The fastest way to disable Chrome's pop-up blocker

Google Chrome blocks most pop-ups by default. To turn off this blocking for a specific website, click the pop-up icon (a circle with a slash through it) in the address bar when a pop-up is blocked, then select Always allow pop-ups on [website name]. Chrome will stop blocking pop-ups from that site going forward.

If you do not see the pop-up icon in the address bar, the site may not have tried to open a pop-up while you were there, or your settings may already allow pop-ups from that domain. You can also manage pop-up permissions through Chrome's settings menu, which gives you more control over which sites can show pop-ups and lets you block them again later.

Key Takeaways

  • The quickest way to allow pop-ups from one site is to click the blocked pop-up icon in the address bar and choose to always allow them.
  • You can turn off pop-up blocking entirely in Chrome settings, but this exposes you to unwanted pop-ups from any website.
  • Allowing pop-ups from a specific site does not affect other websites — each permission is separate.
  • You can remove permission for a site later by going back to Chrome settings and deleting it from the allowed list.

Allow pop-ups from one website using the address bar

When Chrome blocks a pop-up, a small icon appears to the right of the website address in the address bar. This icon looks like a circle with a diagonal line through it. Click on it to see what was blocked.

A dropdown menu will appear showing the blocked pop-up. At the bottom of this menu, you will see the option Always allow pop-ups on [website name]. Click this option, and Chrome will remember to let pop-ups through from that site. The next time you visit, pop-ups will open without being blocked.

This method is the simplest because it requires only two clicks and affects only that one website. Other sites will still have pop-ups blocked unless you repeat this process for them.

Manage pop-up permissions through Chrome settings

If you want to see all the websites you have allowed pop-ups on, or remove permission from a site, open Chrome and click the three vertical dots in the top right corner. Select Settings, then go to Privacy and security on the left side, and click Site settings.

In the Site settings menu, scroll down and click Pop-ups and redirects. You will see two lists: Allow and Block. The Allow list shows every website you have given pop-up permission to. To remove a site from this list, click the trash icon next to its name. To block pop-ups from a site you previously allowed, click the three dots next to it and select Remove.

This settings view also shows you any sites where you have specifically blocked pop-ups. If you change your mind about a site in the Block list, you can remove it from there too, and then use the address bar method to allow pop-ups again.

Turn off pop-up blocking completely (not recommended)

You can disable Chrome's pop-up blocker entirely, which means no pop-ups will be blocked from any website. To do this, go to Settings > Privacy and security > Site settings > Pop-ups and redirects. At the top, toggle the switch to Off.

Turning off the pop-up blocker completely is rarely a good idea. Websites use pop-ups for legitimate purposes — showing forms, displaying videos, opening login windows — but many also use them to show ads, trick you into clicking things, or deliver unwanted content. Without the blocker, you will see far more pop-ups than you want, and some may be difficult to close or may try to install software on your computer.

If you find yourself wanting to disable the blocker entirely, it usually means you need to allow pop-ups from one specific site instead. Use the address bar method described above for that site, and leave the blocker on for everywhere else.

Why Chrome blocks pop-ups and when you might need them

Chrome's pop-up blocker exists because pop-ups are often used to show ads, redirect you to other websites, or deliver malware. The blocker stops most of these without you having to do anything. However, some legitimate websites use pop-ups for features you actually want — a bank might use a pop-up for two-factor authentication, a video site might open videos in a pop-up window, or a form might open in a pop-up overlay.

When you encounter a website that needs pop-ups to work properly, you will usually notice that something is not functioning. A button you click will not seem to do anything, or the site will tell you that pop-ups are blocked. That is the signal to use the address bar method to allow pop-ups from that site.

After you allow pop-ups from a site, test whether the feature you needed actually works. If it does not, the problem may be something else, and you can remove the permission again using the settings menu.

Difference between pop-up blockers and ad blockers

Chrome's built-in pop-up blocker is separate from ad blockers. The pop-up blocker stops new windows or tabs from opening without your action. An ad blocker (which Chrome does not include by default) stops ads from displaying on the page itself. You can have one without the other.

If you install a browser extension that blocks ads, it works alongside Chrome's pop-up blocker. Disabling the pop-up blocker will not affect your ad blocker, and vice versa. Some websites may ask you to turn off your ad blocker to view content, but that is different from asking you to allow pop-ups.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will allowing pop-ups from one site affect other websites?

No. Each permission is separate. When you allow pop-ups from one website, only that website can show pop-ups. All other websites will still have pop-ups blocked unless you specifically allow them too.

Can I undo allowing pop-ups from a website?

Yes. Go to Settings > Privacy and security > Site settings > Pop-ups and redirects, find the website in the Allow list, and click the trash icon next to it. Pop-ups from that site will be blocked again.

What if I allow pop-ups but still do not see them?

The website may be using a different method to open windows that Chrome blocks separately, or the pop-up may be failing to load. Try refreshing the page. If the pop-up still does not appear, the issue may not be the pop-up blocker.

Is it safe to allow pop-ups from websites I trust?

Generally yes, if the website is one you use regularly and trust. However, be cautious with unfamiliar sites. If a website is asking you to allow pop-ups and you are not sure why, it may be better to leave them blocked and find another way to use that site.