Getting notifications from your Mail app on Windows 11 is important to stay updated with your emails. However, sometimes these notifications may stop working without any clear reason. This can cause you to miss important messages or alerts.
Fortunately, there are several simple and effective ways to fix Mail app notifications not working. This guide will walk you through easy troubleshooting steps to help you restore notifications quickly.
We will start with basic checks and then move to more advanced solutions as needed. Each step includes an explanation of why it matters, so you understand how it helps.
By the end, you’ll know how to get your Mail notifications working again and keep them reliable on Windows 11.
Quick Note: Prerequisites and Basic Checks
- Check Internet Connection: Notifications require an active internet connection. Make sure your PC is online.
- Confirm Mail App is Open: Sometimes the app needs to be running in the background for notifications to appear.
- Verify Mail Account Setup: Ensure your email account is properly added to the Mail app and syncing correctly.
- Restart Your PC: A simple reboot can fix temporary glitches affecting notifications.
Step 1: Enable Notifications for the Mail App
Windows 11 allows you to control notifications app-by-app. If notifications are turned off for the Mail app, you won’t receive alerts.
- Click on the Start button and select Settings (gear icon).
- Go to System and then click on Notifications.
- Scroll down to find the Mail app in the list of apps.
- Make sure the toggle switch next to Mail is turned on.
- Click on Mail to check detailed notification settings and ensure all options (such as banners and sounds) are enabled.
Why this is important: If notifications are disabled here, Windows will block alerts from the Mail app regardless of other settings.
Step 2: Check Focus Assist Settings
Focus Assist is a feature in Windows 11 that silences notifications during certain times or activities. If it’s enabled, you might miss Mail notifications.
- Open Settings and navigate to System > Focus Assist.
- Check if Focus Assist is turned on. If it is, it may be set to Priority only or Alarms only.
- If you want to receive all notifications, select Off to disable Focus Assist completely.
- Alternatively, customize the priority list to include the Mail app so you still get its notifications when Focus Assist is on.
Why this matters: Focus Assist prevents notifications from showing, so disabling it or adjusting settings ensures you won’t miss important email alerts.
Step 3: Ensure Background Apps Permission is Enabled
The Mail app needs permission to run in the background to fetch new emails and show notifications.
- Go to Settings > Apps > Installed apps.
- Find and click on Mail and Calendar.
- Click on Advanced options.
- Scroll to the Background apps permissions section.
- Make sure it is set to Always or Power optimized, but not Never.
Why this is necessary: Without permission to run in the background, the Mail app cannot check for new messages or trigger notifications.
Step 4: Update the Mail App and Windows 11
Using outdated software can cause notification issues due to bugs or incompatibility.
- Open the Microsoft Store app.
- Click on the Library icon at the bottom left.
- Click Get updates to update all apps including Mail and Calendar.
- Next, open Settings > Windows Update.
- Click Check for updates and install any available updates.
Why updating helps: Updates often fix bugs and improve system compatibility, which can restore notification functionality.
Step 5: Reset the Mail App
If notifications still don’t work, resetting the Mail app can fix corrupted files or misconfigurations.
- Open Settings > Apps > Installed apps.
- Locate and click on Mail and Calendar.
- Select Advanced options.
- Scroll down and click Reset.
- Confirm the reset. This will delete the app data but not your emails.
Why reset helps: This process restores the app to its default state, often resolving issues caused by corrupted app data.
Alternative Method: Use Notifications Troubleshooter
Windows 11 includes a troubleshooting tool that can detect and fix notification problems automatically.
- Open Settings > System > Troubleshoot > Other troubleshooters.
- Find Notifications in the list.
- Click Run next to Notifications.
- Follow the prompts to let Windows diagnose and fix issues.
This tool is useful if you’re unsure where the problem lies, as it covers general notification problems system-wide.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Why am I not getting Mail notifications even though they are enabled?
Besides notification settings, Focus Assist might be blocking alerts, or background permissions could be disabled. Also, the app may need updating or resetting.
Will resetting the Mail app delete my emails?
No, resetting only clears the app’s data and settings. Your emails are stored on the server and will sync again after resetting.
How can I make sure Mail notifications show up as banners?
In Settings > System > Notifications > Mail, ensure “Show notification banners” is enabled. This makes notifications pop up visibly on your screen.
Can third-party antivirus software block Mail notifications?
Yes, some antivirus programs may interfere with app notifications. Try temporarily disabling your antivirus to test if it’s causing the issue.
When Nothing Works
If you have tried all the steps above and Mail app notifications still do not work, consider these final options:
- Create a new user account: Sometimes user profiles can become corrupted. Testing notifications on a new account can help isolate the problem.
- Reinstall the Mail app: Uninstall the Mail and Calendar app, then reinstall it from the Microsoft Store.
- Contact Microsoft Support: Visit the official Microsoft Mail support page for additional help.
Conclusion
Mail app notifications not working on Windows 11 can be frustrating, but most issues can be fixed by following simple steps. Start by confirming your notification settings and Focus Assist status, then ensure the Mail app can run in the background. Keeping your app and system updated also helps prevent bugs.
If problems persist, resetting the app or using the built-in troubleshooter often resolves deeper issues. Remember, your emails are safe on the server, so resetting won’t cause data loss.
By carefully following this guide, you can restore your Mail notifications and stay connected to your important messages without missing a beat.