Chrome blocks popups by default, and you can turn that off for individual sites in three clicks

Chrome's popup blocker stops most popups automatically. When a site you trust needs to show you a popup — a login window, a document viewer, a form in a new tab — the blocker silently stops it. You'll see a small icon in the address bar (it looks like a box with a line through it) telling you popups were blocked. Click that icon, then click "Always allow popups on [website name]" to let that site show popups from now on.

You can also change the setting manually in Chrome's settings menu if you prefer, or block popups on a site you've previously allowed. The process is the same whether you're on Windows, Mac, or Linux.

Key Takeaways

  • When Chrome blocks a popup, a small icon appears in the address bar — click it and select "Always allow popups on [site]" to unblock that website permanently.
  • You can also manage popup permissions through Chrome Settings under Privacy and Security, where you can allow or block specific sites.
  • Disabling the popup blocker for one site does not affect other sites — each permission is separate.
  • If a popup blocker icon does not appear, the site may be using a different method to display content, or popups may already be allowed there.

Using the popup blocker icon in the address bar

When a site tries to show a popup and Chrome blocks it, you'll see a small square icon with a slash through it appear on the right side of the address bar. Click that icon directly.

A dropdown menu will appear showing how many popups were blocked. Below that, you'll see "Always allow popups on [website name]" — click that option. Chrome will remember this choice and let popups through on that site from now on. You won't see the blocked popup icon again unless you change the setting back.

Allowing popups through Chrome Settings

If you want to manage popup permissions without waiting for a popup to be blocked, you can set it up in advance. Open Chrome and click the three vertical dots in the top right corner, then select Settings.

In the left sidebar, click Privacy and Security, then Site Settings. Scroll down and click Popups and redirects. You'll see two sections: "Allowed" sites (where popups are turned on) and "Blocked" sites (where they're turned off). Click "Add" next to "Allowed" and type the website address — for example, example.com — then click Add. That site can now show popups.

Blocking popups on a site you previously allowed

If you've allowed popups on a site but want to block them again, go back to Settings > Privacy and Security > Site Settings > Popups and redirects. Find the site in the "Allowed" list and click the trash icon next to it. Chrome will move it back to blocked.

You can also click the lock icon next to the website name in the address bar, then click Popups, and change the setting from "Allow" to "Block".

Why a site might still not show popups even after you allow them

Some websites don't use traditional popups. They might use a modal window (a box that appears on top of the page without opening a new tab), a sidebar, or a notification banner. Chrome's popup blocker only stops actual popup windows, so these other types of content will appear regardless of your popup settings.

If you've allowed popups but still don't see what you're looking for, check whether the site is displaying the content in a different way. You can also try refreshing the page or clearing your browser cache, in case Chrome is remembering an old version of the site.

Turning off the popup blocker entirely (not recommended)

You can disable Chrome's popup blocker completely, though this leaves you vulnerable to unwanted popups from any site. Go to Settings > Privacy and Security > Site Settings > Popups and redirects. Toggle off the switch at the top that says "Popups and redirects". All sites can now show popups without restriction.

Most people should not do this. Allowing popups on individual sites (the method described above) gives you the same access to popups you need while protecting you from sites that use popups for ads or malware. If you've turned off the blocker entirely and want to turn it back on, return to the same menu and toggle the switch back on.

What to do if the popup blocker icon doesn't appear

If you don't see the popup blocker icon in the address bar, Chrome may not have detected a blocked popup. Some sites announce popups in other ways — through a message on the page itself, or by asking you to click a button to open content in a new window.

You can also check whether popups are already allowed on that site by clicking the lock icon in the address bar and looking at the Popups setting. If it says "Allow", popups are already turned on. If it says "Block", you can click it and change it to "Allow".

Frequently Asked Questions

Will allowing popups on one site affect other websites?

No. Each site has its own popup permission. Allowing popups on example.com does not change the setting for any other website. You control popups individually for each site you visit.

Can I allow popups for a specific page instead of the whole website?

No. Chrome's popup permissions explore to the entire domain. If you allow popups on example.com, all pages on example.com can show popups. You cannot set different rules for different pages on the same site.

What's the difference between a popup and a modal window?

A popup opens in a new browser tab or window. A modal is a box that appears on top of the current page without opening anything new. Chrome's popup blocker only stops popups, not modals, so a modal will appear even if popups are blocked.

If I clear my browsing data, will my popup permissions disappear?

It depends on what you clear. If you clear "Cookies and other site data", your popup permissions usually stay. If you clear "All time" and select "Cookies and other site data", permissions may be removed. Check the options carefully before clearing data if you want to keep your popup settings.

Can websites override Chrome's popup blocker?

No. Chrome's popup blocker cannot be bypassed by a website. Only you can allow popups on a site. If a site claims it cannot work because of your popup blocker, you can safely allow popups for that site — Chrome will not let the site override your choice.