Pop-ups are usually ads, but the method you use to block them depends on what's triggering them
Most pop-ups come from websites themselves — they're ads or newsletter signups that appear when you land on a page or scroll down. Your browser has a built-in pop-up blocker that stops many of these automatically. If pop-ups are still getting through, you can tighten that setting, install an extension that catches more aggressive ones, or adjust how your browser handles notifications and redirects. The steps differ slightly between Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge, but the principle is the same: you're telling your browser to say no before the pop-up even loads.
A smaller number of pop-ups come from malware or unwanted software on your device itself — these are harder to block at the browser level and usually need a different approach. This guide covers the browser-level fixes first, then how to tell if something deeper is wrong.
Key Takeaways
- Most browsers have a built-in pop-up blocker that you can strengthen by visiting your browser settings and ensuring pop-ups are blocked.
- Browser extensions like uBlock Origin or Adblock Plus can catch pop-ups that the built-in blocker misses, especially on aggressive ad networks.
- Notification permissions — which let websites send you alerts — are a common way pop-ups sneak through; you can revoke these site by site in your browser settings.
- If pop-ups appear even when you're not visiting websites, or if disabling them in your browser doesn't help, malware may be involved and you should run a full device scan.
- Some pop-ups are intentional redirects from the website you're on; these cannot be blocked by your browser and you straightforward need to close them or leave the site.
Enable or strengthen your browser's built-in pop-up blocker
Every major browser blocks pop-ups by default, but the setting can be turned off or weakened. Open your browser settings and look for the section labeled Privacy, Security, or Permissions — the exact name varies.
In Chrome: Go to Settings > Privacy and security > Site settings > Pop-ups and redirects. Make sure it says "Blocked" (the default). If it says "Allowed," click it and change it back. You can also add specific websites to the "Block" list if they're particularly aggressive.
In Firefox: Go to Settings > Privacy & Security, scroll to Permissions, and check the box next to "Block pop-up windows." If it's already checked, your blocker is on.
In Safari: Go to Preferences > Security and check "Block pop-up windows." Safari's blocker is simpler than Chrome's but effective for most cases.
In Edge: Go to Settings > Privacy, search, and services > Site permissions > Pop-ups and redirects. Make sure it's set to "Block."
After you've confirmed the setting is on, reload a website that was showing pop-ups. If they stop, you're done. If they continue, move to the next step.
Install a browser extension to catch harder-to-block pop-ups
Some websites use aggressive ad networks or redirect tricks that slip past the built-in blocker. A browser extension adds an extra layer. The most widely used options are uBlock Origin (free, open-source, and very effective) and Adblock Plus (also free, with a paid version that offers more features).
To install uBlock Origin: Go to the Chrome Web Store, Firefox Add-ons, or your browser's extension store, search for "uBlock Origin," and click Add to [Browser]. It will appear as a small icon in your toolbar. You don't need to configure anything — it works when ready.
uBlock Origin blocks not just pop-ups but also banner ads and tracking scripts, which means pages load faster and you see fewer distractions overall. If you find it's blocking something you actually want to see on a particular website, you can click the icon and temporarily disable it for that site.
Adblock Plus works the same way: search for it in your browser's extension store, install it, and it runs in the background. Both are safe and widely trusted. Avoid extensions with very few reviews or from unknown developers, as some malicious software disguises itself as an ad blocker.
Revoke notification permissions that websites abuse for pop-ups
Websites can ask permission to send you notifications — little alerts that appear even when you're not on the site. Some websites abuse this permission to send fake alerts or redirect you to ad pages. You can see which sites have this permission and remove it.
In Chrome: Go to Settings > Privacy and security > Site settings > Notifications. You'll see a list of websites that have permission. Click the three dots next to any site you don't trust and select "Remove."
In Firefox: Go to Settings > Privacy & Security, scroll to Permissions, and look for "Notifications." Click "Settings" next to it to see which sites have permission, then remove the ones you don't recognize.
In Safari: Go to Preferences > Websites > Notifications. Select each site in the list and change its permission from "Allow" to "Deny."
In Edge: Go to Settings > Privacy, search, and services > Site permissions > Notifications. Remove sites you don't trust.
You don't need to grant notification permission to any website unless you specifically want alerts from it — news sites, email, or messaging apps are the main exceptions. When a site asks, you can safely click "Block."
Check for malware if pop-ups appear outside your browser
If pop-ups appear when you're not using your browser, or if they continue after you've done all the steps above, something on your device itself may be generating them. This usually means unwanted software — sometimes called malware, adware, or PUPs (potentially unwanted programs) — has been installed.
Run a full scan with your device's built-in security tool. On Windows, open Windows Defender (called Windows Security in Windows 10 and later), go to Virus & threat protection, and click "Scan options." Select "Full scan" and let it run — this can take 30 minutes to an hour. On Mac, run a full scan with your antivirus software if you have one installed; macOS has some built-in protections but they're less comprehensive than Windows Defender.
If the scan finds threats, let your security software remove them. After removal, restart your device and check whether the pop-ups are gone. If they persist, you may need to uninstall recently added programs manually. Go to Settings > Apps (Windows) or Applications (Mac), look for anything you don't recognize or remember installing, and uninstall it.
Close or avoid websites that use intentional pop-ups
Some websites deliberately show pop-ups as part of their design — newsletter signups, age verification, or paywalls. These aren't security problems and your browser can't block them because they're part of the site itself, not external ads. You straightforward close them by clicking the X button, or you can leave the site if you don't want to interact with it.
If a website is unusually aggressive with pop-ups (multiple ones in quick succession, or new ones appearing after you close one), it's often a sign the site is low-quality or potentially unsafe. Leaving and finding a different source for the same information is usually the safest choice.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my browser's pop-up blocker not work on some websites?
Some websites use redirect tricks or ad networks that are harder to detect. Your browser sees them as legitimate page elements rather than pop-ups. An extension like uBlock Origin catches these because it uses a larger database of known ad servers and can block them before they load.
Is it safe to install browser extensions to block pop-ups?
Extensions from official stores (Chrome Web Store, Firefox Add-ons, Microsoft Edge Add-ons) are reviewed before they're published. uBlock Origin and Adblock Plus are both widely used and open-source, meaning their code is publicly visible. Avoid extensions with very few reviews or from unknown developers, as some malware disguises itself as an ad blocker.
Can I block pop-ups on my phone or tablet?
Most mobile browsers have pop-up blockers built in. On iPhone Safari, go to Settings > Safari and toggle on "Block Pop-ups." On Android Chrome, go to Settings > Site settings > Pop-ups and redirects and make sure it's blocked. Mobile extensions are more limited, but you can install Firefox on Android and add uBlock Origin to it.
What's the difference between a pop-up and a notification?
A pop-up is a new window or overlay that appears on a website. A notification is an alert that a website sends you, which can appear even when you're not on that site. Notifications require your permission; you can revoke them in your browser settings without affecting the website itself.
If I disable JavaScript, will that stop all pop-ups?
Disabling JavaScript will stop most pop-ups, but it will also break many websites — videos won't play, forms won't submit, and interactive features won't work. It's not a practical solution. Using your browser's pop-up blocker and an extension is much more effective and doesn't break the sites you want to use.