Why your pop-ups are blocked and how to unblock them
Google Chrome blocks most pop-ups by default. This protects you from ads and malicious windows, but it also blocks pop-ups from websites you actually want to use — like a login window, a document preview, or a form that opens in a new tab. To see those pop-ups, you need to tell Chrome to stop blocking them for that specific website.
The setting is not buried. You can change it in about 30 seconds, either for one website or for all websites at once. Chrome remembers your choice, so you only have to do it once per site.
Key Takeaways
- Chrome blocks pop-ups automatically, but you can allow them for individual websites by clicking the pop-up blocker icon in the address bar.
- To allow pop-ups from a specific site, click the blocked pop-up notification, then select "Always allow pop-ups from [website name]".
- You can also change the setting manually in Chrome's site settings by going to Settings > Privacy and security > Site settings > Pop-ups and redirects.
- If you disable pop-up blocking entirely, Chrome will show all pop-ups from all websites, which increases the risk of seeing unwanted ads or malicious windows.
Allow pop-ups from one website using the address bar
The fastest way is to use the notification Chrome shows you when it blocks a pop-up. Visit the website, try to open the pop-up, and look at the address bar — you will see a small icon that looks like a window with a slash through it, or a notification that says "Pop-up blocked".
Click that icon or notification. A menu will appear with the option "Always allow pop-ups from [website name]". Click it. Chrome will remember this choice and stop blocking pop-ups from that site.
If you do not see the notification, the pop-up may have been blocked before you could trigger it. In that case, move to the manual method below.
Allow pop-ups for a specific website in settings
Open Chrome and click the three vertical dots in the top right corner. Select Settings. On the left side, click Privacy and security, then click Site settings.
Scroll down and click Pop-ups and redirects. Under "Allow", click Add. Type the website address (for example, example.com) and click Add. Chrome will now allow pop-ups from that site.
If you want to remove the permission later, go back to this same menu, find the website under "Allow", and click the trash icon next to it.
Turn off pop-up blocking for all websites
If you want Chrome to stop blocking pop-ups everywhere, go to Settings > Privacy and security > Site settings > Pop-ups and redirects. At the top, toggle the switch from "Blocked (recommended)" to "Allowed".
Be aware that this opens you to unwanted pop-ups, including ads and potentially malicious windows. Most people should leave pop-up blocking on and instead allow pop-ups only for the specific sites that need them. If you do turn off blocking entirely, you can always turn it back on using the same toggle.
What to do if a pop-up still does not appear
Sometimes a pop-up will not show even after you allow it. This usually means the website itself is having a problem, not Chrome. Try refreshing the page, clearing your browser cache, or trying a different browser to see if the pop-up works elsewhere.
If the pop-up is supposed to open when you click a button, make sure you are clicking the right button. Some websites use the word "Open" or "View" instead of "Pop-up". If you are still stuck, contact the website's support team — they can tell you whether the pop-up is working on their end.
Difference between pop-ups and notifications
Chrome also blocks notifications, which are different from pop-ups. Notifications are messages that appear in the corner of your screen and ask permission to send you alerts. If a website is asking for notification permission and you are blocking it, you will see a different icon in the address bar — usually a bell with a slash through it.
To allow notifications from a site, click that icon and select "Allow". The process is the same as allowing pop-ups, but the setting is separate. You can allow pop-ups from a website while still blocking its notifications, or vice versa.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does Chrome block pop-ups in the first place?
Most pop-ups are ads or malicious windows designed to trick you or steal information. Blocking them by default protects you from these threats. Legitimate websites usually work fine without pop-ups, so the default setting is safe for most browsing.
Will allowing pop-ups from one site affect other websites?
No. When you allow pop-ups from a specific website, that permission applies only to that site. Other websites will still have pop-ups blocked unless you allow them separately.
Can I allow pop-ups for a website on my phone?
Yes. On Chrome for Android or iPhone, tap the three dots in the bottom right, go to Settings, tap Site settings, then Pop-ups and redirects, and add the website. The process is the same as on a computer.
What if I accidentally allowed pop-ups from a website I do not trust?
Go to Settings > Privacy and security > Site settings > Pop-ups and redirects, find the website under "Allow", and click the trash icon to remove it. Chrome will block pop-ups from that site again.