The fastest way to block most pop-ups
Most modern browsers have a built-in pop-up blocker that works automatically. In Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge, this feature is turned on by default — you do not have to do anything to set up it. When a pop-up is blocked, you will see a small notification at the top or bottom of the page, or a subtle icon in the address bar.
If you notice pop-ups still getting through, the blocker may have been turned off accidentally, or a website you trust may have permission to show them. The steps to check and adjust your settings differ slightly by browser, but the principle is the same: you open your browser settings, find the privacy or security section, and confirm that pop-up blocking is enabled.
For most people, the default blocker is enough. The remaining pop-ups you see are usually ones the website has permission to show — often because you clicked "Allow" when the site asked, or because you visited a site that has legitimate reasons to use them (like a bank confirming a transaction).
Key Takeaways
- Your browser's built-in pop-up blocker is on by default in Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge, and stops most unwanted pop-ups without any action from you.
- If pop-ups are still appearing, check your browser settings to confirm the blocker is enabled, because it can be turned off by accident or by malware.
- Some pop-ups are allowed because you or a website gave permission — you can revoke that permission in your browser's site settings.
- Browser extensions designed to block ads and pop-ups offer stronger filtering than the built-in blocker, but they also track your browsing to decide what to block.
- Pop-ups that appear before the page loads, or that open new windows you cannot close, usually mean malware is present and the browser blocker alone will not stop them.
How to check if your pop-up blocker is on
In Chrome: Click the three-line menu in the top right, then Settings. On the left, click Privacy and Security. Click Site Settings. Scroll down and click Pop-ups and redirects. Make sure "Blocked (recommended)" is selected. If it says "Allowed", click the toggle to turn blocking back on.
In Firefox: Click the three-line menu in the top right, then Settings. Click Privacy & Security on the left. Scroll down to Permissions. You will see a checkbox next to "Block pop-up windows" — make sure it is checked.
In Safari: Click Safari in the top menu bar, then Settings. Click Security. Make sure the box next to "Block pop-up windows" is checked.
In Edge: Click the three-dot menu in the top right, then Settings. Click Privacy, search, and services on the left. Scroll down to Security. Make sure "Block pop-ups" is toggled on.
When a website has permission to show pop-ups
Some websites ask your permission to show pop-ups when you first visit. Banks, email services, and video platforms sometimes need this permission to send you alerts or open windows for authentication. If you clicked "Allow" at that prompt, the browser will let those pop-ups through even though the blocker is on.
You can revoke that permission at any time. In Chrome and Edge, click the lock icon or information icon in the address bar, then click Site Settings. Find Pop-ups and redirects and change it from "Allow" to "Block". In Firefox, go to Settings, Privacy & Security, scroll to Permissions, and click Manage Exceptions next to Pop-ups. Find the website and remove it. In Safari, go to Settings, Websites, and click Pop-up Windows on the left to see which sites have permission.
If you find a site you do trust but do not want pop-ups from, you can also straightforward not grant permission the next time it asks. The site will still work — the pop-up just will not appear.
Using browser extensions for stronger blocking
Extensions like uBlock Origin, Adblock Plus, and Privacy Badger block not just pop-ups but also ads and tracking scripts. They are more aggressive than your browser's built-in blocker and catch pop-ups that slip through, especially on sites with aggressive advertising.
The trade-off is that these extensions see what you are browsing in order to decide what to block. Even extensions that claim not to sell your data are still collecting information about your browsing habits. Before you install one, read the privacy policy to understand what data it collects and whether it is shared with third parties. Extensions from well-known organizations like the Electronic Frontier Foundation (Privacy Badger) or open-source projects (uBlock Origin) tend to be more transparent about this than lesser-known ones.
If you decide to use an extension, install only one pop-up or ad blocker — running multiple blockers at once can slow your browser and cause conflicts. You can find these extensions in the Chrome Web Store, Firefox Add-ons, or the Safari App Store, depending on your browser.
