Fix: Facebook Notifications not Working

Kevin ArrowsUpdated on October 19, 2024
Kevin is a certified Network Engineer

When Facebook notifications stop working, the app isn’t alerting users about new activities like messages, friend requests, or tags. This usually happens because of incorrect notification settings in the app or device. Common causes are disabled push notifications, limits on background app refresh, or corrupted app cache.

Facebook stories cross-posting to Instagram
Facebook notifications not working

Sometimes, it might also be an account issue, where notifications work for one account but not another on the same device.

In this article, we will discuss different ways to solve this error.

1. Enable Auto-Sync on Android

When notifications stop, apps may not be syncing data. Enabling Auto-Sync on Android lets apps like Facebook refresh and fetch data for real-time notifications. Without it, notifications can be delayed or missed since the app only updates manually. Auto-Sync keeps the app and server connected for timely updates.

  1. Go to the home screen and tap on Menu.
  2. Tap on Settings and scroll down to find Accounts and Sync.

Note: The name of this menu option may differ by manufacturer. You may also find it under “Accounts”.

  1. Check if your Facebook account is configured for this device. If you see Facebook listed among the accounts, you’re good to go.

Note:  If you don’t see Facebook listed, tap on Add account and enter your Facebook user credentials.

  1. Tap the three-dot icon in the top right section of the screen (More on some custom versions of Android).
  2. Check if auto-sync is enabled. If it isn’t, tap on Enable Auto Sync and hit OK to confirm your selection.

That’s it. Wait for a new notification to come in to see if they are working properly.

2. Enabling Push Notifications on iPhone, iPad, and iPod

If you’re not getting Facebook notifications, turn on push notifications on your iPhone or iPad. This keeps your device connected to the app’s server, sending real-time alerts even if the app is closed.

  1. Go to Menu > Settings and scroll down to find the list of installed apps.
  2. Tap on Facebook and select Push Notifications.
  3. Toggle the slider next to Messages to turn it ON.
  4. Repeat this for other notifications you want, such as Friend Requests, Comments, or Wall Posts.

Now, check to see if notifications are appearing properly on your iOS device.

3. Fix Facebook Notifications on Huawei’s EMUI

To get Facebook notifications on Huawei devices with EMUI, allow Facebook to run in the background and disable battery optimization for it. This prevents EMUI from blocking updates.

  1. Go to Settings > Advanced Settings > Battery Manager > Protected Apps, find Facebook and Facebook Messenger, and add them to the protected list. This ensures that background data for these apps isn’t restricted.
  2. Go to Settings > Apps > Advanced and tap Ignore Battery Optimizations. Add Facebook and Facebook Messenger.

Note: “Ignoring” an app lets it run without any battery restrictions.

  1. Go to Settings > Notification Panel & Status Bar > Notification Center, find the Facebook app, and enable Allow Notifications and Priority Display. Do the same for the Messenger App.

Facebook notifications should now be working on your Huawei device.

4. Fix Android Notifications from the Desktop Version of Facebook

Managing notifications on Android through Facebook’s desktop version syncs app behavior with account settings. This can fix missing notifications by setting them correctly across platforms. Desktop adjustments override local app issues causing notifications to be blocked or delayed, resolving account-specific problems on all devices.

  1. Log in to your Facebook account from a PC or use Chrome on Android and enable Request Desktop Site.

Note: Enter Facebook’s address in the address bar, tap the action button, and enable Request Desktop Site.

  1. Go to Settings and click on Apps.
  2. Remove all accounts under Logged in with Facebook. This will not close any accounts or remove any purchases.
  3. Click Edit under Apps, Websites and Pages, then select Disable Platform.
  4. On your phone, open the Facebook app, expand the action bar in the top-right corner, tap on Notifications, and toggle it OFF and ON.

That’s it. Wait for a notification to come in and see if it shows. Don’t forget to re-enable Apps, Websites, and Plugins from the desktop version of Facebook.

Kevin ArrowsUpdated on October 19, 2024
Kevin is a certified Network Engineer
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Photo of Kevin Arrows

Kevin Arrows


Kevin Arrows is a highly experienced and knowledgeable technology specialist with over a decade of industry experience. He holds a Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist (MCTS) certification and has a deep passion for staying up-to-date on the latest tech developments. Kevin has written extensively on a wide range of tech-related topics, showcasing his expertise and knowledge in areas such as software development, cybersecurity, and cloud computing. His contributions to the tech field have been widely recognized and respected by his peers, and he is highly regarded for his ability to explain complex technical concepts in a clear and concise manner.

Comments

25
    JA
    James Aug 29, 2018

    Nothing here helps

    Reply
    AS
    Angie Stuart Sep 5, 2018

    None of this is working for me. Not getting notifications on iPhone or PC. So it’s not a phone issue.

