How to Prevent Pop-Ups in Google Chrome

To prevent pop-ups in Google Chrome, keep “Pop-ups and redirects” blocked, clear site exceptions, and remove shady extensions.

Hate surprise windows jumping over your page, hijacking clicks, or blasting audio? This guide shows clear, repeatable steps that shut down spammy pop-ups without breaking sites that need a one-time window for sign-in, payment, or file downloads. You’ll tune Chrome’s blocker, fix site-level exceptions, stop notification spam, and clean out noisy add-ons. Screens vary a little by device, but the core flow stays the same.

How to Prevent Pop-Ups in Google Chrome: Quick Setup

Chrome ships with a pop-up blocker, but a few settings, site exceptions, or push prompts can punch holes in it. Start here to lock down the basics fast.

**Fast Actions That Stop Chrome Pop-Ups (Desktop & Mobile)**
Action	Path In Chrome	Use When
Keep Pop-Ups Blocked	Settings → Privacy & security → Site settings → Pop-ups and redirects → Don’t allow	Baseline setting for all sites
Remove Site Exceptions	Same page → Allowed to send pop-ups and use redirects → Trash any entries	A site keeps opening extra windows
Block Push Notifications	Settings → Privacy & security → Site settings → Notifications → Don’t allow	“Allow notifications?” prompts appear on many sites
Silence A Single Site	Visit page → Click lock icon → Site settings → Set Pop-ups, Notifications to Block	Only one domain is noisy
Remove Junk Extensions	Menu → Extensions → Manage extensions → Remove anything you don’t trust	Pop-ups appear on every site
Turn On Safe Browsing	Settings → Privacy & security → Security → Safe Browsing (choose a protection level)	Drive-by pop-ups, scam pages, shady downloads
Reset Modified Settings	Settings → Reset settings → Restore settings to their original defaults	Strange behavior after installing software
Update Chrome	Menu → Help → About Google Chrome	Old builds miss newer protections

Set The Global Block And Clear Exceptions

The true switch lives under “Pop-ups and redirects.” Set it to block. Then sweep the exceptions list. If any site sits under “Allowed,” Chrome will open windows for it, even when the global control is set to block. Remove anything you don’t recognize. If a trusted site needs a short-term window for checkout or a bank statement, add it only for the session and remove it afterward.

Fix Pop-Ups That Reappear On One Domain

Some pages re-ask for permission or bounce you through a redirect chain. Tackle that domain alone:

Open the page.
Click the lock icon next to the address.
Open Site settings, set Pop-ups and Notifications to Block, and reload.

Stop “Allow Notifications?” Prompts And Spammy Alerts

Push alerts can look like pop-ups. Turn them off globally if you don’t want prompts, or use a tight list of allowed sites only. Head to Notifications and set the default to block. If alerts already flood your screen, remove permission for the sites sending them and clear any “Allowed” entries.

Quiet The Prompt

Toggle the setting that blocks sites from asking in the first place. You can still grant permission later from the lock icon for a page you trust.

Strip Out Noisy Extensions

Adware-style add-ons can spawn overlays, fake update banners, or coupon windows on every site you visit. Open the Extensions page and remove anything you don’t use. Then think like a bouncer: fewer entries on the list means fewer chances for junk to run. If you need a tool, keep it; if it looks sketchy, toss it. After removal, relaunch Chrome so scripts stop running in the background.

Spot The Culprit Fast

Turn extensions off in batches and test. When the pop-ups stop, re-enable items one by one until the noise returns. You’ve found the bad actor—remove it.

Use Safe Browsing To Block Scammy Pages

Chrome checks sites and files against known bad behavior and, with stronger levels, scans links and downloads in real time. Turning on Safe Browsing protection levels adds warnings for pages that commonly fling pop-ups, tech-support schemes, and forced downloads. Pick the level that suits your risk tolerance and privacy comfort.

Pick A Level That Fits

Standard: Checks sites and downloads against known lists.
Enhanced: Adds real-time checks and deeper file scanning, which catches more scam windows and redirect traps.

Clean Site Data That Keeps Bringing Pop-Ups Back

Some sites store consent states or tracking data that relaunch windows on every visit. Clearing site data breaks that loop.

Clear A Single Site

Open the page that keeps spawning windows.
Click the lock icon → Cookies and site data → Remove.
Reload and test with the blocker set to block.

Reset Content Permissions

On the Site settings page for that domain, set Pop-ups, Notifications, and Clipboard access to Block. Set Sound to Mute if the page autoplays audio with a pop-up.

Preventing Chrome Pop-Ups On Windows, Mac, And Android

The menus look a little different, but the plan stays the same: block pop-ups globally, tame notifications, and prune add-ons.

