Brave blocks many unwanted pop-ups by default to help protect your privacy and reduce interruptions. Still, some legitimate websites require pop-ups to work correctly. For example, a banking website might open a verification window, or an online service might launch a separate window for printing a document.
You can allow pop-ups in Brave, disable pop-up blocking for specific websites, or adjust the browser’s settings whenever you need to. You can also restore the default settings if a website starts opening too many unwanted windows.
In this guide, you’ll learn how to manage pop-up permissions in Brave on Windows 11, Windows 10, and other desktop platforms.
You’ll also learn how to allow pop-ups for individual websites without changing the settings for every site you visit.
So let’s start!
Allow & Disable Pop-Up Blocker in Brave
To allow or disable the pop-up blocker in Brave, follow these steps:
Step 1: Open Brave Browser Settings
First, launch Brave on your Windows 11 or Windows 10 computer. Make sure you’re using the browser profile where you want to change the pop-up permissions. If you use multiple profiles, each profile can have different website settings.
Once Brave opens, look at the upper-right corner of the window. Select the three-line menu icon or the main browser menu, depending on your version. A dropdown menu will appear with options for bookmarks, history, downloads, and settings.
Click Settings to open the browser’s configuration page. You can also enter brave://settings in the address bar and press Enter to open the settings directly.
Follow this navigation path: Brave > Menu > Settings.
You don’t need to install an extension or download an additional program to change Brave’s pop-up permissions. The relevant controls are available in the browser’s settings.
Step 2: Find the Pop-Ups and Redirects Settings
After opening Settings, locate the section that controls how websites interact with your browser. In most desktop versions of Brave, you can find the relevant option under Privacy and security, then Site and Shields Settings or Site settings.
Open the site settings section and look for Pop-ups and redirects. This page controls whether websites can open new windows or redirect your browser to another address.
The usual navigation path is Settings > Privacy and security > Site and Shields Settings > Pop-ups and redirects. The exact wording or arrangement may differ slightly between Brave versions.
If you cannot find the option, use the search field within Settings and type Pop-ups and redirects. Select the matching result to open the relevant configuration page.
Once you’re there, you’ll see the available permission options. These settings determine whether Brave blocks pop-ups by default or allows websites to open them.
Step 3: Allow Pop-Ups for All Websites
If you regularly use trusted websites that require pop-ups, you can change Brave’s default behavior to allow them. However, enabling pop-ups globally may cause more advertising windows and unwanted redirects to appear, so consider whether you really need this setting.
Open Pop-ups and redirects and locate the default behavior section. Depending on your version, the options may be labeled Sites can send pop-ups and use redirects and Don’t allow sites to send pop-ups or use redirects.
Select Sites can send pop-ups and use redirects to permit pop-ups across websites by default.
Follow this path: Settings > Privacy and security > Site settings > Pop-ups and redirects > Sites can send pop-ups and use redirects.
In some versions, the setting may be presented as a toggle rather than a pair of options. Read the accompanying description to confirm which behavior you’re enabling.
After changing the setting, return to the website you want to use and reload the page. If the website requires a pop-up to complete an action, try the action again.
Remember that allowing pop-ups does not guarantee every new window will open. Other privacy settings, extensions, or website restrictions can still affect the result.
Step 4: Disable Pop-Ups in Brave
If websites keep opening unwanted windows, you can turn pop-up blocking back on. This is generally the better option if you want to reduce intrusive advertising and unexpected redirects.
Return to the Pop-ups and redirects settings page. Select Don’t allow sites to send pop-ups or use redirects if that option is available. If your version uses a toggle, choose the setting that blocks pop-ups.
The navigation path is Brave Settings > Privacy and security > Site settings > Pop-ups and redirects > Don’t allow sites to send pop-ups and use redirects.
Once you’ve changed the setting, reload any open websites to test the behavior. Brave should block most pop-ups that fall under this permission category.
Keep in mind that disabling pop-ups does not block every type of advertisement. Some ads appear directly within a webpage rather than in separate windows. Brave Shields and other content-blocking controls handle different types of unwanted content.
