Chrome blocks most pop-ups by default, and you can turn that off for specific websites or disable it entirely
Google Chrome comes with a built-in pop-up blocker that stops most new windows from opening without your action. If a website you trust needs to open pop-ups — for a map, a document, a payment form, or a video player — you have two choices: allow pop-ups just for that one site, or turn off the blocker completely. The site-by-site approach is safer because it keeps the blocker working everywhere else.
The steps differ slightly depending on whether you're on a computer or phone, and whether you want to change the setting once or make it permanent. This guide covers the most common scenarios.
Key Takeaways
- Chrome's pop-up blocker is on by default; when it blocks something, a small icon appears in the address bar.
- The fastest way to allow pop-ups from one site is to click that icon and select "Always allow pop-ups on [website name]".
- To turn off the blocker entirely on your computer, go to Settings > Privacy and security > Site settings > Pop-ups and redirects, then change it to "Allow".
- On Android or iPhone, you cannot disable the pop-up blocker — it stays on for all sites.
- If a site's pop-ups still don't work after you allow them, the problem may be an extension, not Chrome's built-in blocker.
Allow pop-ups from one website on your computer
When Chrome blocks a pop-up, a small icon appears to the right of the address bar — it looks like a rectangle with a line through it, or sometimes a number showing how many pop-ups were blocked. Click that icon.
A menu will drop down showing the blocked pop-ups. At the top, you'll see "Always allow pop-ups on [the website's name]". Click that option. Chrome will remember this choice and let pop-ups through from that site from now on.
If you don't see the icon, the site may not have tried to open a pop-up yet, or the blocker isn't the problem. Try the site's action again — click the button or link that should open the pop-up.
Turn off the pop-up blocker for all websites on your computer
Open Chrome and click the three vertical dots in the top right corner. Select "Settings".
On the left side, click "Privacy and security", then click "Site settings".
Scroll down and click "Pop-ups and redirects".
At the top, you'll see a toggle or dropdown that says "Blocked (recommended)". Click it and change it to "Allow". Pop-ups will now open on all websites unless you block them individually.
Block pop-ups from a specific site after turning off the blocker
If you've turned off the blocker globally but want to block pop-ups from one particular site, you can do that too. Go back to Settings > Privacy and security > Site settings > Pop-ups and redirects.
Scroll down to the section labeled "Block". Click "Add" and type the website's address — for example, example.com. Chrome will block pop-ups from that site even though the blocker is off everywhere else.
What to do if pop-ups still don't work after you allow them
Sometimes a pop-up blocker extension is the real culprit, not Chrome's built-in blocker. If you've allowed pop-ups in Chrome's settings but they still don't appear, check your extensions.
Click the puzzle-piece icon in the top right of Chrome (or the three dots, then "Extensions"). Look for any extension with "blocker" or "ad" in its name. Click the three dots next to it and select "Remove". Then try the pop-up again.
Another possibility: the website itself has a setting that controls pop-ups. Some sites ask you to turn on notifications or allow a specific permission before they'll open pop-ups. Check the site's help page or look for a settings button on the page itself.
Pop-up blocker settings on Android and iPhone
Chrome on mobile devices does not have a user-facing pop-up blocker setting. The blocker is always on and you cannot turn it off. If a site needs to open a pop-up on your phone, you may need to use a different browser, or contact the site's support team to ask if they can redesign that feature.
Some mobile browsers like Firefox or Samsung Internet do allow you to disable pop-up blocking if you need that flexibility.
Why Chrome blocks pop-ups in the first place
Pop-ups are blocked by default because most of them are ads, scams, or malware — not features you actually want. A legitimate website that needs to open a new window will usually work fine once you tell Chrome to allow it. The blocker protects you from sites that try to open dozens of windows without your permission.
If you find yourself allowing pop-ups on many sites, consider whether those sites are trustworthy. A site that respects your browser settings usually finds another way to show you what you need — a modal window on the same page, a dropdown menu, or a link you click. Sites that rely heavily on pop-ups may not be worth your time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will allowing pop-ups on one site affect other websites?
No. When you click "Always allow pop-ups on [website name]", the permission applies only to that specific site. All other websites will still be blocked unless you allow them individually or turn off the blocker entirely.
Can I undo "Always allow pop-ups" for a site?
Yes. Go to Settings > Privacy and security > Site settings > Pop-ups and redirects. Scroll down to the "Allow" section, find the site, click the three dots next to it, and select "Remove". Pop-ups from that site will be blocked again.
What's the difference between pop-ups and notifications?
Pop-ups are new browser windows or tabs that open automatically. Notifications are messages that appear in the corner of your screen. Chrome has separate blockers for each. A site might be blocked from opening pop-ups but still allowed to send notifications, or vice versa.
Does turning off the pop-up blocker make my computer less safe?
Turning off the blocker globally does remove one layer of protection, but most modern malware doesn't rely on pop-ups the way it did years ago. The bigger risk is visiting untrustworthy sites. If you only allow pop-ups on sites you know and trust, the risk is minimal.
Why does a pop-up still not open even after I allowed it?
The site may require a specific action first — like clicking a button labeled "Open map" or "View document". Some sites also check whether you've allowed notifications or location access before opening a pop-up. Try refreshing the page and looking for any prompts or settings on the site itself.