Chrome blocks popups by default, and you can turn that off in Settings
Chrome's popup blocker stops most popups automatically. If a website you trust needs popups to work — like a banking site that opens a new window for authentication, or a tool that displays results in a popup — you can turn the blocker off entirely, or allow popups just for that one site.
The fastest route is to allow popups for a single website without changing your Chrome settings for everything else. If you need popups off everywhere, that takes one extra step in Settings.
Key Takeaways
- Chrome shows a popup blocked notification in the address bar when it stops a popup; click that notification to allow popups from that site only.
- You can turn off the popup blocker entirely in Chrome Settings under Privacy and Security, though this leaves you unprotected from unwanted popups everywhere.
- Allowing popups for one website does not affect other sites, so you can keep the blocker on for sites you do not trust.
- If you turn the blocker back on later, you will need to repeat the steps — Chrome does not remember that you disabled it.
Allow popups from one website without changing your Chrome settings
When Chrome blocks a popup, a small notification appears in the address bar on the right side. This is the fastest way to unblock popups for just that site.
- Look for the popup blocked icon in the address bar — it looks like a small box with a line through it.
- Click that icon. A dropdown menu appears showing how many popups were blocked.
- Click "Always allow popups and redirects from [website name]". Chrome will now let popups through from that site.
- Refresh the page or try the action that triggered the popup again.
This method keeps your blocker on for every other website. Only the site you chose will be able to show popups.
Turn off the popup blocker for all websites in Chrome Settings
If you need popups to work across multiple sites, or if you want to disable the blocker entirely, you can turn it off in Chrome's main settings. This affects all websites you visit.
- Open Chrome and click the three vertical dots in the top right corner.
- Select "Settings" from the menu.
- Click "Privacy and security" in the left sidebar.
- Click "Site settings".
- Scroll down and click "Popups and redirects".
- Toggle the switch next to "Blocked (recommended)" to turn it off. The switch will turn gray.
Chrome will now allow popups from all websites. You can reverse this at any time by following the same steps and toggling the switch back on.
What to do if you do not see the popup blocked notification
Sometimes Chrome blocks popups silently without showing a notification. This usually happens when a popup is blocked before the page fully loads, or when multiple popups are blocked at once.
If you suspect popups are being blocked but you do not see the notification, try refreshing the page. If that does not work, check the address bar carefully — the popup blocked icon is small and easy to miss. It appears only on the right side of the address bar, next to the star icon and other site controls.
If you still do not see it, the website may not be trying to open a popup at all. Some sites describe a feature as a "popup" when it is actually a modal window or overlay that appears on the same page, which the popup blocker does not affect.
Manage popups for specific sites without turning off the blocker everywhere
Chrome lets you create a list of sites that are always allowed to show popups, and a separate list of sites where popups are always blocked. This gives you fine control without disabling the blocker entirely.
- Open Chrome Settings and go to Privacy and security > Site settings > Popups and redirects.
- Under "Allow", click "Add" to add a website where you want popups to work.
- Type the website address (for example, bank.com or mail.google.com) and click "Add".
- That site will now be able to show popups even though the blocker is on for everywhere else.
You can also add sites to the "Block" list if you want to make sure popups are never allowed there, even if you later turn the blocker off globally. Click "Add" under the "Block" section and enter the website address the same way.
Why Chrome blocks popups and when you might need to disable it
Popup blockers exist because unwanted popups are a common way websites show ads, trick you into clicking malicious links, or collect your data without permission. Chrome's blocker is on by default to protect you.
Legitimate websites sometimes use popups for necessary functions — online banking sites may open a popup for two-factor authentication, document tools may display results in a new window, or customer service chat windows may appear as popups. In these cases, you need to allow popups for that specific site.
Turning off the blocker entirely is not recommended unless you have a specific reason. If you do turn it off, be cautious about clicking anything in unexpected popup windows, as they may contain malware or phishing attempts.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will turning off the popup blocker affect my other Chrome settings?
No. The popup blocker is independent of other Chrome security features like Safe Browsing, password protection, and HTTPS warnings. Disabling popups does not change any of those settings.
Can I allow popups for a website on my phone or tablet?
Yes. Open Chrome on your mobile device, tap the three dots in the bottom right, go to Settings > Site settings > Popups and redirects, and toggle the setting off. The steps are the same as on a computer, though the menu layout is slightly different.
What if I allow popups for a site and then change my mind?
Go back to Privacy and security > Site settings > Popups and redirects. Find the website in the "Allow" list, click the three dots next to it, and select "Remove". Popups from that site will be blocked again.
Does disabling the popup blocker in Chrome affect other browsers on my computer?
No. Each browser has its own settings. If you use Firefox, Safari, or Edge, they have separate popup blocker controls that are not affected by changes you make in Chrome.
Why does the popup blocked notification sometimes disappear quickly?
Chrome hides the notification after a few seconds if you do not interact with it. If you miss it, refresh the page and watch the address bar more carefully. The icon appears on the right side, next to your profile picture or the three-dot menu.