Facebook Notifications Not Working Today? 9 Easy Fixes to Try

Missing out on replies, tags, or group updates because Facebook stopped sending notifications can be very frustrating situation. However, the good news is that you usually don’t need rest your device to fix it. Facebook runs on a multi-tier notification system; there are settings inside the app, and then there are the master permissions on your Android or iPhone. Below, we’ve broken down the fixes step-by-step so you can resolve Facebook notifications when it’s not working.

1. Check Facebook’s Notification Settings

Facebook lets you control notifications for different activities separately. If the relevant category is disabled, you may not receive those alerts even when other notifications work.

1. Open the Facebook app.
2. Tap the Menu button.
3. Tap Settings & privacy.
4. Select Settings.
5. Tap Notifications.
6. Open the notification category you are missing.
7. Make sure the relevant notification options are turned on.

After changing the settings, close Facebook and wait for a new notification.

2. Allow Facebook Notifications on Android

Android can block Facebook notifications at the system level. This means Facebook may be configured correctly, but your phone will still prevent its alerts from appearing.

1. Open Settings on your Android phone.
2. Tap Apps or Apps & notifications.
3. Find and select Facebook.
4. Tap Notifications.
5. Turn on Allow notifications.
6. Check the individual notification categories.
7. Enable the categories you want to receive.

3. Allow Facebook Notifications on iPhone

iOS has a separate notification permission for every app. If Facebook lost this permission, its alerts will not appear even if Facebook’s internal settings are enabled.

1. Open Settings on your iPhone.
2. Tap Notifications.
3. Scroll down and select Facebook.
4. Turn on Allow Notifications.
5. Enable Lock Screen, Notification Center, and Banners if needed.
6. Make sure notification sounds are enabled if you want an audible alert.

4. Turn Off Battery Restrictions

Some Android phones restrict background activity to save battery. When this happens, Facebook may not be allowed to check for new activity until you open the app.

1. Open Settings.
2. Tap Apps.
3. Select Facebook.
4. Tap Battery.
5. Look for Battery usage or Background activity.
6. Select Unrestricted if the option is available.
7. Restart Facebook.

The setting can have a different name on Samsung, Xiaomi, OnePlus, Pixel, and other phones.

5. Check Do Not Disturb or Focus

Do Not Disturb on Android and Focus on iPhone can silence or hide Facebook alerts. This is particularly worth checking if notifications stopped suddenly.

On Android:

1. Open Settings.
2. Tap Notifications.
3. Select Do Not Disturb.
4. Check whether Facebook is being blocked.
5. Temporarily turn off Do Not Disturb.
6. Test Facebook notifications again.

On iPhone:

1. Open Settings.
2. Tap Focus.
3. Select the active Focus mode.
4. Check the apps allowed to send notifications.
5. Add Facebook if necessary.
6. Temporarily disable Focus and test again.

6. Update the Facebook App

An outdated Facebook version can sometimes cause notification problems. Installing the latest update also ensures you have the newest notification-related fixes.

1. Open the Google Play Store on Android or the App Store on iPhone.
2. Search for Facebook.
3. Open the Facebook app page.
4. Tap Update if an update is available.
5. Wait for the installation to finish.
6. Open Facebook and test notifications.

If you see Open instead of Update, you already have the latest available version.

7. Clear Facebook’s Cache on Android

A corrupted temporary cache can sometimes cause Facebook to behave incorrectly. Clearing it removes temporary files without deleting your Facebook account.

1. Open Settings.
2. Tap Apps.
3. Select Facebook.
4. Tap Storage or Storage & cache.
5. Tap Clear cache.
6. Open Facebook again.
7. Check whether notifications are working.

Do not tap Clear data unless you are prepared to sign back into the app. As far as iPhones are concerned, removing the app card from recent apps might do the trick.

8. Restart Your Phone

A background process responsible for notifications can occasionally become stuck. Restarting your phone gives those services a fresh start.

1. Save anything you are working on.
2. Hold the phone’s Power button.
3. Select Restart.
4. Wait for the phone to boot completely.
5. Open Facebook once.
6. Leave it running in the background.
7. Test whether a new notification arrives.

9. Reinstall Facebook

If none of the previous fixes work, reinstalling Facebook gives the app a completely fresh installation. This can help when its local files or settings have become corrupted.

1. Uninstall Facebook from your phone.
2. Restart the phone.
3. Open the Google Play Store or App Store.
4. Search for Facebook.
5. Install the app again.
6. Sign in to your account.
7. Allow notifications when prompted.

Give Facebook a few minutes after signing in before testing another notification.

Summing Up

When Facebook notifications are not working, check the app’s settings first, then your phone’s notification permissions. If that does not help, work through battery restrictions, Focus settings, updates, cache, and finally a clean reinstall. In case you are dealing with Facebook app and website issues, check our dedicated guide here. We also have a guide for times when Facebook isn’t showing birthdays, when Messenger notifications fail, or when the app isn’t working at all.

FAQs related to Facebook notifications not working

1. Why are my Facebook notifications not showing up?

Facebook notifications can be blocked by the app, your phone, battery restrictions, or Focus settings. Check each notification layer separately.

2. Why do Facebook notifications only appear when I open Facebook?

Your phone may be restricting Facebook’s background activity. Check the app’s battery settings and allow background usage.

3. Why am I getting some Facebook notifications but not others?

Facebook separates notifications into different categories. Open Facebook > Settings & privacy > Settings > Notifications and check each category.

4. Will clearing Facebook’s cache delete my account?

No. Clearing the cache only removes temporary files stored by the app. Your Facebook account and posts remain untouched.