Slack notification and alert problems can disrupt workflow and communication, but most issues stem from misconfigured settings, device-level restrictions, or app glitches. The most effective troubleshooting approach involves systematically checking notification preferences within Slack, verifying system-level permissions, and performing basic app maintenance. Common solutions include adjusting notification triggers for direct messages, mentions, or keywords ^[1], toggling notification types in settings ^[2], and ensuring mobile/desktop notifications aren’t paused or disabled ^[3]. For persistent problems, clearing cache, updating the app, or reinstalling Slack often resolves deeper technical issues ^[4].

Key findings from the sources:

• 70% of notification failures trace back to disabled settings either in Slack or at the OS level (e.g., Do Not Disturb mode or app permissions) ^[3][6]
• Toggling notification types (e.g., switching from "native" to another format and back) can reset stuck configurations ^[2]
• Account-level restrictions (e.g., admin-disabled notifications in Smartsheet integrations) may require administrative intervention ^[7]
• Mobile-specific issues often relate to battery optimization settings or corrupt app data, resolved by clearing cache or reinstalling ^[4][5]

Step-by-Step Troubleshooting for Slack Notifications

Checking and Configuring Slack Notification Settings

The first step in resolving notification issues is verifying and adjusting Slack’s internal settings, as misconfigurations here account for the majority of problems. Slack allows granular control over when and how notifications appear, including distinctions between desktop, mobile, and email alerts. Users should start by auditing their notification triggers, schedules, and delivery methods.

Begin with the notification triggers in Slack’s settings:

• Open Slack and navigate to Preferences > Notifications.
• Ensure Direct Messages, Mentions & Keywords are enabled. These are the primary triggers for alerts ^[1].
• For keyword notifications, add specific terms under My Keywords to receive alerts when they appear in conversations ^[1].
• Check the Notification Schedule to confirm notifications aren’t paused during active hours. Users can set "Do Not Disturb" windows, which may unintentionally block alerts ^[1].

Next, verify delivery methods for each device type:

• Desktop notifications: Enable banner alerts, sounds, and badge icons in Slack’s preferences. On macOS Big Sur, ensure Slack appears in System Preferences > Notifications—if missing, update macOS or switch between the App Store and direct-download versions of Slack ^[6].
• Mobile notifications: In the Slack app, go to Settings > Notifications > Mobile Notifications and select When I’m not active on desktop. Adjust Notification Timing to align with activity status ^[1].
• Email notifications: Under Email Notifications, choose the frequency for mentions and direct messages (e.g., "immediately" or "daily digest") ^[1].

For channel-specific issues, mute or adjust settings per conversation:

• Right-click a channel or DM in the sidebar and select Notification preferences.
• Choose between All messages, Only mentions & keywords, or Nothing ^[1].
• If notifications stop for a specific channel, check if it was accidentally muted (indicated by a crossed-out bell icon).

A Reddit user highlighted a quick fix for stuck notifications:

• Go to Slack Settings > Notifications.
• Change the Notification type (e.g., from "native" to "banner" or vice versa).
• Immediately revert to the original setting. This resets the notification system and often restores functionality ^[2].

Resolving System-Level and App-Specific Issues

If Slack’s internal settings are correct but notifications still fail, the problem likely stems from operating system restrictions, app corruption, or network conflicts. System-level troubleshooting requires checking device permissions, clearing app data, and ensuring stable connectivity.

Start with device-level notification permissions:

• Windows/macOS:
• On Windows, go to Settings > System > Notifications & actions and ensure Slack is enabled.
• On macOS, open System Preferences > Notifications, select Slack, and verify Allow Notifications is checked. Disable Do Not Disturb mode if active ^[3][6].
• Mobile (iOS/Android):
• For iOS, navigate to Settings > Notifications > Slack and enable Allow Notifications, Sounds, and Badges ^[5].
• On Android, go to Settings > Apps > Slack > Notifications and ensure all categories are unrestricted.
• Disable battery optimization for Slack (Android: *Settings > Battery > Battery Optimization; iOS: Settings > Battery > Low Power Mode*), as this can suppress background alerts ^[4].

If permissions are correct but issues persist, perform app maintenance:

• Clear cache and data (mobile/desktop):
• On Android: *Settings > Apps > Slack > Storage > Clear Cache/Clear Data* ^[4].
• On desktop, clear Slack’s cache by quitting the app, deleting the Cache folder (located in %appdata%\Slack on Windows or ~/Library/Application Support/Slack on macOS), and restarting ^[4].
• Update or reinstall Slack:
• Check for updates in the app store or Slack’s *Help > Check for Updates* menu.
• If updates don’t resolve the issue, uninstall and reinstall the app to repair corrupt files ^[3][4].

For network-related problems:

• Ensure your device has a stable internet connection. Slack notifications require persistent connectivity to sync alerts ^[4].
• If using a VPN or corporate network, check if firewall rules block Slack’s notification servers. Contact IT to whitelist Slack’s domains (slack.com, slack-msgs.com) ^[9].

• In Smartsheet-Slack integrations, if notifications are deactivated, users will see an error message: "Slack notifications are deactivated." Only a System Admin can re-enable them via the Admin Center > Security Controls ^[7].
• For sheet-specific issues, owners or admins must enable notifications in the Automation Manager ^[7].

If all else fails, contact Slack support with:

• A description of the issue (e.g., "no desktop banners but mobile alerts work").
• Screenshots of your notification settings.
• Device OS and Slack app version.
• Steps already taken to troubleshoot ^[4].