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 permission. If a website you trust needs to open pop-ups — for a login process, a document viewer, or a form that opens in a new window — you can allow them. You can permit pop-ups just for that one site, or you can disable the blocker altogether, though keeping it on for most sites protects you from unwanted ads and malicious windows.
The steps differ slightly depending on whether you want to unblock pop-ups for one website or turn off the blocker globally. Both take less than a minute.
Key Takeaways
- Chrome's pop-up blocker is on by default and blocks most new windows from opening without your action.
- You can allow pop-ups for a single website by clicking the pop-up blocker icon in the address bar when a pop-up is blocked.
- You can turn off the blocker entirely in Chrome Settings under Privacy and Security, though this leaves you unprotected from unwanted pop-ups.
- Allowing pop-ups for one site does not affect other websites — each site's permission is separate.
- If you allow pop-ups and later change your mind, you can revoke permission the same way you granted it.
Allow pop-ups for one website only
When Chrome blocks a pop-up, a small icon appears in the address bar — usually a box with an arrow or a circle with a line through it. Click that icon. A dropdown menu will show you how many pop-ups were blocked and give you the option to "Always allow pop-ups and redirects on [website name]." Click that option.
From that moment on, Chrome will let pop-ups through for that specific website. Other websites will still have pop-ups blocked. If you visit the site again and the pop-up does not appear, the site may have cached your permission, or you may need to refresh the page.
If you do not see the pop-up blocker icon, the pop-up may have been blocked by an extension you installed, not by Chrome itself. Check your extensions list to see if any of them have pop-up blocking turned on.
Turn off the pop-up blocker entirely
Open Chrome and click the three vertical dots in the top right corner. Select Settings. On the left side, click Privacy and security. Then click Site settings.
Scroll down and click Pop-ups and redirects. You will see a toggle at the top that says "Blocked (recommended)." Click that toggle to turn it off. The toggle will change to "Allowed," and Chrome will no longer block pop-ups on any website.
Turning off the blocker entirely is not recommended unless you have a specific reason. Most websites you visit do not need pop-ups, and disabling the blocker exposes you to unwanted advertising and, in rare cases, malicious windows designed to trick you into downloading something or entering information.
Block pop-ups again after you have allowed them
If you allowed pop-ups for a website and now want to block them again, go back to the same settings. Open Settings > Privacy and security > Site settings > Pop-ups and redirects.
You will see a section called "Allow" with a list of websites you have given permission to. Find the site you want to block again and click the three dots next to it, then select Remove. Chrome will block pop-ups from that site again on your next visit.
Understand the difference between pop-ups and new tabs
Chrome's pop-up blocker stops new windows from opening automatically. It does not stop a website from opening a new tab when you click a link. If a website opens a new tab when you click something, that is not a blocked pop-up — it is the site responding to your click, and the blocker does not interfere.
Some websites use pop-ups for legitimate purposes: a login window, a payment form, or a document viewer. Others use them to show ads. If a pop-up appears after you click something on the page, it was probably triggered by your action, and the blocker may have stopped it. If a pop-up tries to open without you clicking anything, the blocker caught it.
What to do if pop-ups still appear after you have allowed them
If you allowed pop-ups for a website but they still do not show up, the site may be using a redirect instead of a traditional pop-up. Chrome's blocker also stops redirects — automatic navigation to a different page — and the same permission controls both.
Try refreshing the page. Some sites require a fresh load to recognize your permission. If that does not work, check whether an extension is also blocking pop-ups. Open your extensions list by clicking the puzzle piece icon in the top right of Chrome, then look for any extension with "blocker" or "ad" in its name. Click the three dots next to it and turn off the extension, or remove it entirely if you no longer need it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will allowing pop-ups for one website affect other sites?
No. Each website's pop-up permission is separate. Allowing pop-ups for one site does not change the blocker's behavior on any other site. If you turn off the blocker entirely in Settings, then all sites can open pop-ups, but allowing a single site does not do that.
Is it safe to turn off the pop-up blocker?
It is safer to leave it on and allow pop-ups only for sites you trust. Turning it off exposes you to unwanted ads and, occasionally, malicious windows. If a website truly needs pop-ups to work, allow them for that site only rather than disabling the blocker globally.
What is the difference between a pop-up blocker and an ad blocker?
A pop-up blocker stops new windows from opening automatically. An ad blocker hides advertisements on the page itself. Chrome's built-in blocker only handles pop-ups. If you want to block ads, you need a separate extension.
Can I allow pop-ups on my phone version of Chrome?
Yes. On Android or iPhone, open Chrome, tap the three dots, go to Settings, tap Site settings, then Pop-ups and redirects. The process is the same as on a computer, though the menu layout is slightly different.
Why does a website say pop-ups are allowed but they still do not appear?
The website may be using a redirect instead of a pop-up, or it may require you to refresh the page after granting permission. Try reloading the page. If that does not work, an extension may be blocking them separately from Chrome's built-in blocker.