How to Fix Turned Off Notifications on Devices

Understanding Why Notifications Get Turned Off

Notifications on devices can stop working for several reasons, and understanding what causes them to turn off is the first step toward getting them working again. Many users accidentally disable notifications through settings changes, while others may have their notifications turned off by default when they first install an application. Some devices also have system-wide notification settings that control whether individual apps can send alerts to you.

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Operating systems like Android and iOS manage notifications at multiple levels. Your device might have notification settings at the system level, within specific apps, and sometimes even within notification channels for different types of alerts. For example, your messaging app might have separate notification settings for text messages, group chats, and call notifications. When notifications stop working, the problem could exist at any of these levels.

Battery-saving modes on phones and tablets can also impact notifications. When your device enters a low-power state, it may restrict background activity for apps, which prevents notifications from appearing. Similarly, Do Not Disturb modes silence notifications during specific times or situations. Some devices also have focus modes that limit which apps can notify you based on what you're doing—for instance, a "Work" focus that only allows work-related app notifications.

Third-party apps and device management tools can affect notifications too. If your device is enrolled in a mobile device management program (common in workplace settings), an administrator might have disabled notifications for certain apps. Additionally, some security software or parental control apps restrict notifications.

Practical Takeaway: Before troubleshooting, think about what changed recently—did you install a new app, update your device, or change any settings? This can help you identify whether the problem is system-wide or limited to specific applications.

Checking System-Level Notification Settings on Android Devices

Android devices have a main notification control panel that affects all apps on your phone or tablet. To access this, open your device's Settings app, which typically appears as a gear icon. Look for a section labeled "Apps" or "Applications." The exact name varies by manufacturer and Android version, but you're looking for where you can manage individual applications.

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Once you're in the apps section, you'll see a list of all installed applications. Select the app that isn't sending notifications. Within that app's settings page, look for an option called "Notifications" or "Notification Settings." This is where you can control whether the app is allowed to send notifications to your device. Make sure the toggle or checkbox next to "Allow notifications" is turned on. Some Android versions use a switch that should be blue or green when active.

Android also has notification channels, which are categories within apps. For example, Gmail might have separate channels for important emails, promotions, and notifications. If you open an app's notification settings, you may see a list of different notification channels. Check that the specific channel you want to receive notifications from is enabled. If you see an option to "show notifications," make sure it's switched on.

Go back to your main Settings, and look for a "Do Not Disturb" or "Do Not Disturb and App Notifications" option. Verify that Do Not Disturb mode is either turned off or set to allow notifications from the apps you care about. Some phones also have a "Focus Mode" or "Focus" feature with similar functionality. Check whether an active focus mode is blocking notifications from specific apps.

Another place to check is "Special App Access" or "App Permissions" in Settings. Some Android devices require you to grant special permissions for apps to send notifications. Look for notification-related permissions and confirm they're allowed for the app you're troubleshooting.

Practical Takeaway: Write down the exact path you took through settings (for example, "Settings > Apps > Gmail > Notifications") so you can return to the same location if problems continue, or to troubleshoot different apps more quickly in the future.

Checking System-Level Notification Settings on iOS Devices

iOS devices manage notifications through the Settings app, which is the gray gear icon on your home screen. Tap Settings, then look for "Notifications" in the menu. This is your main notification control center for iPhones and iPads. When you open Notifications, you'll see a list of all your installed apps.

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Select the app that isn't sending notifications. On the app's notification settings page, make sure the toggle switch next to "Allow Notifications" is turned on. The switch should appear green or blue when enabled. Below that, you'll see several options for how notifications appear: "Lock Screen," "Notification Center," and "Banners." Make sure at least one of these is enabled so you'll actually see the notification when it arrives.

iOS also organizes notifications by type. Within an app's notification settings, you might see options for different kinds of alerts—for instance, Messages might separate notifications for texts, calls, and shared content. Check that the notification types you want are enabled. Additionally, look at the "Sound" and "Badge" options. If these are turned off, you might not hear or see a notification indicator, which could make you think notifications aren't working even if they are being sent silently.

Check your Do Not Disturb settings by going to Settings > Focus (or "Do Not Disturb" on older iOS versions). If a focus mode is active, it might be silencing notifications. You can either turn off the focus mode or configure it to allow notifications from specific apps. Look at the "Allowed Notifications" section within each focus and add apps you want to hear from.

On newer iOS devices, check the notification grouping setting. Go to Settings > Notifications > Notification Grouping. If it's set to "Automatic" or "By App," notifications might appear grouped together in ways that make them less noticeable. You can change this to "Off" if you prefer notifications to appear individually.

Practical Takeaway: On iOS, notification problems often stem from Do Not Disturb or Focus modes being accidentally enabled. Check these settings first, as they override individual app notification settings.

Turning Off Battery Saver and Power Modes

Battery saver mode, battery saving mode, or low power mode is a feature on both Android and iOS devices that extends battery life by limiting background activity. When this mode is active, many apps cannot run in the background or send notifications. If you've enabled battery saver mode and then noticed notifications stop working, this is likely the cause.

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On Android, battery saver mode is typically found in Settings > Battery or Settings > Device Care > Battery. Look for an option called "Battery Saver," "Power Saving Mode," "Battery Save Mode," or similar (names vary by manufacturer). If this is turned on, turn it off by tapping the toggle switch. Once you disable battery saver mode, your apps should resume sending notifications. If you prefer to keep battery saver mode on, check whether there's an option to exclude specific apps from restrictions. Some devices let you add apps to an exception list so they continue to notify you even in battery saver mode.

On iOS, battery saver is called "Low Power Mode." You can find it in Settings > Battery and Device Management. If Low Power Mode is active, turn it off by tapping the toggle. On some iOS devices, you can also toggle Low Power Mode from the Control Center, which you access by swiping down from the top right of your screen. Look for a battery icon and tap it to turn off Low Power Mode. Like Android, once Low Power Mode is off, background app activity and notifications should resume.

Some devices have more aggressive power management features with different names. Samsung phones might have "Medium" or "Maximum" power saving modes that restrict apps more heavily than standard battery saver. Huawei devices might use "Power Saving Mode." Regardless of the name, the concept is the same: these modes limit background activity and can prevent notifications. Disable these modes or add exception apps to see if notifications resume.

Consider your usage patterns when deciding whether to use battery saver mode. If you want notifications to work reliably, it's best to keep battery saver mode off until your battery is genuinely low. If you frequently use battery saver mode, create an exception list for apps that are important to you.

Practical Takeaway: After disabling battery saver or low power mode, wait a few minutes before concluding that notifications are fixed. Apps may need a moment to resume background activity and start sending alerts.

Restarting Your Device and Clearing the Notification Cache

Sometimes notifications stop working

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