Disable Chrome's built-in pop-up blocker in three steps

Google Chrome blocks most pop-ups by default. To turn off this blocking for a specific website or for all websites, open Chrome and click the three-line menu icon in the top right corner, then select Settings. Go to Privacy and security on the left sidebar, click Site settings, then find and click Pop-ups and redirects. From there you can remove the block entirely or add exceptions for individual sites.

The fastest way to unblock pop-ups for one website is to visit that site, look for the pop-up icon in the address bar (it looks like a small box with a line through it), click it, and select Always allow pop-ups on [website name]. Chrome will remember this choice and stop blocking pop-ups from that site going forward.

Key Takeaways

  • Chrome's pop-up blocker is on by default, but you can turn it off completely through Settings > Privacy and security > Site settings > Pop-ups and redirects.
  • To unblock pop-ups for just one website, click the pop-up icon in the address bar and select "Always allow pop-ups on [site name]".
  • If you do not see a pop-up icon in the address bar, the site may not have attempted to show a pop-up, or you may have already allowed it.
  • Disabling the pop-up blocker entirely leaves your browser more vulnerable to unwanted pop-ups, so allowing pop-ups only for specific sites is usually safer.

Allow pop-ups for a single 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 box with a diagonal line through it. Click this icon and a dropdown menu appears showing how many pop-ups were blocked.

Select Always allow pop-ups on [website name] from the dropdown. Chrome will no longer block pop-ups from that specific site. If you change your mind later, you can click the same icon and choose Don't allow pop-ups on [website name] to re-enable blocking for that site.

Turn off pop-up blocking for all websites through Settings

If you want to disable the pop-up blocker entirely rather than for individual sites, open Chrome and click the three-line menu in the top right corner. Select Settings, then click Privacy and security on the left sidebar.

Click Site settings, then scroll down and click Pop-ups and redirects. At the top of this page, toggle the switch next to Blocked (recommended) to turn it off. Once you do this, Chrome will allow pop-ups from all websites. You can return to this same page and toggle the switch back on if you want to re-enable blocking later.

Remove pop-up blocking from specific sites you have already allowed

If you have already allowed pop-ups for a website and want to block them again, go to Settings > Privacy and security > Site settings > Pop-ups and redirects. Under the Allow section, you will see a list of all websites you have given permission to show pop-ups.

Find the website in the list and click the trash icon next to it to remove it from the allowed list. Chrome will immediately start blocking pop-ups from that site again. You can also click the three dots next to any site name to edit or remove it.

Understand the difference between Chrome's blocker and browser extensions

Chrome has a built-in pop-up blocker that works automatically. Some people also install separate pop-up blocking extensions from the Chrome Web Store for extra control. If you have installed an extension like uBlock Origin, Adblock Plus, or similar tools, those extensions have their own settings separate from Chrome's built-in blocker.

If you have disabled Chrome's blocker but pop-ups are still being blocked, check whether you have a pop-up blocking extension installed. Go to Settings > Extensions to see what extensions are active. You may need to disable or adjust the extension's settings instead of Chrome's settings.

Know when a pop-up icon will not appear in the address bar

Not every blocked pop-up triggers the icon in the address bar. If a website tries to open a pop-up but Chrome blocks it silently, you may not see any notification. This happens with some types of redirects or when the pop-up attempt happens in the background.

If you believe a website should be showing pop-ups but you do not see the icon, try refreshing the page. If the icon still does not appear, the website may not be attempting to open pop-ups, or it may be using a different method that Chrome does not classify as a pop-up. In that case, you can manually allow the site through Settings as described above, even without seeing the icon first.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will disabling the pop-up blocker affect my security?

Disabling the blocker entirely makes your browser more vulnerable to malicious pop-ups and unwanted redirects. Most people should keep the blocker on and allow pop-ups only for specific websites they trust. If you must disable it completely, consider re-enabling it when you are done.

Can I block pop-ups from one website but allow them from another?

Yes. Keep Chrome's pop-up blocker turned on (the default), then use the address bar icon to allow pop-ups only for the sites that need them. This gives you the most control and keeps you protected from unwanted pop-ups on other sites.

What if I allow pop-ups for a site and then change my mind?

Go to Settings > Privacy and security > Site settings > Pop-ups and redirects, find the site under the Allow section, and click the trash icon next to it. Chrome will block pop-ups from that site again immediately.

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

No. Changes to pop-up settings take effect right away. If you have the website open in another tab, refresh that tab to see the new setting applied.