Chrome blocks pop-ups by default, and you can turn that off in Settings
Chrome's pop-up blocker stops most pop-up windows from opening automatically. If a website you trust needs to open a pop-up and it's being blocked, you can disable the blocker entirely, or you can allow pop-ups just for that one site. Disabling it completely takes about 30 seconds and requires only a few clicks in Chrome's Settings menu.
The steps differ slightly depending on whether you're using Chrome on Windows, Mac, or a Chromebook, but the Settings menu works the same way on all three. You'll need to be logged into your Chrome account to make the change, though the setting will then apply to Chrome on any device where you're signed in.
Key Takeaways
- Chrome's pop-up blocker is found in Settings under Privacy and Security, then Site Settings, then Pop-ups and redirects.
- You can turn off the blocker completely, or you can allow pop-ups only for specific websites by adding them to an exceptions list.
- If you allow pop-ups for one site, that setting stays in place until you manually remove it.
- Disabling the pop-up blocker makes your browser less protected against unwanted pop-ups, so only turn it off for websites you recognize and trust.
How to disable the pop-up blocker for all websites
Open Chrome and click the three vertical dots in the top right corner of the window. This opens Chrome's main menu. From the menu, select Settings.
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'll see a toggle switch next to "Blocked (recommended)". Click that toggle to turn it off. The switch will turn gray, and pop-ups will no longer be blocked.
Close the Settings tab and return to browsing. The change takes effect immediately — you don't need to restart Chrome. Any website can now open pop-ups without Chrome stopping them.
How to allow pop-ups for just one website
If you only want to allow pop-ups on a specific site, you don't need to disable the blocker entirely. Visit the website that needs to open pop-ups. When Chrome blocks a pop-up, a small notification appears in the address bar — it looks like a box with a line through it. Click that icon.
A dropdown menu appears with the option Always allow pop-ups and redirects on [website name]. Click that option. Chrome will remember this choice and allow pop-ups from that site going forward, while still blocking pop-ups from everywhere else.
This method is safer than disabling the blocker completely because you're only opening the door for sites you've already decided to trust. If you change your mind later, you can undo this by going back to Settings > Privacy and security > Site Settings > Pop-ups and redirects and removing the site from the "Allowed" list.
What to do if you don't see the pop-up notification
Sometimes Chrome blocks a pop-up so quietly that you don't see the notification in the address bar. If a website says it's trying to open a pop-up but nothing appears, the blocker may have caught it. Try refreshing the page to give the pop-up another chance to load.
If refreshing doesn't work, use the method above to allow pop-ups for that site. Go to Settings > Privacy and security > Site Settings > Pop-ups and redirects, and manually type the website's address into the "Allowed" section. You'll need to type the full web address — for example, www.example.com — exactly as it appears in your browser's address bar.
How to re-enable the pop-up blocker
If you disabled the blocker and want to turn it back on, return to Settings > Privacy and security > Site Settings > Pop-ups and redirects. Click the toggle switch next to "Blocked (recommended)" to turn it back on. The switch will turn blue, and Chrome will resume blocking pop-ups from all websites.
If you only allowed pop-ups for specific sites and want to remove those exceptions, open the same menu and look for the "Allow" section. Each site you've allowed will be listed there. Click the three dots next to any site and select Remove to block pop-ups from that site again.
Why Chrome blocks pop-ups in the first place
Pop-ups are often used to show ads, trick you into clicking malicious links, or collect your personal information without your knowledge. Chrome's blocker stops most of these from appearing automatically. Legitimate websites rarely need to open pop-ups — most modern sites use other ways to show you information, like notifications or in-page messages.
If a website insists it needs to open a pop-ups and you don't recognize the site or trust it, the blocker is probably doing you a favor. Only disable it or allow exceptions for websites you know are real and safe. Banks, email providers, and well-known services almost never require you to turn off your pop-up blocker.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will disabling the pop-up blocker slow down Chrome?
No. The pop-up blocker doesn't use much processing power, so turning it off won't make Chrome run faster or slower. The only difference you'll notice is that more pop-ups will appear on websites that try to open them.
Can I disable the pop-up blocker just for one tab?
No. The pop-up blocker setting applies to all of Chrome, not individual tabs. However, you can allow pop-ups for a specific website, which has the same effect — pop-ups will open on that site but nowhere else.
What if a website says I need to disable the blocker but I don't trust it?
Don't disable it. Legitimate websites don't ask you to turn off security features. If a site claims it needs pop-ups to work, it's usually either poorly designed or trying to show you ads. Look for another version of the site or contact the company directly to ask if there's an alternative way to access what you need.
Does disabling the pop-up blocker affect other browsers on my computer?
No. Each browser has its own settings. Changing Chrome's pop-up blocker won't affect Firefox, Edge, Safari, or any other browser you use. You'll need to change the settings in each browser separately if you want to disable the blocker in more than one.
Can I set up a password to prevent someone else from changing the pop-up blocker setting?
Chrome doesn't have a built-in password protection for individual settings. If you're concerned about someone else changing your browser settings, you can set up a Chrome profile with a password, which requires authentication to access that profile's settings.