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 login window, a document viewer, or a form — you can allow them. You can permit pop-ups just for that one site, or turn off blocking across Chrome entirely. The process takes under a minute and you can reverse it anytime.
Pop-ups are blocked because many carry malware or unwanted ads, so you should only disable blocking for websites you recognize and trust. If you turn off the blocker globally, you lose that protection on every site you visit.
Key Takeaways
- Chrome's pop-up blocker is on by default and blocks most new windows without asking you first.
- You can allow pop-ups for a single website without changing your settings for the rest of the internet.
- When a pop-up is blocked, Chrome shows a small icon in the address bar that lets you view or allow it.
- Turning off the blocker entirely removes protection on every website, so only do this if you understand the risk.
- You can re-enable blocking at any time by reversing the same steps.
Allow pop-ups from one website only
This is the safest approach if only one or two sites need pop-ups. Visit the website that's being blocked, and look at the right side of the address bar — you'll see a small icon that looks like a window with a slash through it. Click that icon.
A menu will appear with the option "Always allow pop-ups and redirects on [website name]". Click that option. Chrome will remember this choice and stop blocking pop-ups from that site going forward. You can visit the site normally now, and pop-ups will open.
If you change your mind later, return to that website, click the same icon in the address bar, and select "Don't allow pop-ups on this site" to turn blocking back on.
Turn off the pop-up blocker for all websites
Open Chrome and click the three vertical dots in the top right corner. Select "Settings" from the menu that appears.
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". Click on it. You'll see a toggle switch next to "Blocked (recommended)". Click the toggle to turn it off. The switch will turn gray, and the text will change to "Allowed".
Chrome will now allow pop-ups on all websites. Close the Settings tab — your change is saved automatically. If you want to turn blocking back on later, return to this same menu and click the toggle again.
What to do if a pop-up is blocked and you didn't see the notification
Sometimes the blocked pop-up icon is straightforward to miss. If you're on a website and you think a pop-up should have opened but didn't, look at the address bar on the right side. If there's a small window icon with a slash through it, that's your sign that Chrome blocked something.
Click that icon to see what was blocked. A dropdown menu will show you the blocked pop-ups and give you the option to allow them. You can also choose to always allow pop-ups from that site without visiting the Settings menu.
Understand what happens when you disable blocking
The pop-up blocker exists because malicious websites use pop-ups to spread viruses, steal information, or trick you into downloading files. When you turn off blocking, you lose that layer of protection.
If you disable it globally, every website you visit can open pop-ups freely. Some of these may be legitimate — a bank login window, a document preview — but others may be harmful. Allowing pop-ups only for specific trusted sites is much safer than turning off the blocker entirely.
Re-enable the pop-up blocker if you changed your mind
If you turned off the blocker and want to turn it back on, follow the same path: click the three dots, select "Settings", click "Privacy and security", then "Site settings", then "Pop-ups and redirects". Click the toggle next to "Allowed" to turn it back on. It will switch to "Blocked (recommended)".
If you allowed pop-ups for specific websites and want to block them again, visit each site, click the window icon in the address bar, and select "Don't allow pop-ups on this site".
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does Chrome block pop-ups in the first place?
Most pop-ups are used to show ads or deliver malware. The blocker protects you from unwanted windows that could harm your device or steal your information. Legitimate websites usually don't rely on pop-ups, so blocking them by default is safer for most users.
Will disabling the blocker slow down Chrome?
No. Turning off the pop-up blocker won't affect Chrome's speed. It only changes whether new windows are allowed to open. Your browser will run the same as before.
Can I block pop-ups on some websites but not others?
Yes. You can allow pop-ups for specific sites while keeping the blocker on everywhere else. Visit the site, click the blocked pop-up icon in the address bar, and select "Always allow pop-ups and redirects on [site name]". The blocker stays active for all other websites.
What if a website says I need to disable my pop-up blocker?
Some websites claim you need to turn off blocking, but usually you don't. Try allowing pop-ups just for that site first using the address bar icon. If that doesn't work, you can disable blocking globally, but only for websites you trust completely.
Does this setting sync across my devices?
If you're signed into the same Google account on multiple devices, your pop-up blocker settings will sync across them. Changes you make on one device will appear on the others within a few minutes.