[2025] Full Guide to Fix Messenger Notification Not Working

Part I: How to Fix Messenger Notification Not Working on iPhone/Android

Messenger notification not working issue can be due to a number of underlying issues, connected to each other. For example, if the internet isn't working, you won't get notified. If the app doesn't have proper permissions, you won't get notified. You get the idea. Let's take it one by one and ensure everything is in working order to fix the Messenger notification not working issue.

1. Check Internet Connection

Before delving into other troubleshooting steps, ensure your internet connection is stable. Slow or intermittent connectivity can hinder notifications from coming through. You can run a speed test to gauge your network's strength.

2. Check If Your Phone Is In Do Not Disturb Mode

If your device is in Do Not Disturb mode, you will not receive any notifications, whether Messenger or any other app unless you customized it. Disable DND mode to start receiving Messenger notifications.

On Android

As is common with Android, the wording may differ from manufacturer to manufacturer and Android version to version. This here is for OnePlus devices running Android 12.

Step 1: Go to Settings > Sound & Vibration > Do Not Disturb.

Step 2: Tap Do Not Disturb to toggle it OFF if it is ON.

On iPhone

Step 1: Go to Settings > Focus > Do Not Disturb.

Step 2: Toggle it OFF if it is ON.

3. Check If App Notifications Are Allowed On Device

Is the Messenger app allowed to send notifications on your device? Here is how to check it and enable Messenger notifications.

On Android

Step 1: Go to Settings > Apps > App Management > Messenger.

Step 2: Tap Manage Notifications and set to Allow. For reference, the image is shared below:

On iPhone

Step 1: Go to Settings > Notifications > Messenger.

Step 2: Toggle Allow Notifications ON and set Sound and Badges to ON as well.

4. Check If Push Notifications Are Enabled in the App

To fix the Messenger notifications not working issue, notifications must be enabled both on the device and in the app. Previously you learned how to enable Messenger notifications on your device. Here is how to enable push notifications in the Messenger app:

Step 1: Launch Messenger and tap your profile picture at the top left.

Step 2: Scroll down and tap Notifications and Sounds.

Step 3: Set them to your liking. If you want to receive notifications, toggle Do Not Disturb OFF.

5. Check If Background Access Is Allowed

Messenger needs the ability to run in the background to be able to send notifications, otherwise, you will face Messenger notifications not working problem. Here is how to enable background access in Android and iPhone.

In Android

Step 1: Go to Settings > Apps > App Management > Messenger.

Step 2: Tap Battery Usage.

Step 3: Tap Allow Background Activity to let the app run in the background, which will help it send notifications without problems.

In iPhone

Step 1: Go to Settings > General > Background App Refresh.

Step 2: Look for Messenger and toggle it ON.

6. Check If Contacts Are Unmuted

It is possible that Messenger notification is not working for one or more of your people alone, and that suggests that those contacts were accidentally muted, hence Messenger notification not working for them. Here's how to get those notifications back:

step 1: Open the Messenger app and tap Chats from the bottom bar.

Step 2: Now, see if there is a muted bell symbol across any of your chat threads.

Step 3: Tap that contact and tap the profile name.

Step 4: Tap Unmute to get the Messenger notification working again.

7. Reinstall Messenger

Sometimes, something goes corrupt in a way that there is no other way to resolve it but to uninstall the app and reinstall it. So, if the above fixes have not helped, try uninstalling the app and reinstalling it.

On Android

Step 1: Go to Settings > Apps > App Management > Messenger.

Step 2: Tap Uninstall and tap OK to confirm.

On iPhone

Step 1: Tap and hold the Messenger icon to get a contextual menu.

Step 2: Tap Remove App and then tap Delete App to confirm.

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Part II: How to Fix Messenger Notifications Not Working On Apple Watch

Now, when you throw an Apple Watch in the mix, things get slightly more complex as Apple Watch notifications work slightly differently depending on how much you have customized the notification delivery system on your Apple Watch.

By default, here's what happens. When you install an app on your iPhone that has an Apple Watch paired to it, the iPhone installs the app on the Watch as well if the app supports it, and notifications are set to mirror the iPhone by default. That is, unless you have made changes to the notification delivery system on the Apple Watch, setting custom settings.

1. Is The Watch In Silent Mode?

Silent Mode on Apple Watch is different and independent from the Do Not Disturb mode on iPhone that encompasses all iCloud-connected devices. So, enabling Do Not Disturb on one device will enable it for all devices, but enabling Silent Mode on Apple Watch will only silence the Apple Watch. It's local and applies only to the Watch.

Silent Mode will not prevent notifications from coming to the Watch, but there will be no sound.

Step 1: Open the Watch app on your iPhone, tap My Watch at the bottom, and scroll to Sound & Haptics.

Step 2: Make sure Silent Mode is OFF.

2. Are Messenger Notifications On Apple Watch Set Correctly?

To get Messenger notifications on Apple Watch, there are a few steps to follow.

Install Messenger On Apple Watch

Step 1: Launch the Watch app, tap My Watch and scroll down to find Messenger under Available Apps.

Step 2: Tap Install to install Messenger on Apple Watch. Your Watch needs to be close by and unlocked.

Set Notifications

Step 1: In the Watch app, tap My Watch and tap Notifications.

Step 2: Under Mirror iPhone Alerts From, toggle Messenger ON.

3. Restart Apple Watch

You can restart the Apple Watch to see if the messenger notification not working issue resolves itself. Here's how to restart the Apple Watch:

Step 1: With the Watch disconnected from the charger, press and hold the Side button until the shut down screen appears.

Step 2: Slide and power off the Watch.

Step 3: After a few seconds, press the Side button again to restart.

4. Force Restart The Apple Watch

A force restart can sometimes be better than a restart when things are not working as they should, in this case, messenger notifications not working on Apple Watch.

Step 1: Press and hold both the crown and the side button together until the Apple logo appears.

5. Uninstall And Reinstall Messenger On Apple Watch

Just as with the iPhone, you can uninstall and reinstall Messenger on Apple Watch.

Step 1: Press the digital crown on the Watch to get the app's view.

Step 2: Tap and hold the Messenger icon until the screen prompts to edit apps. Tap Edit Apps. The icons will start jiggling, and there will be a tiny X button on the Messenger app.

Step 3: Tap that X and confirm Delete.

Messenger will be uninstalled from Apple Watch. Reinstall it from the Watch app on iPhone as shown previously.

Conclusion

Facebook Messenger is the most used app in the world. In parts of the world where it is not the most used app, it is the second most-used app, second only to Facebook's WhatsApp. So, when Messenger notifications are not working, it is a cause for concern. Here are fixes that will help you get things sorted reliably and quickly. We have also thrown in a guide showing how to set messenger notifications on Apple Watch properly and how to restart the Apple Watch in case the notifications are not working properly.