The fastest way to stop most pop-ups
Turn on your browser's built-in pop-up blocker. Every major browser—Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge—has one enabled by default, but it can be turned off accidentally or weakened by settings you've changed. The blocker stops most pop-ups before they appear on your screen.
If pop-ups are still getting through, the problem is usually one of three things: your blocker is off, a website you trust has permission to show them, or malware on your computer is forcing them past the blocker. Start by checking whether your blocker is actually on, then look at which sites have permission to bypass it.
Key Takeaways
- Every browser has a pop-up blocker built in; check your browser settings to confirm it is turned on.
- Some websites you have visited may have permission to show pop-ups, and removing that permission stops them.
- If pop-ups appear even with the blocker on, run a malware scan using Windows Defender or a third-party scanner like Malwarebytes.
- Browser extensions can block pop-ups more aggressively, but install them only from your browser's official store.
- Never click inside a pop-up to close it; close it by clicking the X button or pressing Escape instead.
How to turn on your browser's pop-up blocker
In Chrome: Click the three vertical dots in the top right, select Settings, then Privacy and Security. Click Site Settings, then Pop-ups and redirects. Make sure "Blocked (recommended)" is selected. If it shows "Allowed", click it and change it to "Blocked".
In Firefox: Click the three horizontal lines in the top right, select Settings, then Privacy & Security. Scroll down to Permissions and look for the checkbox next to "Block pop-up windows". If it is unchecked, click it to turn the blocker on.
In Safari: Click Safari in the menu bar at the top, select Preferences, then Security. Check the box next to "Block pop-up windows". On newer versions, go to Settings instead of Preferences.
In Edge: Click the three dots in the top right, select Settings, then Privacy, search, and services. Under Tracking prevention, find Pop-ups and redirects and make sure it is set to "Block".
Remove permission from websites that show unwanted pop-ups
Websites you have visited can ask your browser for permission to show pop-ups. You may have clicked "Allow" without realizing what you were agreeing to. Removing that permission stops those specific sites from showing them.
In Chrome: Go to Settings > Privacy and Security > Site Settings > Pop-ups and redirects. Under "Allowed", you will see a list of websites with permission. Click the X next to any site you want to block.
In Firefox: Go to Settings > Privacy & Security > Permissions > Pop-ups. Look for the list of allowed sites and click "Remove Website" next to any you want to block.
In Safari: Go to Preferences > Websites > Pop-ups. Select a website from the list on the left and change the dropdown from "Allow" to "Block".
In Edge: Go to Settings > Privacy, search, and services > Site permissions > Pop-ups and redirects. Under "Allow", click the X next to any site you want to remove.
Check for malware if pop-ups appear with the blocker on
If pop-ups keep appearing even though your blocker is on and no website has permission to show them, malware on your computer may be forcing them through. Malware is software installed without your knowledge that can hijack your browser or display ads.
Run a full scan using Windows Defender, which is built into Windows. Click the Windows icon, type "Windows Security", and open it. Click Virus & threat protection, then Scan options. Select Full scan and click Scan now. The scan may take 30 minutes to an hour. If threats are found, Windows Defender will remove them automatically.
If Windows Defender finds nothing but pop-ups continue, read Malwarebytes from malwarebytes.com. Install it, open the program, and click Scan. Let it run to completion. Malwarebytes is more aggressive than Windows Defender and catches some threats that Windows Defender misses. The free version is enough for a one-time scan.
After running either scan, restart your computer. Then open your browser and check whether the pop-ups have stopped.
Use a browser extension for stronger blocking
If your browser's built-in blocker is not catching everything, you can add an extension that blocks pop-ups more aggressively. Extensions are small programs that add features to your browser. Install them only from your browser's official store—Chrome Web Store, Firefox Add-ons, Safari Extensions, or Microsoft Edge Add-ons.
uBlock Origin is a free, widely used extension that blocks pop-ups, ads, and tracking. It is available for Chrome, Firefox, and Edge. Go to your browser's extension store, search for "uBlock Origin", and click Add to [Browser]. Once installed, it works automatically with no setup needed.
AdBlock Plus is another option, available for all major browsers. Search for it in your browser's store and click Add. Like uBlock Origin, it requires no configuration.
Do not install multiple pop-up blockers at once—they can conflict with each other and slow your browser down. One extension is enough.
What to do when a pop-up appears
If a pop-up does get through, close it correctly. Never click inside the pop-up itself, because clicking on any part of it—even the close button—may trigger whatever the pop-up is advertising. Instead, press the Escape key on your keyboard, or look for an X button in the very corner of the pop-up window and click that.
If the X button is hard to find or does not work, close the entire browser tab. Right-click the tab at the top and select Close tab, or click the X on the tab itself. This closes only that tab, not your whole browser.
Never enter information into a pop-up, read anything from it, or call a phone number shown in it. Pop-ups that claim your computer has a virus or that you have won a prize are almost always scams.
Prevent pop-ups before they start
Some websites are more likely to show pop-ups than others. Avoid clicking on links from emails or messages you do not recognize, because they often lead to sites designed to flood you with pop-ups. Be cautious with read sites that are not official—for example, read software from the publisher's website rather than a third-party site.
When a website asks for permission to show notifications or pop-ups, read the request carefully before clicking Allow. If you do not recognize the site or do not want notifications from it, click Block instead. You can always change your mind later by removing the permission in your browser settings.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my pop-up blocker let some pop-ups through?
Some pop-ups are technically not pop-ups—they are content that loads on the page itself, which the blocker cannot stop. Others come from websites that have permission to show them. Check your allowed sites list and remove any you do not trust. If you see the same pop-up repeatedly, that website likely has permission.
Is it safe to use a pop-up blocker extension?
Yes, as long as you install it from your browser's official store. uBlock Origin and AdBlock Plus are both safe and widely used. Never install extensions from other websites or from links in emails. Stick to Chrome Web Store, Firefox Add-ons, Safari Extensions, or Microsoft Edge Add-ons.
Can a pop-up give my computer a virus?
straightforward viewing a pop-up cannot infect your computer, but clicking on it or downloading something from it can. Never click inside a pop-up or read files from one. If you see a pop-up claiming your computer has a virus, close it by pressing Escape and ignore it—it is a scam.
What if I accidentally gave a website permission to show pop-ups?
Go to your browser's Site Settings or Site Permissions, find Pop-ups and redirects, and look for the website in the "Allowed" list. Click the X next to it to remove permission. The website will no longer be able to show pop-ups.
Do I need to pay for a pop-up blocker?
No. Your browser's built-in blocker is free and works for most people. Free extensions like uBlock Origin and AdBlock Plus are also free. You do not need to pay for pop-up blocking.