Chrome blocks most pop-ups automatically — here's how to check your settings

Chrome comes with a pop-up blocker turned on by default, so you should not see most pop-ups when you browse. If pop-ups are still appearing, your settings may have changed, or a website may have found a way around the blocker. The fastest fix is to verify that pop-up blocking is still enabled in your Chrome settings, then add specific websites to a block list if one site keeps getting through.

Pop-ups are windows that open on top of the page you are viewing, usually without you clicking anything. Some are ads, some are fake security warnings, and some are legitimate notifications from websites you use. Chrome's built-in blocker stops most of them, but not all — and some websites can trigger pop-ups in ways the blocker does not catch.

Key Takeaways

  • Chrome's pop-up blocker is on by default, but you should verify it is still enabled in Settings under Privacy and Security.
  • If a specific website keeps showing pop-ups, you can block that site directly by clicking the pop-up icon in the address bar and selecting "Block pop-ups from this site".
  • Malware and unwanted browser extensions can override Chrome's blocker, so check your installed extensions and run a malware scan if pop-ups suddenly increased.
  • Some pop-ups are not actually pop-ups — they are part of the website itself — and Chrome's blocker cannot stop those.

Check that pop-up blocking is turned on

Open Chrome and click the three-line menu icon in the top right corner. Select Settings, then click Privacy and security in the left sidebar. Look for the section labeled Site settings and click it.

Scroll down until you see Pop-ups and redirects. Click on it. The setting should show Blocked (recommended) in blue text. If it shows Allowed instead, click the toggle to turn blocking back on. Close the settings tab — the change takes effect immediately.

Block pop-ups from a specific website

If one website keeps showing pop-ups even though blocking is on, you can add that site to your block list. When a pop-up appears, look for the small pop-up icon in the address bar — it looks like a rectangle with a line through it. Click that icon.

A menu will drop down showing the pop-up that was blocked. If you see an option that says Block pop-ups from [website name], click it. Chrome will now block all pop-ups from that site going forward. You can undo this at any time by going back to Settings > Privacy and security > Site settings > Pop-ups and redirects and removing the site from the blocked list.

Remove or disable browser extensions that may be causing pop-ups

Unwanted browser extensions can override Chrome's pop-up blocker and show pop-ups on purpose. If pop-ups started appearing suddenly after you installed something new, that extension is likely the cause. Click the three-line menu, hover over More tools, then click Extensions.

Look through the list for anything you do not recognize or do not remember installing. Click the Remove button under any suspicious extension. If you are not sure whether an extension is safe, search for its name online — reviews and forums will usually tell you if it is known for showing unwanted pop-ups.

After removing extensions, close and reopen Chrome. If pop-ups stop appearing, you found the culprit. If they continue, move to the next step.

Run a malware scan if pop-ups appeared suddenly

If pop-ups started appearing out of nowhere and disabling extensions did not stop them, malware on your computer may be interfering with Chrome. Chrome has a built-in malware scanner you can run. Click the three-line menu, go to Settings, then click Privacy and security in the left sidebar.

Look for Security at the top of the Privacy and security section. Make sure Enhanced protection is selected (it usually is by default). Scroll down to find Scan your computer and click it. Chrome will scan your computer for malware and show you the results. If anything is found, follow the on-screen instructions to remove it.

This scan only checks for malware that Chrome recognizes. If you want a more thorough check, you can also run your computer's built-in antivirus — Windows Defender on Windows, or Malwarebytes on any system. Restart your computer after any malware removal and check whether pop-ups have stopped.

Understand what Chrome's blocker cannot stop

Some things that look like pop-ups are not actually pop-ups, and Chrome's blocker cannot stop them. A website can build pop-up-like windows directly into its own page using code — these are called modal windows or overlays, and they are part of the site itself rather than separate windows. Chrome's pop-up blocker only stops separate windows, not these built-in elements.

If you see a window that appears to be a pop-up but Chrome's pop-up icon did not light up in the address bar, it is probably a modal window. You can usually close it by clicking an X button in the corner, clicking outside the window, or pressing the Escape key on your keyboard. If none of those work, the website may require you to interact with it before you can close it.

Allow pop-ups from websites you trust

Some legitimate websites need to show pop-ups for features to work — banking sites may use pop-ups for security, and video sites may use them for player controls. If you trust a website and want to allow its pop-ups, you can add it to your exceptions list. Go to Settings > Privacy and security > Site settings > Pop-ups and redirects.

Under Allowed, click Add and type the website address. Chrome will now allow pop-ups from that site. You can remove a site from this list at any time by clicking the trash icon next to its name.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does Chrome show a pop-up icon in the address bar if pop-ups are already blocked?

The icon appears to let you know that Chrome blocked one or more pop-ups on that page. Click the icon to see what was blocked. This is helpful because sometimes a website needs to show you a pop-up for a legitimate reason, and you can allow it by clicking "Always allow pop-ups from this site" in the menu.

Can I block pop-ups on my phone using Chrome?

Yes. On Android, open Chrome and tap the three-dot menu, then Settings > Site settings > Pop-ups. Make sure the toggle is off. On iPhone, pop-up blocking is controlled by Safari settings, not Chrome, because Apple requires all browsers to use Safari's engine. Go to Settings > Safari > Block Pop-ups and turn it on.

What if I accidentally allowed pop-ups from a website and want to block them again?

Go to Settings > Privacy and security > Site settings > Pop-ups and redirects. Under the "Allowed" section, find the website and click the trash icon next to it. Chrome will block that site's pop-ups again immediately.

Do I need an extension to block pop-ups better than Chrome's built-in blocker?

No. Chrome's built-in blocker handles the vast majority of pop-ups. If you are still seeing them after checking your settings and removing suspicious extensions, the problem is usually malware or modal windows that are part of the website itself, not a limitation of Chrome's blocker. Adding another extension often makes things worse, not better.