Chrome's pop-up blocker is on by default, and you turn it off in Settings
Google Chrome blocks most pop-ups automatically. If a website you trust needs to open pop-ups — for example, a banking site that opens statements in new windows, or a scheduling tool that launches in a separate tab — you can turn off the blocker entirely, or allow pop-ups only on that specific site. The fastest route is to allow pop-ups just where you need them, rather than disabling the blocker everywhere.
Chrome does not ask your permission each time a pop-up is blocked. Instead, you will see a small icon in the address bar (it looks like a box with an arrow) when a site tries to open a blocked pop-up. Clicking that icon gives you the option to allow pop-ups on that site going forward.
Key Takeaways
- The fastest way to allow pop-ups is to click the pop-up blocker icon in the address bar when you see it, then select "Always allow pop-ups on this site."
- You can also go to Chrome Settings, find the Privacy and Security section, and add specific websites to the pop-ups exceptions list.
- Turning off the blocker entirely in Settings disables it for all websites, which leaves you exposed to unwanted pop-ups on most sites.
- If you allow pop-ups on a site and later want to block them again, you can remove that site from the exceptions list in the same Settings menu.
Allow pop-ups on a single website using the address bar icon
When a website tries to open a pop-up and Chrome blocks it, a small icon appears to the right of the web address at the top of the page. The icon looks like a small box with an arrow pointing out of it. Click that icon to see what pop-ups were blocked.
A dropdown menu will appear showing the blocked pop-ups. At the top of the menu, you will see an option that says "Always allow pop-ups on [website name]." Click that option, and Chrome will stop blocking pop-ups from that site from that point forward. You do not need to reload the page — the change takes effect immediately.
This method is the simplest because you only allow pop-ups where you actually need them. Most websites do not need pop-ups to work, so your blocker stays active everywhere else.
Allow pop-ups through Chrome Settings
If you want to add a website to the pop-ups exceptions list without waiting for a blocked pop-up to appear, you can do it through Settings. Open Chrome and click the three vertical dots in the top right corner, then select Settings.
On the left side of the Settings page, click Privacy and security. Then click Site settings. Scroll down and click Pop-ups and redirects.
Under the "Allow" section, click Add. Type the website address where you want to allow pop-ups — for example, example.com — and click Add. Chrome will now allow pop-ups on that site.
Turn off the pop-up blocker completely
You can disable Chrome's pop-up blocker entirely, though this is not recommended because most pop-ups are unwanted advertisements. If you choose to do this, you will see many more pop-ups on most websites.
To turn off the blocker completely, go to Settings > Privacy and security > Site settings > Pop-ups and redirects. At the top, toggle the switch next to "Blocked (recommended)" to the off position. The blocker is now disabled for all websites.
If you change your mind later, return to the same menu and toggle the switch back on.
Remove a website from the pop-ups exceptions list
If you previously allowed pop-ups on a website and now want to block them again, you can remove that site from your exceptions. Go to Settings > Privacy and security > Site settings > Pop-ups and redirects.
Under the "Allow" section, you will see a list of all websites where you have allowed pop-ups. Find the site you want to remove and click the trash icon next to it. Chrome will immediately start blocking pop-ups on that site again.
Why Chrome blocks pop-ups by default
Most pop-ups are advertisements or malicious content designed to distract you or collect information. Chrome's blocker stops these automatically, which is why it is on by default and why most websites work fine without allowing pop-ups.
Some legitimate websites do use pop-ups for important functions — for example, to display documents, open login windows, or show scheduling tools. These are the cases where you might need to allow pop-ups. If a website tells you to disable your pop-up blocker and you are not sure whether it is safe, you can always try allowing pop-ups just on that one site first.
Frequently Asked Questions
What if the pop-up blocker icon does not appear in the address bar?
The icon only appears when Chrome actually blocks a pop-up. If you do not see it, the website either did not try to open a pop-up, or it opened successfully without being blocked. Try refreshing the page or visiting a different part of the website to trigger a pop-up attempt.
Can I allow pop-ups on a website without using Settings?
Yes. When you see the pop-up blocker icon in the address bar, click it and select "Always allow pop-ups on this site." This is faster than going through Settings and accomplishes the same thing.
Will allowing pop-ups on one website affect other websites?
No. When you allow pop-ups on a specific site, the blocker remains active on all other websites. Each site you add to the exceptions list is independent.
What happens if I turn off the blocker and then turn it back on?
Any websites you added to the exceptions list while the blocker was off will remain in that list. If you want to remove them, go to the Pop-ups and redirects menu and delete them manually.
Is it safe to allow pop-ups on websites I do not fully trust?
It is safer to allow pop-ups only on websites you know and trust. If a website you are unsure about asks you to disable your pop-up blocker, that is often a sign it may not be trustworthy. You can always test by allowing pop-ups on that site and disabling them again if you see unwanted content.