Slack Desktop Notifications Not Working? Here's How to Get Them Back

Slack isn’t popping up desktop alerts (or playing a sound) when new messages arrive.

Why: Notifications fail for one of three reasons — they’re paused inside Slack, your in-app notification preferences are too narrow, or your operating system is blocking Slack from showing alerts. Check them in that order.

Fix 1: Make sure notifications aren’t paused

Pausing (snooze) silently stops everything:

1. Look for a snooze (bell with Z / moon) icon next to your name in the top of the sidebar.
2. If it’s there, click your profile picture (or the bell), and choose Resume notifications.
3. While you’re there, check you’re not still inside Do Not Disturb hours.

Fix 2: Check your in-app notification preferences

1. Click your profile picture in the top right, then Preferences.
2. Open the Notifications section.
3. Under Notify me about, make sure it’s set to at least Direct messages, mentions & keywords (or All new messages if you want everything).
4. Confirm Sound & appearance isn’t set to a silent/none option if you also expect a chime.
5. As a quick reset, open the affected workspace and press Shift + Esc — this clears the notification state and can fix a stuck sync.

Fix 3: Allow Slack in your operating system settings

If Slack’s own settings are fine but nothing appears, your OS is blocking it.

On macOS (Monterey 12.0 and later):

1. Open System Settings → Notifications.
2. Find Slack in the list and turn on Allow notifications.
3. Set the alert style to Banners or Alerts, and enable Play sound for notifications if you want the chime.
4. Check Control Center to confirm a Focus mode (Do Not Disturb) isn’t suppressing alerts.

On Windows 10/11:

1. Open Settings → System → Notifications.
2. Turn on Notifications (the master toggle), then find Slack in the app list and make sure it’s On.
3. Turn off Do Not Disturb / Focus assist while testing, or add Slack to its priority list.

Fix 4: Rule out battery and “optimizer” apps

Power-saving modes and performance/optimizer utilities can quietly stop Slack from delivering notifications. If you run one, deactivate it temporarily or add Slack to its allowlist, then test again.

FAQ

I get notifications on my phone but not my laptop — why? Slack avoids double-pinging: by default it only sends desktop alerts when you’re active, and pushes to mobile when you’re away. Adjust this under Preferences → Notifications.

Notifications show but there’s no sound. That’s a separate setting — on macOS enable Play sound for notifications for Slack in System Settings, and in Slack check Preferences → Notifications → Sound & appearance.

Sources: Slack Help Center — Troubleshoot Slack notifications · Slack Help Center — Configure your Slack notifications