Chrome blocks most popups by default, and you can turn that off for specific sites or disable it entirely

Google Chrome's built-in popup blocker stops most popups from opening automatically. If a website you trust needs popups to work — a banking portal that opens documents in new windows, a video player that requires popups, or a form that opens in a popup — you have three ways to let them through: allow popups for just that one site, allow popups for all sites, or turn off the blocker entirely and manage popups yourself.

The fastest route is usually to allow popups for a single website. When Chrome blocks a popup, it shows a small notification at the top of the address bar. You can click that notification and choose to allow popups from that site going forward. If you do not see the notification, you can also change the setting manually in Chrome's content settings.

Key Takeaways

  • Chrome shows a notification when it blocks a popup — click that notification to allow popups from that site without changing any settings.
  • You can allow popups for one specific website without affecting your blocker for other sites, which keeps you safer overall.
  • To allow popups for all websites, go to Settings > Privacy and security > Site settings > Popups and redirects, then change the default to "Allow".
  • Turning off the popup blocker entirely leaves you exposed to unwanted popups from any site, so allow popups per-site instead whenever possible.

Allow popups from a single website using the notification

When Chrome blocks a popup, it displays a notification in the address bar — a small icon that looks like a speech bubble with a slash through it, or a message saying "Popups blocked". Click that notification and you will see a dropdown menu with the option to "Always allow popups and redirects from [website name]". Click that option and the site can now open popups.

This method is the safest because it only affects the one website you are visiting. Other sites still cannot open popups unless you explicitly allow them. If you do not see the notification, the popup may have been blocked by an extension rather than Chrome's built-in blocker, or the site may not have tried to open a popup while you were watching.

Allow popups for a specific site through Chrome settings

If the popup notification has disappeared or you want to change the setting before visiting the site, you can do it manually. Open Chrome and click the three vertical dots in the top right corner, then select "Settings". On the left side, click "Privacy and security", then click "Site settings".

Scroll down and click "Popups and redirects". You will see a list of sites you have already allowed or blocked. To add a new site, click "Allow" and type the website address (for example, bankname.com or example.com). Chrome will remember this setting and allow popups from that site the next time you visit.

Turn off the popup blocker for all websites

If you want to disable the popup blocker entirely, follow the same path: Settings > Privacy and security > Site settings > Popups and redirects. At the top of the page, you will see a toggle or dropdown that currently says "Blocked" or "Not allowed". Click it and change it to "Allow".

Once you do this, Chrome will stop blocking popups from any website. This means you may see unwanted popups from sites you do not trust. Most people who disable the blocker entirely do so because they are using an older website that requires popups to function, or because they have decided to manage popups manually using browser extensions or their own judgment. If you go this route, you can always turn the blocker back on by returning to the same setting and switching it back to "Blocked".

Check whether an extension is blocking popups instead

Sometimes a popup is blocked not by Chrome itself, but by an extension you have installed. If you have allowed popups in Chrome's settings but popups still are not appearing, an extension may be the culprit. Click the three vertical dots in the top right, select "More tools", then click "Extensions".

Look through the list for extensions related to ad blocking, privacy, or security — common names include uBlock Origin, Adblock Plus, Privacy Badger, or similar tools. Click the extension and look for a settings or options page. Many extensions have their own popup blocker that you can disable for specific sites. If you are not sure which extension is blocking the popup, you can temporarily turn off each one and reload the page to see which one was responsible.

Understand the difference between popups and pop-unders

Chrome's popup blocker stops windows that try to open on top of the page you are viewing. A pop-under is a window that opens behind your current window, so you do not see it until you minimize or close Chrome. Chrome's blocker does not catch pop-unders because they do not appear in front of your content.

If you are seeing windows open behind your browser, that is usually a sign of a malicious website or a poorly designed ad network, not a legitimate popup. Do not allow popups from sites that use pop-unders. If a site you trust is using pop-unders, it is worth reporting the behavior to the site's support team, because most legitimate websites do not use this tactic.

Why you might want to keep the blocker on

Popup blockers exist because popups are often used to deliver malware, scams, or aggressive advertising. Even if you trust a website, popups can sometimes be injected by ad networks or compromised third-party scripts running on that site. Allowing popups from a site means you are trusting not just that site, but every script and ad network it loads.

The safest approach is to allow popups only for sites where you know they are necessary — your bank, your email provider, a document management system you use for work. For every other site, leave the blocker on. If a site claims it needs popups to work but you do not recognize it or do not trust it, that is usually a sign to leave the blocker enabled and find a different site.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does Chrome still block popups even though I allowed them?

An extension may be blocking them instead of Chrome. Check your installed extensions, especially ad blockers and privacy tools, and look for their own popup settings. You can also try opening the site in Chrome's Incognito mode, which disables most extensions by default, to see if a popup appears then.

Can I allow popups for a website without allowing them for all websites?

Yes. Use the notification that appears when Chrome blocks a popup, or go to Settings > Privacy and security > Site settings > Popups and redirects and add the specific site to the "Allow" list. This way, other sites remain blocked.

What if a website says popups are blocked but I do not see a notification?

The site may have tried to open a popup before you arrived, or the popup may have been blocked by an extension. Reload the page and watch for the notification. If nothing appears, check your extensions or try a different browser to confirm the site actually uses popups.

Is it safe to disable the popup blocker completely?

It is less safe than allowing popups per-site, because you will be exposed to unwanted popups from any website you visit. If you do disable it, consider using an extension like uBlock Origin to manage popups instead, or turn the blocker back on after you finish with the site that needs popups.

How do I know if a popup is legitimate or malicious?

Legitimate popups usually come from sites you recognize and trust, and they serve a clear purpose — opening a document, displaying a form, or showing a video. Popups from unknown sites, popups that appear repeatedly even after you close them, or popups asking you to read something are usually malicious. When in doubt, close the popup and leave the site.