Step 5: Allow Pop-Ups for a Specific Website
You don’t have to allow pop-ups across the entire internet just to use one website. Brave lets you create exceptions for trusted websites while keeping the default blocking behavior enabled elsewhere.
Open Settings > Privacy and security > Site settings > Pop-ups and redirects. Find the section labeled Allowed to send pop-ups and use redirects and select Add, if available.
Enter the website’s address and confirm the addition. For example, if a trusted work portal requires pop-ups, add that portal’s website address rather than allowing pop-ups for every site.
Follow this path: Pop-ups and redirects > Allowed to send pop-ups and use redirects > Add > Enter website address.
Make sure you enter the correct website address. Avoid adding unfamiliar domains or websites that display suspicious advertisements. If the website uses a separate domain for its sign-in or payment window, you may need to allow that specific domain as well.
After adding the exception, return to the website and reload it. Try the action that previously failed, such as opening a document, completing a payment, or launching a verification window.
Step 6: Allow Pop-Ups Directly from a Website
Brave may also provide a way to manage permissions directly from the website you’re visiting. This is useful when you only need to allow a pop-up temporarily or for one trusted site.
Open the website where the pop-up is being blocked. Look at the address bar for a blocked pop-up notification, if one appears. Select it to review the available options. Depending on the browser version and website, you may be able to allow pop-ups for that site.
You can also select the site information or tune icon beside the website address, open its site settings, and look for the Pop-ups and redirects permission. If the permission is available, change it to allow pop-ups for that website.
The general path is Open website > Select site information > Site settings > Pop-ups and redirects > Allow.
Reload the website after changing its permission. If no pop-up notification appears, use the main Settings page instead.
Only grant permission to websites you trust. A pop-up request from an unfamiliar website may lead to misleading advertisements, phishing pages, or unwanted downloads.
Reset Pop-Up Permissions if They Stop Working
Sometimes, a website continues to block pop-ups even after you’ve changed the settings. This can happen when the permission was changed for the wrong website, a different browser profile is active, or another privacy control is interfering.
Start by reopening Pop-ups and redirects and checking whether the website appears in the allowed or blocked lists. Remove an incorrect exception or add the correct website address.
Next, open the affected website and check its individual site permissions. Make sure the permission isn’t set to block pop-ups when you want to allow them.
The navigation path is Settings > Privacy and security > Site settings > Pop-ups and redirects > Review allowed and blocked websites.
If the settings look correct, reload the page or close and reopen the tab. You can also temporarily review your extensions and Brave Shields settings to determine whether another feature is interfering. Change only the settings needed to troubleshoot the issue.
Avoid resetting all browser settings unless necessary, because a full reset may affect other preferences. Once the pop-up works, keep the permission limited to the websites that need it.
FAQs
1. Does Brave block pop-ups by default?
Yes. Brave generally blocks unwanted pop-ups and redirects by default. You can change the default behavior or create exceptions for individual websites.
2. How do I allow pop-ups in Brave on Windows 11?
Open Brave > Settings > Privacy and security > Site settings > Pop-ups and redirects. Choose the option that allows pop-ups or add the website to the allowed list.
3. Can I disable pop-up blocking for just one website?
Yes. Open the Pop-ups and redirects settings and add the trusted website to the allowed list. This lets you keep pop-ups blocked on other websites.
4. Why are pop-ups still blocked after I allow them?
The website may have a separate permission, the exception may apply to a different domain, or another privacy setting or extension may be interfering. Check the website’s permissions, confirm the correct address, and reload the page.
5. Does allowing pop-ups in Brave make browsing less secure?
Allowing pop-ups globally can expose you to more intrusive advertising and potentially deceptive websites. For a safer browsing experience, keep blocking enabled by default and allow pop-ups only for trusted websites when necessary.
6. Does disabling the pop-up blocker remove all ads?
No. Pop-up permissions control certain types of new windows and redirects. Advertisements displayed within a webpage are handled by other content-blocking features, including Brave Shields.
7. Can I change pop-up settings on my phone?
Brave’s mobile interface differs from its desktop version, and available settings can vary by operating system and app version. Open Brave’s mobile settings and look for site permissions or pop-up controls. If the option isn’t available, you may need to manage the permission on a desktop version of Brave.