Where your pop-up blocker lives and how to find it

Your pop-up blocker is built into your web browser — the program you use to visit websites. Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge all have one turned on by default. The blocker sits between you and the websites you visit, stopping windows from opening without your permission. To turn it off, you need to go into your browser's settings, not your computer's security software.

The exact steps depend on which browser you use. All of them let you disable the blocker entirely, or you can allow pop-ups only on specific websites you trust. Most people choose the second option: keep the blocker on everywhere, but turn it off just for the sites that need it.

Key Takeaways

  • Pop-up blockers live in your web browser settings, not in your antivirus or security software.
  • You can disable the blocker completely, or allow pop-ups only on websites you trust.
  • In Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge, the setting is usually under Privacy or Security in the browser menu.
  • If a website needs pop-ups to work, you can add it to an allow list instead of turning off the blocker everywhere.

Disabling the pop-up blocker in Chrome

Open Chrome and click the three vertical dots in the top right corner. Select Settings, then click Privacy and security in the left menu. Find Site settings and click it. Scroll down until you see Pop-ups and redirects, then click that option. You will see a toggle switch next to "Blocked (recommended)". Click the toggle to turn it off.

If you only want to allow pop-ups on one website, keep the blocker on and instead add that site to your allow list. In the same Pop-ups and redirects menu, look for the section labeled "Allow". Click Add and type the website address. Chrome will then let pop-ups through only on that site.

Disabling the pop-up blocker in Firefox

Click the hamburger menu (three horizontal lines) in the top right corner of Firefox. Select Settings, then click Privacy & Security in the left sidebar. Scroll down to the Permissions section. Find the line that says "Block pop-up windows" and uncheck the box next to it. The blocker is now off.

To allow pop-ups only on specific sites, keep the box checked and instead click the Exceptions button next to it. Type the website address where you want to allow pop-ups, then click Allow. Firefox will remember that site and let its pop-ups through while blocking them everywhere else.

Disabling the pop-up blocker in Safari

Click Safari in the menu bar at the top of your screen, then select Settings (or Preferences on older versions). Go to the Security tab. Look for the checkbox that says "Block pop-up windows" and uncheck it. The blocker is now off for all websites.

Safari does not have a built-in allow list for specific sites the way Chrome and Firefox do. If you want to allow pop-ups only on one website, you will need to turn the blocker back on and disable it temporarily when you visit that site. Some websites also let you allow pop-ups through their own settings or by clicking a prompt when you first visit.

Disabling the pop-up blocker in Microsoft Edge

Click the three dots menu in the top right corner of Edge. Select Settings, then click Privacy, search, and services in the left menu. Scroll down to Site permissions and click it. Find Pop-ups and redirects and click that option. Toggle off the switch next to "Block".

To allow pop-ups on just one website, keep the blocker on and click Allow in the same menu. Type the website address and click Add. Edge will then permit pop-ups from that site while continuing to block them everywhere else.

Why a website might need pop-ups to work

Some legitimate websites use pop-ups for important functions: online banking sites may open a pop-up for two-factor authentication, document upload tools might use pop-ups to let you select files, and some video players open content in new windows. These are not ads — they are part of how the site works. If a website tells you to disable your pop-up blocker and you trust the site, adding it to your allow list is the safest approach.

Malicious websites also use pop-ups, so do not disable the blocker completely unless you have a specific reason. If you are unsure whether a pop-up is legitimate, close it and look for another way to do what you need on that website. Most modern sites have moved away from pop-ups and use other methods instead.

Turning the pop-up blocker back on

If you disabled the blocker completely and want to turn it back on, follow the same steps you used to turn it off. In Chrome, Firefox, and Edge, toggle the setting back to "on" or "blocked". In Safari, check the box next to "Block pop-up windows" again.

If you added a website to your allow list and want to remove it, go back to the same menu where you added it. Look for the site in the allow list and click the delete or remove button next to it. The blocker will then block pop-ups from that site again.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will disabling my pop-up blocker make my computer less safe?

Disabling it completely exposes you to more ads and potentially harmful pop-ups, so it is better to allow pop-ups only on websites you trust. Your antivirus and other security software will still protect you from malware — the pop-up blocker is just one layer of defense against annoying or deceptive ads.

What if I disabled the blocker but pop-ups still are not showing?

Some websites block pop-ups on their own side, or the pop-up might be opening in a new tab instead of a separate window. Check if a new tab appeared. If the website has its own settings, look there for a pop-up option. You may also need to refresh the page after disabling the blocker.

Can I disable the pop-up blocker for just one visit to a website?

Yes. In most browsers, you can temporarily disable the blocker, visit the site, then turn it back on. Or you can add the site to your allow list, use it, and remove it from the list afterward. Adding it to the allow list is faster if you plan to visit the site more than once.

Is there a difference between a pop-up blocker and my antivirus pop-up blocker?

Yes. Your browser's pop-up blocker stops websites from opening new windows. Your antivirus or security software has its own pop-up blocker that stops malicious pop-ups from running code on your computer. Both can be turned on or off separately, and you control each one in different places.