Ad-blocking extensions are effective, but they also need broad access to the pages you visit. If you do not want to install an extension, you can still reduce ads with built-in browser settings and DNS-level filtering. The result is not perfect, but it can cut a lot of pop-ups, intrusive ads, and tracker-loaded content.
Does this affect you?
Use this for Chrome, Edge, or Firefox on Windows or Mac if you want fewer ads without installing a third-party extension. DNS and router options can also cover phones, tablets, smart TVs, and other home devices.
Turn on your browser built-in blocking
Make sure the browser protections you already have are enabled.
- In Chrome or Edge, open Settings > Privacy and security > Site settings.
- Open Pop-ups and redirects and keep pop-ups blocked.
- In Chrome or Edge, also check the Ads or intrusive ads setting and keep intrusive ad blocking enabled.
- In Firefox, open Settings > Privacy & Security.
- Keep Block pop-up windows enabled.
- Set Enhanced Tracking Protection to Strict if you want stronger tracker blocking and can tolerate the occasional broken site.
Chrome built-in ad blocking focuses on sites that violate Better Ads Standards. It is a baseline filter, not the same as a full extension-based ad blocker.
Use DNS-level ad blocking on one device
DNS filtering blocks known ad and tracker domains before they load.
- Choose a reputable ad-blocking DNS provider and check its current DNS addresses.
- On Windows, open network settings for your active Wi-Fi or Ethernet connection and edit DNS.
- On Mac, open System Settings > Wi-Fi, click your network details, and edit DNS.
- Enter the provider DNS addresses.
- Save changes and restart the browser.
Block ads for the whole home network at the router
Router DNS filtering applies to every device that uses that Wi-Fi network.
- Open your router admin page, often at 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1.
- Sign in with the router admin credentials.
- Find DNS or WAN DNS settings under the network or internet section.
- Enter the ad-blocking DNS provider addresses.
- Save and restart the router if prompted.
More control
Know the limits
Built-in blocking and DNS filters cannot catch every ad. Ads served from the same domain as the site content can slip through because blocking that domain would also block the site itself.
Fix a site that breaks
If a login button, video player, or checkout page breaks, relax the browser protection for that site or use the DNS provider allow-list feature if it offers one.
Use browser and DNS blocking together
The browser pop-up blocker and DNS filtering complement each other. Browser settings stop pop-up behavior, while DNS filtering stops many ad domains from loading in the first place.
Sources
- Google Chrome Help – Manage pop-ups and redirects in Chrome (2025)
- Google Chrome Help – Block annoying or intrusive ads (2025)
- Mozilla Support – Pop-up blocker settings, exceptions and troubleshooting (2025)