Chrome blocks pop-ups by default, and you turn this off in Settings

Google Chrome comes with a built-in pop-up blocker that stops most pop-ups from appearing on websites you visit. If a website you trust needs to show you a pop-up — for example, to display a form, a document, or a login window — you can turn off the blocker for that specific site or disable it entirely in Chrome's settings.

The fastest way is to click the pop-up blocker icon that appears in your address bar when Chrome blocks something, then choose to allow pop-ups from that website. If you want to change the setting permanently for all websites, you can do that through Chrome Settings in about two minutes.

Key Takeaways

  • Chrome shows a small icon in your address bar when it blocks a pop-up, and clicking that icon lets you allow pop-ups from just that website.
  • You can turn off pop-up blocking entirely by going to Settings, then Privacy and Security, then Site Settings, then Pop-ups and redirects.
  • Adding a website to your exceptions list means Chrome will allow pop-ups from that site but continue blocking them everywhere else.
  • If a pop-up blocker icon does not appear, the website may be using a different method to display content, or your blocker setting may already be off.

Allow pop-ups from one website using the address bar icon

When Chrome blocks a pop-up, a small icon appears to the right of your website address in the address bar. This icon looks like a rectangle with a line through it. Click this icon once.

A dropdown menu will appear with the message "Pop-ups blocked" and a button that says "Always allow pop-ups for [website name]." Click that button. Chrome will now allow pop-ups from this website going forward, and the blocked pop-up should appear on your screen.

This method is the fastest if you only need pop-ups from one or two websites. Chrome remembers your choice, so you will not see the blocker icon again for that site unless you change the setting later.

Turn off pop-up blocking in Chrome Settings

If you want to disable the pop-up blocker for all websites, open Google Chrome and click the three vertical dots in the top right corner of the window. 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 will see two options: "Blocked (recommended)" and "Allowed." Click the "Allowed" button to turn off pop-up blocking completely.

Chrome will now show pop-ups from all websites. If you change your mind later, return to this same screen and click "Blocked (recommended)" to turn the blocker back on.

Add a website to your pop-up exceptions list

You can also allow pop-ups from specific websites while keeping the blocker on for everywhere else. This is useful if you want to block pop-ups from most sites but need them from one or two trusted sources.

Open Chrome Settings, go to Privacy and security, then Site settings, then Pop-ups and redirects. Under "Allow," you will see a button that says "Add." Click it and type the website address where you want to allow pop-ups — for example, "example.com" or "mail.google.com." Click "Add" to save it.

Chrome will now allow pop-ups from that website only. All other websites will still have pop-ups blocked. You can add as many websites as you need to this list.

Remove a website from your exceptions list

If you no longer want to allow pop-ups from a website you previously added, go back to Chrome Settings, Privacy and security, Site settings, Pop-ups and redirects. Find the website in the "Allow" section and click the trash icon next to it. The website will be removed, and pop-ups from that site will be blocked again.

You can also remove a website by clicking the three dots next to its name and selecting "Remove."

What to do if the pop-up blocker icon does not appear

If you do not see the pop-up blocker icon in your address bar, it usually means one of two things: either Chrome did not detect any pop-ups to block, or your pop-up blocker is already turned off.

To check if your blocker is on or off, go to Chrome Settings, Privacy and security, Site settings, Pop-ups and redirects. If you see "Blocked (recommended)" selected, your blocker is on. If you see "Allowed" selected, it is off. Some websites also use other methods to display content that the pop-up blocker does not catch, so a missing icon does not always mean the blocker is off.

Troubleshooting: pop-ups still do not appear after unblocking

Sometimes you unblock pop-ups but they still do not show up. First, refresh the webpage by pressing Ctrl+R (or Cmd+R on Mac) or clicking the refresh arrow in your address bar. Then try the action that should trigger the pop-up again — for example, clicking a button or submitting a form.

If pop-ups still do not appear, the website itself may have a problem, or your browser extensions might be blocking them. Try disabling any ad-blocking extensions you have installed by clicking the three dots in the top right, selecting "More tools," then "Extensions," and toggling off any ad blockers. Then refresh the page and try again.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I block pop-ups from some websites but not others?

Yes. Keep your pop-up blocker on (set to "Blocked (recommended)"), then add only the websites you trust to the "Allow" exceptions list. Chrome will block pop-ups everywhere except the sites you add.

Will turning off the pop-up blocker affect my security?

Turning off the blocker means more pop-ups will reach your screen, including ads and potentially unwanted content. It does not directly compromise your security, but malicious pop-ups do exist. Most people keep the blocker on and add exceptions only for trusted sites.

Do I need to restart Chrome after changing pop-up settings?

No. Chrome saves your changes immediately. The new setting takes effect right away on websites you visit after making the change.

What is the difference between pop-ups and notifications?

Pop-ups are windows that open on top of a webpage. Notifications are messages that appear in the corner of your screen or in your notification center. Chrome has separate settings for each. The pop-up blocker only controls pop-up windows, not notifications.

Can I undo allowing pop-ups from a website?

Yes. Go to Chrome Settings, Privacy and security, Site settings, Pop-ups and redirects, and find the website in the "Allow" section. Click the trash icon next to it to remove it from your exceptions list.