Chrome's built-in pop-up blocker stops most pop-ups automatically

Chrome blocks most pop-ups by default — you do not have to do anything to turn this on. When a site tries to show you a pop-up, Chrome silently stops it and shows a small notification at the top of the address bar saying "Pop-ups blocked." If you see that notification, the blocker is working.

However, some pop-ups still get through because they are technically not pop-ups — they are windows that open when you click a button, or they are built into the page itself as overlays. The steps below cover how to block the ones Chrome misses, how to unblock pop-ups from sites you trust, and how to spot the difference between a real pop-up and something else pretending to be one.

Key Takeaways

  • Chrome blocks most pop-ups automatically, and you can see which ones were blocked by looking at the notification in the address bar.
  • You can turn off the pop-up blocker entirely in Chrome settings, but blocking pop-ups is on by default and you should leave it that way.
  • If a pop-up keeps appearing on a specific site, you can block that site in Chrome settings so it never shows pop-ups again.
  • Some things that look like pop-ups are actually part of the website itself and cannot be blocked by Chrome's pop-up blocker — you have to close them manually or use an extension.
  • If you trust a site and want to allow its pop-ups, you can add it to Chrome's exceptions list so pop-ups from that site will show.

Check whether Chrome is already blocking pop-ups

Open any website and try to trigger a pop-up — usually by clicking a button or link that says something like "Click here" or "Learn more." If a pop-up appears, Chrome's blocker did not catch it. If nothing happens and you see a small notification at the top of the address bar (next to the star icon), Chrome blocked it.

The notification will say "Pop-ups blocked" and show a number if more than one was stopped. Click that notification to see a list of the blocked pop-ups. You can then choose to allow pop-ups from that site if you want to, or leave them blocked.

Block pop-ups from a specific website

If a particular site keeps showing pop-ups that Chrome did not catch, you can tell Chrome to block all pop-ups from that site. Open Chrome and go to the address bar. Click the lock icon (or the information icon) on the left side of the address bar, next to the website name.

A small menu will appear. Look for "Pop-ups and redirects" or "Notifications" — the exact wording depends on your version of Chrome. Click the dropdown next to it and select "Block." From now on, Chrome will block pop-ups from that site.

If you change your mind later, you can return to the same menu and change it back to "Allow."

Allow pop-ups from a website you trust

If you have added a site to your blocked list by mistake, or if you want to allow pop-ups from a site you trust, go back to that site. Click the lock icon in the address bar, find "Pop-ups and redirects," and select "Allow" from the dropdown.

You can also manage all your pop-up exceptions at once by opening Chrome settings. Click the three-line menu in the top right corner, then select "Settings." Go to "Privacy and security" on the left side, then click "Site settings." Scroll down to "Pop-ups and redirects" and click it. You will see two lists: "Allowed" and "Blocked." You can remove any site from either list by clicking the X next to its name.

Turn off Chrome's pop-up blocker entirely (not recommended)

If you want to turn off the pop-up blocker completely, open Chrome settings the same way: three-line menu, then "Settings," then "Privacy and security," then "Site settings." Scroll to "Pop-ups and redirects" and click it. At the top, you will see a toggle that says "Blocked (recommended)." Click it to turn the blocker off.

We do not recommend doing this. Pop-ups are usually advertisements or scams, and turning off the blocker means you will see all of them. If you have turned it off and want to turn it back on, return to the same menu and click the toggle again.

Understand what Chrome's pop-up blocker cannot stop

Chrome's blocker stops windows that open in new tabs or windows, but it cannot stop overlays — large boxes that appear on top of the page itself, like newsletter sign-up forms or age-verification screens. These are built into the website's code and are not technically pop-ups, so Chrome cannot block them.

To close an overlay, look for an X button, usually in the top right corner of the box. If there is no X button, try pressing the Escape key on your keyboard — many overlays will close when you do. If neither works, you may need to use a browser extension that blocks these kinds of overlays, though most reputable websites include a way to close them.

Another thing Chrome cannot stop is a pop-up that appears when you click a button on the page itself. These are not blocked because Chrome cannot tell the difference between a button that opens a pop-up and a button that does something else. If a button keeps opening something you do not want, you can block pop-ups from that site using the steps above.

Use an extension to block more aggressive pop-ups

If Chrome's built-in blocker is not catching everything, you can add an extension that blocks pop-ups more aggressively. Open Chrome and go to the address bar. Type "chrome.google.com/webstore" and press Enter. Search for "pop-up blocker" and you will see several options.

Popular choices include uBlock Origin and Adblock Plus, both of which block pop-ups, overlays, and advertisements. Click "Add to Chrome" on any extension you want to try. After you add it, a new icon will appear in the top right corner of Chrome, next to the three-line menu. Click that icon to see what the extension has blocked on the current page.

Be aware that some extensions collect data about your browsing. Read the privacy policy before you add one. If you decide you do not like an extension, you can remove it by clicking the three-line menu, selecting "More tools," then "Extensions," and clicking the trash icon next to the extension's name.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do some pop-ups still appear even though Chrome's blocker is on?

Some pop-ups are not technically pop-ups — they are overlays or windows that open when you click a button, which Chrome cannot block. Others come from ads embedded in the page itself. If a pop-up keeps appearing on a specific site, you can block that site in Chrome settings using the steps above.

Can I block pop-ups on my phone or tablet?

Yes. Chrome for Android and Chrome for iPad has the same pop-up blocker. Open Chrome, tap the three-line menu at the bottom right, go to "Settings," then "Site settings," then "Pop-ups and redirects." The controls are the same as on a computer.

What if a website says I need to allow pop-ups to use it?

Some websites genuinely need to open pop-ups to work — for example, a site that lets you open documents in a new window. If a site asks you to allow pop-ups, you can do so by clicking the pop-up notification in the address bar and selecting "Always allow pop-ups from [site name]." You can change this later if you want to.

Will blocking pop-ups break websites?

No. Legitimate websites do not rely on pop-ups to work. If a site stops working after you block pop-ups from it, the site itself has a problem, not your blocker. You can always allow pop-ups from that site again if you need to.

Is there a difference between pop-ups and pop-unders?

A pop-under is a window that opens behind your current window instead of in front of it. Chrome's pop-up blocker stops both. You might not notice a pop-under until you close Chrome and see it was open the whole time.