Android notification issues? Try these simple 16 fixes

Notifications are how apps get your attention. They appear on your phone’s screen when you give them permission, informing you when someone tries to reach you or reminding you of an event. Sometimes, they don’t work correctly or at all. You may not have a stable internet connection, or you may have turned on phone features like Do Not Disturb (DnD). Other times, bugs interfere with notifications. Troubleshooting the problem is easy. Let’s look at your Android phone settings to bring back your notifications.

We use a Google Pixel smartphone for the troubleshooting steps in this guide. Though they may look different on your device, they’re generally applicable and can be attempted on other Android device models and software versions.

Deactivate Do Not Disturb mode (DND)

Do Not Disturb (DND) is an Android system setting that stops most notifications to keep you distraction-free. By default, it stays off until you turn it on. But you may forget to deactivate it after a meeting or nap, which stops you from getting notifications. You’ll see a circle with a dash through it in the upper-right corner of your phone if DND is on. On some Android phones, it’s a half-moon icon.

The easiest way to turn off DND is from the Quick Settings panel. Swipe down from the top and tap the Do Not Disturb tile. You can also turn it off in your device’s settings menu. It gives you the option to specify apps and people that can send app notifications even if DND is on. Here’s how to turn off the feature and specify who can reach you when it’s on.

How to disable Do Not Disturb in Android settings

1. Open the Settings app on your Android phone.
2. Select Notifications.
3. Under General, tap Do Not Disturb.

   

   

4. Tap the Turn off now button at the top.

How to make exceptions when Do Not Disturb is on

1. Go to Settings > Notifications > Do Not Disturb.
2. Select Apps from the list of options.
3. Tap Add apps.
4. Select the apps you want to get notifications from, even if DND is on.

   

   

Check app notification settings

Sometimes, a single app doesn’t display notifications. Since apps have individual settings, it’s possible you accidentally revoked its permissions or cleared its data and reset it to its original state. It’s worth checking to find out if that’s the case. Follow the steps below to restore it to normal:

1. Go to Settings > Notifications.
2. Select App settings.

   

   

3. Ensure that the app’s toggle switch is flipped on.

   

Check notification channels

Most apps support notification channels on Android. It’s a feature that groups notifications from each app into categories based on subject. When you turn off notifications for a category, you no longer get its alerts. For example, Slack has channels for different topics, projects, or teams within an organization.

Each channel has its own notification settings, allowing you to choose which is most important to you. You may decide to get all the notifications for an “Announcements” channel but only receive alerts for mentions on the “Break time” channel. If you use similar apps with different channels or groups, here’s how to manage them:

1. Long press an app on your home screen or app drawer and tap the i in a circle to open its info menu.
2. Select Notifications.

   

   

3. Ensure the toggle switches for the notification groups you’d like to receive are turned on.

   

Check in-app notification settings

Sometimes, in-app settings you mistakenly changed affect system-wide notifications. For instance, the Instagram app features a setting that pauses all notifications. If you turn it on, you don’t receive push notifications until the set time elapses or you open the app.

Many social apps have similar features. On WhatsApp, you can mute notifications forever or for some time. Telegram and Snapchat have a notifications menu where you choose to get alerts for private chats, stories, channels, and more. If you don’t get alerts from an app, check the settings inside it.

Notification settings on the lock screen

Android phones can receive notifications on the lock screen. This way, you know what each one is for without unlocking the device. If you’re privacy-conscious, set them to display the full notification or only the app icons. If you don’t receive alerts or visual banners on the lock screen, you may have turned off the feature. Here’s how to turn it on:

1. Go to Settings > Notifications.
2. Tap Notifications on lock screen.
3. Choose Show conversations, default, and silent from the pop-up options.

   

   

Deactivate Battery Saver or Power Saving mode

Battery Saver or Power Saving mode extends your Android device’s battery life when it runs low. It turns off location services and limits how frequently apps access data in the background. It means you get delayed notifications or none at all. Your best solution is to charge your phone so that the Battery Saver or Power Saving mode automatically turns off. You could turn it off if your phone’s battery is strong enough without it. Here’s how:

1. Open your phone’s Settings menu.
2. Scroll down and select Battery.
3. Select Battery Saver.

   

   

4. Turn off the UseBattery Saver toggle switch.

   

Turn off Adaptive Battery mode

The Adaptive Battery feature reduces performance and background activity to extend your Android phone’s battery life based on your device usage. Part of this optimization may include turning off or suppressing app notifications. Adaptive Battery is activated by default on most Android phones, so follow the steps below to deactivate it.