    Reply
    ZR
    Zraptor Jun 20, 2019

    There in no option for turning on of Facebook sync in one plus 6t it by default off

    Reply
    SW
    Shane Warren Author Jul 31, 2019

    Sync option should be located under “Accounts” turn it off from there

    Reply
    SW
    Shane Warren Author Sep 24, 2019

    It was a temporary isssue and was fixed later on. Is it still occurring?

    Reply
      KI
      Kikyo Apr 7, 2020

      I am having same problem. Not getting any of my normal notifications. When I log out, and there is a page just showing your profile photo, it SHOWS in the red numbers that I have many notifications, but when I log in they are not there. Also all my past notifications are gone as well. I can scroll back to only 5 days and those 5 days of notifications are from groups I never see on my timeline. I am loosing it!!!!!
      It is happening on my iphone app AND on a windows website…sooooo????????

      Reply
        SW
        Shane Warren Author Apr 10, 2020

        If it is happening on both, contact Facebook customer support because it is likely an issue with your account

        Reply
    SW
    Shane Warren Author Sep 24, 2019

    Reportedly, it was a temporary issue with Facebook, does it still occur?

    Reply
      CJ
      Cj Jan 11, 2020

      Got the same problem..notification tone on my messenger and facebook are missing/lost..

      Reply
        SW
        Shane Warren Author Jan 18, 2020

        Are you on a mobile? if so check if any battery savers are on, do the same for a computer. Also, verify that Facebook has been granted all the permissions and try to clear its cache and data once just to be sure.

        Reply
    MS
    mithun shabudin Jan 8, 2020

    Hello I need help am missing my all facebook notifications tones please solve for me to get back

    Reply
      SW
      Shane Warren Author Jan 8, 2020

      You are missing notifications? as in the previous notifications have been deleted? check if any filters have been applied.

      Reply
    JM
    JT Katie Mitchell Jan 24, 2020

    My Notifications are not loading. started yesterday afternoon. Same on Mac desktop and iPhone. I have tried all the fixes. Deleted App, restarted phone, re-downloaded app. Nothing works. Important for you to know that I can log in to my husbands account and I can see notifications fine. It is an account specific issue. The only thing different I did was activate Mentoring sign-up on my business page….I just clicked the button that said activate now from my iPhone.

    Reply
      SW
      Shane Warren Author Jan 25, 2020

      Try to use the “Report a Problem” link and explain your situation to the Customer support they might be able to fix your issue because it seems account specific.

      Reply
      KW
      Katy Ward Apr 4, 2020

      We’re you ever able to get this issue resolved? I’m having the same account issue & it’s very frustrating!

      Reply
        TJ
        TJ May 5, 2020

        Do a search under settings for Always on Top. Once you find that scroll down to Messenger and turn it on. You will once again start getting notifications. I installed an app where I had to turn off Always on Top for Messenger. When I did that I no longer got notifications.

        Reply
    LS
    Linda L Schneider Jan 25, 2020

    Notifications not loading on Facebook, I have done totally everything, checked everything…I have a android tablet. Worked fine until today

    Reply
      SW
      Shane Warren Author Jan 30, 2020

      Contact their customer support after verifying if the issue is just on one account.

      Reply
        KI
        Kikyo Apr 7, 2020

        What costumer support? You can only ‘report a problem’. I have a terrible problem going on with my notifications and it is driving me nuts!!!

        Reply
          SW
          Shane Warren Author Apr 10, 2020

          You can find all information here:
          https://www.facebook.com/help/search/?q=contact%20facebook

    MZ
    Muhammad Zubyan Author Mar 1, 2021

    Everything in your system seems to work fine I think it’s the issue with your account as you said you tried your friend’s account and it worked fine. So I suggest you try doing these settings:-

    1. Open Facebook on your Computer.
    2. Head over to the settings of your account.
    3. Now go to the “Settings & Privacy” Section. Click on “Notifications”.
    4. Make sure to enable the “Push Notifications” for any notifications you want to receive.
    5. Now enable the Sounds and push notifications in the “How you receive notifications” section.

    Check to see if the issue still persists.

    Reply
    BK
    Baten Kaitos Jul 7, 2022

    What about for PC?

    Reply
      MZ
      Muhammad Zubyan Author Jul 8, 2022

      On which Browser are you facing this issue?

      Reply
      CS
      Christine Swenson Sep 2, 2022

      Did you ever resolve your issue? If not, see my comment from today….

      Reply
    CS
    Christine Swenson Sep 2, 2022

    Here’s the only thing that worked for me on my Chrome OS PC. Open Facebook, then go to the address bar and click on the little lock icon and make sure “notifications” is “ON”. Don’t know how mine got turned off, but it did, and this worked for me.

    Reply