Chrome blocks most pop-ups automatically, but some still get through

Chrome has a built-in pop-up blocker that stops the majority of unwanted pop-ups before they appear on your screen. However, some pop-ups bypass this default protection — particularly those triggered by clicking a link, those from sites you have visited before, or ads designed to look like part of the page itself. If pop-ups are still reaching you, you have several options: adjust Chrome's pop-up settings, use an extension built specifically to catch what the default blocker misses, or change how you interact with suspicious sites.

The steps below cover the most common situations. Start with checking your Chrome settings, since that solves the problem for most people. If pop-ups continue after that, the extension route is your next step.

Key Takeaways

  • Chrome's built-in pop-up blocker is on by default and stops most pop-ups automatically without any action from you.
  • If pop-ups still appear, check your Chrome settings to confirm the blocker is enabled and that no sites have permission to show pop-ups.
  • Extensions like uBlock Origin and Adblock Plus catch pop-ups that slip past Chrome's default protection, but only install them from the Chrome Web Store.
  • Some pop-ups are actually ads embedded in the page itself and cannot be blocked by pop-up blockers — these require an ad-blocking extension instead.
  • Disabling extensions one at a time helps identify which one is accidentally allowing pop-ups through.

Check that Chrome's pop-up blocker is turned on

Open Chrome and look at the top right corner. Click the three vertical dots (called the menu button), then select Settings. On the left side, click Privacy and security, then click Site settings.

Scroll down until you see Pop-ups and redirects. Click on it. At the top, you should see a toggle or dropdown that says Blocked (recommended). If it says Allowed, click the toggle or dropdown to switch it back to Blocked. Close the settings tab and refresh any page with pop-ups to see if they stop.

If the setting already says Blocked, move to the next section. The blocker is on, but something else is allowing pop-ups through.

Remove sites that have permission to show pop-ups

While you are still in the Pop-ups and redirects section, look for a list under the heading Allow. This list shows every site that you (or malware) has given permission to display pop-ups. Even though the blocker is on, Chrome will let these sites show pop-ups anyway.

Go through the list and look for sites you do not recognize or do not trust. For each one, hover over it and click the trash icon on the right. This removes the permission. If the list is empty, skip this step and move on.

After you have removed the sites, close the settings tab and refresh the page where you saw pop-ups. If they stop, you have found the problem. If pop-ups continue, proceed to the extension section below.

Install a pop-up blocking extension from the Chrome Web Store

Chrome's default blocker catches most pop-ups, but some websites use techniques that slip past it. A dedicated extension can catch these. The most reliable options are uBlock Origin and Adblock Plus, both free and available in the Chrome Web Store.

Open a new Chrome tab and go to chrome.google.com/webstore. Search for "uBlock Origin" in the search box at the top left. When you find it (look for the red and white shield icon), click on it. Click the blue Add to Chrome button. A popup will ask you to confirm — click Add extension. The extension is now installed and working automatically.

You do not need to do anything else. uBlock Origin runs in the background and blocks pop-ups and ads without requiring you to adjust settings. If you prefer Adblock Plus instead, follow the same steps but search for "Adblock Plus" in the Web Store.

Disable extensions one at a time if pop-ups started recently

Sometimes a recently installed extension accidentally allows pop-ups through, or a pop-up blocker itself has a bug. If pop-ups appeared suddenly after you installed something new, test whether that extension is the cause.

Click the puzzle piece icon in the top right corner of Chrome (this shows your installed extensions). Find the extension you installed most recently and click the three dots next to it. Select Remove from Chrome. Close and reopen Chrome, then visit a site where you saw pop-ups. If they stop, that extension was the problem. If they continue, reinstall it and disable the next most recent extension instead.

Work backwards through your recent installations until pop-ups stop. Once you identify the culprit, you can either remove it permanently or look for an alternative extension that does the same job without the pop-up issue.

Understand the difference between pop-ups and embedded ads

Not all unwanted ads are pop-ups. Some ads are built directly into the page itself and appear in the normal page layout — these look like boxes or banners with product images and text. Pop-up blockers cannot stop these because they are not technically pop-ups; they are part of the page.

If you see ads that appear inside the page content rather than in separate windows, you need an ad-blocking extension instead of (or in addition to) a pop-up blocker. uBlock Origin blocks both pop-ups and embedded ads, which is why it is often the most effective single solution. Adblock Plus does the same. Install either one using the steps in the section above, and it will handle both types of unwanted content.

Avoid sites that repeatedly bypass your blocker

Some websites are designed to generate pop-ups continuously, even after you close them. These sites often host pirated content, fake software downloads, or scams. If a site keeps showing pop-ups no matter what you do, the safest approach is to leave it and not return.

If you must visit such a site, open it in Chrome's Incognito mode (press Ctrl+Shift+N on Windows or Cmd+Shift+N on Mac). Incognito mode does not save cookies or site permissions, so the site cannot remember that you gave it permission to show pop-ups in the past. Close the Incognito window when you are done, and the site's data is deleted from your computer.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do some pop-ups still appear even though my blocker is on?

Some pop-ups are triggered by clicking a link or button, and Chrome allows these through because you initiated the action. Others come from sites you previously gave permission to show pop-ups. Check your allowed sites list and remove any you do not trust. If pop-ups continue, install uBlock Origin or Adblock Plus.

Is it safe to install extensions from the Chrome Web Store?

Extensions in the official Chrome Web Store are reviewed by Google before they are published, so they are much safer than extensions from other sources. Always install pop-up blockers from the Chrome Web Store only, never from other websites.

Will a pop-up blocker slow down Chrome?

A good extension like uBlock Origin uses very little memory and has minimal impact on browsing speed. In fact, blocking ads and pop-ups can make pages load faster because your browser is not downloading ad content.

Can I block pop-ups from specific sites only?

Yes. In your Chrome settings under Pop-ups and redirects, you can add individual sites to the blocked list. Click the Add button next to "Block", type the website address, and click Add. Pop-ups from that site will be blocked even if you previously allowed them.

What should I do if a pop-up asks me to update my browser or install software?

Close it immediately. These are almost always scams. Chrome updates itself automatically, and legitimate software companies do not distribute updates through pop-ups. Do not click anything in the pop-up — just close the tab or window.