Why your pop-ups are blocked and how to allow them
Microsoft Edge blocks most pop-ups by default to protect you from unwanted ads and malicious windows. Sometimes this means legitimate pop-ups from websites you trust get blocked too — things like login windows, payment forms, or document viewers. You can turn off Edge's pop-up blocker entirely, or allow pop-ups from specific websites while keeping protection on everywhere else.
The fastest route is to allow pop-ups just for the site you're on right now. If you need to disable the blocker completely, that takes one extra step. Both methods are in your Edge settings and take less than a minute.
Key Takeaways
- Edge shows a blocked pop-up notification at the top of the page — click it to allow pop-ups from that site only.
- You can turn off pop-up blocking completely in Edge Settings under Privacy, Search, and Services.
- Allowing pop-ups for one website does not affect other sites, so you can keep protection on where you need it.
- If you do not see a blocked pop-up notification, the pop-up may have been blocked by a different security tool on your computer.
Allow pop-ups from one website without changing your settings
When Edge blocks a pop-up, a small notification appears at the top of your browser window, usually saying "Pop-ups blocked" with a number next to it. Click that notification to see what was blocked.
A dropdown menu will show the blocked pop-up and the website it came from. Click the toggle next to that website to turn on pop-ups for just that site. Edge will remember this choice and stop blocking pop-ups from that website going forward, while keeping the blocker on for everywhere else.
If you do not see the notification, the pop-up may have been blocked before Edge's blocker could catch it, or another security tool on your computer may be blocking it instead. Check your antivirus software or Windows Defender settings if Edge's blocker is already off.
Turn off pop-up blocking completely in Edge Settings
Open Microsoft Edge and click the three horizontal lines (menu button) in the top right corner. Select Settings from the dropdown menu.
On the left side of the Settings page, click Privacy, search, and services. Scroll down until you see the Security section. Under Security, find Block pop-ups and click the toggle to turn it off. The toggle will turn gray when pop-up blocking is disabled.
Close the Settings tab and go back to the website where you need the pop-up. Refresh the page by pressing F5 or clicking the refresh button. The pop-up should now appear.
Turn pop-up blocking back on after you're done
Once you've finished with the website that needed pop-ups, you can turn the blocker back on using the same steps. Go to Settings, select Privacy, search, and services, scroll to the Security section, and click the Block pop-ups toggle to turn it back on.
If you only allowed pop-ups for one specific website and do not want to do that anymore, go back to that site, click the blocked pop-up notification at the top, and toggle off the permission you gave it. Edge will go back to blocking pop-ups from that site.
What to do if pop-ups are still blocked after disabling the blocker
If you've turned off Edge's pop-up blocker and pop-ups still are not appearing, another program on your computer is probably blocking them. Windows Defender, third-party antivirus software, or browser extensions can all block pop-ups independently of Edge's built-in blocker.
Check your antivirus software settings and look for a pop-up blocker or web protection feature. The exact location varies by program — search the program's settings for "pop-up" or "web protection." You may also have a browser extension installed that blocks pop-ups; check Edge's extension list by clicking the puzzle piece icon in the top right and looking for anything related to blocking or security.
Allowing pop-ups from trusted sites only
If you want to keep pop-up blocking on but allow it for specific websites, you do not need to change your main settings. Instead, visit each website where you need pop-ups and use the blocked pop-up notification method described earlier. This is safer than turning off the blocker completely because you keep protection on for sites you have not visited yet.
You can see all the websites you've given pop-up permission to by going to Settings, selecting Privacy, search, and services, and scrolling to the Security section. Under Block pop-ups, click Manage exceptions. This shows every site you've allowed, and you can remove any of them by clicking the X next to the website name.
Common reasons pop-ups get blocked by mistake
Some websites use pop-ups for things that look like ads but are actually necessary — login forms, payment windows, or document downloads. Edge's blocker cannot always tell the difference, so it blocks them to be safe. Allowing pop-ups from that site tells Edge to trust it.
Pop-ups that open in new tabs instead of new windows sometimes get blocked differently than traditional pop-ups. If allowing pop-ups from a site does not fix the problem, the website itself may need to be updated, or you may need to use a different browser to access that feature. Contact the website's support team if the pop-up still does not work after you've disabled blocking.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will disabling pop-up blocking make my computer less safe?
Turning off the blocker exposes you to unwanted ads and potentially malicious pop-ups, so it's safer to allow pop-ups only for websites you trust. If you must disable it completely, turn it back on as soon as you're done with the site that needed it. Consider allowing pop-ups for just that one site instead.
Can I allow pop-ups for one website but not others?
Yes. Use the blocked pop-up notification to allow pop-ups from individual sites, and Edge will remember those choices. Keep the main pop-up blocker on, and only the sites you've approved will be able to show pop-ups.
What if I accidentally blocked pop-ups from a site I trust?
Go to Settings, select Privacy, search, and services, scroll to Security, and click Manage exceptions under Block pop-ups. Find the site in the list and click the X to remove it. Visit the site again and allow pop-ups using the notification at the top of the page.
Is there a difference between Edge's pop-up blocker and Windows Defender's?
Yes — they are separate tools. Edge's blocker only affects Microsoft Edge, while Windows Defender's web protection affects all browsers on your computer. If pop-ups are still blocked after disabling Edge's blocker, check Windows Defender or your antivirus software settings.
Do I need to restart Edge after changing pop-up settings?
No, but you should refresh the page you're on by pressing F5 or clicking the refresh button. The new settings take effect immediately on pages you reload.