How to disable Chrome's pop-up blocker

Google Chrome blocks most pop-ups by default. If a website you trust needs to open pop-ups — for example, a banking site that opens statements in new windows, or an online tool that displays results in a separate tab — you can turn off the blocker entirely or allow pop-ups only from that specific site.

The fastest route is to allow pop-ups from one website without touching your blocker settings. When Chrome blocks a pop-up, a small icon appears in the address bar. Click that icon and select "Always allow pop-ups on [website name]". Chrome remembers this choice and stops blocking pop-ups from that site going forward.

If you want to disable the blocker completely, or if you need to change settings you've already saved, follow the steps below.

Key Takeaways

  • Chrome shows a blocked pop-up icon in the address bar when it stops a pop-up; click it and select "Always allow" to unblock that site only.
  • To turn off pop-up blocking entirely, open Chrome settings, go to Privacy and security, then Site settings, then Pop-ups and redirects, and toggle the setting off.
  • You can allow pop-ups from specific sites while keeping the blocker on for everywhere else, which is safer than disabling it completely.
  • If you've already allowed pop-ups from a site and want to block them again, you can remove that site from your exceptions list in the same settings menu.

Allow pop-ups from one website only

This is the safest approach because it keeps your blocker active everywhere except the sites you trust. When Chrome blocks a pop-up, you'll see a small icon that looks like a box with a slash through it in the right side of the address bar, next to the star icon.

Click that icon. A small menu appears with the option "Always allow pop-ups on [website name]". Click it. Chrome will now let that website open pop-ups, and the blocker stays on for all other sites.

The next time you visit that website, pop-ups will open without being blocked. If you change your mind later, you can remove the site from your exceptions — see the section "Remove a site from your pop-up exceptions" below.

Disable pop-up blocking completely in Chrome settings

If you want to turn off the blocker for all websites, open Chrome and click the three-line menu icon in the top right corner. Select "Settings".

On the left side of the settings page, click "Privacy and security". Then click "Site settings". Scroll down until you see "Pop-ups and redirects" and click it.

At the top of the Pop-ups and redirects page, you'll see a toggle switch next to "Blocked (recommended)". Click the toggle to turn it off. The switch will turn gray, and the label will change to "Allowed". Pop-ups from all websites will now open without being blocked.

Remove a site from your pop-up exceptions

If you previously allowed pop-ups from a specific website and now want to block them again, you can remove that site from your exceptions list. Open Chrome settings and go to Privacy and security, then Site settings, then Pop-ups and redirects.

Scroll down to the section labeled "Allow". You'll see a list of all websites you've allowed pop-ups from. Find the website you want to remove and click the three-dot menu icon next to it. Select "Remove".

Chrome will now block pop-ups from that site again. The blocker setting itself stays the same — if you had the blocker turned off completely, it remains off; if you had it on, it remains on.

What to do if pop-ups still appear after disabling the blocker

Some pop-ups are not actually pop-ups in the technical sense. They might be windows that open within the same tab, or ads that appear on the page itself rather than in separate windows. Chrome's pop-up blocker only stops separate windows and tabs, so it won't block these.

If unwanted windows keep appearing even after you've disabled the blocker, the website itself may be the problem — some sites use aggressive advertising or have malicious code. You can block the site entirely by going back to Site settings and looking for "Pop-ups and redirects", then adding the site to your blocked list, or you can simply avoid visiting that site.

If pop-ups appear when you haven't visited any website — for example, they start appearing while you're browsing normally — your computer may have malware. Run a full scan with your antivirus software or take your device to a technician.

Understand why Chrome blocks pop-ups by default

Chrome blocks pop-ups because most of them are unwanted. Pop-ups are often used to show ads, trick you into clicking malicious links, or collect your personal information. By blocking them, Chrome protects you from these threats.

Legitimate websites rarely need pop-ups. Banks, email services, and most online tools work fine without them. If a website tells you that you need to disable your pop-up blocker to use their service, that's a warning sign — the site may not be trustworthy. Before you allow pop-ups from an unfamiliar website, make sure you actually need to visit it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does Chrome still block pop-ups after I turned off the blocker?

You may have turned off the blocker for a specific site instead of globally. Check that you're on the right website and that it's listed in your exceptions. If you turned off the blocker completely, try clearing your browser cache and restarting Chrome. If pop-ups still don't appear, the website may not actually be trying to open pop-ups.

Can I allow pop-ups from one website but block them from another?

Yes. Keep the blocker turned on (the default setting), then click the blocked pop-up icon when you visit a site you trust and select "Always allow pop-ups on [website name]". That site will be added to your exceptions, and the blocker stays active everywhere else.

Will disabling the pop-up blocker make my computer less safe?

Turning off the blocker completely does expose you to more pop-ups, some of which may be malicious. It's safer to allow pop-ups only from specific websites you trust. If you must disable it completely, consider turning it back on once you're done with the website that needs it.

What's the difference between pop-ups and notifications?

Pop-ups are separate windows or tabs that open when you visit a website. Notifications are messages that appear in the corner of your screen, usually from websites or apps you've already allowed. The pop-up blocker doesn't control notifications — those are managed in a different settings menu under "Notifications".