How to fix Windows 11 Action Center not showing notifications?

Windows 11, the latest and greatest operating system from Microsoft, offers a plethora of features designed to enhance productivity and streamline user experience. Among these features is the Action Center, a centralized hub for all your notifications, alerts, and quick settings.

However, it can be incredibly frustrating when this critical tool fails to show notifications, leaving you in the dark and disconnected from important updates. Fear not, as we delve into the mysterious realm of troubleshooting, exploring the various reasons behind this issue and providing you with potential solutions to get your Action Center back in action.

So, grab your tech toolkit and let’s dive into the world of fixing Windows 11 Action Center!

Possible Causes And Solutions For Windows 11 Action Center Not Showing Notifications

The Action Center in Windows 11 is a crucial component for displaying notifications to the user. However, there may be instances where the Action Center fails to show any notifications, which can be quite frustrating.

Here are some potential causes and solutions for this issue:

  1. Disabled Feature: One possible reason for the Action Center not showing notifications is that the feature might have been disabled.

To fix this, you can enable it by following these steps:
– Open the Windows Settings by pressing Windows key + I. – Go to System and then click on Notifications & actions.

  • Ensure that the “Get notifications from apps and other senders” toggle switch is turned on.

  • Corrupted System Files: Another common cause for the Action Center not displaying notifications could be corrupt system files.

To address this issue, you can try running the System File Checker (SFC) scan to check for and repair any damaged files on your system. Here’s how to do it:
– Press Windows key + X and select “Command Prompt (Admin)”.

  • In the command prompt window, type “sfc /scannow” (without quotes) and press Enter. – Wait for the scan to complete and restart your computer if any errors were found and fixed.

  • Adjusting Group Policy Settings: If the above solutions didn’t work, you can try adjusting the Group Policy settings.

Here’s what you can do:
– Press Windows key + R to open the Run dialog box. – Type “gpedit.msc” (without quotes) and press Enter to open the Group Policy Editor.

  • Navigate to User Configuration > Administrative Templates > Start Menu and Taskbar. – On the right-hand side, look for the “Remove Notifications and Action Center” policy and double-click on it.

  • Select “Not Configured” or “Disabled” and click OK.

  • Using the Fortect Tool: The Fortect tool is a third-party utility that can help resolve issues with the Windows Action Center.

You can try using this tool to fix any problems with the Action Center not showing notifications. It is important to note that third-party tools should be used with caution, so proceed at your own risk and ensure you download it from a trusted source.

Troubleshooting Steps For Fixing Windows 11 Action Center Not Opening Issue

Sometimes, the Action Center in Windows 11 may not open at all, making it impossible to view or manage notifications. If you’re facing this issue, here are some troubleshooting steps you can try:

  1. Changing Group Policy Editor (GPE) Policies: To fix the Action Center not opening issue, you can modify the Group Policy settings related to it.

Here’s how:
– Press Windows key + R to open the Run dialog box. – Type “gpedit.msc” (without quotes) and press Enter to open the Group Policy Editor.

  • Navigate to User Configuration > Administrative Templates > Start Menu and Taskbar. – On the right-hand side, look for policies related to the Action Center.

  • Ensure that the policies are set to “Not Configured” or “Disabled” if you want to enable the Action Center.

  • System File Scan: Running a system file scan can help identify and repair any corrupted files that might be causing the Action Center not to open.

Here’s how to perform this scan:
– Press Windows key + X and select “Command Prompt (Admin)”. – In the command prompt window, type “sfc /scannow” (without quotes) and press Enter.

  • Wait for the scan to complete, and if any issues are found and fixed, restart your computer.

  • System Restoration: If the above solutions didn’t work, you can try performing a system restoration to a previous date when the Action Center was working fine.

Here’s how to do it:
– Press Windows key + X and select “Settings”. – Go to System and then click on Recovery.

  • Under “Advanced startup”, click on Restart now. – Select Troubleshoot > Advanced options > System Restore.

  • Follow the on-screen instructions to restore your system to an earlier date.

  • Restarting File Explorer Process: Restarting the File Explorer process can sometimes resolve issues with the Action Center not opening.

Here’s how to do it:
– Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open the Task Manager. – In the Processes tab, locate and select “Explorer.exe”.

  • Click on the “Restart” button located at the bottom-right corner of the Task Manager window.

Last Resort Option: Resetting Windows 11 To Fix Action Center Problems

If all the above methods fail to resolve the issues with the Action Center, you may consider resetting Windows 11 to its default settings. This should be seen as a last resort option, as it will erase all your personal files and installed applications.

To reset Windows 11, follow these steps:

  1. Press Windows key + I to open the Windows Settings.

  2. Go to System and then click on Recovery.

  3. Under “Reset this PC”, click on “Get started”.

  4. Choose whether to keep your personal files or remove everything, depending on your preference.

  5. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the reset process.

It’s worth noting that after resetting Windows 11, all non-preinstalled software will need to be reinstalled, so make sure you have the necessary installation files and product keys.

In conclusion, the Action Center in Windows 11 not showing notifications or failing to open can be frustrating, but there are several potential solutions to troubleshoot and resolve these issues. By following the steps outlined above, you should be able to get your Action Center working properly again.

Disclaimer: These solutions are provided as general troubleshooting steps and may not be applicable to every user. It is always recommended to create a backup of your important data before making any changes to your system.

If you’re uncertain or uncomfortable with any of the steps mentioned, it’s best to seek assistance from a qualified professional.