Pop-ups that the blocker cannot stop
Some pop-ups appear before your browser has fully loaded the page, or they open in ways that bypass the blocker entirely. These are usually a sign that malware or unwanted software is installed on your computer, not just a problem with your browser settings.
If you see pop-ups that appear when ready when you start your browser, or windows that open and will not close no matter how many times you click the X button, run a malware scan. In Windows, use the built-in Windows Defender (search for "Windows Security" in your start menu and click Virus & threat protection). In macOS, restart your computer in Safe Mode by holding Shift while it boots, then run Malwarebytes or another reputable scanner. These tools can remove software that is generating pop-ups on their own.
If the pop-ups only happen on one website, and that website is not one you trust, the simplest solution is to stop visiting it. If it is a site you need to use, contact the site's support team to report the problem — legitimate sites usually do not want malware running on their servers and will investigate.
What to do if pop-ups return after you block them
Sometimes a pop-up blocker setting gets reset by a browser update, or a website changes how it sends pop-ups. If you blocked pop-ups before and they suddenly return, start by checking your settings again using the steps above — the toggle may have been turned off.
If the setting is still on and pop-ups are still appearing, try clearing your browser cache and cookies. In Chrome, press Ctrl+Shift+Delete (or Cmd+Shift+Delete on Mac), select "All time" from the time range, and click Delete data. In Firefox, press Ctrl+Shift+Delete, make sure "Cookies and Site Data" is checked, and click Clear Now. Sometimes corrupted cache data can interfere with the blocker.
If clearing the cache does not help, and you have installed extensions, try disabling them one at a time to see if one of them is causing the problem. Extensions can sometimes conflict with each other or with your browser's built-in blocker. Disable an extension by clicking the puzzle piece icon in your toolbar, finding the extension, and clicking the toggle next to it.
Understanding the difference between pop-ups and notifications
A pop-up is a new window that opens on top of the page you are viewing. A notification is a message that appears in the corner of your screen or in your browser's notification center. Your pop-up blocker stops pop-ups but not notifications — these are controlled by a separate permission.
If websites are sending you notifications you do not want, you can turn off notification permissions the same way you turn off pop-up permissions. In Chrome and Edge, click the lock icon in the address bar, click Site Settings, find Notifications, and change it to "Block". In Firefox, go to Settings, Privacy & Security, scroll to Permissions, and click Manage Exceptions next to Notifications. In Safari, go to Settings, Websites, and click Notifications on the left.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do some pop-ups still get through even though my blocker is on?
The most common reason is that you gave the website permission to show pop-ups when you first visited it. You can revoke that permission by clicking the lock icon in the address bar, going to Site Settings, and changing Pop-ups to "Block". Some pop-ups are also generated by malware rather than the website itself, and your browser blocker cannot stop those — you would need to run a malware scan.
Will blocking pop-ups break websites I use?
Blocking pop-ups rarely breaks a website's core functions. Some sites may not work perfectly — for example, a bank might not be able to open a security window — but you can always allow pop-ups for that specific site by clicking the lock icon and changing the setting. Most sites that need pop-ups will ask for permission and explain why.
Is it safe to use ad-blocking extensions?
Extensions from established organizations like uBlock Origin and Privacy Badger are generally safe, but they do collect data about your browsing to decide what to block. Read the extension's privacy policy before installing it. Never install an extension from an unknown developer, and do not install multiple ad blockers at once — they can conflict with each other and slow your browser.
What if my browser does not have a pop-up blocker?
All modern browsers have built-in pop-up blockers. If you are using an older version of Internet Explorer or an uncommon browser, consider switching to Chrome, Firefox, Safari, or Edge — they are free and have better security features overall.
Can I block pop-ups on my phone?
Most mobile browsers have pop-up blockers, but they work differently than desktop versions. On iPhone, Safari's pop-up blocker is on by default. On Android, Chrome's blocker is on by default. If you are still seeing pop-ups, check your browser settings. You can also install extensions on some mobile browsers, though the selection is smaller than on desktop.