Turn off Chrome notifications in three places

Chrome notifications come from three different sources, and you need to turn them off in the right place or they will keep coming. The fastest route is your Chrome settings, where you can block all website notifications at once. If you want to keep notifications from some sites but not others, you block them one at a time as they arrive. A third source — Chrome itself — sends notifications about updates and security warnings, and those live in a different menu.

Most people find that blocking all website notifications solves the problem when ready. If you use notifications from specific sites like Gmail or your bank, you can allow those and block everything else instead.

Key Takeaways

  • Chrome's notification settings are in Settings > Privacy and security > Site settings > Notifications, where you can block all websites at once.
  • You can allow notifications from individual sites by adding them to the "Allow" list, which overrides the block-all setting.
  • Chrome system notifications about updates and security appear in a separate menu under Settings > Advanced > System.
  • Websites can ask for notification permission when you visit them; clicking "Block" on that prompt stops that site permanently without changing your overall settings.
  • Notification badges on the Chrome icon itself come from your operating system, not Chrome, and are controlled in your computer's system settings.

Block all website notifications at once

Open Chrome and click the three vertical dots in the top right corner. Select Settings, then click Privacy and security in the left menu. Click Site settings, then scroll down and click Notifications.

You will see a toggle at the top that says Notifications. Click it to turn it off. This blocks every website from sending you notifications. If you see a list of sites below that toggle, those are websites that already have permission — you can click the X next to any of them to remove that permission individually.

If you want to keep notifications from specific sites, leave the toggle on but scroll down to the Block section and add the sites you do not want. This way, only the sites you choose can send notifications.

Allow notifications from specific sites only

If you use notifications from Gmail, your bank, or another site you trust, you can block everything except those sites. In the same Notifications menu, look for the Allow section at the top. Click Add and type the website address — for example, mail.google.com for Gmail.

Then scroll down to the Block section and click Add again. Type [*.] followed by any domain you want to block — for example, [*.]facebook.com blocks Facebook and all its subdomains. This approach takes more time to set up but gives you precise control.

A simpler method: turn off the Notifications toggle entirely, then only add sites to the Allow list. This blocks everything by default and lets through only what you explicitly permit.

Stop Chrome system notifications about updates

Chrome itself sends notifications about browser updates, security warnings, and sync status. These appear as pop-ups on your desktop, separate from website notifications. To turn them off, go to Settings > Advanced > System and toggle off Show notifications.

Be aware that some system notifications — like security alerts about compromised passwords — may still appear even with this toggle off, because Chrome prioritizes security warnings. If you see notifications you cannot turn off this way, they are likely coming from your operating system rather than Chrome.

Block notifications from a single website as it asks

When you visit a website for the first time, it may ask permission to send notifications. A small box appears at the top of the address bar asking "Allow" or "Block". Click Block and that site will never ask again.

If you accidentally clicked "Allow" and want to undo it, go back to the Notifications menu in Settings, find that site in the Allow list, and click the X next to it. The site will ask again the next time you visit, and you can block it then.

This per-site blocking is the fastest way to handle notifications as they happen, without changing your overall settings.

Find notification badges on the Chrome icon itself

If you see a red badge or number on the Chrome icon in your taskbar or dock, that is coming from your operating system, not from Chrome's settings. On Windows, right-click the Chrome icon in your taskbar, select Properties, click the Advanced tab, and uncheck Show notification badges.

On Mac, open System Settings > Notifications, find Google Chrome in the list, and turn off Badges. On Linux, the process varies by desktop environment, but you can usually find notification settings in your system settings under Notifications or Applications.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do websites keep asking for notification permission even after I blocked them?

If you clicked "Block" on the prompt, that site should not ask again. If it does, you may have cleared your browser data, which erases notification permissions. Go to Settings > Privacy and security > Clear browsing data, uncheck "Cookies and other site data", and keep only "Cookies and cached images" checked to avoid resetting permissions.

Can I turn off notifications from one Chrome profile but keep them on another?

Yes. Chrome notification settings are per-profile, so each profile you use has its own Notifications menu in Settings. If you have a work profile and a personal profile, you can block all notifications in one and allow them in the other.

What if I want notifications back from a site I blocked?

Go to Settings > Privacy and security > Site settings > Notifications, find the site in the Block list, and click the X to remove it. The next time you visit that site, it will ask for permission again, and you can click Allow.

Do Chrome notifications use my internet connection when I am not using the browser?

No. Chrome notifications only work when Chrome is running. If you close Chrome completely, you will not receive notifications until you open it again. This is different from phone apps, which can notify you even when the app is closed.