The fastest way to stop most pop-ups

Most pop-ups come from websites you visit, not from your computer itself. The quickest fix is to turn on your browser's built-in pop-up blocker, which is usually on by default but sometimes gets turned off. In Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge, pop-up blocking is already active — you do not need to install anything.

If pop-ups still appear after checking that your blocker is on, the problem is usually one of three things: a website you trust has changed its ads, you have malware on your computer, or a browser extension is letting them through. This guide walks you through each one in order, starting with the easiest fix.

Key Takeaways

  • Your browser's pop-up blocker is on by default in Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge, but you can verify it is enabled in your browser settings.
  • If a specific website shows pop-ups even with blocking on, that site may have changed its advertising — try a different browser to test whether it is the site or your computer.
  • Malware and unwanted browser extensions can override your pop-up blocker, so check your installed extensions and run a malware scan if pop-ups appear on every site.
  • Clearing your browser cache and cookies can stop pop-ups caused by tracking cookies, and disabling JavaScript on untrusted sites prevents some pop-up scripts from running.
  • If pop-ups appear even when your browser is closed, you likely have malware and should scan your computer with Windows Defender or a third-party tool.

Check that your browser's pop-up blocker is turned on

Every major browser blocks pop-ups by default, but the setting can be changed. Open your browser and look for the menu button — usually three horizontal lines or three dots in the top right corner. From there, go to Settings or Preferences, then find the Privacy or Security section.

In Chrome, click the menu button, select Settings, then click Privacy and Security on the left. Scroll down to "Permissions" and look for "Pop-ups and redirects." It should say "Blocked" next to it. In Firefox, go to Settings, click Privacy & Security, and scroll to "Permissions." Check the box next to "Block pop-up windows." In Safari, click Safari in the top menu, select Settings, go to Security, and make sure "Block pop-ups" is checked. In Edge, click the menu button, select Settings, go to Privacy, Search, and Services, and scroll to "Security" to find "Block pop-ups."

If your blocker is already on and pop-ups still appear, move to the next section. If it was off, turn it on now and reload the websites where you saw pop-ups.

Test whether the problem is one website or all websites

Pop-ups that appear on only one or two websites usually mean that site has changed its advertising, not that your computer has a problem. Try visiting that website in a different browser to see if the pop-ups appear there too. If they do not, the issue is with how that specific site works, not with your computer.

If the pop-ups appear in every browser on every website, the problem is likely malware or an unwanted extension. Skip ahead to the malware section. If pop-ups appear in only one browser, check that browser's extensions — one of them may be letting pop-ups through or injecting ads.

Remove browser extensions that may be causing pop-ups

Browser extensions are small programs that add features to your browser. Some of them are legitimate, but others are designed to show you ads or track your activity. If you installed an extension recently and pop-ups started around the same time, that extension is likely the cause.

In Chrome, click the menu button, go to More Tools, then Extensions. Look through the list for anything you do not recognize or anything you installed recently. Click the trash icon next to it to remove it. In Firefox, click the menu button, select Add-ons and Extensions, and look at the Extensions tab. Click the three dots next to any extension you want to remove and select Remove. In Safari, click Safari in the top menu, select Settings, go to Extensions, and click Uninstall next to the extension you want to remove. In Edge, click the menu button, select Extensions, and click Remove next to the extension.

After removing an extension, reload your browser and check whether the pop-ups are gone. If you removed several and the pop-ups stopped, you can reinstall them one at a time to figure out which one was the problem.

Clear your browser cache and cookies

Tracking cookies can sometimes cause pop-ups to appear, especially if you have visited websites with aggressive advertising. Clearing your cache and cookies removes these files and can stop pop-ups from certain sites.

In Chrome, click the menu button, go to More Tools, then Clear Browsing Data. Make sure "Cookies and other site data" and "Cached images and files" are checked. Set the time range to "All time" and click Clear Data. In Firefox, click the menu button, select Settings, go to Privacy & Security, scroll to Cookies and Site Data, and click Clear Data. In Safari, click Safari in the top menu, select Settings, go to Privacy, and click Manage Website Data. Select all and click Remove. In Edge, click the menu button, go to Settings, select Privacy, Search, and Services, and click Clear Browsing Data.

After clearing your cache, reload the websites where you saw pop-ups. This step works best if pop-ups appear only on a few specific sites rather than everywhere.

Scan your computer for malware

If pop-ups appear on every website or even when your browser is closed, your computer likely has malware. Malware is software designed to show ads, steal information, or slow down your computer. The most common type that causes pop-ups is called adware.

On Windows, open Windows Defender by typing "Windows Defender" into your search bar and clicking "Windows Security." Click "Virus & threat protection," then "Scan options." Select "Full scan" and click "Scan now." This scan can take 30 minutes to an hour. Let it finish completely, and Windows will remove any threats it finds. If Windows Defender finds nothing but pop-ups continue, read and run Malwarebytes, which is a free malware scanner that catches threats Windows Defender sometimes misses. Go to malwarebytes.com, read the free version, install it, and run a full scan.

On Mac, open System Preferences, go to Security & Privacy, and click the General tab. Look for any apps you do not recognize that are allowed to run. You can also read Malwarebytes for Mac from the same website. On any computer, if a scan finds malware, let the tool remove it and restart your computer afterward.

Disable JavaScript on untrusted websites

Some pop-ups are created by JavaScript code running on a website. If a particular site shows pop-ups even with your blocker on, you can disable JavaScript just for that site. This stops the pop-up script from running, though it may also break some features of the website.

In Chrome, click the lock icon next to the website address, click "Cookies," then "Manage," then "All sites." Find the website name, click it, and toggle JavaScript off. In Firefox, type "about:config" in the address bar, search for "javascript.enabled," and toggle it off — but this disables JavaScript for all websites, so toggle it back on when you are done with the untrusted site. In Safari and Edge, there is no straightforward toggle, but you can use browser extensions designed to block JavaScript on specific sites.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do pop-ups still appear even though my blocker is on?

Some websites use tricks to get around pop-up blockers, such as opening pop-ups when you click a button rather than automatically. Malware and browser extensions can also override your blocker. If pop-ups appear on only one site, that site may be the problem. If they appear everywhere, run a malware scan.

Can I block pop-ups from a specific website without blocking them everywhere?

Yes. In Chrome, click the lock icon next to the website address and look for "Pop-ups and redirects." You can set it to "Block" for that site only. In Firefox, right-click the website name in your history, select "Forget About This Site," and Firefox will block pop-ups from it going forward. For other browsers, you may need to use an extension designed to block pop-ups on specific sites.

What is the difference between a pop-up and a pop-under?

A pop-up appears on top of your browser window. A pop-under opens behind your current window so you do not see it until you close your browser or minimize your current window. Pop-up blockers usually stop both, but pop-unders can be harder to notice. If you see windows opening behind your main browser window, you likely have malware.

Do I need to pay for malware removal software?

No. Windows Defender is free and built into Windows. Malwarebytes has a free version that scans and removes malware. Both work well for most pop-up problems. Paid versions add real-time protection, but for a one-time pop-up problem, the free versions are enough.

Will disabling JavaScript break websites?

It may. JavaScript runs many features on modern websites, including video players, forms, and interactive content. If you disable it on a website and things stop working, turn it back on. Disabling JavaScript is best used as a temporary test to see if it stops pop-ups, not as a permanent solution.