Chrome blocks most pop-ups automatically, and you can turn that off for specific websites or disable it entirely
Chrome comes with a built-in pop-up blocker that stops most pop-up windows from opening. If a website you trust needs pop-ups to work — a login portal that opens in a new window, a document viewer, a chat tool — you can allow pop-ups for just that site without disabling the blocker everywhere else. You can also turn off the blocker completely, though this exposes you to unwanted pop-ups from other sites.
The fastest route is to allow pop-ups for one website at a time as you encounter them. Chrome shows you when it has blocked a pop-up and gives you a one-click option to allow it. If you need to change the setting later, you can do that in Chrome's settings menu in under a minute.
Key Takeaways
- When Chrome blocks a pop-up, a small icon appears in the address bar — click it to allow pop-ups from that site just once or permanently.
- To allow pop-ups for a specific website permanently, click the pop-up blocked icon, then click "Always allow pop-ups and redirects from [website name]".
- You can disable the pop-up blocker entirely by going to Settings > Privacy and security > Site settings > Pop-ups and redirects, then switching the toggle to "Allowed".
- If you disable the blocker completely, you will see unwanted pop-ups from many websites — allowing pop-ups for individual sites is usually the better choice.
- You can remove permission for a website later by returning to the same settings menu and deleting it from the allowed list.
Allow pop-ups for one website without changing your blocker settings
When Chrome blocks a pop-up, a small icon appears to the right of the address bar — it looks like a square with a line through it, and it says "Pop-up blocked" when you hover over it. Click that icon to see what was blocked.
A small menu will drop down showing the blocked pop-up. You will see two options: one to open the pop-up this time only, and one that says "Always allow pop-ups and redirects from [the website name]". Click the second option if you want Chrome to stop blocking pop-ups from that site from now on. The next time you visit that website, pop-ups will open without asking.
This is the simplest approach if you only need pop-ups from a few trusted websites. You do not have to change any settings, and the blocker stays on for everywhere else.
Disable the pop-up blocker for all websites
If you want to turn off the blocker entirely, open Chrome and click the three vertical dots in the top right corner. Select "Settings" from the menu.
On the left side of the settings page, click "Privacy and security". Then click "Site settings".
Scroll down until you see "Pop-ups and redirects" and click it. You will see a toggle at the top that currently says "Blocked". Click the toggle to switch it to "Allowed". The blocker is now off for all websites.
Once you disable the blocker, you may start seeing unwanted pop-ups from various websites. If this happens, you can turn the blocker back on by returning to the same menu and switching the toggle back to "Blocked".
Remove pop-up permission from a website you previously allowed
If you allowed pop-ups for a website and now want Chrome to block them again, go back to Settings > Privacy and security > Site settings > Pop-ups and redirects.
Under the "Allow" section, you will see a list of websites you have given permission to. Find the website you want to remove and click the three dots next to it, then select "Remove". Chrome will block pop-ups from that site again the next time you visit.
Check if a website is blocked from opening pop-ups
If you are on a website and expect a pop-up but do not see one, Chrome may have blocked it. Look at the address bar on the right side — if there is a small square icon with a line through it, that means Chrome blocked a pop-up. Click that icon to see what was blocked and decide whether to allow it.
If you do not see that icon, the website may not be trying to open a pop-up at all. Some websites use other methods to show information that look like pop-ups but are not actually pop-up windows — those are not affected by the blocker.
Understand the difference between pop-ups and other windows
Chrome's pop-up blocker only stops actual pop-up windows — windows that open automatically without you clicking a link. It does not block windows that open when you click a button or link on the page itself.
Some websites use what look like pop-ups but are actually just boxes that appear on top of the page. These are not pop-ups in the technical sense, so the blocker does not affect them. If you see something that looks like a pop-up but the blocker icon did not appear, it is probably one of these boxes, and you will need to close it by clicking an X button or clicking outside the box.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does Chrome block pop-ups?
Pop-ups are often used to show ads or trick you into clicking something you did not intend to. The blocker protects you from these unwanted windows. Some legitimate websites also use pop-ups for login screens or tools, which is why you can allow them for specific sites.
Will disabling the pop-up blocker slow down Chrome?
No, turning off the blocker will not make Chrome slower. It will just allow pop-ups to open. If you start seeing many unwanted pop-ups, you can turn the blocker back on at any time.
Can I allow pop-ups for a website on my phone?
Yes. On Chrome for Android or iPhone, tap the three dots in the bottom right, go to Settings > Site settings > Pop-ups and redirects, and toggle it to "Allowed". You can also tap the pop-up blocked icon that appears when Chrome blocks a pop-up and select "Always allow".
What if a website says pop-ups are blocked but I do not see the blocked icon?
The website may be using a different method to open windows that Chrome does not classify as pop-ups. Try clicking any buttons on the page that say "Open" or "View in new window" — those may work even if the blocker is on. If the website still does not work, allow pop-ups for that site using the method above.
Can I allow pop-ups for a website temporarily?
Yes. When you see the pop-up blocked icon, click it and select the option to open the pop-up this time only — that allows it once without permanently changing your settings. The next time you visit, the blocker will be on again unless you click "Always allow".