Chrome blocks most pop-ups by default, and you can allow them site by site or turn off the blocker entirely
Chrome's pop-up blocker stops unsolicited windows from opening automatically. If a website you trust needs to show you a pop-up — a login window, a document preview, a form in a new tab — you can let it through. You can permit pop-ups from one specific site without opening them for every other site, or you can disable the blocker completely. The steps differ slightly depending on whether you want to unblock a single site or change your overall settings.
Most of the time, you will want to allow pop-ups only for sites you recognize. Turning off the blocker entirely leaves you exposed to unwanted windows and ads, so that approach is best reserved for sites where pop-ups are essential to how the site works.
Key Takeaways
- When a pop-up is blocked, Chrome shows a small icon in the address bar; click it to allow that site's pop-ups going forward.
- You can also manage pop-up permissions in Chrome's Settings under Privacy and Security, where you can see which sites are allowed and remove them.
- Disabling the pop-up blocker entirely is possible but leaves you vulnerable to unwanted windows; allowing pop-ups per site is safer.
- Some websites require pop-ups to function — online banking, document editors, and video players often use them for authentication or overlays.
Allow pop-ups from a specific site using the address bar icon
When Chrome blocks a pop-up, a small icon appears to the right of the address bar — it looks like a square with a line through it, or sometimes shows a number indicating how many pop-ups were blocked. Click that icon to see the blocked pop-ups.
A dropdown menu will appear. Next to the site name, you will see an option to "Always allow pop-ups on [site name]" or similar wording. Click that option. Chrome will remember this choice and allow future pop-ups from that site without asking again. If you change your mind later, you can click the same icon and choose to block them again.
Manage pop-up permissions in Chrome Settings
For a full view of which sites can show pop-ups, open Chrome's Settings menu. Click the three vertical dots in the top right corner, then select Settings. On the left side, click Privacy and Security, then Site Settings.
Scroll down to find Pop-ups and redirects. Click it. You will see two lists: sites allowed to show pop-ups, and sites blocked from showing pop-ups. To remove a site from the allowed list, click the trash icon next to its name. To add a site to the allowed list without visiting it first, click "Add" next to "Allow", type the site's web address, and click Add again.
Turn off the pop-up blocker completely
If you want Chrome to stop blocking pop-ups from all sites, follow the same path: Settings > Privacy and Security > Site Settings > Pop-ups and redirects. At the top, you will see a toggle or dropdown currently set to "Blocked". Click it and change it to "Allowed".
Be aware that disabling the blocker exposes you to unwanted advertising and potentially malicious pop-ups. Most security experts recommend leaving the blocker on and allowing pop-ups only for specific sites you trust. If you disable it and later want to turn it back on, return to the same menu and switch the setting back to "Blocked".
What to do if a site says pop-ups are blocked but you have allowed them
Sometimes a website will claim pop-ups are blocked even after you have allowed them. This usually means the site is detecting the blocker at the browser level rather than checking Chrome's permission list. In this case, you may need to disable the blocker entirely for that site to work.
Another possibility is that the site uses a different method to open windows — some sites use redirects instead of pop-ups, and those are controlled under the same Pop-ups and redirects setting. If allowing pop-ups does not solve the problem, try disabling the entire blocker temporarily to see if the site works, then turn it back on once you are done.
Common sites that need pop-ups enabled
Online banking platforms often use pop-ups for two-factor authentication codes or secure messaging. Document editors like Google Docs and Microsoft Office online may open new windows for sharing settings or comments. Video conferencing tools sometimes use pop-ups for screen sharing or chat windows. If you use any of these services and encounter problems, allowing pop-ups from that domain is usually the first step to fix it.
Some older websites and internal business tools also rely on pop-ups for forms or navigation. If a site you need to use is not working properly and you suspect pop-ups are involved, check whether Chrome is blocking them before assuming the site itself is broken.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does Chrome block pop-ups in the first place?
Most pop-ups are unwanted advertisements or attempts to redirect you to other sites. Chrome's blocker prevents these from opening automatically. Legitimate pop-ups — those from sites you are actively using — can still be allowed through the permission system.
If I allow pop-ups for one site, does that affect other sites?
No. When you allow pop-ups for a specific site, that permission applies only to that domain. Other sites remain blocked unless you explicitly allow them too. This is why allowing pop-ups per site is safer than disabling the blocker entirely.
Can I allow pop-ups only for a certain time period?
Chrome does not have a built-in time limit for pop-up permissions. Once you allow a site, it stays allowed until you remove it from the list. If you want to allow pop-ups temporarily, you can disable the blocker, use the site, then turn it back on when you are finished.
What if I accidentally allowed pop-ups for a site I do not trust?
Go to Settings > Privacy and Security > Site Settings > Pop-ups and redirects, find the site in the "Allow" list, and click the trash icon next to it. The site will be blocked again immediately.