Windows Or Mac (Desktop)

Open Settings → Privacy & security → Site settings.
Set Pop-ups and redirects to block; remove any “Allowed” entries.
Open Notifications and set the default to block, or prune the list to only sites you trust.
Open Extensions and remove loud or unknown items.
Turn on a Safe Browsing level that fits your needs.

Android

Settings → Site settings → Pop-ups and redirects → Block.
Settings → Notifications → Turn off prompts or block noisy sites.
Settings → Privacy and security → Safe Browsing → Choose a level.
Update Chrome via the Play Store and reboot the phone to stop background processes.

When A Site Needs A Pop-Up To Work

Some banks, schools, and file portals open a small window for reports or statements. The safest route is a temporary allow:

Keep the global block on.
Visit the site, watch for the blocked-pop-up icon in the address bar, and allow one time.
Download your file or finish the task, then refresh and keep the site off your permanent “Allowed” list.

Troubleshoot Stubborn Pop-Ups

If windows still jump out on every page, something deeper is off. Work through the checklist below and test after each change.

**Pop-Up Symptom To Fix Mapping**
Symptom	Likely Cause	Fix
Pop-ups on all sites	Adware add-on or sideloaded app	Remove extensions; reboot; scan with your security app
Pop-ups only on one domain	Per-site allow entry or sticky cookies	Delete that site’s data; set Pop-ups and Notifications to Block
“Allow notifications?” box on many pages	Default prompt is enabled	Set Notifications to Block by default
New tab opens with fake scan alert	Malicious redirect or unsafe page	Turn on Safe Browsing; close the tab; don’t call any phone number in the page
Pop-ups return after restarts	Startup page hijack or extension reloads	Reset settings; remove extensions with high permissions
Downloads start by themselves	Shady site script or drive-by link	Block pop-ups; enable Safe Browsing; avoid unknown download prompts
Blocker is set to block, yet pop-ups still appear	Allowed list entry or third-party app on the device	Clear allowed entries; scan device; review recently installed software

Reset Chrome If Settings Were Changed By Software

Some utilities and bundle installers flip content controls or add extensions silently. A reset puts core settings back without touching saved passwords or bookmarks. Use it when the browser feels hijacked, the homepage keeps changing, or pop-ups ignore your rules. See Reset settings to default for the exact steps and what changes after the reset.

Best Practices That Keep Pop-Ups Away

Be Picky With Sites That Ask For Permission

If a site begs for notifications before showing content, that’s a red flag. Say no. If you must allow alerts, pick the smallest scope and check how often it pings you. Remove permission the moment it gets noisy.

Audit Extensions Monthly

Open the Extensions page and sweep the list. Trim anything you don’t need. Fewer add-ons mean fewer possible pop-up sources.

Keep Chrome Up To Date

Updates patch security holes and bring better warning pages for scammy pop-ups and redirects. Visit About Google Chrome to fetch updates, then relaunch.

Use Safe Browsing With A Strong Setting

Safe Browsing helps spot bad pages that trigger fake alerts and support scams. The setting sits under Security in Chrome. Pair it with the global blocker and site-level controls for a stacked defense.

How This Guide Helps You Act Fast

You started by setting the global block, cleared site exceptions, shut down notification prompts, and cut out loud extensions. You also turned on Safe Browsing and learned when a site needs a one-time pop-up. If the browser still feels off, a reset closes the loop and puts settings back in line. These steps work the same way across Windows, macOS, Android, and ChromeOS with small menu label shifts only.

Use The Exact Keyword Flow When You Publish Help Content

If you write help pages for your team or clients, echo their query in natural language so they land on the fix fast. This page uses the phrase “How to prevent pop-ups in Google Chrome” in clear spots to guide skimmers and give scanners a fast anchor.

Where This Fits In Your Daily Routine

Treat pop-up control as a quick tune-up, not a once-per-year task. Any time you install a tool, revisit the Extensions page. Each time a site begs for alerts, ask yourself if you’ll care about those pings a week from now. Small moves keep tabs quiet.

Copy-Ready Step List For Your Notes

Block Pop-ups and redirects globally.
Prune the allowed list.
Block Notifications by default; add only a few trusted sites.
Remove noisy or unknown extensions; relaunch Chrome.
Turn on a Safe Browsing level that suits you.
Clear data and reset permissions for any domain that keeps opening windows.
Use a one-time allow only when a trusted site needs it.
Reset settings if the browser was modified by software.
Update Chrome and repeat these checks monthly.

Exact Phrase Usage For Readers Who Search This Way

Many readers type the full query into the address bar, so you’ll see this phrase again here in plain text: how to prevent pop-ups in google chrome. If that’s you, the core steps above give you a direct path to a clean page—no fluff, no runaround.

Need The Official Walkthrough?

If you want the vendor steps, Chrome’s help page for block or allow pop-ups shows the exact screens and labels. Pair that with the page on Safe Browsing protection levels for stronger warnings on scammy pages.