1. Go to Settings > Battery.
2. Select Adaptive preferences.
3. Turn off the Adaptive Battery toggle switch.

   

   

Deactivate app pausing

Android has a setting that pauses the activity of apps you haven’t used in a while. Pausing an app doesn’t uninstall it. Instead, it removes permissions, deletes temporary files, and stops notifications. Re-activate your apps using the following steps:

1. Long press the affected app icon and select the i in a circle to enter the app info menu.
2. Turn off Pause app activity if unused.

   

   

Lock essential apps in the background

Samsung, Xiaomi, OnePlus, and other manufacturers often apply an aggressive battery-saving mode. It forcefully closes inactive apps in the background, which can affect your notifications. You can lock essential apps in the app switcher menu. Then, your phone’s system makes an exception for them, allowing them to run in the background and display notifications. Follow the steps below to do it:

1. Press the menu button on your phone’s navigation bar to open the app switcher. You’ll see three stacked lines on the left or right side of the bar, depending on your settings.
2. Find the app you want to lock and tap its icon at the top of the preview. On some phones, tap the overflow menu (the three-dot icon) beside the app icon.
3. Select Lock or Lock this app.

   

Check background data settings for affected apps

When an app’s background data is on, it continues operating and using your mobile data or Wi-Fi connection even when you aren’t actively using it. It uses the data to fetch email, messages, or social media post updates, then syncs this information with online servers to keep it up-to-date across devices. Here’s how to check that an app’s background data is activated:

1. Long press an app icon and tap the i in a circle to open the App info menu.
2. Select Mobile data & Wi-Fi.
3. Turn on the Background data toggle.

   

   

Activate apps in Focus mode

Focus mode is a Digital Wellbeing feature that pauses distracting apps on your phone to help you concentrate on important things. To get notifications from an app when focus mode is on, make an exception for it with the following steps:

1. Open Settings and go to Digital Wellbeing and parental controls.
2. Select Focus mode.

   

   

3. Uncheck the box beside the app from which you’re missing notifications.

   

Turn off Flip to Shhh

Flip to Shhh is a Pixel-exclusive feature that activates Do Not Disturb when you place your phone face down on a flat surface. While Flip to Shhh is helpful during meetings and alone time with loved ones, you may accidentally trigger DND and miss important notifications. Here’s how to turn it off:

1. Go to Settings > Digital Wellbeing and parental controls.
2. Select Flip to Shhh.
3. Tap the Use Flip to Shhh toggle switch to turn it off.

   

   

Turn off Do Not Disturb during Bedtime mode

Bedtime mode tries to separate you from your phone so that you can sleep. Part of this mode is that it automatically activates Do Not Disturb (DND) during your set bedtime hours. Keep DND off during Bedtime mode and receive push notifications in real time with the following steps:

1. Go to Settings > Digital Wellbeing and parental controls.
2. Select Bedtime mode.
3. Tap Customize to expand its options.
4. Tap the Do Not Disturb for Bedtime mode toggle switch to turn it off.

   

   

Reset app preferences

If no troubleshooting method has worked, reset all app preferences on your device. This option resets all app settings and preferences, including notifications, sounds, and languages. The apps return them to their default state, and the procedure removes restrictions you may have placed on background data usage for specific apps. You don’t lose in-app data, such as photos, messages, and documents. Perform the app preference reset with the steps below:

1. Open the Settings menu and select System.
2. Tap Reset options.

   

   

3. Tap Reset app preferences.
4. Confirm your decision in the dialog box.

   

Update apps

Android developers frequently release app updates to add new features, fix bugs, and improve security. Notifications may not work on your Android phone due to an outdated app version. Go to the Google Play Store and install an app update, if available, to fix the problem. Here’s how:

1. Open the Google Play Store app on your Android phone.
2. Select your account picture in the upper-right corner.
3. Tap Manage apps and device.
4. Select Updates available.

   

   

5. Tap Update beside a specific app.
6. Alternatively, tap Update all in the upper-right corner to update every installed app.

   

Update your operating system

App updates are limited to individual apps, but a software update is system-wide. It comes from your device’s manufacturer, and you’ll install it in the device’s menu. The update contains fixes and patches that improve security and performance and add new features. OS updates aren’t compulsory but are advised regularly as some apps may develop incompatibilities with outdated Android software and fail at basic functions like real-time notifications. Update your Android phone’s software with the steps below:

1. Go to Settings > System.
2. Select System update.

   

   

3. Download and install the latest update on your device.

Get Android notifications working

With these steps, you can fix notification issues on your Android device without uninstalling apps or factory resetting your smartphone. However, annoying notifications will return with important ones, especially if you do an app preference reset. Snooze them to keep your peace of mind and your notification bar clean. Snoozing is a temporary solution that hides them for a while, after which they’ll return. For a stronger effect, manage the app’s notification settings or revoke its permissions.