Slack Notifications Not Working? 10 Fixes

Quick Fix

Slack notifications not working? Check Do Not Disturb: click your profile picture and make sure DND is off. Then go to Preferences > Notifications and ensure they’re enabled. Also check Windows/Mac notification settings allow Slack. Mobile: check both Slack app settings AND phone notification settings.

Why Won’t Slack Notify Me?

Slack notifications fail due to Do Not Disturb mode, incorrect preferences, system blocking notifications, battery saver mode, or Slack thinking you’re active in another app. Both Slack and your system have separate notification controls.

Method 1: Check Do Not Disturb

DND silences all notifications.

1. Click your profile picture in Slack
2. Look for Do Not Disturb status
3. If active, click to turn off
4. Or set DND schedule in Preferences

Method 2: Check Slack Notification Preferences

Verify Slack settings.

1. Click profile picture > Preferences
2. Go to Notifications
3. Select All new messages or desired option
4. Enable Sound and banner notifications
5. Check Keywords and channel-specific settings

Method 3: Check System Notifications

System may block Slack.

Windows:

1. Settings > System > Notifications
2. Ensure notifications are On
3. Find Slack and enable it
4. Turn off Focus Assist

Mac:

1. System Preferences > Notifications
2. Find Slack in list
3. Allow notifications, banners, sounds
4. Disable Focus/Do Not Disturb

Method 4: Check Mobile App Settings

Mobile has extra settings.

1. In Slack app: You tab > Notifications
2. Enable Push Notifications
3. Then go to phone Settings > Slack
4. Allow Notifications
5. Check notification style (banners, sounds)

Method 5: Check Channel Notification Settings

Individual channels can be muted.

1. Open the channel
2. Click channel name at top
3. Select Change notifications
4. Choose your preference
5. Check if channel is muted

Method 6: Disable Active Elsewhere Detection

Slack mutes when you seem active.

1. If Slack is open on desktop, mobile won’t notify
2. Close Slack on other devices
3. Or: Preferences > Notifications
4. Check Notify me about settings
5. Adjust “When I’m not active” timing

Method 7: Check Battery Saver

Power saving blocks notifications.

1. Disable Battery Saver mode
2. Android: Settings > Apps > Slack > Battery > Unrestricted
3. iOS: Low Power Mode affects background refresh
4. Windows: Turn off Battery Saver

Method 8: Sign Out and Back In

Refresh Slack connection.

1. Click profile > Sign out of [workspace]
2. Or sign out of all workspaces
3. Close Slack completely
4. Reopen and sign back in
5. Re-check notification preferences

Method 9: Reinstall Slack

Fresh install fixes bugs.

1. Uninstall Slack
2. Restart device
3. Download fresh from slack.com or app store
4. Sign in and set up notifications

Method 10: Check Slack Status

Service issues affect notifications.

1. Visit status.slack.com
2. Check for reported issues
3. Notifications may delay during outages
4. Wait for Slack to resolve

FAQ

Why do I get Slack notifications on phone but not desktop?

Desktop Slack defers to mobile when you’re away. Check if Slack desktop is running in background, verify system notification settings, and disable Focus/Do Not Disturb modes on your computer.

Why are Slack notifications delayed?

Delayed notifications happen when Slack detects you’re active elsewhere. Notifications pause for a few minutes to avoid duplicate alerts. Adjust the “Notify me about” delay in notification preferences.

How do I get notifications for specific keywords?

Go to Preferences > Notifications > My keywords. Add words you want to be notified about. You’ll get alerts whenever those words appear in any channel you’re in, even if channel is muted.