Chrome blocks most pop-ups automatically — here's how to turn that off
Chrome's pop-up blocker is on by default and stops most windows from opening without your permission. To disable it, you open Chrome's Settings, find the Privacy and Security section, locate Site Settings, then Pop-ups and redirects, and toggle the setting to "Sites can send pop-ups and use redirects". The whole process takes about one minute and applies to all websites unless you later add exceptions.
You might want to disable the blocker if a website you trust needs to open windows for legitimate reasons — a banking site that opens statements in new windows, a ticketing system that opens confirmation pages, or a video player that needs a separate window. Disabling it globally means you'll see pop-ups from every site, including ads. Most people instead add just the websites they trust to an exceptions list, which is faster and safer.
Key Takeaways
- Chrome's pop-up blocker is turned on by default and blocks most new windows from opening without your action.
- To disable it completely, go to Settings > Privacy and security > Site settings > Pop-ups and redirects, then toggle the setting to allow pop-ups.
- Adding a single website to an exceptions list is usually better than disabling the blocker entirely, because it lets you trust one site while staying protected from ads on others.
- Chrome shows a small icon in the address bar when it blocks a pop-up, so you can allow that pop-up without changing your settings.
The step-by-step path to disable the blocker entirely
Open Chrome and click the three vertical dots in the top right corner. From the menu that appears, select Settings. On the left side of the page, click Privacy and security, then click Site settings below that.
Scroll down until you see Pop-ups and redirects. Click on it. You'll see a toggle switch next to "Block (recommended)". Click that toggle to turn it off. The switch will turn gray and the text will change to "Allow". Close the Settings tab — the change takes effect when ready.
From this point forward, websites can open pop-ups without asking. You'll see them appear the same way they did before Chrome's blocker existed. If you change your mind, return to the same screen and toggle the switch back on.
Why adding exceptions for one website is usually better
Disabling the blocker globally means every website can open pop-ups, including advertising networks you've never heard of. Most people don't want that. Instead, you can tell Chrome to allow pop-ups from one specific website while keeping the blocker on for everywhere else.
When Chrome blocks a pop-up, a small icon appears in the address bar — usually a square with an arrow or a notification symbol. Click that icon and you'll see a list of blocked pop-ups. Next to each one is an "Always allow on [website name]" button. Click it, and Chrome will remember to let that website's pop-ups through from now on. You don't have to touch Settings at all.
If you've already disabled the blocker and want to go back to blocking most pop-ups, return to Settings > Privacy and security > Site settings > Pop-ups and redirects and toggle the switch back to "Block (recommended)".
How to remove a website from your exceptions list
Go to Settings > Privacy and security > Site settings > Pop-ups and redirects. Below the toggle switch, you'll see a section called "Allow". Any website you've added to exceptions appears there as a list. Find the one you want to remove and click the three dots next to it, then select Remove. That website will go back to being blocked.
If you have many exceptions and want to clear them all at once, click the trash icon next to each entry, or look for a "Clear all" option if your version of Chrome offers one. This removes every website from your exceptions list and returns you to the default blocked state for all sites.
What to do if a website says pop-ups are blocked but you don't see the icon
Some websites display a message saying "Pop-ups are blocked" even when Chrome's blocker is off. This usually means the website itself is using its own pop-up blocker or the website's code is preventing the pop-up from opening for a different reason. Disabling Chrome's blocker won't fix this.
Try refreshing the page, or contact the website's support team to ask why the pop-up isn't working. If the website is legitimate and you trust it, you might also try disabling any browser extensions you have installed, because some extensions block pop-ups independently of Chrome's built-in blocker.
Pop-up blockers on mobile Chrome
Chrome on Android and iPhone also blocks pop-ups by default, but the settings path is slightly different. On Android, open Chrome, tap the three dots in the bottom right, go to Settings > Site settings > Pop-ups, and toggle the switch. On iPhone, tap the three dots at the bottom, go to Settings > Content settings > Block pop-ups, and toggle it off.
The behavior is the same as on desktop — disabling it lets all websites open pop-ups, and you can add exceptions the same way by tapping the blocked pop-up icon when it appears. Mobile Chrome also shows a small icon when a pop-up is blocked, so you can allow individual pop-ups without changing your overall settings.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does Chrome block pop-ups in the first place?
Most pop-ups are advertisements or malicious windows designed to trick you into clicking them. Chrome's blocker stops these automatically. Legitimate websites rarely need pop-ups anymore — they use other methods to show information. The blocker protects you from unwanted ads and potentially harmful content.
If I disable the blocker, will websites know I did that?
No. Websites cannot detect whether your pop-up blocker is on or off. They can only try to open a pop-up and see whether it appears. If it doesn't appear, they might display a message asking you to disable the blocker, but they have no way to confirm you actually did.
Can I disable the blocker for just one tab instead of all websites?
No. Chrome's pop-up blocker setting applies to all tabs and all websites. You can only control it globally or add specific websites to an exceptions list. If you want to allow pop-ups for just one tab, you'd have to add that website to exceptions, which makes it permanent until you remove it.
What's the difference between pop-ups and notifications?
Pop-ups are new browser windows that open on top of the page you're viewing. Notifications are messages that appear in the corner of your screen or in your browser's notification center. Chrome has a separate blocker for notifications, found in the same Settings > Site settings menu, called Notifications.
Does disabling the pop-up blocker affect my security?
Disabling it increases your exposure to unwanted advertisements and potentially malicious content, but it doesn't directly compromise your passwords or personal data. The bigger risk is accidentally clicking on a deceptive pop-up. If you disable the blocker, be cautious about what you click, and consider re-enabling it if you notice a lot of unwanted pop-ups appearing.