Chrome blocks most pop-ups by default, and you can turn that off for specific websites or disable it entirely
Chrome's pop-up blocker stops most unwanted windows from opening, but sometimes you need a pop-up to work — a login window, a form, a document preview. You can disable blocking for one website without affecting your protection everywhere else, or turn off the blocker completely if you prefer to manage pop-ups yourself.
The fastest route is to allow pop-ups for just the site you're on right now. If you need to change your blocker settings more broadly, that takes one extra step. Either way, the process takes less than a minute.
Key Takeaways
- Chrome shows a small icon in the address bar when it blocks a pop-up, and clicking that icon lets you allow pop-ups from that site permanently.
- You can allow pop-ups for one website without changing your settings for any other site.
- If you turn off the pop-up blocker entirely, Chrome stops blocking all pop-ups on all websites.
- The pop-up blocker setting lives in Chrome Settings under Privacy and Security, not in a separate extensions menu.
Allow pop-ups from one website without changing your blocker
When Chrome blocks a pop-up, a small icon appears in the address bar on the right side — it looks like a window with a slash through it. Click that icon and you'll see a list of the pop-ups Chrome blocked.
Next to each blocked pop-up, you'll see "Always allow pop-ups and redirects from [website name]". Click that text. Chrome will remember your choice and stop blocking pop-ups from that site going forward. You can visit the site again later and pop-ups will open normally.
This is the safest approach because your blocker stays on for every other website. You're only making an exception for the one site that needs it.
Turn off the pop-up blocker for all websites
If you want Chrome to stop blocking pop-ups everywhere, open Chrome and click the three vertical dots in the top right corner. Select Settings from the menu that appears.
On the left side of the Settings page, click Privacy and security. Then click Site settings. Scroll down until you see Pop-ups and redirects and click it.
You'll see a toggle switch next to "Blocked (recommended)". Click that toggle to turn it off. The switch will turn gray, and Chrome will stop blocking pop-ups on all websites immediately. You don't need to restart Chrome or close any tabs.
Turn the pop-up blocker back on
If you disabled the blocker and want to turn it back on, follow the same path: Settings > Privacy and security > Site settings > Pop-ups and redirects. Click the toggle switch again to turn it back on. The switch will turn blue and show "Allowed".
If you allowed pop-ups for a specific website and want to block them again, click the pop-up icon in the address bar when you're on that site. You'll see the option to remove the exception. Click it and Chrome will go back to blocking pop-ups from that site.
What to do if the pop-up icon doesn't appear
Sometimes a pop-up is blocked but Chrome doesn't show the icon in the address bar. This usually means the pop-up came from a third-party source — an ad network or tracking service — rather than the website itself. Chrome's blocker treats these differently and doesn't always notify you.
If you think a pop-up should have opened and it didn't, check whether your blocker is on by going to Settings > Privacy and security > Site settings > Pop-ups and redirects. If it shows "Blocked (recommended)", the blocker is active. You can allow pop-ups for that site using the method described above, even if you didn't see the icon.
Difference between pop-up blocker and extensions
Chrome's built-in pop-up blocker is separate from browser extensions. If you installed a separate pop-up blocking extension, it might be blocking pop-ups in addition to Chrome's blocker. Turning off Chrome's blocker won't affect the extension.
To check whether you have a pop-up blocking extension, click the puzzle piece icon in the top right corner of Chrome (next to the three dots). Look through the list for anything related to pop-ups or ad blocking. If you find one, you can click the pin icon next to it to uninstall it, or click the three dots next to the extension name and select Remove from Chrome.
Why Chrome blocks pop-ups and when you might need them
Most pop-ups are ads or malicious windows designed to trick you into clicking them. Chrome's blocker stops these by default to protect your device and your attention. But some legitimate websites use pop-ups for real functions — login windows, document viewers, chat support, or forms that open in a new window.
If a website tells you a pop-up isn't working, the blocker is usually the reason. Before you disable it entirely, try allowing pop-ups for just that site. That way you keep your protection everywhere else.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will disabling the pop-up blocker make my computer less safe?
Disabling it means you'll see more pop-ups, including ads and potentially malicious ones. Most pop-ups are harmless but annoying. If you disable the blocker, avoid clicking on pop-ups that look suspicious or ask you to download something unexpected.
Can I block pop-ups from one website but allow them from another?
Yes. Use the method in the "Allow pop-ups from one website" section above. You can allow pop-ups for as many individual sites as you need while keeping the blocker on for everywhere else.
What if I allowed pop-ups for a site by mistake?
Go to that website, click the pop-up icon in the address bar, and select the option to remove the exception. Chrome will go back to blocking pop-ups from that site. If you don't see the icon, go to Settings > Privacy and security > Site settings > Pop-ups and redirects and look for the site in the "Allowed" list, then click the X next to it.
Does turning off the blocker affect other browsers on my computer?
No. Chrome's settings only affect Chrome. If you use Firefox, Safari, or Edge, they have their own pop-up blockers with separate settings. Changing Chrome's blocker won't change anything in those browsers.
Why does a website say pop-ups are blocked when I already turned off the blocker?
The website might be checking for a pop-up blocking extension instead of Chrome's built-in blocker. Check whether you have a separate pop-up blocking extension installed (look in the puzzle piece menu) and remove it if you do.