocking pop-ups on all websites. If you want to turn the blocker back on later, return to this same menu and toggle the switch back to "Blocked."

Remove a website from your allowed list

If you allowed pop-ups for a website and now want Chrome to block them again, you can remove it from the allowed list in seconds.

Step 1: Open Chrome and click the three vertical dots in the top right corner.

Step 2: Click "Settings," then "Privacy and security," then "Site settings," then "Pop-ups and redirects."

Step 3: Under "Allow," find the website you want to remove from the list.

Step 4: Click the trash icon on the right side of that website's address.

Chrome will immediately start blocking pop-ups from that website again.

What to do if a website still will not show a pop-up

Sometimes a website needs a pop-up to work, but even after you allow pop-ups, nothing appears. This usually means the website is using a different method to block the pop-up, or there is a problem with the website itself.

First, try refreshing the page by pressing Ctrl+R (or Cmd+R on Mac). If that does not work, check whether you have other extensions installed that might be blocking pop-ups — some ad blockers and security extensions have their own pop-up blockers that work separately from Chrome's built-in one. You can see your extensions by clicking the puzzle piece icon in the top right corner of Chrome. If you see an extension that blocks ads or pop-ups, click it and look for its settings to allow pop-ups from that website.

If the website still will not show the pop-up, the problem may be on the website's end, and you may need to contact the website's support team for help.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does Chrome block pop-ups?

Most pop-ups are advertisements or malicious content that websites use to track you or sell you things. Chrome's blocker stops these by default to protect your privacy and keep your browsing experience clean. Legitimate websites usually do not rely on pop-ups for basic features.

Can I allow pop-ups for one website but not others?

Yes. You can add individual websites to your allowed list, and Chrome will block pop-ups everywhere else. This is the safest approach because it protects you on most sites while letting trusted websites show you the pop-ups you need.

Will turning off the pop-up blocker affect my security?

Disabling the blocker entirely leaves you exposed to unwanted pop-ups, which can contain ads, scams, or malicious content. It is safer to allow pop-ups only for the specific websites that need them rather than turning off the blocker completely.

What is the difference between pop-ups and redirects?

A pop-up is a new window that appears on top of the website you are viewing. A redirect sends you to a different website automatically. Chrome's pop-up blocker controls both, and when you allow one, you allow both from that site.

Do I need to restart Chrome after changing pop-up settings?

No. Chrome saves your pop-up settings immediately, and they take effect right away. You do not need to close or restart the browser for the changes to work.