By default, Google Chrome blocks all popup windows, but you can check if this feature is enabled in the advanced settings of the browser. If the feature is on, but popups are still showing, you can install an ad blocker extension on Chrome to block any additional popup windows that Chrome can't seem to block. If the problem persists, your computer may have been infected with malware. If so, the computer should be examined and cleared of the virus.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Adjust Chrome settings on a mobile device
Step 1. Open Google Chrome
This method will work on Android and iOS devices.
Step 2. Select the three dots icon
This icon is in the upper right corner.
Step 3. Select Settings
You will be taken to a list of browser settings.
Step 4. Select Site Settings
You will be taken to a list of other content settings.
- On iOS this option is labeled Content settings.
Step 5. Select Popup
You will find a slider to activate the popup blocker built into Chrome.
Step 6. Adjust the popup settings
Slider moved to the left (gray) means popup blocking is enabled and indicates that it is disabled when the slider is to the right (blue).
On iOS, it's the opposite. When the button is on the right i.e. blue it means the blocker is on and when it is on the left (gray) it indicates the blocker is off
Method 2 of 3: Adjust Chrome settings on a computer
Step 1. Open Google Chrome
This method works for all operating systems, including Windows, Chromebook, or Mac OS.
If you are using a computer from your employer or from your school, you cannot change the popup settings
Step 2. Select the menu button
This button is located in the upper right corner and is represented by three vertically aligned dots.
Step 3. Select Settings
This will open a new tab with Chrome's settings menu.
Step 4. Select Show advanced settings
This option is at the bottom of the page.
Step 5. Select Content Settings
This option can be found in the section Confidentiality settings and will open in another window.
Step 6. Block popups
Select Prohibit all sites from displaying popup windows (recommended). This option can be found under the section Popup windows.
Step 7. Allow some popups
Allow popups from certain sites (optional). On this same page, you can click on Manage exceptions and enter the address of a site to add it to a whitelist of sites whose popups are allowed. This is useful if you frequently visit a site that pops up login information or important information.
- You can also select Prohibit all sites from running JavaScript (recommended) in the menu under the section Javascript. It can also be very effective in blocking popup windows. However, this option can also block certain content that is not ads or popups, since JavaScript is generally used by several sites.
Step 8. Click Done
This will close the window and save the settings. When Chrome blocks a popup, you'll see an icon on the right side of the search bar, resembling a browser window with a x in red.
You can also allow a popup when you visit a site by clicking on the blocked popup icon in the search bar and choosing to activate the popup for that site
Method 3 of 3: Install an ad blocker
Step 1. Open Google Chrome
Browser extensions can only be installed on the desktop version of the browser. Ad blocking software can be installed on a mobile device provided the device is rooted.
Step 2. Select the menu button
This button is located in the upper right corner and looks like three vertical dots.
Step 3. Select Settings
This will open a new tab with Chrome settings.
Step 4. Select Extensions
This option is in the left column and will take you to the list of extensions installed on Chrome.
Step 5. Select Get More Extensions
This option is at the bottom of the list of installed extensions. A new tab will open showing the extensions of Chrome web store.
Step 6. Find an extension
Tap the search bar at the top left and search for an ad blocker extension. Adblock extensions or ad blockers filter content based on a precompiled list of sources known to be ad sources. Adblocks do not control or limit in any way your activities on the net.
- Some of the known extensions are Adblock or Adblock Plus and Ublock.
- If you find that your ad blocker is blocking ads that you don't want to block, you can manually whitelist those sites.
Step 7. Select Add to Chrome
This button is located to the right of each extension in the list. Chrome will automatically install the extension in the browser.
Step 8. Restart your browser
Some extensions require you to restart your browser before they take effect. Some extensions may take effect automatically. These extensions are preconfigured to block most popup sources.
Advice
- If after installing an ad blocker or changing Chrome settings, you still continue to see popups, check your computer for malware or adware.
- A single ad blocking extension is sufficient.
- Some sites depend on ad revenue to provide free content. Consider adding sites that use harmless, non-bulky ads to your whitelist, if you like their content.