Chrome blocks most pop-ups by default, and you can disable that blocking for specific sites or turn it off entirely

Google Chrome's built-in pop-up blocker stops most pop-ups automatically. If a website you trust needs pop-ups to work — for example, a banking site that opens account statements in new windows, or a scheduling tool that displays forms in pop-up windows — you can allow pop-ups for that site without disabling the blocker everywhere else. You can also turn off pop-up blocking completely if you prefer, though this exposes you to unwanted pop-ups from other sites.

The fastest approach is to allow pop-ups for one site at a time as you encounter them. Chrome shows a notification when it blocks a pop-up, and you can unblock that site with one click. If you want to manage your settings in advance or turn off blocking entirely, you can do that through Chrome's settings menu.

Key Takeaways

  • Chrome displays a notification icon when it blocks a pop-up, and you can click it to allow pop-ups from that site permanently.
  • You can allow pop-ups for specific websites without disabling the blocker for all other sites.
  • The pop-up blocker setting is in Chrome's Privacy and Security settings, under Permissions.
  • Disabling the blocker entirely affects all websites, so allowing pop-ups per site is usually safer.
  • Some browser extensions also block pop-ups, and you may need to disable those separately if Chrome's built-in blocker is already off.

Allow pop-ups for one website without disabling the blocker everywhere

When Chrome blocks a pop-up, it shows a small notification icon in the address bar — usually a square with a line through it, or a notification that says "Pop-ups blocked." Click that icon to see the blocked pop-ups. A dropdown menu appears with the option to "Always allow pop-ups and redirects from [website name]." Click that option, and Chrome will stop blocking pop-ups from that site going forward.

This is the safest approach because it keeps the blocker active for every other website. You only allow pop-ups where you actually need them. The next time you visit that site, pop-ups will open normally. If you change your mind later, you can reverse this decision by going back to the same notification icon and selecting "Don't allow pop-ups."

Turn off pop-up blocking in Chrome's settings

If you want to disable the pop-up blocker entirely, open Chrome and click the three-line menu icon in the top right corner. Select "Settings," then click "Privacy and security" in the left sidebar. Look for "Permissions" and click it. Scroll down until you see "Pop-ups and redirects." The toggle next to it should be blue and switched to the right, meaning pop-ups are blocked. Click the toggle to turn it off — it will turn gray and move to the left.

Once you disable this setting, Chrome will allow pop-ups from all websites. This means you may see unwanted pop-ups from sites you visit. You can re-enable the blocker at any time by returning to the same menu and clicking the toggle again.

Check if an extension is also blocking pop-ups

Some browser extensions block pop-ups in addition to Chrome's built-in blocker. If you have disabled Chrome's pop-up blocker but pop-ups are still not appearing, an extension may be blocking them. Click the puzzle-piece icon in the top right of Chrome to see your installed extensions. Look for any extension with "blocker," "ad blocker," or "privacy" in its name — these commonly block pop-ups as well.

Click the three dots next to the extension's name and select "Manage extension." Look for a toggle labeled "Block pop-ups," "Pop-up blocker," or similar. If it is turned on, click it to turn it off. You may need to refresh the website for the change to take effect. If you are unsure whether an extension blocks pop-ups, you can temporarily disable the entire extension by clicking the toggle next to its name, then test whether pop-ups appear.

Allow pop-ups for a site you visit frequently

If you visit a website regularly and always need to allow its pop-ups, you can add it to Chrome's exceptions list in advance. Open Chrome Settings, go to "Privacy and security," then "Permissions," and scroll to "Pop-ups and redirects." Under "Allow," you will see a list of sites that are already allowed. Click "Add" to manually enter a website address. Type the site's web address (for example, example.com) and click "Add." From now on, Chrome will allow pop-ups from that site without showing you a notification.

You can remove a site from this list at any time by clicking the three dots next to its name and selecting "Remove." This is useful if a site no longer needs pop-ups, or if you decide you do not want to allow them anymore.

Understand the difference between pop-ups and new tabs

Chrome's pop-up blocker stops windows that open automatically without you clicking a link. It does not prevent websites from opening new tabs when you click a button or link — that is considered a user action, and Chrome allows it. If a website is trying to open a window when you click something, and it is not working, the pop-up blocker is probably not the issue. Instead, the website may have a technical problem, or it may require a specific browser setting you have not changed.

Some websites also use redirects instead of pop-ups. A redirect automatically sends you to a different page without opening a new window. Chrome's pop-up blocker can block redirects too, using the same settings. If a site is not working as expected and you have already allowed pop-ups, try refreshing the page or clearing your browser cache.

Manage pop-up permissions on mobile Chrome

Chrome on Android and iPhone has the same pop-up blocker, but the menu is slightly different. Open Chrome on your phone, tap the three-line menu icon at the bottom right (on iPhone) or top right (on Android). Tap "Settings," then "Site settings," then "Pop-ups." You will see a toggle at the top — if it is blue, pop-ups are blocked. Tap it to turn off blocking. You can also scroll down to see a list of sites you have allowed or blocked, and manage them individually.

Mobile Chrome does not show the same notification icon as desktop Chrome when it blocks a pop-up, so you may not realize a pop-up was blocked. If a mobile website is not working as expected and you suspect pop-ups are involved, check this setting to confirm the blocker is off.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does a website still not show pop-ups even though I allowed them?

The website itself may have a technical issue, or it may require a different browser setting. Try refreshing the page, clearing your browser cache, or testing the site in a different browser. If the site works in another browser, the problem is likely with Chrome, not the pop-up blocker. If it does not work anywhere, the website may be broken.

Can I allow pop-ups for a website but block them for a specific page on that site?

No. Chrome's pop-up blocker works at the domain level, meaning you allow or block pop-ups for the entire website, not individual pages. If you need pop-ups on one page but not another, you would need to manually manage them each time you visit.

Does disabling the pop-up blocker slow down Chrome?

No. The pop-up blocker has minimal impact on Chrome's speed. Disabling it will not make Chrome faster or slower. However, you may experience more interruptions from unwanted pop-ups, which could feel like the browser is slower.

What if I accidentally allowed pop-ups for a site I do not trust?

Go to Chrome Settings, then "Privacy and security," then "Permissions," then "Pop-ups and redirects." Find the site in the "Allow" list, click the three dots next to it, and select "Remove." Chrome will block pop-ups from that site again.

Do I need to disable the pop-up blocker to use online banking?

Usually not. Most banks work fine with Chrome's pop-up blocker enabled. If your bank needs pop-ups, Chrome will show you a notification when it blocks one, and you can allow pop-ups for that site with one click. You do not need to disable the blocker entirely.