Chrome blocks most pop-ups by default, and you can turn that off for specific sites or disable it entirely
Chrome's pop-up blocker stops most unsolicited windows from opening automatically. If a site you trust needs pop-ups to work — for example, a banking portal that opens documents in new windows, or a web process that uses pop-ups for forms — you can disable blocking for that site alone. You can also turn off the blocker completely, though most people find it useful to keep it on and make exceptions only when needed.
The fastest route is to allow pop-ups for one site at a time. When Chrome blocks a pop-up, a small icon appears in the address bar. Click it, then click "Always allow pop-ups for [site name]". That site will then open pop-ups normally, while the blocker stays active everywhere else.
Key Takeaways
- Chrome shows a blocked pop-up icon in the address bar when it stops a window from opening — click that icon to allow pop-ups for that site.
- Allowing pop-ups for one site does not affect other sites; the blocker stays on globally unless you turn it off in settings.
- You can remove a site from the allowed list at any time by going to Chrome Settings > Privacy and Security > Site Settings > Pop-ups and redirects.
- Disabling the blocker entirely is possible but leaves you exposed to unwanted windows on any site you visit.
Allow pop-ups for a single site using the address bar icon
When a site tries to open a pop-up and Chrome blocks it, you will see a small icon in the address bar — usually a stacked-windows symbol or a notification that says "Pop-up blocked". Click that icon directly.
A dropdown menu appears with the option "Always allow pop-ups for [the site's name]". Click that option. Chrome will then permit pop-ups from that site going forward, and the icon will disappear from the address bar on your next visit.
This is the method most people use because it is fast and keeps the blocker active for all other sites. You do not have to navigate to settings or remember a list of exceptions — Chrome handles it automatically.
Allow pop-ups through Chrome Settings
If you want to add a site to the allowed list without waiting for a blocked pop-up, or if you want to see all sites you have already allowed, go to the Chrome menu (three vertical dots in the top right) and select Settings.
From the left sidebar, click Privacy and Security, then Site Settings. Scroll down and click Pop-ups and redirects. You will see two sections: "Allowed" and "Blocked".
Under "Allowed", click the Add button to type in a site address manually. Enter the full web address (for example, https://example.com) and click Add. The site will now open pop-ups normally.
Remove a site from the pop-up allowed list
If you previously allowed pop-ups for a site and want to block them again, return to Settings > Privacy and Security > Site Settings > Pop-ups and redirects.
Find the site in the "Allowed" section. Click the trash icon next to it. Chrome will remove it from the list when ready, and the pop-up blocker will resume blocking that site's windows on your next visit.
Disable the pop-up blocker entirely
If you want to turn off pop-up blocking for all sites at once, go to Settings > Privacy and Security > Site Settings > Pop-ups and redirects. At the top, you will see a toggle or dropdown currently set to "Blocked" or "Sites can't send pop-ups". Click it and select Allowed.
Chrome will now permit pop-ups on every site you visit. This setting remains in place until you change it back. Most users do not disable the blocker entirely because it exposes them to unwanted advertising and malicious windows — it is usually better to allow pop-ups only for the specific sites that need them.
Why Chrome blocks pop-ups and when you might need them
Pop-ups became a widespread nuisance in the early 2000s, when advertisers and malicious sites used them to display ads and trick users into clicking. Chrome's blocker stops most of these automatically, which is why it is on by default.
Some legitimate sites still use pop-ups for important functions: banking portals may open statements or forms in new windows, web applications may use pop-ups for authentication or file uploads, and some educational or business tools rely on them. In those cases, allowing pop-ups for that site alone is the right choice.
If you find yourself allowing pop-ups for many sites, consider whether you are visiting sites that genuinely need them or sites with poor design. A well-built modern website rarely requires pop-ups for core functions.
Troubleshooting: pop-ups still appear even with the blocker on
Chrome's blocker stops most pop-ups, but not all. Some sites use techniques that bypass the blocker, or they may open windows in response to your own click (which Chrome allows, since you initiated the action). If unwanted windows keep appearing on a specific site, the blocker is working as intended — the site is using a method Chrome cannot block.
You can also check whether an extension is interfering. Go to Settings > Extensions and look for any extension that mentions pop-ups, ads, or pop-up blocking. Disable it temporarily to see if the problem stops. If it does, that extension was conflicting with Chrome's built-in blocker.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does allowing pop-ups for one site affect other sites?
No. When you allow pop-ups for a specific site, Chrome only opens pop-ups from that site. The blocker remains active on all other sites. You can allow pop-ups for as many individual sites as you need without affecting the rest of your browsing.
Can I allow pop-ups only on certain pages of a site, not the whole site?
Chrome allows or blocks pop-ups at the domain level, not the page level. If you allow pop-ups for example.com, all pages on that domain will open pop-ups. You cannot restrict it to a single page or folder within the site.
What is the difference between pop-ups and pop-unders?
A pop-up opens in front of your current window. A pop-under opens behind it, so you do not notice it until you close your browser window. Chrome's blocker stops both types. Some malicious sites use pop-unders specifically to avoid detection.
If I disable the pop-up blocker, can I turn it back on later?
Yes. Go back to Settings > Privacy and Security > Site Settings > Pop-ups and redirects and change the setting from "Allowed" back to "Blocked". Any sites you previously allowed will remain in the allowed list, but the blocker will be active again for all other sites.
Does disabling pop-ups in Chrome affect other browsers?
No. Each browser has its own settings. If you use Firefox, Safari, or Edge, they have separate pop-up blockers with separate allowed lists. Changing Chrome's settings does not affect any other browser on your computer.