Firefox blocks most pop-ups by default, but you can allow them for specific websites

Mozilla Firefox comes with pop-up blocking turned on. This protects you from unwanted advertisements and malicious windows, but it also blocks pop-ups from websites you trust — like banks that use pop-ups for security codes, or tools that open documents in new windows. You can turn off the block for individual sites without disabling it everywhere else.

The process takes less than a minute and works the same way whether you use Firefox on Windows, Mac, or Linux. You do not need to restart your browser or change any settings you cannot undo.

Key Takeaways

  • Firefox blocks pop-ups automatically, but you can allow them for one website at a time through the address bar or Firefox settings.
  • The fastest method is clicking the pop-up blocked notification in the address bar and choosing to allow pop-ups for that site.
  • You can also add sites to the pop-up allow list manually in Firefox Preferences without waiting for a blocked pop-up.
  • Allowing pop-ups for a site does not affect your protection on other websites.
  • You can remove a site from the allow list at any time if pop-ups become annoying.

Allow pop-ups when Firefox blocks one

When Firefox blocks a pop-up, a notification appears in the address bar — the area at the top where you type website addresses. The notification says "Pop-up blocked" and shows a small icon. Click that notification to see your options.

A menu will drop down with the name of the website and a button that says "Allow pop-ups for this site." Click that button. Firefox will remember your choice and stop blocking pop-ups from that website from now on.

If you change your mind later, the same notification will appear again the next time a pop-up is blocked. Click it and select "Don't allow pop-ups for this site" to turn the block back on.

Add a website to the pop-up allow list before a pop-up is blocked

You do not have to wait for Firefox to block a pop-up. You can add a website to the allow list ahead of time through Firefox settings. Open Firefox and click the menu button — three horizontal lines in the top right corner. Select "Settings."

In the Settings window, click "Privacy & Security" on the left side. Scroll down until you see the section called "Permissions." Under Permissions, find "Pop-ups" and click the "Settings" button next to it.

A small window will open showing websites where you have already allowed or blocked pop-ups. Click the text box that says "Address of website" and type the web address of the site where you want to allow pop-ups — for example, www.yourbank.com. Then click "Allow" and then "Save Changes."

Remove a website from the pop-up allow list

If a website you allowed is now showing too many pop-ups, you can remove it from the allow list. Go back to Firefox Settings, click "Privacy & Security," scroll to Permissions, and click "Settings" next to Pop-ups.

Find the website in the list and click it once to select it. A button labeled "Remove" will appear. Click "Remove," then "Save Changes." Firefox will start blocking pop-ups from that site again.

Turn off pop-up blocking entirely (not recommended)

You can disable pop-up blocking for all websites, though this is not recommended because it exposes you to unwanted advertisements and potentially harmful content. If you choose to do this, go to Settings, click "Privacy & Security," scroll to Permissions, and find the "Pop-ups" section.

Uncheck the box next to "Block pop-ups." This turns off protection on every website. You can turn it back on by checking the same box again. Most people find it safer to allow pop-ups only for the few sites that actually need them, rather than disabling the block everywhere.

What to do if allowing pop-ups does not work

Sometimes a website says pop-ups are blocked even after you have allowed them. This usually means the website is checking an older version of your browser settings, or the pop-up is being blocked by something else — like an extension you installed.

Try refreshing the page by pressing Ctrl+R (or Cmd+R on Mac). If that does not work, check whether you have any browser extensions that block pop-ups. Open the Firefox menu, click "Add-ons," and look for extensions with names like "Adblock," "uBlock," or "Pop-up Blocker." These work separately from Firefox's built-in blocker. You may need to allow pop-ups in that extension's settings as well.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will allowing pop-ups for one site affect other websites?

No. When you allow pop-ups for a specific website, Firefox only stops blocking them on that site. Every other website still has pop-up blocking turned on. You can allow pop-ups for as many or as few sites as you need.

Can I allow pop-ups only for a certain time period?

Firefox does not have a built-in time limit for pop-up permissions. Once you allow pop-ups for a site, they stay allowed until you remove the site from the allow list. You can remove it whenever you want.

What is the difference between Firefox's pop-up blocker and browser extensions?

Firefox's built-in blocker is part of the browser itself and protects you by default. Extensions are add-on programs you install separately. If you have both turned on, both can block pop-ups. You may need to allow pop-ups in both places for them to work.

Is it safe to allow pop-ups?

It is safe to allow pop-ups for websites you trust, like your bank or email provider. Avoid allowing pop-ups on unfamiliar websites or sites that seem suspicious. If a site keeps showing unwanted pop-ups even after you allowed them, you can remove it from the allow list.