Why is Windows 11 Action Center not showing notifications?

In this fast-paced digital age, staying connected and informed is more critical than ever. We rely on notifications to keep us in the loop, to alert us to important messages, and to make our lives easier.

But what happens when the trusty Windows 11 Action Center suddenly stops delivering those timely updates? Frustration sets in, and we find ourselves scrambling for solutions.

Fear not! In this article, we will delve into the mysterious world of the missing Windows 11 Action Center notifications.

From restarting your computer to tweaking the intricate settings, we’ve got a comprehensive list of potential fixes that will have you up and running smoothly in no time. So, let’s unravel the mystery together and restore the power of notifications to your Windows 11 experience.

Introduction

The Windows 11 Action Center is an essential feature that provides users with quick access to notifications and important system settings. However, there are instances where the Action Center does not show notifications, leaving users unaware of important updates and events.

In this article, we will explore the potential causes behind this issue and present troubleshooting steps to resolve it.

1. Restart The PC

One of the basic troubleshooting steps for any software issue is to restart the computer. This simple action can often resolve minor glitches that may be causing the Action Center to malfunction.

To restart your PC, follow these steps:

  1. Click on the Start button in the bottom left corner of the screen.
  2. From the power options menu, select Restart.

After the restart, check if the Action Center starts showing notifications as expected.

2. Check Notification Settings

Improper notification settings could be the reason why the Action Center is not showing notifications. To verify and adjust the settings, follow these steps:

  1. Click on the Start button and select Settings.
  2. In the Settings window, click on System.
  3. From the left sidebar, choose Notifications & actions.
  4. Ensure that the Show notifications on the lock screen and Show notifications in action center options are enabled.

If any changes were made, restart the computer and check if the Action Center now displays notifications.

3. Disable Focus Assist If Enabled

Focus Assist is a Windows feature designed to minimize distractions by suppressing notifications during certain activities. However, if Focus Assist is enabled, it may prevent the Action Center from showing notifications altogether.

To disable Focus Assist, follow these steps:

  1. Click on the Start button and select Settings.
  2. In the Settings window, click on System.
  3. From the left sidebar, choose Focus Assist.
  4. Select Off under the “Priority only” or “Alarms only” section to disable Focus Assist.

After disabling Focus Assist, restart the computer and check if the Action Center now displays notifications properly.

4. Restart Windows Explorer

In some cases, the Action Center may fail to show notifications due to an issue with the Windows Explorer process. Restarting this process can sometimes resolve the problem.

Here’s how to do it:

  1. Right-click on the taskbar and select Task Manager.
  2. In the Task Manager window, go to the Processes tab.
  3. Scroll down and find Windows Explorer. Right-click on it and select Restart.

Wait for the Windows Explorer process to restart, and then check if the Action Center starts showing notifications.

5. Run an SFC Scan

System File Checker (SFC) is a built-in Windows tool that scans and repairs corrupted system files. Running an SFC scan may help fix any potential issues that could be causing the Action Center to malfunction.

Follow these steps to run an SFC scan:

  1. Open the Command Prompt as an administrator. You can do this by searching for “Command Prompt” in the Start menu, right-clicking on it, and choosing Run as administrator.
  2. In the Command Prompt window, type sfc /scannow and press Enter.
  3. Wait for the scan to complete.

    If any corrupt files are found, the SFC tool will attempt to repair them.

After the scan is finished, restart the computer and check if the Action Center now displays notifications.

6. Re-register the Action Center

Re-registering the Action Center can help resolve issues with its functionality. To re-register, follow these steps:

  1. Open the Command Prompt as an administrator.
  2. Type the following command and press Enter:
    PowerShell -ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted Get-AppXPackage | Foreach {Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register “$($_.InstallLocation)AppXManifest.xml”}
  3. Wait for the process to complete, and then restart the computer.

After the restart, check if the Action Center is now showing notifications.

Conclusion

The Windows 11 Action Center not showing notifications can be frustrating, but by following the troubleshooting steps outlined in this article, you can potentially resolve the issue. Restarting the PC, checking notification settings, disabling Focus Assist, restarting Windows Explorer, running an SFC scan, re-registering the Action Center, and making necessary tweaks in the Registry Editor are among the recommended steps to address this problem.

If none of these steps work, consider updating Windows through the Settings app or seeking further assistance from Microsoft support to fix system-wide notification issues.

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