Chrome blocks popups by default — here's how to turn that off
Chrome's popup blocker stops most popups automatically, but sometimes you need to see them. A popup might be a login window for a service you use, a receipt after you buy something, or a form a website needs you to fill out. When Chrome blocks something you actually want to see, you can turn the blocker off entirely, allow popups from one specific website, or adjust your settings to be less strict.
The fastest fix is usually to allow popups just for the website you're on right now, rather than turning off the blocker everywhere. That keeps you protected on other sites while letting through what you need.
Key Takeaways
- Chrome shows a small popup blocker icon in your address bar when it stops a popup — click it to allow popups from that site.
- You can turn off the popup blocker entirely in Chrome Settings under Privacy and Security, but this leaves you unprotected on all websites.
- Allowing popups for just one website is safer than disabling the blocker globally, and takes the same number of clicks.
- Some websites need popups to work properly, so you may need to allow them even if you normally keep the blocker on.
Allow popups from one website using the address bar icon
When Chrome blocks a popup, a small icon appears to the right of your website address. This is the fastest way to let through popups from just that one site.
Click the popup blocker icon — it looks like a small box with a line through it. A menu will drop down showing how many popups were blocked. At the top, you'll see "Always allow popups and redirects from [website name]". Click that option. Chrome will now let popups through from that website, but will keep blocking them everywhere else.
If you don't see the icon, the website may not have tried to show a popup yet, or Chrome may have let it through already. Reload the page if you're expecting a popup and don't see one.
Turn off the popup blocker completely in Settings
If you want to disable the popup blocker for all websites, you'll do this in Chrome Settings. Open Chrome and click the three vertical dots in the top right corner. Select "Settings" from the menu.
On the left side, 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 at the top that says "Blocked (recommended)". Click that toggle to turn it off. Chrome will now allow popups from every website.
Be aware that turning off the blocker entirely exposes you to unwanted popups on many websites. Most people find it easier to allow popups one site at a time as needed, rather than disabling the blocker globally.
Allow popups from a specific site through Settings
You can also manage popup permissions through the same Settings menu, which is useful if you want to set rules before visiting a website or if the address bar icon isn't appearing.
Follow the steps above to reach "Pop-ups and redirects" in Site settings. Below the toggle, you'll see two sections: "Allowed" and "Blocked". Click "Add" next to "Allowed" and type in the website address where you want to allow popups. Use the full address — for example, "www.example.com" rather than just "example.com". Click "Add" and Chrome will let popups through from that site.
If you change your mind later, you can remove a site from the allowed list by clicking the three dots next to its name and selecting "Remove".
Remove a website from the allowed list
If you previously allowed popups from a website and now want Chrome to block them again, go back to "Pop-ups and redirects" in Site settings. Find the website in the "Allowed" section, click the three dots next to it, and select "Remove". Chrome will go back to blocking popups from that site.
You can also click "Clear all" to remove every website from your allowed list at once, which will reset the popup blocker to its default state.
What to do if a popup still doesn't appear
Sometimes a popup won't show even after you've allowed it. This usually means the website itself is having a problem, not Chrome. Try reloading the page first — press Ctrl+R on Windows or Cmd+R on Mac. If that doesn't work, try clearing your browser cache, which can sometimes fix loading problems.
If the popup still won't appear, the website may require a different browser, or there may be a technical issue on their end. Contact the website's support team if you need help with a specific popup that isn't working.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if Chrome blocked a popup?
Chrome shows a small icon to the right of your address bar that looks like a box with a line through it. Click it to see how many popups were blocked and to allow them if you want.
Will allowing popups from one site affect other websites?
No. When you allow popups from a specific website, Chrome only allows them from that site. All other websites will still have popups blocked unless you specifically allow them too.
Can I block popups from a website I previously allowed?
Yes. Go to Settings, then Privacy and security, then Site settings, then Pop-ups and redirects. Find the website in the "Allowed" section, click the three dots next to it, and select "Remove".
What's the difference between popups and pop-unders?
A popup appears on top of the website you're viewing. A pop-under opens behind your current window. Chrome's popup blocker stops both, but pop-unders are sometimes harder to notice because they open in the background.
Does disabling the popup blocker make my computer less safe?
Disabling it globally means you'll see more unwanted popups and ads, and some malicious sites use popups to spread problems. It's safer to allow popups only from websites you trust, rather than turning off the blocker entirely.