You’re trying to focus on work, but suddenly realize you haven’t heard that familiar Slack notification sound in hours. Missing important messages because your Slack desktop notifications stopped working can derail your entire workday and leave you scrambling to catch up.
Step-by-Step Fixes
Step 1: Check Your System Notification Settings
Start with the quickest fix first. Your computer might be blocking Slack from sending notifications at the system level. On Windows 11, click the notification icon in your taskbar, then select “Notification settings.” Make sure Slack is toggled on and set to high priority. Mac users should open System Settings, click Notifications, find Slack in the list, and ensure “Allow Notifications” is checked.
If Slack isn’t even showing up in your system notification list, that’s your problem right there. You’ll need to reinstall the app to get it properly registered with your operating system again.
Step 2: Verify Slack’s In-App Notification Preferences
Open Slack and click your workspace name in the top left corner. Select “Preferences” from the dropdown menu, then navigate to “Notifications.” Check that your notification schedule isn’t paused and that you haven’t accidentally muted all notifications. The “Notify me about” section should have at least “Direct messages, mentions & keywords” selected.
Pay special attention to the notification schedule settings. Many people forget they set up quiet hours and wonder why messages aren’t pinging through during certain times of the day.
Step 3: Toggle Do Not Disturb Mode
This one catches everyone eventually. Look for the bell icon next to your name in Slack. If it has a “z” or appears crossed out, you’re in Do Not Disturb mode. Click it to turn notifications back on. You can also type `/dnd off` in any Slack channel to instantly disable Do Not Disturb mode across all your devices.
Step 4: Clear Slack’s Cache
Corrupted cache files can break notifications without warning. On Windows, press `Ctrl + Shift + E` to clear the cache. Mac users should press `Command + Shift + E`. After clearing, you’ll need to sign back into your workspaces, but this often resolves stubborn notification issues that other fixes miss.
Step 5: Check Focus Assist (Windows) or Focus Mode (Mac)
Windows Focus Assist and Mac’s Focus modes are designed to minimize distractions, but they often block Slack notifications too. On Windows, open Settings, go to System, then Focus assist, and make sure it’s turned off or that Slack is added to your priority list. Mac users should check the Control Center for any active Focus modes and either disable them or add Slack to the allowed apps list.
Step 6: Reinstall the Slack Desktop App
When all else fails, a fresh installation usually does the trick. Completely uninstall Slack first—don’t just delete the app icon. On Windows, use the Control Panel’s “Uninstall a program” feature. Mac users should drag Slack to the trash, then empty it. Download the latest version from Slack’s official website (not from third-party app stores) and install it fresh.
Likely Causes
Cause #1: Operating System Updates Reset Permissions
The January 2025 Windows update and recent macOS updates have been particularly aggressive about resetting app permissions for security reasons. Your system might have quietly revoked Slack’s permission to send notifications during the last update cycle.
To check this, go directly to your system’s privacy settings and look for notification permissions. You’ll often find Slack listed but with its permissions mysteriously turned off. Simply toggle them back on and restart Slack to restore functionality.
Cause #2: Conflicting Notification Management Software
Third-party apps like notification managers, focus apps, or productivity tools can interfere with Slack’s ability to send desktop notifications. Common culprits include RescueTime, Cold Turkey, Freedom, and various “digital wellness” applications that manage screen time.
Check your system tray or menu bar for any apps that might be managing notifications. Temporarily disable them one by one to identify the conflict. Once found, add Slack to their whitelist or exception rules.
Cause #3: Workspace-Specific Notification Overrides
If you’re part of multiple Slack workspaces, each one has its own notification settings that can override your global preferences. You might have notifications working perfectly in one workspace while another stays silent.
Click through each workspace individually and check their notification settings. Look for any workspace where an admin might have set organization-wide quiet hours or notification restrictions. This is especially common in larger companies with strict communication policies.
When to Call Expert Help
If you’ve tried all these steps and Slack notifications still aren’t working on your desktop app, it’s time to reach out for professional help. Contact your IT department first if you’re using a company-managed device—they might have pushed security policies that block certain app behaviors.
For personal devices, Slack’s support team can investigate deeper technical issues. They’re particularly helpful when the problem involves backend synchronization issues or account-specific bugs that aren’t fixable from your end.
Copy-Paste Prompt for AI Help
Here’s a prompt you can paste into ChatGPT or Perplexity for more specific troubleshooting:
“My Slack desktop notifications stopped working on [Windows/Mac] after [describe what changed]. I’ve already checked system permissions, Slack’s notification settings, and Do Not Disturb mode. The app version is [check Help > About Slack for version]. What advanced troubleshooting steps should I try next? Please include any terminal commands or registry edits that might help.”
Remember, notification issues are almost always fixable. The key is working through these solutions methodically rather than randomly clicking settings. Most users find their fix within the first three steps, so don’t lose hope if those familiar Slack sounds have gone quiet. Your notifications will be back up and running soon, keeping you connected to your team’s important conversations.