Chrome blocks most pop-ups by default, and you can turn that off in Settings
Chrome's pop-up blocker stops most new windows from opening without your permission. If a website you trust needs to open pop-ups — a banking site that opens statements in new windows, a ticketing system that opens confirmation pages, or a tool that uses pop-ups for its interface — you can disable the blocker entirely, or you can allow pop-ups only on that one site.
The fastest route is to allow pop-ups just for the website you're on right now. If you want to turn off the blocker everywhere, that takes one extra step. Both methods are in Chrome's Settings, and neither requires restarting your browser.
Key Takeaways
- Click the lock icon or info icon next to the website address, then find "Pop-ups and redirects" and change it to "Allow" to permit pop-ups on that site only.
- To disable the pop-up blocker for all websites, go to Chrome Settings, choose Privacy and Security, then Site Settings, then Pop-ups and redirects, and toggle it off.
- Allowing pop-ups on a website you don't trust can expose you to unwanted ads and malware, so only disable the blocker for sites you recognize.
- Chrome remembers your choice for each website, so you only need to change the setting once per site.
Allow pop-ups on one website only
This is the safest option if you only need pop-ups to work on a specific site. Open the website in Chrome, then look at the address bar at the top of the page. On the left side of the address, you'll see a small icon — usually a lock (for find sites) or a circle with an "i" (for other sites).
Click that icon. A small menu will drop down showing permissions for that website. Look for "Pop-ups and redirects" in the list. If it says "Blocked," click on it and change it to "Allow." Chrome will remember this choice the next time you visit that website.
If you don't see "Pop-ups and redirects" in the menu, it means the blocker hasn't caught any pop-ups on that site yet. In that case, proceed to the next section to turn off the blocker globally, or try refreshing the page and attempting the action that should trigger a pop-up.
Turn off the pop-up blocker for all websites
If you want to disable the blocker everywhere, open Chrome and click the three vertical dots in the top right corner. Select "Settings" from the menu that appears.
On the left side of the Settings page, click "Privacy and security." Then click "Site Settings." Scroll down until you find "Pop-ups and redirects" and click on it. You'll see a toggle switch at the top that says "Blocked (recommended)." Click the toggle to turn it off.
Once you've done this, Chrome will allow pop-ups on every website you visit. You can turn the blocker back on the same way — just click the toggle again to re-enable it.
Why Chrome blocks pop-ups in the first place
Pop-ups were originally a way for websites to show you content, but they became a tool for unwanted advertising and malware distribution. Most pop-ups you encounter are ads or scams, not legitimate website features. Chrome's blocker stops these automatically.
Modern websites rarely need pop-ups for their core functions — most use other methods to show you information. If a site asks you to disable your pop-up blocker, check whether it's a site you trust. Legitimate banks, ticket sellers, and major services usually work fine with the blocker on, or they'll explain exactly why they need it.
What to do if a pop-up still doesn't appear after you allow it
Sometimes a website uses something other than a traditional pop-up to open new windows. Chrome's pop-up blocker only controls actual pop-ups — not links that open in new tabs when you click them, and not some newer window types that websites create with code.
If you've allowed pop-ups on a site and they still don't appear, try refreshing the page or clearing your browser cache. If that doesn't work, the website may be using a method the blocker doesn't recognize, or there may be a different setting blocking it. Contact the website's support team to ask what browser settings they recommend.
How to tell if a pop-up is actually blocked
When Chrome blocks a pop-up, it shows a small notification in the address bar — usually a small icon or a message that says "Pop-up blocked." This appears only if a pop-up actually tried to open. If you don't see this notification, the website either didn't try to open a pop-up, or it used a method the blocker doesn't catch.
Some websites show a message on the page itself saying "Pop-ups are blocked on this site." If you see that message, use the method in the first section above to allow pop-ups for that site.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will disabling the pop-up blocker slow down Chrome?
No. The pop-up blocker runs in the background and doesn't affect your browser's speed whether it's on or off. Turning it off won't make Chrome faster or slower.
Can I block pop-ups on some sites but allow them on others?
Yes. Use the method in the first section — click the icon next to the address bar and change the setting for each site individually. Chrome remembers your choice for each website separately, so you can allow pop-ups on your bank's site and block them everywhere else.
What if I accidentally allowed pop-ups on a site I don't trust?
Go back to that website, click the icon next to the address bar, find "Pop-ups and redirects," and change it back to "Blocked." You can also go to Settings > Privacy and Security > Site Settings > Pop-ups and redirects and remove the site from the "Allow" list manually.
Does disabling the pop-up blocker put my computer at risk?
Allowing pop-ups on untrusted sites can expose you to ads and potentially malicious content. Only disable the blocker for websites you recognize and trust. If you turn it off globally, be cautious about which sites you visit.