Allow or Block Pop-ups and Redirects in Chrome on the Computer

Chrome blocks pop-ups and automatic redirects by default, but a trusted site may still need an exception. The global switch sets the baseline for every website you visit in the desktop browser.

Open Chrome's Pop-ups and redirects settings, choose the global permission, and add site-specific exceptions. Check the exception lists before reloading the affected page.

In this guide, I have covered:

A Pop-up Is Blocked or Won’t Stop Opening: Where to Fix It in Chrome

A site you trust won’t open a window, or a strange window keeps appearing. Either way, Chrome’s Site settings page is where you change the permission for every site or for one site only.

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Chrome blocks pop-ups and automatic redirects by default. The steps below show how to allow or block popups and redirects in Chrome on the computer, then add an exception when only one website needs different access.

1. Open Google Chrome on your computer.
2. Click the menu in the top-right corner.
3. Select Settings.
   
4. Select Privacy and security in the left sidebar.
5. Select Site settings.
   
6. Under Content, select Pop-ups and redirects.
   

You’ll know it worked when the page shows the global radio options and the lists of sites that are allowed or blocked.

Allow Pop-ups and Redirects for All Sites

You only need this global switch when every site should be able to open pop-ups and use redirects. For most people, a single-site exception is safer.

1. Select Sites can send pop-ups and use redirects.
   
2. Close the Settings tab.
3. Reload the page that needs the pop-up or redirect.

You’ll know it worked when the pop-up opens without a blocked-pop-up warning. If only one site needs access, use the site-specific steps below.

Allow Pop-ups and Redirects for One Site

One trusted site needs the permission, and you don’t want to open the door for everyone else. Change it from the site itself instead of flipping the global switch.

1. Open the website that needs the pop-up or redirect.
2. Click the site information icon to the left of the address bar.
3. Select Site settings in the panel.
4. Find Pop-ups and redirects in the site’s permission list.
5. Choose Allow.
6. Reload the page.
7. Repeat the action that was blocked.

The site can now open its pop-up while other sites keep Chrome’s default block.

Add a Site to the Allow List

Chrome also keeps a central list for these exceptions. It’s useful when you want to type a domain without visiting the site first.

1. Return to the Pop-ups and redirects page.
2. Find Sites allowed to send pop-ups and use redirects.
3. Click Add next to the list.
4. Enter the site’s domain, such as example.com.
5. Click Add to save the exception.
6. Reload the site to apply the new permission.

A domain in this list remains allowed even when the global switch is set to block.

Block Pop-ups and Redirects for All Sites

If you want Chrome’s default protection back for every site, choose the block option. It resets the global behavior for pop-ups and redirects.

1. Select Don’t allow sites to send pop-ups and use redirects.
   
2. Close the Settings tab.
3. Reload a page that tried to open a pop-up.

Automatic pop-ups and redirects are blocked. A link you choose to click can still open normally.

Block Pop-ups and Redirects for One Site

Sometimes the global setting allows pop-ups, but one website is noisy or deceptive. Use a block exception for that domain only.

1. Find Sites not allowed to send pop-ups and use redirects on the same settings page.
   
2. Click Add next to the list.
3. Enter the site’s domain, such as facebook.com.
4. Click Add to save the exception.
5. Reload the site to apply the block.

A domain in this list stays blocked even when the global switch allows pop-ups and redirects.

How Site Exceptions Override the Main Setting

A site can behave differently from the global switch, and that’s expected. Chrome applies the most specific rule for the site you are visiting.

• A domain under Sites allowed to send pop-ups and use redirects stays allowed when the global option is set to block.
• A domain under Sites not allowed to send pop-ups and use redirects stays blocked when the global option is set to allow.

If a site’s behavior differs from the main switch, check both exception lists before changing the global setting again.

Pop-up Settings Do Not Change Cookie Permissions

Allowing a pop-up does not give a site access to cookies or change any of its other permissions. They are separate controls.

If a sign-in or checkout page still misbehaves, review its cookie access separately in our Block or Allow Browser Cookies in Chrome on the Computer guide.

If Pop-ups Still Open After You Block Them

The native permission is correct, but nuisance windows remain. An ad-blocking extension can add another layer of protection.

RELATED: 10+ Best Ad Block Extensions for Google Chrome

An extension does not replace Chrome’s site permission for pop-ups and redirects, so keep the native setting for sites you do not trust.