How to Stop Porn Pop Ups on Your Computer (7 Steps)
Stop adult notifications, pop ups and redirects in Chrome, Edge and Windows · Updated
Porn pop ups on a computer usually come from a website that was given permission to send notifications, a site allowed to open pop ups and redirects, or an unwanted extension or program. Removing that permission or software stops them, and blocking adult sites stops new ones from appearing.
Key takeaways
- Site notifications are a common source: a site allowed to send notifications can show messages in the corner of the screen after you leave it.
- Chrome and Edge both have a pop-ups and redirects setting that should be set to block.
- An extension or program you do not recognise can add ads and reopen pages, so remove it.
- uBlock Origin is no longer on the Chrome Web Store: uBlock Origin Lite is the version for Chrome and Edge.
- Blocking adult sites stops them from asking for notification permission in the first place.
Where porn pop ups come from
| Source | What you see | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Site notifications | Messages in the corner of the screen, even when the site is closed | Step 1 |
| Pop ups and redirects | New windows or tabs opening on their own | Step 2 |
| Unwanted extension or program | Ads on every site, a page that reopens | Steps 3 and 4 |
| Ads on free sites | Adult ads inside web pages | Step 5 |
| Search results | Explicit results in Google | Step 6 |
1. Remove sites allowed to send notifications
If you once selected Allow on a site's notification request, that site can keep sending you messages.
In Chrome:
- 1.Select More (three dots), then Settings, Privacy and security, Site settings, Notifications.
- 2.Under Allowed to send notifications, find any site you do not recognise.
- 3.Select More next to the site, then Block.
In Edge:
- 1.Select Settings and more (three dots), then Settings, Privacy, search, and services, Site permissions, All sites.
- 2.Select the site, find Notifications and choose Block.
2. Block pop ups and redirects
In Chrome: open Settings, Privacy and security, Site settings, Pop-ups and redirects, and choose Don't allow sites to send pop-ups or use redirects. Block any unknown site listed under Allowed to send pop-ups and use redirects. Under Additional content settings, Intrusive ads, keep ads blocked on sites that show intrusive or misleading ads.
In Edge: open Settings, Privacy, search, and services, Site permissions, All permissions, Pop-ups and redirects, and turn on Blocked (recommended). It is on by default, so check it has not been switched off.
3. Remove extensions and programs you do not recognise
An extension can inject ads into every site you visit, and some programs install one without asking.
- 1.In Chrome or Edge, open Extensions, then Manage extensions, and select Remove on any extension you did not install yourself.
- 2.In Windows, open Settings, Apps, Installed apps, and uninstall any program you do not recognise, especially one installed around the time the pop ups started.
If a site still opens every time you start Chrome, open Settings, Reset settings, Restore settings to their original defaults, then Reset settings. This resets the startup page and search engine and turns off extensions. Turn back on only the ones you trust.
4. Turn off browser notifications in Windows and scan for malware
Notifications: open Settings, System, Notifications, and under Notifications from apps and other senders turn off your browser. This hides every notification from that browser, so use it together with step 1.
Scan: open Windows Security, Virus & threat protection, Scan options, choose Full scan and select Scan now. If pop ups continue, choose Microsoft Defender Antivirus (offline scan). It restarts the computer, so save your work first.
5. Install an ad blocker
An ad blocker hides adult ads on free streaming and download sites.
- Chrome: uBlock Origin was removed from the Chrome Web Store in 2025. Install uBlock Origin Lite instead.
- Edge: uBlock Origin Lite is on the Edge Add-ons store.
- Firefox: the full uBlock Origin is still available.
An ad blocker does not block adult websites themselves.
6. Turn on SafeSearch
SafeSearch stops explicit results appearing in Google Search. Go to google.com/safesearch and select Filter. It does not block a site typed into the address bar. See how to turn on SafeSearch for every device and search engine.
7. Block the sites that won't go away
If a site keeps reappearing after the steps above, block the site itself.
Ascension is a hard-to-bypass Windows application that blocks harmful and distracting content on the web. It is intended for people who struggle with addiction, and it tracks your digital usage automatically to give insights on how one can improve.
Price: 15-day free trial, then $12.99/month or $50 one-time. Windows 10/11.
- 1.Install Ascension and add its browser extension to each browser it lists.
- 2.Load the premade Adult Content categories for domains and keywords.
- 3.Set the block to Always block so it cannot be edited or removed.
Key features
- Block variety: block whole sites, sections of a site, keywords and search terms, always or on a schedule, with daily time limits and entry delays for whole sites.
- Block tampering: a block cannot be edited or deleted.
- Uninstall protection: Ascension cannot be uninstalled while a block is locked.
- Extension tampering: removing or disabling the browser extension does not lift a block, and a browser running without it is closed while a block is active.
- Premade block lists: adult content, gambling and social media lists are ready to block in one step.
Limitations: Windows only (iOS and Mac in development).
Frequently asked questions
Why do I keep getting porn pop ups on my computer?
The most common reason is a site that was given permission to send notifications. Other causes are pop ups allowed in the browser, an unwanted extension or program, and ads on free streaming sites.
How do I stop porn notifications in the corner of my screen?
These are site notifications. Block the site under Notifications in Chrome's Site settings, or under Site permissions, All sites in Edge.
Is there a porn ad blocker?
A general ad blocker such as uBlock Origin Lite hides most ads, including adult ads, on the sites you visit. To block the adult sites themselves, use a blocker with an adult content list.
Can porn pop ups mean I have a virus?
Sometimes. If pop ups continue after you remove notification permissions and unknown extensions, run a full scan and an offline scan in Windows Security.
What is the best way to stop porn pop ups?
On a computer, use Ascension, because extensions and browser settings are easy to remove. It blocks adult sites in every supported browser, so they cannot load or ask for notification permission.
Available on Windows 10 & 11