The fastest way to block pop-ups
Most web browsers have a built-in pop-up blocker that works automatically — you do not need to install anything or change settings. When you visit a website, your browser stops most pop-up windows before they appear on your screen. This is the default behavior in Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge.
If pop-ups are still getting through, the blocker may be turned off, or the pop-ups are coming from a website you have allowed. The next sections walk you through finding the setting and adjusting it for specific sites.
Key Takeaways
- Your browser's built-in pop-up blocker stops most unwanted windows automatically without any action from you.
- If pop-ups appear on a specific website, you may have previously told your browser to allow them on that site.
- Turning the blocker back on takes one or two clicks in your browser settings, and the change applies when ready.
- Browser extensions designed to block ads can catch pop-ups that slip past the built-in blocker, though they require separate installation.
- Some websites need pop-ups to work correctly — you can allow them only on those sites while blocking everywhere else.
Check if your pop-up blocker is turned on
In Chrome, open the menu (three horizontal lines in the top right), select Settings, then Privacy and Security on the left. Click Site Settings, then Pop-ups and redirects. The toggle at the top should say "Blocked" in blue. If it says "Allowed", click the toggle to turn blocking back on.
In Firefox, open the menu (three horizontal lines in the top right), select Settings, then Privacy and Security on the left. Scroll down to Permissions and look for the Pop-ups section. The checkbox next to "Block pop-up windows" should be checked. If it is not, click it to turn blocking on.
In Safari on Mac, open Safari menu at the top, select Settings, then Security. Check the box next to "Block pop-ups". On iPad or iPhone, open Settings, scroll down to Safari, and toggle "Block Pop-ups" on.
In Edge, open the menu (three horizontal dots in the top right), select Settings, then Privacy, search, and services on the left. Scroll down to Security and click Pop-ups and redirects. The toggle should say "Blocked".
Allow pop-ups only on websites that need them
Some websites use pop-ups for legitimate reasons — a banking site might use them to display security information, or a calendar tool might open pop-ups for event details. If you trust a site and want to allow its pop-ups, you can add it to an exception list without turning off blocking everywhere else.
In Chrome, visit the website, and when a pop-up is blocked, look for a small icon in the address bar (usually a circle with a line through it). Click it, then click "Always allow pop-ups and redirects on [website name]". From then on, that site can open pop-ups.
In Firefox, when a pop-up is blocked, a notification bar appears at the top of the page. Click "Preferences" or the dropdown arrow, then select "Allow pop-ups for this site". Firefox will remember this choice the next time you visit.
In Safari, there is no per-site exception list — you either block pop-ups everywhere or allow them everywhere. If a specific site needs pop-ups, you can temporarily turn off blocking, visit that site, then turn blocking back on.
In Edge, click the pop-up blocked icon in the address bar and select "Always allow pop-ups and redirects from [website name]".
Install an ad-blocking extension for stronger protection
Your browser's built-in blocker stops most pop-ups, but some slip through — particularly on sites designed to show many ads. A browser extension adds an extra layer by blocking ads and pop-ups before they load. Popular options include uBlock Origin (free, works in Chrome and Firefox), AdBlock Plus (free, works in most browsers), and Ghostery (free, focuses on tracking and ads).
To install an extension, open your browser's extension store. In Chrome, go to chrome.google.com/webstore. In Firefox, go to addons.mozilla.org. Search for the extension by name, click it, then click the button to add it to your browser. The extension usually starts working when ready without any setup.
Once installed, the extension runs in the background. You will notice fewer ads and pop-ups on most websites. Some extensions show a number in their icon indicating how many ads or trackers they blocked on the current page — this is informational only and does not require action from you.
Disable an extension if a website stops working
Occasionally an ad-blocking extension breaks a website's features — a video might not play, a button might not respond, or the page layout might look wrong. When this happens, you can turn off the extension just for that site without uninstalling it.
In Chrome, click the extension icon in the top right (it looks like a puzzle piece), then click the extension's name. Select "Manage extensions", find the extension in the list, and toggle it off. To turn it back on, toggle it on again. To turn it off only for one website, click the extension icon, then click "This can read and change site data" and select "On this site" instead of "On all sites".
In Firefox, click the extension icon in the top right, then click the gear icon next to the extension's name. Select "Manage Extension", then click the toggle next to "Allow on this site" to turn it off just for that page.
Recognize when pop-ups are not actually pop-ups
Some ads and notifications are not pop-up windows — they are part of the webpage itself. These appear as banners, boxes, or overlays built into the page's design, and your pop-up blocker cannot remove them because they are not separate windows. You have to close them manually by clicking an X button, usually in the corner of the ad.
If you see an ad that your pop-up blocker did not catch, look for a small X or close button on the ad itself. Clicking it removes just that ad from the page. If there is no close button, the ad is part of the website's design and cannot be removed without an extension.
Some websites also send browser notifications — small alerts that appear in the corner of your screen even when you are not on the website. These are different from pop-ups and are controlled in a separate browser setting. In most browsers, you can turn off notifications by going to Settings, then Privacy and Security, then Notifications, and clicking "Block" next to any website you do not want to hear from.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do pop-ups still appear if my blocker is on?
Some pop-ups are not actually separate windows — they are ads built into the webpage itself, and your blocker cannot remove them. Others come from websites you previously told your browser to allow. Check whether the pop-up has a close button (X) on it; if it does, it is part of the page and you have to close it manually. If you want to block it everywhere, install an ad-blocking extension.
Will blocking pop-ups break websites I use?
Rarely. Most websites work fine with pop-ups blocked. If a site stops working, you can add it to your browser's exception list to allow its pop-ups, or temporarily turn off your ad-blocking extension just for that site. The website will tell you if it needs pop-ups to function.
Do I need to pay for an ad-blocking extension?
No. Popular extensions like uBlock Origin, AdBlock Plus, and Ghostery are free. Some offer paid versions with extra features, but the free versions block pop-ups and ads effectively. Be cautious of extensions that claim to be free but ask for payment after installation.
Can pop-ups give my computer a virus?
Pop-ups themselves do not install viruses, but clicking on them can take you to malicious websites. The best protection is to not click pop-ups — close them by clicking the X button or using your blocker. Never click "OK" or "Allow" on a pop-up unless you recognize the website it came from.
What is the difference between a pop-up blocker and an ad blocker?
A pop-up blocker stops new windows from opening. An ad blocker stops ads from loading at all — including banner ads, video ads, and pop-ups. Ad-blocking extensions do both jobs, while your browser's built-in blocker only stops pop-ups. If you want to remove all ads, an extension is more powerful.