The fastest way to stop pop-ups depends on where they're coming from
Most pop-ups come from websites you're visiting, not from your computer itself. Your browser has a built-in pop-up blocker that catches most of them automatically — but the setting can be turned off by accident, or a website might ask permission to show pop-ups and you might have said yes without realizing. Email pop-ups are different: they usually come from your email provider's own notifications, not from outside sources.
The steps to disable pop-ups are different for each browser and email service, and take less than a minute once you know where to look. If you're seeing pop-ups that claim to be security warnings or offer to scan your computer, those are often fake — see the section below on identifying which pop-ups are real.
Key Takeaways
- Most browsers have a pop-up blocker turned on by default, but you can check your settings to confirm it's active.
- If a website asks permission to show pop-ups and you click "Allow", you can revoke that permission in your browser's site settings.
- Email pop-ups usually come from your email provider's notification settings, not from websites, and can be turned off separately.
- Pop-ups claiming to be security scans or offering free antivirus are usually fake and should not be clicked.
- Disabling pop-ups in your browser does not affect your security — the blocker is on by default specifically to protect you.
How to turn off pop-ups in Chrome
Open Chrome and click the three vertical dots in the top right corner. Select Settings, then click Privacy and security on the left side. Click Site settings, then scroll down and click Pop-ups and redirects. Make sure the toggle at the top is set to Blocked — if it's already blocked, the setting is working and you don't need to change anything.
If a specific website keeps showing pop-ups even with the blocker on, that site may have asked for permission to show them. To remove that permission, go back to Site settings and click Pop-ups and redirects again. Look for the website name in the "Allow" section and click the X next to it to remove permission.
How to turn off pop-ups in Firefox
Open Firefox and click the three horizontal lines in the top right corner. Select Settings, then click Privacy & Security on the left. Scroll down to the Permissions section and look for Pop-ups. Make sure the checkbox next to "Block pop-up windows" is checked. If it already is, the blocker is on and working.
To remove pop-up permission from a specific website, go back to Settings and Privacy & Security. Scroll to Permissions and click Settings next to Pop-ups. Find the website in the list, select it, and click Remove Website.
How to turn off pop-ups in Safari
Open Safari and click Safari in the top menu bar. Click Settings (or Preferences on older versions), then click the Security tab. Make sure the checkbox next to "Block pop-up windows" is checked. If it is, the blocker is already on.
Safari does not store a list of websites that have permission to show pop-ups the way Chrome and Firefox do, so you cannot remove permission from individual sites. If a website is showing unwanted pop-ups, you can use Safari's Privacy tab to clear your browsing history and cookies for that site, which will reset its permissions.
How to turn off pop-ups in Microsoft Edge
Open Edge and click the three horizontal dots in the top right corner. Select Settings, then click Privacy, search, and services on the left. Scroll down to Site permissions and click Pop-ups and redirects. Make sure the toggle is set to Block. If it already is, the blocker is on.
To remove pop-up permission from a specific website, go back to Site permissions and click Pop-ups and redirects. Look for the website in the "Allow" section, click it, and select Remove.
How to turn off email notifications that look like pop-ups
If you're seeing pop-ups when you open your email, they're usually notifications from your email provider, not from websites. In Gmail, click the gear icon in the top right and select See all settings. Click the General tab and scroll down to Desktop notifications. Select Off and click Save changes at the bottom.
In Outlook, click Settings in the top right (the gear icon), then View all Outlook settings. Click Mail on the left, then Notifications. Turn off the toggle next to Show notification badges and Show notification sounds. In Yahoo Mail, click the gear icon, select Settings, click General, and scroll to Notifications to turn them off.
How to identify fake security pop-ups and avoid clicking them
Fake pop-ups usually claim your computer has a virus, offer a free security scan, or say your password has been compromised. They often have urgent language like "Act now" or "Your device is at risk" and a large button telling you to click for more information. Real security warnings from your browser or operating system do not ask you to click anything — they tell you what happened and let you decide what to do next.
If you see a pop-up like this, close it by clicking the X button in the corner, not the main button in the middle. If there is no X button visible, press the Escape key on your keyboard to close it. Do not click anywhere else on the pop-up, because even clicking "Cancel" or "Learn more" can trigger a download. If you accidentally clicked it, see the section on malware in your browser's help center or contact your device manufacturer's support line.
What to do if pop-ups keep appearing even with the blocker on
If your pop-up blocker is on but you're still seeing pop-ups, the most common cause is a browser extension that's interfering with the blocker. Open your browser's extension or add-on menu (usually accessible from the three-dot menu under Extensions or Add-ons) and look for anything you don't recognize or didn't intentionally install. Click the trash or remove icon next to it and refresh your browser.
Another possibility is that a website has installed itself as a search engine or homepage without your knowledge. In Chrome, go to Settings and Search engine, and make sure your search engine is set to Google, Bing, or whatever you chose. In Firefox, go to Settings and Home, and check that your homepage is what you expect. If you see something unfamiliar, change it back to your preferred option.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will turning off pop-ups make my computer less secure?
No. Pop-up blockers are on by default in all modern browsers specifically to protect you. Disabling them would actually make you less safe, not more. Your browser's blocker catches most unwanted pop-ups automatically without you having to do anything.
Why does a website keep asking me to allow pop-ups?
Some websites need pop-ups to work properly — video players, chat windows, or login screens sometimes open in pop-ups. If you click "Block" or "Don't allow", the website will keep asking. If you need the pop-up to use that website, click "Allow" once. If you change your mind later, you can remove permission in your browser's site settings.
Can I block pop-ups from one website but allow them on another?
Yes. In Chrome, Firefox, and Edge, you can manage pop-up permissions for individual websites in your site settings. Go to Pop-ups and redirects in your browser's settings and you'll see separate lists for blocked and allowed sites. You can move a website from one list to the other at any time.
What if I see a pop-up that says my browser is out of date?
Check whether it's a real warning from your browser or a fake one. Real browser update notifications come from your browser's menu or settings, not from a pop-up on a website. If you see an update warning in a pop-up, close it and manually check for updates in your browser's settings instead. Never click a pop-up claiming your browser needs an update.