Chrome blocks most pop-ups by default, and you can turn that blocker off entirely or allow pop-ups from specific websites
Chrome's pop-up blocker is on automatically. When a website tries to open a pop-up window, Chrome stops it and shows a small notification at the top of the address bar instead. If you want to see pop-ups from a particular site, or turn off the blocker completely, you can change this setting in a few clicks.
The most common reason to disable the blocker is that a website you use — like your bank, an online course, or a ticketing system — needs to open a pop-up window to work properly. Rather than turning off the blocker for all websites, you can usually allow pop-ups just for that one site, which keeps you protected everywhere else.
Key Takeaways
- Chrome shows a notification when it blocks a pop-up; you can click that notification to allow pop-ups from that site just once or permanently.
- To turn off the pop-up blocker entirely, go to Chrome Settings, then Privacy and Security, then Site Settings, then Pop-ups and redirects, and toggle it off.
- Allowing pop-ups for a single website is safer than disabling the blocker globally, because most pop-ups are ads or malicious content.
- If a website says it needs to open a pop-up but Chrome is not showing a blocked notification, the site may need a different permission like camera or microphone access.
Allow pop-ups from one website without disabling the blocker
When Chrome blocks a pop-up, it displays a small icon and message at the top of the page, just below the address bar. Click that notification and you will see two options: "Always allow pop-ups and redirects on [website name]" or a one-time permission button. Choose the permanent option if you use that site regularly and need pop-ups to work there.
This approach keeps the blocker active for every other website, so you stay protected from unwanted pop-ups elsewhere. Once you allow pop-ups for a site, Chrome remembers that choice. If you change your mind later, you can remove that permission by going back to the same site, clicking the lock icon next to the address bar, and toggling pop-ups back off.
Turn off the pop-up blocker for all websites
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.
Scroll down until you find Pop-ups and redirects and click it. At the top of that page, you will see a toggle switch next to "Blocked (recommended)". Click the toggle to turn it off. Chrome will now allow pop-ups from all websites.
Be aware that disabling the blocker globally exposes you to pop-up ads and potentially malicious content. Most websites do not need pop-ups to function, so this setting is rarely necessary. If only one site requires pop-ups, use the single-site method instead.
Check if the problem is a different permission, not the pop-up blocker
Sometimes a website says it needs to open a pop-up, but Chrome is not showing a blocked pop-up notification. In that case, the site may be asking for a different permission — camera access, microphone access, location, or notification permissions. These are controlled separately from the pop-up blocker.
Click the lock icon next to the address bar to see what permissions that site has requested. If you see a permission you denied, click it and change it to "Allow". If the site still does not work, contact the website's support team, because the issue may be something other than Chrome's settings.
Undo a pop-up permission you granted to a website
If you allowed pop-ups for a site and now want to block them again, click the lock icon next to the address bar while you are on that website. Find Pop-ups and redirects in the list and click the dropdown next to it. Select Block.
You can also manage all your pop-up permissions from the Settings page. Go to Settings > Privacy and security > Site Settings > Pop-ups and redirects. Under "Allow", you will see a list of every website you have given pop-up permission to. Click the three dots next to any site and select Remove to revoke that permission.
Why Chrome blocks pop-ups by default
Pop-ups are one of the oldest forms of online advertising and are frequently used to deliver malware, scams, or unwanted content. Blocking them by default protects you from accidentally clicking something harmful. Most legitimate websites do not rely on pop-ups anymore — they use other methods to display important information.
If a website insists that you disable your pop-up blocker to use it, that is a warning sign. Reputable sites either work without pop-ups or clearly explain why they need them. When in doubt, allow pop-ups only for that one site rather than disabling the blocker entirely.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does Chrome keep blocking pop-ups even after I turned off the blocker?
If you toggled the blocker off in Settings but still see blocked notifications, you may have allowed pop-ups for only that one site instead of disabling the blocker globally. Check your Settings again to confirm the toggle is actually off. If it is off and pop-ups are still blocked, restart Chrome and try again.
Can I block pop-ups from one website but allow them everywhere else?
Yes. Turn off the pop-up blocker globally in Settings, then go to the site you want to block pop-ups on, click the lock icon, and set Pop-ups and redirects to Block. This is the reverse of the normal approach, but it works the same way.
Does disabling the pop-up blocker affect other browsers on my computer?
No. Chrome settings only affect Chrome. If you use Firefox, Safari, or Edge, they have their own pop-up blockers that work independently. Changing Chrome's settings will not change how those browsers behave.
What if a website says it needs a pop-up but Chrome is not blocking anything?
The site may need a different permission, like camera or microphone access. Click the lock icon next to the address bar and check what permissions the site has requested. You may need to grant one of those instead of dealing with the pop-up blocker.