Estimated Time to Fix: 2 minutes

Summary

Pop-up blockers are essential for security and sanity on the internet. However, many internal company portals, HR websites, and training platforms still rely on pop-ups to open important documents or forms. This guide explains how to tell your browser to block annoying ads globally, but allow pop-ups only on trusted work websites.

Before You Start

• None required.

Instructions

1. The Quick Fix (While the Website is Open)

If you clicked a link and nothing happened, your browser likely blocked the pop-up silently.

1. Look at the far right side of your browser's address bar (where you type the URL).
2. You will see a small icon with a red X on it (in Chrome and Edge).
3. Click the icon.
4. Select the option that says Always allow pop-ups and redirects from [website name].
5. Click Done.
6. Refresh the page or click the link again. The pop-up will now open.

2. Add a Website Manually (Google Chrome)

Adding the site in advance stops the pop-up being blocked the first time you need it.

If you know the website address and want to add it ahead of time:

1. Open Google Chrome.
2. Click the three dots (⋮) in the top right corner and select Settings.
3. In the left sidebar, click Privacy and security.
4. Click Site settings, then scroll down and click Pop-ups and redirects.
5. Scroll down to the "Allowed to send pop-ups and use redirects" section.
6. Click the Add button.
7. Type the website address (e.g., https://hrportal.company.com) and click Add.

3. Add a Website Manually (Microsoft Edge)

Edge keeps the same setting under a different menu name.

1. Open Microsoft Edge.
2. Click the three dots (...) in the top right corner and select Settings.
3. In the left sidebar, click Cookies and site permissions.
4. Scroll down and click on Pop-ups and redirects.
5. Under the "Allow" section, click the Add button.
6. Type the website address and click Add.

4. Allow Pop-ups in Safari (Mac)

Safari handles pop-ups slightly differently.

1. Open the Safari app and navigate to the website you want to allow.
2. In the top menu bar, click Safari > Settings (or Preferences).
3. Click the Websites tab at the top.
4. In the left sidebar, select Pop-up Windows.
5. Find the currently open website in the list on the right.
6. Click the dropdown menu next to it and change it from "Block and Notify" to Allow.

Troubleshooting

WARNING

Never choose the "Allow all pop-ups" option in your global browser settings. Always use the "Exceptions" or "Allow" list to add specific, trusted websites one by one.

Symptom / Error	Potential Cause	Solution
I clicked "Allow", but the pop-up still didn't open	Second blocker	You may have an ad-blocker extension (like uBlock Origin or Adblock Plus) installed. You will need to pause the ad-blocker for that specific site as well.
The "Allow" option is grayed out	IT Policy	Your IT department may be managing your browser settings centrally. If a company site is blocked, submit an IT ticket.

Related Articles

• How to Clear Browser Cache and Cookies
• How to Manage Browser Extensions

Did this solve your problem?