How to turn a pop-up blocker off in your web browser
We remember the days when web browsing was interrupted by pop-up ads – those small windows would suddenly appear in the foreground, distracting our attention. Because they can be so annoying, web browsers now automatically block pop-up windows. But blocking all pop-ups can also disable website features you need.
Why turn off pop-up blockers?
Blocking pop-ups can interfere with the functionality of a website – like banks or retail sites that use pop-ups to open customer service chats. So, although most web browsers block pop-up windows by default, it is possible to enable specific websites to use pop-ups while still blocking all others. There is also the option of allowing all pop-up windows. Keep reading to learn how to disable pop-up blockers and enjoy the browsing experience that suits you best:
- Allowing pop-ups in Safari
- How to enable pop-ups in Chrome
- Deactivate pop up blocker in Firefox
- Disabling the pop-up blocker in Microsoft Edge
- Pop-up blocker FAQ
How to allow pop-ups in the Safari browser
Allow pop-ups on a Mac
Like other web browsers, the Safari browser on your Mac blocks pop-ups by default, however, you can adjust the settings to enable all pop-ups:- Open your Safari browser
- Go to the drop-down menu and click Preferences
- Select Websites
- Click Pop-up Windows in the left navigation pane
- Locate When visiting other websites in the lower right of the screen
- Click the drop-down menu and select from the following options:
- Allow: You will see all website pop-ups
- Block and Notify: Pop-ups will not appear automatically, but if there are pop-ups on a website you have the option of showing them
- Block: You will not see any website pop-ups
Disable pop-up blockers in iOS
To unblock pop-ups in Safari on your iPhone or iPad:- Go to the Settings
- Scroll down to Safari and tap
- Toggle off the Block Pop-ups button (the color will change from green to gray).
Allow pop-ups in Chrome
Pop-ups are blocked by default in the Google Chrome browser. If you would like to turn pop-ups on, open the Chrome browser on your computer, open the browser menu by clicking the three dots in the upper right corner, and follow these steps:- Click Settings
- Under Privacy and security, click Site settings
- Click Pop-ups and redirects to open the menu where you can set your preferences
- To allow all pop-ups, click the circle next to Sites can send pop-ups and use redirects to make this your default
- To allow pop-ups on specific websites, scroll to Allowed to send pop-ups and use redirects, and click Add
- Enter the website name and save by clicking Add
Bonus explainer: To allow pop-ups in the Chrome app on an Android phone or tablet and, open the app and tap Settings > Permissions > Pop-ups and redirects, then toggle off Pop-ups and redirects. On an iPhone or iPad, open the Chrome app and tap More > Settings > Content Settings > Block Pop-ups.
How to disable a pop-up blocker in Firefox
The process for disabling pop-up blockers is similar in most web browsers. For example, in the desktop version of Mozilla Firefox:- Go to Settings > Privacy & Security
- Scroll down to Permissions
- Uncheck Block pop-up windows.
- Alternatively, click Exceptions to allow pop-ups on certain websites only
How to turn off pop-up blocker in Microsoft Edge
To allow pop-ups in your Microsoft Edge browser:- Go to Settings > Cookies and site permissions > Pop-ups and redirects
- Switch of Block.
- Alternatively, under Allow you can add websites where you would like to allow pop-ups
Pop-up blocker FAQ
Still have questions? We have answers!
Why do I keep getting pop-ups?
If you have not enabled pop-ups in your browser and they keep appearing anyway, this could have several different causes. It could be that you have subscribed to receive notifications from a specific website, for example. In other cases, an ad may be designed to look like a pop-up but is not actually one. However, sometimes unwanted pop-ups can be a sign that your device has been infected by malware. If you do not have antivirus software, install an antivirus program from a reputable provider. Run a virus scan and follow the instructions to quarantine or remove any malware that’s discovered.
What does it mean if the browser prevented a window from opening?
When surfing the web, you may have received notification that “browser prevented site from opening window” or “the browser prevented a window from being opened”. This probably means that your browser is configured to block pop-up windows automatically – this is the default used by most internet browsers. However, this can sometimes keep a website from functioning as you would like; for example, a link to fill in a form or print an invoice might be set up to open in a pop-up window. If this is the case, you can usually solve the problem by allowing pop-ups on that website – just follow the steps above to find the settings in your browser.
How do I know if I have a pop-up blocker?
Nowadays, browsers like Google Chrome block pop-ups automatically – since this is the default setting, you don’t have to do anything to activate the pop-up blocker. If you would like to double-check, you can look in the settings of your browser as described above to see if the blocker is enabled. Furthermore, whenever Chrome prevents a pop-up window from opening, “Pop-up blocked” will appear in the address bar.
We hope this post helped you adjust your pop-up settings just the way you like! We look forward to your feedback!
This article first appeared on Aug. 15, 2022, and was updated on Sept. 13, 2024.
Images: 1&1/GettyImages
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