Why your Mac is blocking pop-ups and how to change it
Your Mac blocks most pop-ups automatically through your web browser's built-in settings. This happens whether you use Safari, Chrome, Firefox, or Edge — each one has its own pop-up blocker that you can turn off for specific websites or disable entirely. The blocker exists to stop unwanted advertising, but it also stops legitimate pop-ups that websites need to function, like login windows, file downloads, or forms that open in new tabs.
The steps differ depending on which browser you use, but the principle is the same: you either disable the blocker globally (for all websites) or create an exception for one specific site. Most people find it easier to allow pop-ups only on the sites that need them, rather than turning off protection everywhere.
Key Takeaways
- Safari, Chrome, Firefox, and Edge all have pop-up blockers turned on by default, and each one has a different menu to control them.
- You can disable pop-ups for a single website without affecting your protection on other sites.
- If a website asks you to disable your blocker, check the site's address bar first — some fake sites use this as a trick to load malware.
- After you change your blocker settings, you may need to reload the webpage for the change to take effect.
Disable pop-up blocking in Safari
Open Safari and go to the menu bar at the top of your screen. Click Safari, then scroll down and click Settings (or Preferences on older Macs). A window will open with several tabs across the top — click the Security tab.
In the Security tab, you will see a checkbox that says Block pop-ups. If it has a checkmark, pop-ups are blocked. Uncheck this box to allow pop-ups on all websites. If you want to block pop-ups everywhere except one site, leave this box checked, then go to that website, click Safari in the menu bar again, and look for Settings for [website name] near the bottom of the menu. Click it and uncheck Block pop-ups for just that site.
Close the Settings window and reload the webpage. The pop-up should now appear.
Disable pop-up blocking in Chrome
Open Chrome and click the three vertical dots in the top right corner of the window. Click Settings from the dropdown menu. On the left side, click Privacy and security, then click Site settings.
Scroll down the list until you see Pop-ups and redirects. Click it. At the top, you will see a toggle switch next to Pop-ups and redirects — if it is blue and switched to the right, pop-ups are blocked. Click the toggle to turn blocking off entirely, or scroll down to the Allow section and click Add to enter a specific website address where you want to allow pop-ups.
Type the website address (for example, example.com) and click Add. Reload the webpage in your browser and the pop-up should appear.
Disable pop-up blocking in Firefox
Open Firefox and click the three horizontal lines (the menu button) in the top right corner. Click Settings. On the left side, click Privacy & Security. Scroll down until you see the Permissions section.
Find the line that says Block pop-up windows. If the checkbox next to it is checked, pop-ups are blocked. Uncheck it to allow pop-ups everywhere. If you want to allow pop-ups only on certain sites, leave the box checked and click the Exceptions button next to it. Type the website address in the box that appears and click Allow.
Close the Settings tab and reload the webpage. The pop-up should now load.
Disable pop-up blocking in Edge
Open Microsoft Edge and click the three dots in the top right corner. Click Settings. On the left side, click Privacy, search, and services. Scroll down to the Security section and click Site permissions.
Click Pop-ups and redirects. At the top, toggle the switch next to Pop-ups and redirects to turn blocking off, or scroll down to Allow and click Add to permit pop-ups on a single website. Type the address and click Add.
Go back to the webpage and reload it. The pop-up should now appear.
What to do if a website asks you to disable your blocker
Some websites display a message asking you to turn off your pop-up blocker before you can continue. Before you do, check the address bar at the top of your browser — make sure you are actually on the website you intended to visit. Scammers sometimes create fake versions of popular sites that ask you to disable security features so they can load malware.
If the address looks correct and you trust the site, follow the steps above to allow pop-ups for that website only. You do not need to disable your blocker globally. After you allow pop-ups for that site, you can always go back and block them again later if the site becomes annoying.
Reload the page after changing your settings
After you disable your pop-up blocker or add a website to your exceptions list, the change does not always take effect when ready. Close the settings window and go back to the webpage you were trying to visit. Press Command + R (on Mac) to reload the page, or click the reload button (the circular arrow) in your address bar.
The pop-up should now appear. If it does not, wait a few seconds and reload again — sometimes the page needs a moment to recognize the new setting.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will disabling my pop-up blocker expose me to malware?
Disabling it globally puts you at higher risk, which is why allowing pop-ups only on specific trusted sites is safer. If you must disable it everywhere, turn it back on as soon as you finish with the website that needs it.
Why do some pop-ups still not appear even after I disabled the blocker?
Some websites use code that browsers block separately from pop-ups — this is called a redirect blocker. Check your browser's site settings for "Pop-ups and redirects" (Chrome, Edge) or "Pop-ups" (Safari, Firefox) and make sure both are allowed for that site.
Can I block pop-ups on some websites but allow them on others?
Yes. Every browser lets you add specific websites to an exceptions list. This way you keep your blocker on for most sites and only allow pop-ups where you need them.
What if I accidentally allowed pop-ups on a website and now it is annoying?
Go back to your browser settings, find the website in your exceptions list (usually under "Allow"), and click the trash or remove button next to it. The blocker will turn back on for that site.
Do I need to disable my blocker to watch videos on websites?
Not usually. Videos play inside the webpage itself. If a website says you need to disable your blocker to watch a video, it is likely a scam — use a different video source instead.