Chrome blocks most pop-ups automatically — here's how to turn that off

Chrome comes with a built-in pop-up blocker that stops most new windows from opening without your permission. If a website you trust needs to open pop-ups — for a login window, a document preview, or a form — you can disable the blocker for that site or turn it off entirely. The fastest way is to click the pop-up blocker icon that appears in Chrome's address bar when a pop-up is blocked, then choose to allow pop-ups from that website.

You can also change the setting in Chrome's main menu so pop-ups are never blocked, though this leaves you exposed to unwanted pop-ups from any site. Most people find it easier to allow pop-ups only on the websites where they actually need them.

Key Takeaways

  • When Chrome blocks a pop-up, a small icon appears in the address bar on the right side — click it to allow pop-ups from that site without changing any settings.
  • You can allow pop-ups for specific websites by adding them to Chrome's exceptions list in Settings, so the blocker stays on everywhere else.
  • Turning off the pop-up blocker entirely in Settings removes protection from all websites, so pop-ups from ads and malicious sites will appear.
  • If you turn off the blocker and later want it back on, you can re-enable it in the same Settings menu.

Allow pop-ups from one website using the address bar icon

This is the quickest method when you visit a site that needs to open a pop-up. When Chrome blocks a pop-up, you will see a small icon in the address bar — it looks like a rectangle with a line through it, usually on the right side next to the star icon. Click that icon.

A small menu will appear with the message "Pop-ups blocked" and a button that says "Always allow pop-ups on [website name]". Click that button. Chrome will now let pop-ups from that website open without asking again. The icon disappears from the address bar, and the next time that site tries to open a pop-up, it will appear.

If you change your mind later, you can click the same icon again and choose "Don't allow pop-ups on [website name]" to turn the blocker back on for that site.

Add a website to the pop-up blocker exceptions list in Settings

If you want to allow pop-ups from a website before you visit it, or if you prefer to manage all your exceptions in one place, you can add the site to Chrome's exceptions list. Open Chrome and click the three vertical dots in the top right corner, then select Settings.

On the left side, click Privacy and security, then click Site settings. Scroll down and click Pop-ups and redirects. Under the "Allow" section, click Add. Type the website address — for example, example.com — and click Add. Chrome will now allow pop-ups from that site.

You can add as many websites as you need. Each one will appear in the "Allow" list, and you can remove any of them by clicking the three dots next to the website name and selecting Remove.

Turn off the pop-up blocker entirely

If you want Chrome to stop blocking pop-ups from every website, you can disable the blocker in Settings. Open Chrome, click the three vertical dots in the top right corner, and 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 will see a toggle that says "Blocked (recommended)". Click that toggle to turn it off. The toggle will turn gray, and the blocker is now disabled. Chrome will allow all pop-ups from all websites to open.

Be aware that turning off the blocker means you will see pop-ups from advertising networks and potentially harmful sites. Most people find it better to use the exceptions method instead, allowing pop-ups only where they are needed.

Turn the pop-up blocker back on

If you disabled the blocker and want to re-enable it, follow the same path: click the three vertical dots, select Settings, click Privacy and security, then Site settings, then Pop-ups and redirects. Click the toggle at the top to turn it back on. The toggle will turn blue, and Chrome will start blocking pop-ups again.

Any websites you added to the "Allow" list will stay there, so pop-ups from those sites will still open even with the blocker turned back on.

What to do if a pop-up blocker icon does not appear

Sometimes a website tries to open a pop-up but Chrome does not show the blocker icon in the address bar. This usually means the pop-up was blocked by a different tool — either a Chrome extension you installed, or a security feature in your operating system. Check your installed extensions by clicking the three vertical dots, selecting More tools, then Extensions. Look for any extension with "blocker" or "security" in its name and disable it if you do not recognize it.

If you have a security program on your computer (like antivirus software), it may also block pop-ups. Check that program's settings to see if pop-up blocking is turned on there. Once you disable blocking in that tool, the pop-ups should appear.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does the pop-up blocker icon not always show up?

Chrome only shows the blocker icon when it actually stops a pop-up from opening. If a website does not try to open a pop-up, there is nothing to block, so no icon appears. Some websites use methods that Chrome does not recognize as pop-ups, so those may open without triggering the blocker.

If I allow pop-ups for one website, will other websites be affected?

No. When you allow pop-ups for a specific website, the blocker stays on for every other site. Only that one website can open pop-ups without being blocked. You can add as many websites as you need to the exceptions list, and each one is separate.

Can I allow pop-ups for a website only once instead of permanently?

Chrome does not have a one-time permission option for pop-ups. When you allow pop-ups for a site, they stay allowed until you remove that site from the exceptions list. If you want to block them again, go back to Site settings and remove the website from the "Allow" section.

What is the difference between pop-ups and pop-unders?

A pop-up is a new window that appears on top of the website you are viewing. A pop-under is a window that opens behind your current window, so you do not see it until you minimize or close your browser. Chrome's pop-up blocker blocks both types.

Does disabling the pop-up blocker slow down Chrome?

No. The pop-up blocker uses very little processing power, so turning it off will not make Chrome faster. The main reason to keep it on is to avoid unwanted pop-ups, not for performance.