Block pop-ups using your browser's built-in settings
Every major web browser — Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge — has a pop-up blocker turned on by default. If pop-ups are still getting through, the blocker may have been accidentally turned off, or a website you visit has permission to show them. The fastest fix is to check your browser settings and turn the blocker back on if it is off.
In Chrome, click the three vertical dots in the top right corner, select Settings, then click Privacy and security on the left. Choose Site settings, then Pop-ups and redirects. Make sure the toggle next to "Blocked (recommended)" is turned on. If it is already on, pop-ups you are seeing may be from sites that have special permission — scroll down to see the list under "Allow" and remove any sites you do not recognize.
In Firefox, click the three horizontal lines in the top right, select Settings, then Privacy & Security on the left. Scroll down to Permissions and check the box next to "Block pop-up windows." In Safari on Mac, click Safari in the menu bar, select Settings, go to Security, and check "Block pop-ups." On Edge, click the three dots in the top right, select Settings, then Privacy, search, and services. Under Tracking prevention, find Pop-ups and redirects and set it to Block.
Key Takeaways
- Your browser's built-in pop-up blocker is on by default but can be accidentally turned off — check your settings first before trying anything else.
- Some websites have permission to show pop-ups even when the blocker is on — you can remove these permissions one site at a time in your browser settings.
- Browser extensions designed to block ads and pop-ups add an extra layer of protection beyond what your browser does alone.
- If pop-ups appear when you first open your browser, malware may be installed on your computer — run a full scan with your antivirus software.
Remove sites that have permission to show pop-ups
Websites you visit regularly sometimes ask permission to show notifications or pop-ups. You may have clicked "Allow" without realizing what you were agreeing to. These sites will bypass your pop-up blocker even when it is turned on.
In Chrome, go back to Site settings and Pop-ups and redirects. Under the "Allow" section, you will see a list of websites with permission. Click the X next to any site you do not want pop-ups from. Do the same in Firefox by going to Settings, Privacy & Security, Permissions, and then Notifications — look for sites listed under "Allow" and remove them. In Safari and Edge, the process is similar: find the Notifications or Pop-ups permission section in Settings and delete sites from the allow list.
Install a browser extension for extra pop-up blocking
If your browser's built-in blocker is on and you have removed unwanted sites from the allow list but pop-ups still appear, a browser extension can add another layer of protection. Extensions like uBlock Origin, Adblock Plus, and Pop-Up Blocker for Chrome are free and work by blocking ads and pop-ups before they load on the page.
To add an extension, open your browser's extension store. In Chrome, click the puzzle piece icon in the top right, then click "Manage extensions," then visit the Chrome Web Store. Search for the extension name, click it, and select "Add to Chrome." Firefox has a similar process through its Add-ons page. Once installed, most extensions work automatically without any setup — you can click the extension icon in your toolbar to see what it blocked on the current page.
Be cautious about which extensions you install. Stick to extensions with thousands of reviews and high ratings. Read the reviews to see if other users report that the extension slows down their browser or collects data. Remove any extension that is not working well or that you no longer need.
Check for malware if pop-ups appear when you start your browser
If pop-ups appear the moment you open your browser, before you even type a web address, malware may be installed on your computer. Malware is software designed to show ads and collect information without your permission. A pop-up blocker cannot stop malware because the pop-ups are coming from your computer, not from websites.
Run a full scan with your antivirus software. Windows computers come with Windows Defender built in — click the Windows icon, type "Windows Security," open it, and select Virus & threat protection. Click "Scan options," choose "Full scan," and click "Scan now." The scan may take 30 minutes or longer. If malware is found, Windows Defender will remove it automatically.
On Mac, open System Preferences, click Security & Privacy, and look for any unfamiliar applications listed under "Allow apps downloaded from." Delete anything you do not recognize. You can also download a free malware scanner like Malwarebytes and run a scan. If you find malware and cannot remove it, take your computer to a repair shop or contact your computer's manufacturer for support.
Turn off notifications from websites
Websites sometimes ask permission to send you notifications — messages that appear in the corner of your screen even when you are not on that website. These are different from pop-ups but can be just as annoying. You can turn off notifications the same way you remove pop-up permission.
In Chrome, go to Settings, Privacy and security, Site settings, and Notifications. Under "Allow," remove any sites you do not want notifications from. In Firefox, go to Settings, Privacy & Security, Permissions, and Notifications, then remove sites from the allow list. If you see a notification from a site you do not recognize, right-click it and select "Hide notifications from [site name]."
Avoid clicking on suspicious links and ads
Some websites deliberately show pop-ups as part of their design, and your browser's blocker may not catch all of them. The best defense is to avoid clicking on links or ads that look suspicious. If a link promises something too good to be true — assistance programs, a prize you did not enter, or a warning that your computer is infected — do not click it.
If you accidentally click a link and a pop-up appears, close it by clicking the X button in the corner. Do not click any buttons inside the pop-up, because they may download malware or take you to a scam website. If you cannot find an X button, press the Escape key on your keyboard to close the pop-up.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are pop-ups still showing up if my blocker is on?
The website you are visiting may have permission to show pop-ups, or the pop-ups may be coming from malware on your computer rather than from the website itself. Check your browser settings to see which sites have pop-up permission and remove the ones you do not recognize. If pop-ups appear when you first open your browser, run a malware scan.
Can I block pop-ups on just one website?
Yes. In Chrome, click the lock icon or information icon next to the website address, find Pop-ups and redirects, and change the setting to "Block." In Firefox, right-click the page and select "View Page Info," go to Permissions, and set Pop-ups to "Block." This setting stays in place the next time you visit that site.
Will blocking pop-ups break websites I use?
Pop-up blockers rarely break websites. Some sites may not work correctly if you block pop-ups, but this is uncommon. If a website stops working after you block pop-ups, you can allow pop-ups just for that site by going to your browser settings and adding it to the allow list.
Do I need more than one pop-up blocker?
No. Your browser's built-in blocker plus one extension is usually enough. Using multiple extensions can slow down your browser and cause conflicts. Stick with your browser's blocker and one trusted extension if you need extra protection.
What should I do if a pop-up asks me to update my browser or antivirus?
Close the pop-up without clicking anything inside it. Scammers often use fake update warnings to trick people into downloading malware. If you need to update your browser or antivirus, go directly to the official website or use your browser's built-in update feature — do not click pop-ups that claim you need an update.